cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The stretch modulus of human cervical tissue in spontaneous, oxytocin-induced, and prostaglandin E2-induced labor

Abstract A total of 62 strips of cervical tissue from 28 patients at term were tested for stiffness (stretch modulus) by elongation and measuring the tension produced by a given stretch. The stretch modulus was taken as the slope of the linear regression curve derived from the linear portion of the stress-strain relationship. The data were obtained from three patient categories: (1) 17 strips from seven patients undergoing spontaneous labor, (2) 18 strips from 10 patients with labor induced by PGE 2 , and (3) 27 strips from 11 patients with labor induced by oxytocin. The stretch moduli of cervical tissue obtained from spontaneous and oxytocin-induced labor patients were similar. The stretch moduli of cervical tissue obtained from PGE 2 -induced labor patients were significantly lower than those from either the spontaneous or the oxytocin-induced labor groups. These results show that PGE 2 , when used for induction of labor at term, has the ability to lower the stiffness of cervical tissue. This property of prostaglandin may be useful therapeutically for the indicated induction of labor in patients with an unfavorable cervix.
ICU Outcomes for Cone Reconstruction in Children with Ebstein Anomaly

Purpose: Children with depressed right ventricular (RV) function undergoing cone reconstruction (CR) for Ebstein anomaly (EA) are at risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have demonstrated excellent short and medium-term outcomes, but the immediate postoperative ICU course and management has not been well studied. We examined the postoperative course for children following CR to identify risk factors for early postoperative morbidity and mortality. Methods: This is a single institution, retrospective review of 167 children, 1-18 years old that had CR …
Provable Fictitious Play for General Mean-Field Games

We propose a reinforcement learning algorithm for stationary mean-field games, where the goal is to learn a pair of mean-field state and stationary policy that constitutes the Nash equilibrium. When viewing the mean-field state and the policy as two players, we propose a fictitious play algorithm which alternatively updates the mean-field state and the policy via gradient-descent and proximal policy optimization, respectively. Our algorithm is in stark contrast with previous literature which solves each single-agent reinforcement learning problem induced by the iterates mean-field states to the optimum. Furthermore, we prove that our fictitious play algorithm converges to the Nash equilibrium at a sublinear rate. To the best of our knowledge, this seems the first provably convergent reinforcement learning algorithm for mean-field games based on iterative updates of both mean-field state and policy.
Glioblastoma and primary central nervous system lymphoma: differentiation using MRI derived first-order texture analysis – a machine learning study:

ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of multiple machine learning classifier models derived from first-order histogram texture parameters extracted from T1-weighted contrast-enhanced im...
An Early Interview Day with Feedback to Prepare General Surgery Applicants for Residency Interviews.

ABSTRACT Background Success in the residency interview is important in obtaining a position in general surgery residency. Preparing applicants for interviews is imperative yet can be resource intensive. The primary objective of our study was to investigate whether an early interview day with feedback (IDWF) provides interview preparation to internal applicants to general surgery residency without negatively impacting their rank list position at our program. Methods Internal applicants to the general surgery residency program at a single academic institution were invited to an early interview day after which they received individualized feedback and attended a workshop on interview techniques. Applicants were anonymously surveyed after The Match to measure their experiences with the IDWF. Two years of post-intervention program rank lists were compared to those from the five years pre-intervention to assess for change in rank list position of internal applicants. Participants included the 16 of 20 internal applicants who completed the survey. De-identified rank order data of internal applicants between 2014 and 2020 included 48 applicants. Results All applicants believed the IDWF should be continued, and over half reported improved confidence and made changes from feedback. Rank list analysis demonstrated no statistically significant change in the proportion of internal applicants who ranked in the top 40 nor the average rank position of internal applicants. Conclusions An early interview day with feedback provides interview preparation in a resource-efficient manner without harming rank list position. The IDWF may be generalizable to other institutions to provide interview preparation to general surgery residency applicants.
Cytochrome oxidase "blobs": a call for more anatomy.

An ordered relation of structure and function has been a cornerstone in thinking about brain organization. Like the brain itself, however, this is not straightforward and is confounded both by functional intricacy and structural plasticity (many routes to a given outcome). As a striking case of putative structure–function correlation, this mini-review focuses on the relatively well-characterized pattern of cytochrome oxidase (CO) blobs (aka “patches” or “puffs”) in the supragranular layers of macaque monkey visual cortex. The pattern is without doubt visually compelling, and the semi-dichotomous array of CO+ blobs and CO− interblobs is consistent with multiple studies reporting compartment-specific preferential connectivity and distinctive physiological response properties. Nevertheless, as briefly reviewed here, the finer anatomical organization of this system is surprisingly under-investigated, and the relation to functional aspects, therefore, unclear. Microcircuitry, cell type, and three-dimensional spatiotemporal level investigations of the CO+ CO− pattern are needed and may open new views to structure–function organization of visual cortex, and to phylogenetic and ontogenetic comparisons across nonhuman primates (NHP), and between NHP and humans.
FDA's Quality Systems Methodology at Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sites

This research details the FDA’s quality systems methodology used in its inspection of biopharmaceutical manufacturers in the time period between 2003 and 2009. It analyzes the violations specified in FDA site inspection warning letters, reviewing their frequency and specificity. This analysis is an exploration into FDA activity in this sector, focusing particularly on finished pharmaceuticals, and serves as an initial evaluation of the FDA’s performance. In addition, the study pays particular attention to whether the FDA’s risk methodology has enhanced the overall inspection process and increased its quality assurance. U.S.A. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) This paper is the result of an ongoing examination of the FDA’s new risk methodology, as it is applied to the manufacturing sector of the bio-pharmaceutical (BP) industry. It specifically addresses the manufacturing facilities that produce finished pharmaceuticals, including drugs for humans. As a basis for this study, the researchers continue to review FDA regulations and procedural manuals that relate to inspections and quality systems (QS), as well as examining violation warning letters issued to BP facilities from 2003 to 2009. The FDA is continually seeking to improve its oversight of the BP industry, and in 2004 it announced that it would incorporate a risk-based methodology in its inspection of manufacturing processes. The data generated since this announcement up until 2009, provides sufficient information to analyze whether this decision has improved the FDA oversight process. To judge this new approach, the researchers evaluated the FDA data as to whether more inspections have been made, more violations found, and better guidance provided during this time period. The researchers gathered data from site inspections, grouped them into categories showing the number and type of annual manufacturing inspections, and then examined the type of violations and their frequency, as detailed in the warning letters (WLs) issued to manufacturers. This task of gathering and analyzing data from thousands of inspections that occur at diverse manufacturing facilities around the country is significant and complex. However, the Freedom of Information Act of 2008 (FDA, 2008d) has released much important data concerning site visits. This then becomes a database problem of collecting, sorting and extracting information from the multiple folders found at the FDA web site. Consequently, the researchers made the decision to focus on one particular subset within the BP industry—that of drugs and biological products. Choosing this FDA sector allows a comparison to be made between similar manufacturing sites,
Uniform Central Limit Theorems: Classes Too Large to Be Donsker

Universal Lower Bounds This chapter is primarily about asymptotic lower bounds for ∥ P n − P ∥ F on certain classes F of functions, as treated in Chapter 8, mainly classes of indicators of sets. Section 11.2 will give some upper bounds which indicate the sharpness of some of the lower bounds. Section 11.4 gives some relatively difficult lower bounds on classes such as the convex sets in ℝ 3 and lower layers in ℝ 2 . In preparation for this, Section 11.3 treats Poissonization and random “stopping sets” analogous to stopping times. The present section gives lower bounds in some cases which hold not only with probability converging to 1, but for all possible P n . Definitions are as in Sections 3.1 and 8.2, with P := U(I d ) = λ d = Lebesgue measure on I d . Specifically, recall the classes G(α, K, d ):= G α,K, d of functions on the unit cube I d ⊂ ℝ d with derivatives through αth order bounded by K , and the related families C(α, K, d ) of sets (subgraphs of functions in G(α, K, d − 1)), both defined early in Section 8.2. Theorem 11.1 (Bakhvalov ) For P = U(I d ), any d = 1, 2, … and α > 0, there is a γ = γ (d, α) > 0 such that for all n = 1, 2,…, and all possible values of P n , we have ∥P n − P ∥G(α1,d ) ≥ γ n −α/d .
The phonocardiogram in mitral valvular disease: A correlation of Q-1 and 2-OS intervals with findings at catheterization of the left side of the heart and at mitral valvuloplasty

Abstract The intervals between the QRS of the electrocardiogram and the first heart sound (Q-1) and between the second heart sound and the opening snap (2-OS) have been correlated with operative findings and results of catheterization of the left side of the heart in forty-nine patients with mitral valvular disease. The Q-1 interval was usually prolonged (mean 0.07 seconds, standard deviation 0.01) but there was considerable overlap with the normal range (mean 0.05 seconds, standard deviation 0.02). There was poor correlation of the Q-1 with mitral valve size, left atrial mean pressure or end-diastolic pressure gradient across the mitral valve. An opening snap was demonstrable in thirty-one patients. Absence of an opening snap was usually associated with a heavily calcified immobile valve, with minimal mitral stenosis, or with the presence of predominant mitral regurgitation. There was significant correlation (r — 0.7) between the 2-OS interval and left atrial mean pressure, independent of the mitral valve size. The correlation with the mean diastolic pressure gradient across the mitral valve was considerably less (r — 0.4). The left atrial mean pressure or mean diastolic pressure gradient could not be predicted reliably from the 2-OS interval. Patients with combinations of mitral stenosis and regurgitation and appreciable mitral diastolic pressure gradients, showed Q-1 and 2-OS intervals indistinguishable from patients with pure mitral stenosis and similar pressure gradients. Patients with no diastolic pressure gradients across the mitral valve and, therefore, pure mitral insufficiency, had short Q-1 intervals, usually no opening snap and did not show variation of the Q-1 with the previous cycle length. With rare exceptions the Q-1 interval shortened and the 2-OS interval lengthened following successful mitral valvuloplasty. Usually the patients in whom this did not occur were not helped by surgery. It is concluded that the phonocardiogram may be a useful clinical adjunct in the evaluation of mitral valvular disease, but that its usefulness is limited. It is not a substitute for direct hemodynamic studies in patients who present difficult problems.
The Many Trials of Galileo Galilei

Retrying Galileo 1633-1992. By Maurice Finocchiaro. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, 2005. 497 pp. $50, £32.50. ISBN 0-520-24261-0. The author offers a finely documented account of the aftermath, repercussions, and reinterpretations of Galileo9s trial from the 17th century into the 1990s.
Rapid catalytic oxygenation of hydrocarbons with perhalogenated ruthenium porphyrin complexes

Abstract Perhalogenated ruthenium porphyrins were found to be efficient catalysts for the oxygenation of hydrocarbons including secondary alkanes and benzene in the presence of 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide under mild conditions in aprotic media. Up to 15,000 turnovers and rates of 800 TO/min were obtained. A mechanism where Ru(III) — Ru(V) intermediates play an important role is proposed and discussed.
Action of lecithin:Cholesterol acyltransferase on model lipoproteins: Preparation and characterization of model nascent high density lipoprotein

Apolipoprotein A-I, the major protein of human plasma high density lipoprotein, is the primary activator of plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. In vitro, the association of apolipoprotein A-I with physiological phosphatidylcholines can be catalyzed by mixing the protein and lipid with sodium cholate, which is removed by chromatography. The apolipoprotein A-I/phospholipid complex has the physical properties of an HDL, and when cholesterol is present the complex is a highly reactive substrate in the lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase-catalyzed reaction. The relative reactivity of this complex compared with a number of other lipid-protein complexes is presented and discussed.
Supercritical helium refrigerator for superconducting power transmission cable studies

The Brookhaven National Laboratory is engaged in the development of a superconducting ac power-transmission system. A cryoelectric test facility for evaluating the performance of flexible superconducting cables is now under construction at this laboratory. This outdoor facility will be able to test cables of several hundred meters length and represents a sizable investment in refrigeration and power test equipment. Before this construction was undertaken a laboratory test facility was operated to ascertain the performance of the cryogenic components. The facility for evaluating short sections of cable is described.
Associations between ambient air pollutant mixtures and pediatric asthma emergency department visits in three cities: a classification and regression tree approach

Characterizing multipollutant health effects is challenging. We use classification and regression trees to identify multipollutant joint effects associated with pediatric asthma exacerbations and compare these results with those from a multipollutant regression model with continuous joint effects. We investigate the joint effects of ozone, NO2 and PM2.5 on emergency department visits for pediatric asthma in Atlanta (1999–2009), Dallas (2006–2009) and St. Louis (2001–2007). Daily concentrations of each pollutant were categorized into four levels, resulting in 64 different combinations or “Day-Types” that can occur. Days when all pollutants were in the lowest level were withheld as the reference group. Separate regression trees were grown for each city, with partitioning based on Day-Type in a model with control for confounding. Day-Types that appeared together in the same terminal node in all three trees were considered to be mixtures of potential interest and were included as indicator variables in a three-city Poisson generalized linear model with confounding control and rate ratios calculated relative to the reference group. For comparison, we estimated analogous joint effects from a multipollutant Poisson model that included terms for each pollutant, with concentrations modeled continuously. No single mixture emerged as the most harmful. Instead, the rate ratios for the mixtures suggest that all three pollutants drive the health association, and that the rate plateaus in the mixtures with the highest concentrations. In contrast, the results from the comparison model are dominated by an association with ozone and suggest that the rate increases with concentration. The use of classification and regression trees to identify joint effects may lead to different conclusions than multipollutant models with continuous joint effects and may serve as a complementary approach for understanding health effects of multipollutant mixtures.
Relative Sensitivity and Responsivity of Serum Cortisol and Two Adrenal Androgens to α-Adrenocorticotropin-(1–24) in Normal and Obese, Nonhirsute, Eumenorrheic Women

The αACTH-(l–24) threshold dose and the response slope were determined for cortisol (F), Δ4-androstenedione (A), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 10 normal and 16 obese eumenorrheic nonhirsute women matched for age. Each woman received 1 mg dexamethasone at 2300 h and again at 0700 h the next morning. At 0700 h, a continuous αACTH-(l- 24) infusion was begun at an initial dose of 30 ng/1.5 m2 body surface area-hr. The ACTH infusion rate was doubled every hour for 5 consecutive h to a maximum dose of 480 ng/1.5 m2. h. Blood samples were collected for steroid assays before the infusion and at the end of each hour. The ACTH threshold dose was defined as the dose that produced a steroid response significantly above the basal level. The ACTH threshold dose for serum F and DHEA stimulation was not different between the groups, but the threshold dose for A was significantly lower in the obese women. Basal and stimulated serum DHEA to F ratios were significantly higher in the obsese women. In both groups, the ...
Potential radioprotective agents--VI. Chalcones, benzophenones, acid hydrazides, nitro amines and chloro compounds. Radioprotection of murine intestinal stem cells.

Abstract There is an interest and need for new compounds that protect tissues from radiation injury. In cancer therapy, the protection of normal tissue without protecting tumors is one way to increase the therapeutic gain. Thiol compounds are currently in clinical trials, but are limited to some extent by their human toxicities including hypotension, nausea, and emesis. Several new aminochalcones and aminobenzophenones were synthesized and tested for radioprotective activity in mice. All were less active than p-aminobenzophenone itself. Several acid hydrazides were synthesized and tested similarly, but none exhibited significant activity. The high radioprotective activity of 4-nitroaniline was confirmed, but other nitro amines were substantially less active. 4-Chloro-N-methylaniline is as active as 4-chloroaniline, but other chloro aromatics are devoid of significant activity. When compared with the phosphorothioate amyfostine (WR-2721) using the intestinal clonogenic cell survival assay, 1-(p--aminophenyl)-1-propanol (15), p-aminopropiophenone (16), its ethylene ketal (14), and a mixture of the two (17) protected to a great extent, though slightly less than WR-2721. These results suggest that there is direct cellular radioprotection by these non-thiol compounds. The studies further suggest that preclinical toxicity testing of the most protective agents is warranted.
The "Ticket to Ride" Formative Assessment Ritual: Collaboration and Festivity in High School Chemistry.

Chemistry taught in high schools typically has group interaction components designed to provide opportunities for groups of two or more students to collaborate. Such opportunities, however, can lead to diminished learning among some students, as domination, group dissonance, and/or non-participation among group members can derail the collaborative effort. Can the strategic formulation of groups enhance performance on traditional collaborative chemistry activities conducted within these groups, and can the establishment of a festive formative unit assessment strategy contribute to improved individual and aggregate achievement while improving group coherence? This paper describes a decade-long effort to ameliorate pitfalls common to group learning in two small, rural high schools in Wisconsin. This effort combines a suite of approaches, including: meta-cognitive strategies for establishing long term, heterogeneous groups; fostering group adhesion through development of common achievement incentives; develop...
Limiting efficiency of an intermediate band solar cell under a terrestrial spectrum

The limiting efficiency of an intermediate band (IB) solar cell under the terrestrial AM1.5 spectrum was calculated by detailed balance for various concentration levels. The results show four energy gap combinations giving similar limiting efficiencies. This is in contrast to the more studied case of an IB solar cell under a blackbody spectrum where a single optimum combination is found. A design with a subenergy gap of ∼0.57eV is found to be viable, leading to the conclusion that the design space for an IB solar cell is larger when under the AM1.5 spectrum than when under a Blackbody spectrum.
Quasi-emulsion precipitation of pharmaceuticals. 1. Conditions for formation and crystal nucleation and growth behavior

Induction time and crystal morphology changed with agitation during the precipitation of salicylic acid in viscous, aqueous low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) 300 (PEG300) solutions with wa...
P-Wave Configuration as an Indicator of Echocardiographic Indices of Cardiac Structure and Function in Normotensive Adolescents

We evaluated the associations of a bimodal P-wave in ECG lead V, to cardiac structure and function in healthy normotensive adolescents. Two-dimensional-guided M-mode echocardiography, 12-lead ECG, and conventional and 2-hour averaged automated blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained in 40 normotensive (conventional BP ≪140/90 mm Hg) adolescents (mean age, 13±1 years). Compared with subjects with simple unimodal P-waves (n = 18), those with a normal yet bimodal P-wave in lead V 1 (n = 22) had higher two-hour averaged systolic BP (108±12 mm Hg vs 99±7 mm Hg, p 1 , while generally considered a normal variant, is associated with slightly higher systolic BP, significantly greater left ventricular mass, and greater stroke volume. Additionally, a bimodal P-wave in V 1 is predictive of the parameters that influence left atrial size, especially left ventricular mass. While all of these findings fall within the traditionally defined normal ranges, the existence of a bimodal P-wave might identify young individuals who are vulnerable to early cardiovascular manifestations of hypertension.
Single-shot optical sampling of ultrafast signals using a silicon-chip time lens

We demonstrate single-shot optical sampling using a time lens based on four-wave mixing in a silicon nanowaveguide. The eye diagram for an 80-Gb/s data is characterized at 1.3 TS/s sampling rate using a 5-GHz oscilloscope.
An Analysis of Dynamic Branch Prediction Schemes on System Workloads

Recent studies of dynamic branch prediction schemes rely almost exclusively on user-only simulations to evaluate performance. We find that an evaluation of these schemes with user and kernel references often leads to different conclusions. By analyzing our own Atom-generated system traces and the system traces from the Instruction Benchmark Suite, we quantify the effects of kernel and user interactions on branch prediction accuracy. We find that user-only traces yield accurate prediction results only when the kernel accounts for less than 5% of the total executed instructions. Schemes that appear to predict well under user-only traces are not always the most effective on full-system traces: the recently-proposed two-level adaptive schemes can suffer from higher aliasing than the original per-branch 2-bit counter scheme. We also find that flushing the branch history state at fixed intervals does not accurately model the true effects of user/kernel interaction.
Using FAX Technology to Survey Professionals and Organizations

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of the facsimile (FAX) machine in survey research. Specifically, the FAX machine was used to send two-page surveys to professionals at higher education institutions while other institutions received surveys by mail. Follow-up reminder letters were also sent by both FAX and mail. Response rates were highest among institutions receiving surveys and reminder letters by FAX. Sending surveys and follow-up letters via FAX was also cost-effective. The cost was lowest when the surveys and follow-up letters were sent by FAX on a Sunday. The cost of sending by FAX on a business day was comparable to that of using regular mail service. Implications for the use of FAX technology in survey research are discussed.
The Effects of Tail Biopsy for Genotyping on Behavioral Responses to Nociceptive Stimuli

Removal of a small segment of tail at weaning is a common method used to obtain tissue for the isolation of genomic DNA to identify genetically modified mice. When genetically manipulated mice are used for pain research, this practice could result in confounding changes to the animals' responses to noxious stimuli. In this study, we sought to systematically investigate whether tail biopsy representative of that used in standard genotyping methods affects behavioral responses to a battery of tests of nociception. Wild-type littermate C57BL/6J and 129S6 female and male mice received either tail biopsies or control procedural handling at Day 21 after birth and were then tested at 6–9 weeks for mechanical and thermal sensitivity. C57BL/6J mice were also tested in the formalin model of inflammatory pain. In all tests performed (von Frey, Hargreaves, modified Randall Selitto, and formalin), C57BL/6J tail-biopsied animals' behavioral responses were not significantly different from control animals. In 129S6 animals, tail biopsy did not have a significant effect on behavioral responses in either sex to the von Frey and the modified Randall-Selitto tests of mechanical sensitivity. Interestingly, however, both sexes exhibited small but significant differences between tail biopsied and control responses to a radiant heat stimulus. These results indicate that tail biopsy for genotyping purposes has no effect on nocifensive behavioral responses of C57BL/6J mice, and in 129S6 mice, causes only a minor alteration in response to a radiant heat stimulus while other nocifensive behavioral responses are unchanged. The small effect seen is modality- and strain-specific.
Semiautomatic analysis of glucosamine and galactosamine in protein hydrolyzates

Abstract The quantitative aspects of glucosamine and galactosamine analysis using the Beckman/Spinco amino acid analyzer have been described for four different chromatogrphic systems: two systems involving elution from the 150-cm column, and one each using elution from an 18-cm or 50-cm column. The procedures gave recoveries of 100 ± 2% for each hexosamine. Procedures are described whereby amino acid analysis of glycoproteins can be performed without glucosamine interference in the measurement of tyrosine and phenylalanine.
‘Leveling’ the playing field for analyses of single-base resolution DNA methylomes

Over the past few years the cost of DNA sequencing has plummeted while the numbers and lengths of sequencing reads have increased. This sequencing revolution has led to widespread adoption of methods to investigate genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation, collectively referred to as whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Single-base resolution DNA methylomes are now routinely being decoded by combining high-throughput sequencing with sodium bisulfite conversion, the gold-standard method for the detection of cytosine DNA methylation [1,2]. With increasing acquisition and analysis of DNA methylomes there is a growing need to reach a consensus on the definition(s) of the amount of methylation at a specific cytosine or region. ‘Methylation level’ is often poorly defined, and can vary significantly depending on the experimenter and the queries being addressed. Therefore, we propose a set of guidelines to be considered when analyzing ‘methylation levels’ from WGBS data.
Mechanism of Redox‐Active Ligand‐Assisted Nitrene‐Group Transfer in a ZrIV Complex: Direct Ligand‐to‐Ligand Charge Transfer Preferred

The mechanism of the nitrene-group transfer reaction from an organic azide to isonitrile catalyzed by a Zr(IV) d(0) complex carrying a redox-active ligand was studied by using quantum chemical molecular-modeling methods. The key step of the reaction involves the two-electron reduction of the azide moiety to release dinitrogen and provide the nitrene fragment, which is subsequently transferred to the isonitrile substrate. The reducing equivalents are supplied by the redox-active bis(2-iso-propylamido-4-methoxyphenyl)-amide ligand. The main focus of this work is on the mechanism of this redox reaction, in particular, two plausible mechanistic scenarios are considered: 1) the metal center may actively participate in the electron-transfer process by first recruiting the electrons from the redox-active ligand and becoming formally reduced in the process, followed by a classical metal-based reduction of the azide reactant. 2) Alternatively, a non-classical, direct ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer process can be envisioned, in which no appreciable amount of electron density is accumulated at the metal center during the course of the reaction. Our calculations indicate that the non-classical ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer mechanism is much more favorable energetically. Utilizing a series of carefully constructed putative intermediates, both mechanistic scenarios were compared and contrasted to rationalize the preference for ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer mechanism.
Structure and Function of an Archaeal Homolog of Survival Protein E (SurEα): An Acid Phosphatase with Purine Nucleotide Specificity

Abstract The survival protein E (SurE) family was discovered by its correlation to stationary phase survival of Escherichia coli and various repair proteins involved in sustaining this and other stress-response phenotypes. In order to better understand this ancient and well-conserved protein family, we have determined the 2.0 A resolution crystal structure of SurEα from the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Pyrobaculum aerophilum (Pae). This first structure of an archaeal SurE reveals significant similarities to and differences from the only other known SurE structure, that from the eubacterium Thermatoga maritima (Tma). Both SurE monomers adopt similar folds; however, unlike the Tma SurE dimer, crystalline Pae SurEα is predominantly non-domain swapped. Comparative structural analyses of Tma and Pae SurE suggest conformationally variant regions, such as a hinge loop that may be involved in domain swapping. The putative SurE active site is highly conserved, and implies a model for SurE bound to a potential substrate, guanosine-5′-monophosphate (GMP). Pae SurEα has optimal acid phosphatase activity at temperatures above 90 °C, and is less specific than Tma SurE in terms of metal ion requirements. Substrate specificity also differs between Pae and Tma SurE, with a more specific recognition of purine nucleotides by the archaeal enzyme. Analyses of the sequences, phylogenetic distribution, and genomic organization of the SurE family reveal examples of genomes encoding multiple surE genes, and suggest that SurE homologs constitute a broad family of enzymes with phosphatase-like activities.
Lichenoid Dermatitis in Three Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Anti–PD-1 Therapy

Therapies that activate the immune system through blocking the binding of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) present on tumors and PD-1 (programmed death 1) present on activated immune cells are revolutionizing the care for patients with cancer. These therapies work by inhibiting negative regulators of the immune system, thereby decreasing a tumor's ability to evade the immune system. The side effects of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies are generally mild and as expected are related to autoimmune reactions. Two of the most common side effects of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies are rash and pruritus occurring in approximately 20% of patients. Although the rash is generally recognized to be immune mediated, the exact mechanisms of the rash remain unclear. Herein, we report three cases of lichenoid dermatitis in three patients treated with MK-3475 (anti-PD-1) that were characterized with marked T-cell infiltrates with few PD-1-positive cells. The rashes in all three patients were relatively mild, allowing treatment to continue despite the rashes.
Expansion and division of conjoined twins

Omphalopagus conjoined twins were born by cesarean section after their 24-year-old gravida 2, para 1 mother went into labor at 35 weeks' gestation. Initial studies included roentenograms, an upper gastrointestinal study, small bowel follow-through, and computerized tomography with intravenous contrast from neck through pelvis. Results of these studies showed that the twins had very little shared vasculature, but did share a pericardium and liver parenchyma. The infants were allowed to gain weight and grow. After 3 weeks, tissue expanders were placed subcutaneously and were rapidly expanded in 2 weeks. The infants were then separated. An Argon Beam Coagulator was used to aid the separation of the liver. The abdominal fascia was closed primarily on each infant, and the skin easily closed without tension. During the first 36 hours of the postoperative course, both infants required significant ventilatory support including inhaled nitric oxide. After this period, the ventilatory support decreased dramatically and rapidly. The infants were discharged 9 days after their surgical separation. Conjoined omphalopagus twins, the use of tissue expanders and the Argon Beam Coagulator, and the postoperative course are discussed.
Post-strike orientation of the prairie rattlesnake facilitates location of envenomated prey

Prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) typically release adult rodent prey after envenomation. The post-strike head orientation of the snake may facilitate location of the trail left by the rodent. To examine this possibility, mice were presented using a pair of tongs so that no chemical cues were deposited on any surfaces. Snakes exhibited a change in head orientation after predatory strikes, bringing them closer to the departure bearing of the prey. In addition, when trail searching began snakes contacted the departure bearing of the prey first rather than the entry bearing. When rodent trails are available, we expect this initial contact to bias the snake towards selecting the post-envenomation trail.
8-Ranks ofK2of Rings of Integers in Quadratic Number Fields

LetFbe a quadratic extension of Q and OFthe ring of integers inF. A result of Tate enables one to compute the 2-rank ofK2OFin terms of the 2-rank of the class group. Formulas for the 4-rank ofK2OFexist, but are more involved. We give upper and lower bounds on the 8-rank ofK2OFin terms of the narrow class group. In certain cases the upper and lower bounds agree, and the 8-rank ofK2OFis exactly the 8-rank of the narrow class group. We then give a family of fields for which this equality holds.
Counting special points: Logic, diophantine geometry, and transcendence theory

We expose a theorem of Pila and Wilkie on counting rational points in sets definable in o-minimal structures and some applications of this theorem to problems in diophantine geometry due to Masser, Peterzil, Pila, Starchenko, and
Copyright law, the internet, and distance education

Abstract This article examines copyright issues related to online course development and delivery. An overview and brief history of copyright law is presented, with attention to the ways in which various technologies have shaped modern interpretations of copyright law. Examples of recent lawsuits and several case studies provide a context for examination of fair use issues and liability for online copyright infringement. Finally, some helpful questions are presented on topics such as process issues, institutional policies, software and licensing, copyright issues, and other alternatives. These questions should provide a basis to help online course providers think through issues related to copyright, the Internet, and distance education.
Foreword Topical Special Issue on the Electrical Performance of Packages and Interconnects

The twenty articles in this special issue focus on the electrical performance of packages and interconnects. The papers can be divided into three sections: package design and noise; macromodeling; and electromagnetic analysis.
Crack-closure behavior of 2324-T39 aluminum alloy near-threshold conditions for high load ratio and constant Kmax tests

Abstract Fatigue-crack-growth rate tests were conducted on compact specimens made of 2324-T39 aluminum alloy to study the behavior over a wide range in load ratios (0.1 ⩽ R ⩽ 0.95) and a constant K max test condition. Previous research had indicated that high R (> 0.7) and constant K max test conditions near threshold were suspected to be crack-closure free and that any differences were attributed to K max effects. During the tests, strain gages were placed near and ahead of the crack tip to measure crack-opening loads from local strain records on all tests, except R = 0.95. In addition, a back-face strain gage was used to monitor crack lengths and also to measure crack-opening loads from remote strain records. From local gages, significant amounts of crack closure were measured at the high- R conditions and crack-opening loads were increasing as the threshold condition was approached. Crack-closure-free data, Δ K eff (= U Δ K ) against rate, were calculated. These results suggest that the Δ K eff against rate relation may be nearly a unique function over a wide range of R even in the threshold regime, if crack-opening loads were measured from local strain gages and not from remote gages. At low R , all three major shielding mechanisms (plasticity, roughness, and fretting debris) are suspected to cause crack closure. But at high R and K max tests, roughness and fretting debris are suspected to cause crack closure above the minimum load.
Pentose phosphate cleavage by Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

Abstract An enzyme preparation has been obtained from Leuconostoc mesenteroides which catalyzes the phosphorolytic cleavage of pentose phosphate to yield acetyl phosphate and triose phosphate. Pentose phosphates are cleaved only after conversion to xylulose 5-phosphate. A scheme describing glucose fermentation by Leuconostoc mesenteroides is also presented.
Largely Singular Operators

Abstract The largely singular operators that are defined in this paper are a sharp contrast to invertible operators or Fredholm operators. Nevertheless, we discover that the set has a surprising amount of nice structure. Without assuming that the underlying Hilbert space is separable, we are able to compute the distance from an arbitrary operator to the set. The distance formula involves the modulus of invertibility, which was introduced in an earlier paper.
A mechanistic model of fast pyrolysis of glucose-based carbohydrates to predict bio-oil composition

Bio-oil obtained from fast pyrolysis of biomass has the potential to be upgraded to renewable, drop-in fuel intermediates. The quality of bio-oil produced is critical to downstream process development and is determined by a number of factors like reaction timescale, extent of primary and secondary reactions, and the presence of minerals. In this work, we provide a mechanistic understanding of the various competing reactions in fast pyrolysis of cellulose and other glucose-based carbohydrates through a unified microkinetic model. The model incorporates the reactions of the cellulose chain and of the glucose intermediate to form a variety of bio-oil components, which are confirmed by either experiments or theoretical calculations reported in the literature. The majority of the Arrhenius rate parameters were based on existing studies, while a small number were fitted to match the experimental product distribution over a wide range of temperatures. The model yields of all the major primary fast pyrolysis products, viz., levoglucosan, formic acid, glycolaldehyde, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, furfural and char, match reasonably well with the experimental data over the temperature range of 400–550 °C. The model predicted that the time required for complete conversion corresponds to 2.5–3 s. Net rate analysis identified key pathways to levoglucosan via either mid-chain initiation, or depropagation and end-chain initiation that were dominant over the timescales of 0–100 ms and 100–1000 ms, respectively, at 500 °C. Unlike the existing lumped kinetic models, our model provides a detailed picture of levoglucosan formation that involves mid-chain glycosidic bond cleavage followed by unzipping of levoglucosan from the chain ends. The model, utilizing the same set of rate coefficients, was able to predict the dominant products of fast pyrolysis of maltohexaose, cellobiose and glucose that also are in good agreement with experimental data. The initial chain length of cellulose was found to have a profound effect on the product yields for chain lengths shorter than 50, while it had no effect on the total reaction time.
Effect of dosage on the incubation period of sowthistle yellow vein virus in the aphid Hyperomyzus lactucae.

Abstract The median incubation period (IP 50 ) of sowthistle yellow vein virus (SYVV) at 25 ° increased approximately 24 hours for every 10-fold dilution of plant-derived inoculum injected into late-instar larvae of Hyperomyzus lactucae . The percentage of aphids infected and the duration of the incubation period were negatively correlated. Thus either the IP 50 or the probability of infecting an aphid could, within limits, be used to estimate the relative amount of active virus in the inoculum. Particle counts with the electron microscope showed that an injected dose that gave a 7-day IP 50 had about 10 5 particles. A graphic analysis of the data indicated that the minimum dose that could be resolved by this system of bioassay would contain about 10 2.5 particles.
Heavy-Ion Irradiation Effects on Structures and Acid Dissolution of Pyrochlores

Abstract The temperature dependence of the critical dose for amorphization, using 0.6 MeV Bi+ ions, for A2Ti2O7 pyrochlores, in which A=Y, Sm, Gd and Lu, exhibits no significant effect of A-site ion mass or size. The room temperature dose for amorphization was found to be ∼0.18 dpa in each case. After irradiation with 2 MeV Au2+ ions glancing-incidence X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that each pyrochlore underwent an irradiation-induced structural transformation to fluorite in conjunction with amorphization. The effect of amorphization on the dissolution rates of fully dense pyrochlores, at 90°C and pH 2 (nitric acid) varied from a factor of 10 to 15 increase for Gd2Ti2O7 to none for Y2Ti2O7. Significant differences were observed in the A-site dissolution rates from the crystalline pyrochlores, indicating differences in the manner in which the A-site cations are incorporated into the pyrochlore structure. These indications were supported by Raman spectroscopy.
Na+-dependent transport of α-aminoisobutyrate in isolated basolateral membrane vesicles from rat parotid glands

Abstract Basolateral plasma membranes were prepared from rat parotid gland after centrifugation in a self-orienting Percoll gradient. K + -dependent phosphatase ((Na + +K + )-ATPase), a marker enzyme for basolateral membranes, was enriched 10-fold from tissue homogenates. Using this preparation, the transport of α-aminoisobutyrate was studied. The uptake of α-aminoisobutyrate was Na + -dependent, osmotically sensitive, and temperature-dependent. In the presence of a Na + gradient between the extra- and intravesicular solutions, vesicles showed an ‘overshoot’ accumulation of α-aminoisobutyrate. Sodium-dependent α-aminoisobutyrate uptake was saturable, exhibiting an apparent K m of 1.28 ± 0.35 mM and V max of 780 ± 170 pmol/min per mg protein. α-Aminoisobutyrate transport was inhibited considerably by monensin, but incubating with ouabain was without effect. These results suggest that basolateral membrane vesicles, which possess an active amino acid transport system (system A), can be prepared from the rat parotid gland.
Exact solution of the hierarchy of green functions for the two-site Hubbard model

Abstract We have exactly solved the hierarchy of Green functions for the two-site Hubbard model. The relationship between the number of poles in the Green function and the posibility of linearization of the hierarchy chain is derived; consequently, it is shown that the validity of the Roth decoupling scheme is strongly dependent on the number of poles in the exact Green function.
EBV microRNA BART 18-5p targets MAP3K2 to facilitate persistence in vivo by inhibiting viral replication in B cells.

EBV is an oncogenic human herpesvirus that has the ability to infect and transform B cells latently in vitro. However, the virus also establishes a lifetime, benign, persistent latent infection in resting memory B cells in vivo, where the virus is quiescent (i.e., expresses none of the known latent proteins). The virus encodes ∼40 micro-RNAs (miRNAs), most of which are transcribed from the BamH1 fragment A rightward transcript (BART) region of the virus. We have shown previously that a subset of these miRNAs is present at high copy numbers in latently infected memory B cells in vivo, suggesting a role in maintaining latency. Here, we describe the role of one of these miRNAs, BART 18-5p. We show that it targets the 3′UTR of the mRNA, encoding the important cellular signaling molecule MAP kinase kinase kinase 2 (MAP3K2), at exactly the same site as the oncogenic cellular miRNA mir–26a-5p. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a virus encoding a miRNA that suppresses a target in the MAP kinase signaling cascade, a central signal transduction pathway that governs a broad spectrum of biological processes. We further show that MAP3K2 is an intermediary in the signaling pathways that initiate lytic viral replication. Thus, 18-5p expression in latently infected B cells has the effect of blocking viral replication. We propose that the role of 18-5p is to maintain latency by reducing the risk of fortuitous reactivation of the virus in latently infected memory B cells.
Routine use of ThinPrep method in fine-needle aspiration material as an adjunct to standard smears.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of routine use of ThinPrep® in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) material as an adjunct to standard smears. We reviewed 50 consecutive, satisfactory-for-evaluation FNA materials in which ThinPrep® slides were obtained. In each case, Diff-Quik-stained and Papanicolaou-stained smears were initially prepared, and the ThinPrep® slide was made from the needle/syringe rinse. Smears and ThinPrep® slides were evaluated for the presence of diagnostic material. In addition, the following questions were addressed: could the final diagnosis be made based on smears only, and did the ThinPrep® method add any additional information to the diagnosis? Smears were satisfactory for evaluation in 49/50 cases, and in one case diagnostic material was present on the ThinPrep® slide only. Thirty-two out of 50 ThinPrep® slides contained material sufficient for evaluation. In 46/50 (92%) cases, final diagnoses could be made based on smears only. In 2 cases, ThinPrep® slides showed additional diagnostic material, and in another 2 cases were critical for the diagnosis. The routine use of ThinPrep® as an adjunct preparatory method to FNA material is not justified, and is associated with an additional, potentially nonreimbursable cost. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2001;25:101–103. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.