cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of the hassles of environmental poverty instrument : HOEP

Contemporary research has shown that chronic hassles can be as debilitating as acute stress and may be more of a determinant in the development of mental and physical disorders. In fact, frequency and intensity of hassles can be better predictors of stress responses than major life events. Although daily hassles have been shown to be population specific, existing measures of hassles do not distinguish between the hassles that impact men and those that impact women, nor have they been normed on populations that are poor. The Hassles of Environmental Poverty (HOEP) Scale is a 74-item instrument designed to assess the stresses of daily mothering within the context of poverty. Items on the scale address mothering stressors with a level of detail not currently available in existing stress scales. In the paper, the authors report out the results of statistical analysis that were done on the field test respondents. The results indicated that the HOEP Scale can legitimately be used for practice and research purposes.
RIEMANN-ROCH AND SMOOTHINGS OF SINGULARITIES

IF A4 is a (not necessarily compact) complex n-manifold with the property that for some compact K c M the subalgebra of H*(M -K) generated by the rational Chern classes is trivial in dim 2 n, then Chern numbers for M not involving the top class c,(M) may be defined almost as usual and-assuming that M has finite Betti numbers--c,(M] may be replaced by the euler characteristic x(M). We encounter this situation when dealing with isolated singularities of complex spaces. Specifically, let X be a contractible Stein space of pure dimension n with isolated singular point x E X and let 7~: x -+ X be a resolution with exceptional set E = IE- l(x)_ Then a deep result of0. Gabber implies that H*(z) --* H*(x - E) is the zero map in dim 2 n (if no coefficient groups are mentioned I mean rational cohomolog). Hence _? admits Chern numbers. From this it is not hard to see that the Milnor fibre X, of any smoothing of X (which after all can be piven the same boundary as 2) also admits Chern numbers. An interesting point is that, since H*(X,) is trivial in dim > n, any nonzero Chern number of X, is a universal linear combination of the euler characteristic and (if n = 2m is even) ci The purpose of this paper is to relate these Chern numbers with analytic invariants of the smoothing or of the singularity itself. Our most general result in this direction is a Riemann-Roth defect theorem (3.3), whose proof depends on a globalization property of smoothings which we establish in an appendix. This globalization property (which was known to hold for certain classes of singularities, e.g. complete intersections and curve singularities) has been previously used for similar purposes by Milnor, Deligne, Laufer, and Wahl[14]. The fact that any smoothing can be globalized is especially relevant to this last paper, as many of its assertions need this as an extra hypothesis (see the remark at the end of this paper). In practice it may be hard to use our results for singularities of dimension n > 2. Nevertheless we do have some applications to higher dimensional singularities. For instance, we prove that for any isolated singularity X pure odd dimension n, and smoothing component S of X, dim (S) + l/(n - l)! (euler characteristic of a general fibre over S) is independent of S. Furthermore, we find a new smoothability condition for odd dimensional X.
Cdc42‐independent activation and translocation of the cytostatic p21‐activated protein kinase γ‐PAK by sphingosine

Abstract Autophosphorylation of p21-activated protein kinase γ-PAK is stimulated at 10 μM sphingosine in vitro and is maximal at 100 μM. Sites autophosphorylated on γ-PAK in response to sphingosine are identical to those obtained with Cdc42(GTP). Autophosphorylation is paralleled by stimulation of γ-PAK activity as measured with peptide and protein substrates. In 3T3-L1 cells, sphingosine stimulates the autophosphorylation and activity of γ-PAK associated with the membrane-containing particulate fraction by 2.8-fold, but does not stimulate the activity of the soluble enzyme. Thus, γ-PAK is activatable via a Cdc42-independent mechanism, suggesting sphingosine has a role in γ-PAK activation under conditions of cell stress.
Simulated herbivory advances autumn phenology in Acer rubrum

To determine the degree to which herbivory contributes to phenotypic variation in autumn phenology for deciduous trees, red maple (Acer rubrum) branches were subjected to low and high levels of simulated herbivory and surveyed at the end of the season to assess abscission and degree of autumn coloration. Overall, branches with simulated herbivory abscised ∼7 % more leaves at each autumn survey date than did control branches within trees. While branches subjected to high levels of damage showed advanced phenology, abscission rates did not differ from those of undamaged branches within trees because heavy damage induced earlier leaf loss on adjacent branch nodes in this treatment. Damaged branches had greater proportions of leaf area colored than undamaged branches within trees, having twice the amount of leaf area colored at the onset of autumn and having ∼16 % greater leaf area colored in late October when nearly all leaves were colored. When senescence was scored as the percent of all leaves abscised and/or colored, branches in both treatments reached peak senescence earlier than did control branches within trees: dates of 50 % senescence occurred 2.5 days earlier for low herbivory branches and 9.7 days earlier for branches with high levels of simulated damage. These advanced rates are of the same time length as reported delays in autumn senescence and advances in spring onset due to climate warming. Thus, results suggest that should insect damage increase as a consequence of climate change, it may offset a lengthening of leaf life spans in some tree species.
Fracture toughness and crack growth phenomena of plasma-etched single crystal silicon

Abstract We have measured the fracture toughness, KIc, of the 〈110〉 crystal plane in micro-machined silicon structures fabricated using a common deep reactive ion plasma etch process. Crack initiation occurred at surface features left by the etch process. Wide scatter in the notch toughness (0.96–1.65 MPa m1/2), presumably due to a distribution of surface flaws, was measured in 11 samples. The data fit a Weibull distribution with m=4.84. Crack propagation in the sample occurred as a series of discrete fracture events interspersed with periods of no growth.
Characterization of transplantable myelomonocytic leukemia WEHI-3B in syngeneic BALB/c mice.

SummaryThree transplantable sublines of WEHI-3B myelomonocytic leukemia in BALB/c mice were developed by splenic (SP), intraperitoneal (IP) and subcutaneous (SQ) passage. All three sublines then were compared for stability on passage, lethality for mice, and major hematologic and histopathologic effects. The time in days until death was a linear function of the log10 dose of viable cells injected for each cell line. Evidence was provided that a single cell of the IP line was lethal to mice and that death from all three cell lines approximated single cell kill. All three sublines were stable after adaptation by serial passage. Detailed hematologic and histopathologic studies were done on mice that were inoculated iv and ip with the SP and IP sublines. Changes typical of myelomonocytic leukemia were observed except that bone marrow invasion was minimal.
Sparse Output Coding for Large-Scale Visual Recognition

Many vision tasks require a multi-class classifier to discriminate multiple categories, on the order of hundreds or thousands. In this paper, we propose sparse output coding, a principled way for large-scale multi-class classification, by turning high-cardinality multi-class categorization into a bit-by-bit decoding problem. Specifically, sparse output coding is composed of two steps: efficient coding matrix learning with scalability to thousands of classes, and probabilistic decoding. Empirical results on object recognition and scene classification demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Measuring search engine bias

This paper examines a real-time measure of bias in Web search engines. The measure captures the degree to which the distribution of URLs, retrieved in response to a query, deviates from an ideal or fair distribution for that query. This ideal is approximated by the distribution produced by a collection of search engines. Differences between bias and classical retrieval measures are highlighted by examining the possibilities for bias in four extreme cases of recall and precision. The results of experiments examining the influence on bias measurement of subject domains, search engines, and search terms are presented. Three general conclusions are drawn: (1) the performance of search engines can be distinguished with the aid of the bias measure; (2) bias values depend on the subject matter under consideration; (3) choice of search terms does not account for much of the variance in bias values. These conclusions underscore the need to develop "bias profiles" for search engines.
Evaluation of a fluorometric method for measuring low concentrations of ammonia in ambient air

A fluorometric method developed for measuring low concentrations of ammonium in marine and freshwater ecosystems was adapted for the analysis of ammonia in ambient air. The modified method entails collection of samples on an acid-treated solid adsorbent followed by analysis using a fluorometer. Optimal results were obtained using a commercially available sorbent tube containing 100 mg of acid-treated silica gel for sample collection, and an analytical protocol consisting of sample desorption in DI water, addition of orthopthaldialdehyde (OPA) working reagent, and room temperature incubation. Method accuracy and precision were evaluated by comparing experimentally determined quantities of ammonia to expected levels for sample loadings ranging from 0.16 μg to 550 μg—accuracy was generally within ±20%. The estimated LOQ for the method is 0.08 μg ammonia per sample which represents a 25–375-fold improvement in sensitivity compared to current NIOSH and OSHA methods for the measurement of ammonia in ambient air. The new method should be useful for applications requiring measurement of low concentrations of ammonia using personal sampling equipment or in the characterization of short-term fluctuations of ammonia concentrations in air.
Information politics: strategies and counterstrategies

Despite the increasing importance and pervasiveness of information systems, many of them fail to gain traction. We contend that information politics is a major cause of these failures and must be counteracted and managed. We focus on uncovering and delineating the covert political strategies that are often employed against information systems projects and the counterstrategies that are found to be most effective against them. We collect narrative descriptions of politics encountered in 141 information systems projects. Through an iterative analysis of the data, we profile five types of political behaviours: pretending, toddling, hostage taking, stickling, and masterminding, based on how the players choose to exhibit resistance. Political manoeuvring through each behaviour is illustrated. We then describe counterstrategies through which different political behaviours can be managed during the project as well as planned for ex ante. The article serves as a reality check for appreciating the role of information politics and applying pragmatic but simple ways in which IS projects could be kept on course.
Reconstruction after mastectomy.

Although reconstruction after mastectomy offers an opportunity for cosmetic rehabilitation that should make mastectomy more acceptable and contribute to overall rehabilitation, the procedure is relatively underutilized. The best cosmetic results usually come from breast conservation rather than from mastectomy and subsequent reconstruction, and most small (T0-T2) cancers can be treated by means of breast-conserving measures. The surgeon who is performing the mastectomy plays a key role in explaining reconstruction to the patient and encouraging her to consider the process. Surgeon- and patient-related factors contribute to under-utilization. Physician assessment of the results of reconstruction, particularly with use of implants, tends to be less favorable than that of the patient. Surgeons may overemphasize the inadequacies of the results and patients may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and array of decisions that must be made. Immediate reconstruction poses little risk of treatment delay or limitation. Reconstruction after mastectomy does not interfere with follow-up for recurrence. Choices for reconstruction have been limited by the withdrawal of silicone implants from the market. The availability of reconstruction has encouraged the inappropriate use of mastectomy for low risk disease. Prophylactic mastectomies and reconstruction should be performed for appropriate indications. To be effective, prophylactic mastectomy must include the nipple areolar complex. The availability of genetic testing to define very high risk groups brings into question the adequacy of protection offered by this procedure. Whereas prophylaxis in humans for premalignant mastopathy appears to be nearly complete, mastectomy appears to offer little protection in a rodent carcinogen model. The effectiveness of mastectomy for prophylaxis in a genetically high risk human population is unknown
Catching sight of talk: Glimpses into discourse groups

Abstract This article reports on a study conducted in a graduate teacher research class with elementary and secondary classroom teachers. Wanting to create a collaborative environment in which their students could use language to support each other's learning, the instructors formed discourse groups. The article introduces a theoretical framework for discourse groups and using examples from the groups, presents a methodology for analyzing the social practices reflected in the teachers’ talk. It concludes with a discussion of the nature of the discourse that supported (and in some cases did not support) the re-storying of teachers’ knowledge.
Depression in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children: "true" depression or demoralization?

Background: The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the nature of the association between major depression (MD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by examining predictors of persistence of MD attending to issues of familiality, adversity and comorbidity. Methods: Four years of follow-up of 76 depressed ADHD children were analyzed using multivariate regression to determine predictors of persistent MD. Results: Bipolar disorder and higher indices of interpersonal problems predicted MD persistence. In contrast, school difficulty and ADHD-associated measures of severity were not associated with persistent MD. Remission from ADHD was also not statistically significantly associated with remission from MD. Conclusions: ADHD and MD had independent and distinct courses, indicating that ADHD-associated MD reflects a depressive disorder and not merely demoralization. Limitations: This study may have reduced power due to stratification of our group of ADHD boys with persistent and remitting MD.
ASSOCIATION OF BODY CATHEXIS AND MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABLES ON COLLEGE-AGED FEMALES IN AN EXERCISE SETTING

Summary.-The primary purpose of this study was to determine the association and predictability between body cathexis and morphology in collegeaged females who were experiencing neither clinical obesity nor anorexia nervosa. The subjects were 41 female collcge-aged students who were beginning an aerobic dance course. Each subject completed a modified Body Cathexis Scale. The morphological evaluation included 6 skinfold measurements, 8 muscle circumferences, and 6 skeletal diameters. Body fatness and body densirg were estimated from the triceps, thigh, and suprailiac skinfolds. Somatotypes were determined from the Heath-Carter method. Body parts composing the midtorso were the area of greatest dissatisfaction. Independent t tests between subjects with positive versus negative body-cathexis scores indicated significant differences on 18 of the 32 body-cathexis items but there were no significant differences on any of the morphological variables between the two groups. Zero-order correlations between individual cathexis items, and the morphological variables were computed; 182 of the 924 correlates were significant. Stepwise multiple regression analyses utilized to estimate morphology from body cathexis and body cathexis from morphology resulted in adjusted Rs ranging from .33 to .lo. In the present study morphological variables and bodycathexis score had little predictive value or association with each other.
Molecular absorption cross-section and absolute absorptivity in the THz frequency range for the explosives TNT, RDX, HMX, and PETN

Spectroscopy of organic molecules such as explosives in the terahertz (THz) regime can be used for identification by spectral fingerprinting. The ultimate goal of trace detection requires knowledge of the strengths of the absorption peaks as well as their locations. We report absorption cross-sections and absolute absorptivity for four explosives, TNT, RDX, HMX, and PETN, which allows calculation of the detection limit as a function of instrument signal-to-noise ratio.
Research Article: Cumulative Impact Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act: An Analysis of Recent Case Law

The assessment of cumulative impacts is one of the most difficult tasks a NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) practitioner faces when preparing an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement, and it recently has become an increasing focus area of legal challenges. Historically, federal agencies have a very poor track record in this litigation. This research examines 25 recent judicial opinions involving challenges to various NEPA documents' cumulative impact analyses, from the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Challengers were victorious on their claims of inadequate analysis in 60% of the cases decided in the 10-year analysis period. In recent years, the success rate for challengers has risen even higher, to victories in eight of 11 cases (72%). The main reasons federal agencies have lost these court challenges is because they failed to present any cumulative impact analysis whatsoever in their NEPA document; they left out obvious past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future ...
An Interactionist Approach to L2 Sentence Interpretation.

Knowledge of a second language includes knowledge of syntax, phonology, lexicon, and so forth. While there is no a priori reason to assume that abilities in these areas develop independently of one another, most studies dealing with the acquisition of L2 grammars treat each of these components singly. In fact, Long and Sato (1984) call for more studies investigating the ways in which grammatical components interact in the acquisition of a second language. This paper deals with the complex issue of sentence processing in an L2, showing how L2 learners resolve the problem of competing factors of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in the processing of L2 utterances. We present the results of a study involving sentence interpretation of compex sentences by 111 L2 learners of English and suggest that the acquisition of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics is an interactive phenomenon. It is further suggested that part of learning the syntax of a language is not only learning the word-order configurations of the language, but also learning the importance of word order in a given language in relation to semantic and pragmatic factors.
High-resolution topomapping of candidate MER landing sites with Mars Orbiter Camera narrow-angle images

[1] We analyzed narrow-angle Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC-NA) images to produce high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) in order to provide topographic and slope information needed to assess the safety of candidate landing sites for the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) and to assess the accuracy of our results by a variety of tests. The mapping techniques developed also support geoscientific studies and can be used with all present and planned Mars-orbiting scanner cameras. Photogrammetric analysis of MOC stereopairs yields DEMs with 3-pixel (typically 10 m) horizontal resolution, vertical precision consistent with ∼0.22 pixel matching errors (typically a few meters), and slope errors of 1–3°. These DEMs are controlled to the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) global data set and consistent with it at the limits of resolution. Photoclinometry yields DEMs with single-pixel (typically ∼3 m) horizontal resolution and submeter vertical precision. Where the surface albedo is uniform, the dominant error is 10–20% relative uncertainty in the amplitude of topography and slopes after “calibrating” photoclinometry against a stereo DEM to account for the influence of atmospheric haze. We mapped portions of seven candidate MER sites and the Mars Pathfinder site. Safety of the final four sites (Elysium, Gusev, Isidis, and Meridiani) was assessed by mission engineers by simulating landings on our DEMs of “hazard units” mapped in the sites, with results weighted by the probability of landing on those units; summary slope statistics show that most hazard units are smooth, with only small areas of etched terrain in Gusev crater posing a slope hazard.
The Occasional Observer: Sex, the Battle of the Sexes, and Innumeracy

The author disects a National Public Radio report based on a survey of sex life in America claiming that men had far more sex partners than women. Inconsistency and bias in usual interpretation of such surveys is clearly shown. Special attention is paid to the use of wrong mathematical models and assumptions.
Past and present treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: chemotherapy as a standard treatment modality.

Abstract Pancreatic cancer continues to be a challenging therapeutic problem, with approximately 28,000 deaths annually in the United States. Most studies of single-agent or combination chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas have documented low response rates and little reproducible impact on patient survival or quality of life. However, the recent success of gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer suggests that systemic therapy can have a beneficial effect on the natural history of this disease. Also, the rapidly evolving understanding of the molecular biology of pancreatic cancer may contribute to the development and use of targeted therapies with novel agents for even more effective treatments in the near future. Semin Oncol 29 (suppl 20):2-8. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
LQG-based robust broadband control of acoustic-structure interaction in 3-D enclosure

This paper presents an LQG-based robust control strategy for a noise reduction in 3 -D enclosure wherein acoustic-structure interaction dynamics is present. The dynamic model of the system is obtained using frequency-domain system identification techniques. The state weighting matrix in the LQG cost function is determined analytically in the closed-form which allows the control designer to penalize the total acoustic energy of the system. The robustness of controller is ensured via an iterative LQG design that satisfies frequency-domain robustness condition. Simulation and experiment results are given which demonstrate the effectiveness of the controller.
An optimal on-off controller with switching costs using non-linear binary programming

Autonomous systems based on MEMS devices may often be provided with very limited computational and power capacity, if control circuitry and power sources are to be miniaturized along with the electromechanical components. On-Off control can serve as an efficient methods of regulating motion of MEMS structures when power is extremely limited by allowing control to be performed using simple driving circuits and few transitions between ‘on’- and ‘off’-states. In particular, this is highly desirable for micro-robotics applications based on piezoelectric actuation. In this paper a binary programming method is used to optimize a cost function that consists of the number of switching transitions and on-time for a linear-discrete system, as the system is steered to a desired final state. This can be used to minimize power consumption in piezoelectric actuators as they move a micro-robotic leg joint to a desired position. A set of test cases is examined to explore behavior of the optimization procedure.
Two Characterizations of Optimality in Dynamic Programming

It holds in great generality that a plan is optimal for a dynamic programming problem, if and only if it is “thrifty” and “equalizing.” An alternative characterization of an optimal plan, that applies in many economic models, is that the plan must satisfy an appropriate Euler equation and a transversality condition. Here we explore the connections between these two characterizations.
OVERVIEW OF THE USE OF NATURAL VARIABILITY CONCEPTS IN MANAGING ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Natural resource managers have used natural variability concepts since the early 1960s and are increasingly relying on these concepts to maintain biological diversity, to restore ecosystems that have been severely altered, and as benchmarks for assessing anthropogenic change. Management use of natural variability relies on two concepts: that past conditions and processes provide context and guidance for managing ecological systems today, and that disturbance-driven spatial and temporal variability is a vital attribute of nearly all ecological systems. We review the use of these concepts for managing ecological systems and landscapes. We conclude that natural variability concepts provide a framework for improved un- derstanding of ecological systems and the changes occurring in these systems, as well as for evaluating the consequences of proposed management actions. Understanding the history of ecological systems (their past composition and structure, their spatial and temporal variability, and the principal processes that influenced them) helps managers set goals that are more likely to maintain and protect ecological systems and meet the social values desired for an area. Until we significantly improve our understanding of ecological systems, this knowledge of past ecosystem functioning is also one of the best means for predicting impacts to ecological systems today. These concepts can also be misused. No a priori time period or spatial extent should be used in defining natural variability. Specific goals, site-specific field data, inferences derived from data collected elsewhere, simulation models, and explicitly stated value judg- ment all must drive selection of the relevant time period and spatial extent used in defining natural variability. Natural variability concepts offer an opportunity and a challenge for ecologists to provide relevant information and to collaborate with managers to improve the management of ecological systems.
A Precession Electron Diffraction and EELS Study of Beta-phase Evolution in Nano-crystalline Mg-9 wt.% Al Thin Films during Heat Treatment

Modern transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopy techniques routinely probe the microstructure and local compositions in nanocrystalline materials using various analytical techniques such as electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) or energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) maps. Electron diffraction is another technique the can help to identify phases in materials, but in applying such a technique, it is cumbersome to obtain statistically relevant information from nanomaterials. With the development of precession electron diffraction (PED) mapping and the use of image correlation for pattern identification, novel information can be obtained relatively rapidly that covers a much larger number of grains [1]. Combined with elemental mapping, this provides a powerful technique to characterize the distribution of phases and chemical distribution in nanomaterials.
The Housing Crisis and Homelessness: An Outline History, and an Example from San Francisco Ethnographic Materials

Homelessness has many factors. The nature of homes, or places of residence versus camps can be defined historically and culturally for our species. Many animals produce structures to live in, others excavate depressions, many live in caves or inhabit structures built by other animals and discarded. In many cases animals simply find limited shelter in temporary settings – to avoid weather or to rest – building nests to sleep in or utilizing existing foliage. Humans have, over the past 2 million years behaved in all these ways, while structures are relatively new appearing in the last half million years while some peoples build only temporary windbreaks. The nature of homelessness is a modern classification, though some sources from the Greek and Roman societies, Indian and Chinese have commented on its varieties. Most modern discussions of homelessness address it as a phenomenon of modern industrial society based on inequalities inherent in modern capitalism. This paper attempts to construct a more comprehensive perspective.
Pharmacokinetics of monoclonal antibodies used for inflammatory bowel diseases in pregnant women

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition of chronic immune response and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Most women with IBD are affected during their reproductive years, and untreated IBD can have detrimental maternal and fetal outcomes. In recent years, many biological therapies including anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab) have been developed for the treatment of IBD. An increasing number of IBD patients are treated with these agents during pregnancy. Sporadic reports suggest an absence of negative pregnancy outcomes related to use of anti-TNF agents in women with IBD. However, it is unclear if the physiological changes occurring in pregnancy alter mAb dose requirements for optimal maternal disease management and minimal fetal exposure to therapeutic antibodies. Based on current understanding of the pharmacokinetic profiles for anti-TNF agents in nonpregnant subjects, it appears very likely that physiological changes accompanying pregnancy can alter pharmacokinetics of anti-TNF agents. This review focuses on how such physiological changes may impact disposition of anti-TNF agents during pregnancy. Further improvement in pregnancy outcomes may be achieved in women with IBD by better understanding of pregnancy-mediated changes in the pharmacokinetics of anti-TNF agents.
The Boolean Algebra of Regular Open Sets

Let S be a completely regular topological space. Let C(S) denote the set of bounded, real-valued, continuous functions on 5. It is well known that C(S) forms a distributive lattice under the ordinary pointwise joins and meets. For any distributive lattice L and any ideal I⊆L, a quasi-ordering of L can be defined as follows : f⊇g if, for all h ∈ L, f ∩ h ∈ I implies g ∩ h ∈ I. If equivalent elements under this quasi-ordering are identified, a homomorphic image of L is obtained.
LAT-1 activity of meta -substituted phenylalanine and tyrosine analogs

The transporter protein Large-neutral Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT-1, SLC7A5) is responsible for transporting amino acids such as tyrosine and phenylalanine as well as thyroid hormones, and it has been exploited as a drug delivery mechanism. Recently its role in cancer has become increasingly appreciated, as it has been found to be up-regulated in many different tumor types, and its expression levels have been correlated with prognosis. Substitution at the meta position of aromatic amino acids has been reported to increase affinity for LAT-1; however, the SAR for this position has not previously been explored. Guided by newly refined computational models of the binding site, we hypothesized that groups capable of filling a hydrophobic pocket would increase binding to LAT-1, resulting in improved substrates relative to parent amino acid. Tyrosine and phenylalanine analogs substituted at the meta position with halogens, alkyl and aryl groups were synthesized and tested in cis-inhibition and trans-stimulation cell assays to determine activity. Contrary to our initial hypothesis we found that lipophilicity was correlated with diminished substrate activity and increased inhibition of the transporter. The synthesis and SAR of meta-substituted phenylalanine and tyrosine analogs is described.
A Methyl Green Nuclear Stain for Argyrophil Procedures

A procedure is described using 1% acidulated methyl green to replace Nuclear Fast Red (Kernechtrot) solution and hematoxylin as nuclear stains in argyrophil procedures. Methyl green staining of the nuclei affords a sharp, clean contrast to the silver impregnated neurosecretory granules and compliments the pale yellow background staining often associated with argyrophil procedures. Differentiation between the nucleus and the silver impregnated granules is accentuated, yielding improved morphologic details and thus facilitating the diagnosis of certain endocrine tumors.
An Advanced Tool To Interrogate BRD9

Selective inhibitors of bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9) may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of human malignancies and inflammatory diseases. A selective small molecule inhibitor that is well tolerated and has proper pharmacokinetic properties is required to explore the function of BRD9 in diseases. BI-9564 (2) is a cell permeable and noncytotoxic BRD9 inhibitor provided to the scientific community to explore BRD9 biology and determine its potential as a drug target.
Drug-resistant dihydrofolate reductases: generation, expression and therapeutic application

Although methotrexate (MTX) and other antifolates are effective antitumor chemotherapeutic agents, their utility is limited by toxicity for normal hematopoietic and gastrointestinal tissues. Gene transfer and expression of variant dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) which confers resistance to MTX could protect these tissues from MTX toxicity. Drug-resistant DHFR variants have been cloned from a number of sources and have also been generated by in vitro mutagenesis. A procedure is described which we used for saturation mutagenesis of the murine DHFR coding sequence at codon positions 22 and 31, resulting in a number of mutant DHFR genes encoding enzyme exhibiting a favorable combination of drug resistance with retention of catalytic activity. To evaluate the in vivo effectiveness of variant DHFR expression, we established several lines of FVB/N transgenic mice which expressed drug-resistant DHFR activity and which exhibited varying degrees of increased resistance to MTX administration. Transplantation of bone marrow from drug-resistant DHFR transgenic animals into normal, irradiated recipients conferred resistance to MTX at surprisingly high levels, indicating that drug-resistant DHFR expression in hematopoietic cells also protects gastrointestinal tissues from MTX toxicity. These studies have thus provided encouraging results with respect to the potential of drug-resistant DHFR gene transfer for improved use of MTX as an antitumor agent and for its use as an in vivo selective agent.
Reaction between Lithium Anode and Polysulfide Ions in a Lithium–Sulfur Battery

The reaction between polysulfides and a lithium anode in a Li–S battery was examined using HPLC. The results demonstrated that the polysulfide species with six sulfur atoms or more were reactive with regard to lithium metal. Although the reaction can be greatly inhibited by the addition of LiNO3 in the electrolyte, LiNO3 cannot form a stable protection layer on the Li anode to prevent the reaction during storage.
Speaking like Asian immigrants: Intersections of accommodation and mocking at a U.S. high school

This article explores the relationship between immigrant and non-immigrant Asian American youth identities and the use of language to manage this relationship. Focusing on everyday interactions at a high school in Texas, the analysis examines how fluent English-speaking Korean and Filipino American students draw on linguistic resources associated with Asian immigrants, thus attending to generational identity, an important, though often oversimplified, social dimension in transnational contexts. According to the present analysis, salient generational differences may exist between Asian American youth, yet their linguistic practices complicate simple binaries of opposition. Specifically, this article focuses on how fluent English-speaking students both accommodate toward and mock Asian immigrant speech and notes that these ostensibly divergent practices exhibit linguistic overlap. It is argued that the convergences and divergences of these practices can be productively examined by distinguishing between the levels of frame and ideology, thus explaining how speakers interpret Asian immigrant revoicings as accommodation, mocking, or, in some cases, an ambiguous linguistic act that hovers in between. Keywords: Accommodation; Asian Americans; Identity; Mocking; Stereotypes; Youth.
A Critical Comment on the Constitutionality of Excutive Privilege

As a proponent of the view that the Constitution enshrines a unitary executive capable of superintending federal law execution, I reach these tentative conclusions with a great deal of reluctance. As noted earlier, a chief executive armed with a constitutional right to conceal communications surely would be a more effective enforcer of federal law and superintendent of foreign affairs. But we ought not to confuse the undoubted utility of an inherent executive privilege with its constitutionality. As we shall see, under our Constitution, something can be absolutely indispensable and yet be unavailable to the President as of right. Thus, while favoring a narrow executive privilege, I believe that Congress must confer such a privilege. Part I summarizes some of the arguments in favor of recognizing a constitutionalized executive privilege. Part II analyzes text and structure, informed by snippets of history to cast doubt on the constitutionality of an executive privilege. Part III examines historical practices during the Washington administration relevant to the issue at hand. Given the nature of the comment, the conclusions are necessarily tentative. While I have searched for pre-ratification discussions of something resembling our notion of executive privilege, I have not done as thorough a search as possible. Nor have I examined at great length all the primary documents. Accordingly, I largely rely upon the excellent work of Professors Mark Rozell, William Van Alstyne, Abraham Sofaer, and others in reaching my historical conclusions.
Application of Continuum Shell Models for Joint Dissipation

This chapter describes the development of a reduced-order, modal framework for the simulation of structural dynamics incorporating the effect of isolated joints. The effect of the joint is included within the modal structure of the system, which can be identified from the dynamic response at low excitation levels when the system behaves linearly. Then, the joint is represented by a reduced-order model for the distributed interface developed from an appropriate shell theory. This reduced-order joint model can be viewed as the continuum limit of a series–series Iwan model. Finally, the overall approach is illustrated on a simple discrete structural system. The resulting simulation is computationally efficient and is described in terms of joint parameters that can easily be related back to measurable quantities such as the coefficient of friction.
The Extracellular Matrix of Tumors: A Focus on Fibronectin and Fibulin-5

The extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumors is highly dynamic and contributes to tumor evolution. Fibronectin (FN) is a key component of the ECM in tumors that ligates and stimulates integrins on tumor cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment. FN induced integrin activity is reduced by fibulin-5 (Fbln5), a matricellular protein that competes with FN for integrin binding but does not stimulate integrin signaling. A consequence of FN-induced integrin activation is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can promote cell survival or apoptosis pending the microenvironment. The tumor microenvironment Fbln5 can be viewed as a molecular rheostat that tunes FN stimulated integrin-induced ROS generation.
Primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma: a rare cause of life-threatening haematemesis

Lymphomas are the second most common gastric malignancy following gastric adenocarcinoma. The majority of gastric lymphomas are either mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas or diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma is a subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and represents an aggressive and rare malignancy with only a small number of cases reported worldwide. Clinical and radiological presentation is non-specific and mimics other gastric lymphomas. Diagnosis is established with pathological evaluation. Due to the paucity of cases, treatment of this condition is not well studied and is extrapolated from paediatric and adult literature of Burkitt lymphoma not isolated to the stomach. We present the case of a male patient with primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma who initially presented with life-threatening haematemesis, later achieving complete remission with treatment. We discuss the epidemiology, presentation and management of gastric Burkitt lymphoma.
The Craft of Model-Based Testing

In his latest work, author Paul C Jorgensen takes his well-honed craftsman’s approach to mastering model-based testing (MBT). To be expert at MBT, a software tester has to understand it as a craft rather than an art. This means a tester should have deep knowledge of the underlying subject and be well practiced in carrying out modeling and testing techniques. Judgment is needed, as well as an understanding of MBT the tools. The first part of the book helps testers in developing that judgment. It starts with an overview of MBT and follows with an in-depth treatment of nine different testing models with a chapter dedicated to each model. These chapters are tied together by a pair of examples: a simple insurance premium calculation and an event-driven system that describes a garage door controller. The book shows how simpler models—flowcharts, decision tables, and UML Activity charts—express the important aspects of the insurance premium problem. It also shows how transition-based models—finite state machines, Petri nets, and statecharts—are necessary for the garage door controller but are overkill for the insurance premium problem. Each chapter describes the extent to which a model can support MBT. The second part of the book gives testers a greater understanding of MBT tools. It examines six commercial MBT products, presents the salient features of each product, and demonstrates using the product on the insurance premium and the garage door controller problems. These chapters each conclude with advice on implementing MBT in an organization. The last chapter describes six Open Source tools to round out a tester’s knowledge of MBT. In addition, the book supports the International Software Testing Qualifications Board’s (ISTQB®) MBT syllabus for certification.
Influence of acute consumption of caffeine vs. placebo over Bia-derived measurements of body composition: a randomized, double-blind, crossover design.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is often used to estimate total body water (TBW), intracellular body water (ICW), extracellular body water (ECW), and body fat percentage (BF%). A common restriction for BIA analysis is abstinence from caffeine 12-h prior to testing. However, research has yet to determine whether the consumption of caffeine influences BIA testing results. The purpose of this study was to determine if the consumption of caffeine influences BIA-derived BF% and body water values in habitual caffeine users. Twenty apparently healthy males (26.6 ± 4.1 years) identified as habitual caffeine consumers (≥ one 95 mg serving per day ≥ four days per week) participated in this study. Participants came to the lab on three occasions, the first visit serving as the control (CON) with no supplementation. The remaining two visits were performed in a randomized double-blind, cross-over fashion. Participants consumed 200 mg of dextrose (PLA) or caffeine (CAF) in capsule form. During each visit, seven multi-frequency BIA measurements were conducted before (PRE) and after (15-min, 30-min, 45-min, 60-min, 75-min, 90-min) consumption. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed BF% for CAF was lower than the CON and PLA conditions at PRE and 15-min (p < 0.001, p = 0.004), but not statistically significant for the remaining time points (i.e., 30-, 45-, 60-, 75-, and 90-min). However, the effect size (ES) of the BF% differences were trivial. The CON, PLA, and CAF conditions had higher PRE ICW values than their associated post time points (i.e., 15-, 30-, 45-, 60-, 75-, and 90-min). Similar to BF%, ES of the mean differences for ICW were trivial. No other differences were observed. Caffeine consumption in habitual users produced trivial changes in TBW, ECW, ICW, or BF%. Therefore, the pre-testing guidelines for caffeine consumption may not be necessary in habitual caffeine consumers.
The results of a surgical program for interrupted aortic arch

Seventy-one patients with interrupted arch entered the Boston Children’s Hospital between Jan. 1, 1974, and Jan. 1, 1987, of whom 63 underwent an operation. Type B was the most prevalent form of interrupted arch, and ventricular septal defect alone was the commonest coexisting cardiac anomaly. Among the 63, the 30-day and the 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 61%, 52%, 48%, and 47%, respectively. The mortality rate declined strikingly during the experience, and by multivariate analysis in patients with coexisting ventricular septal defect operated on in 1986, the probability of death within 2 weeks of repair was only 7%. Also, preoperative therapy became progressively more intense and more prolonged. The complication of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction developed in eight of the 33 patients undergoing repair of interrupted arch and of isolated ventricular septal defect The time-related freedom from this complication was 97%, 78%, and 58% at 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years, respectively. Seven of the eight patients underwent a surgical procedure directed against the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and all have survived. Recurrent or persistent aortic arch obstruction became evident after repair in 15 patients and appeared more frequently and earlier after direct anastomosis than after tube graft repair. All patients had either reoperation or balloon dilation, but all were alive at follow-up. Most surviving patients are active and without symptoms. Inferences: An aggressive surgical program can result in survival and a good clinical state for at least 10 years after birth of over 40% of patients bom with interrupted arch. Multiple anatomic bases account for the development of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in about 50% of the patients undergoing repair of interrupted arch with coexisting ventricular septal defect. Repair by direct anastomosis combined with repair of the coexisting defect whenever possible is optimal therapy.
The Problem: Concepts and Definitions of Mental Illness

Early studies, as we have seen, made some basic contributions to psychiatric epidemiology. But around the turn of the nineteenth century further advances were halted by methodologic limitations. These were: (1) inadequate and inaccurate data that seldom were collected uniformly or according to a research design; (2) the absence of a satisfactory nosology; and (3) the lack of prevalence estimates controlled for life expectancy. Of these, the problems with the conceptualization, definition, and classification of mental illness were fundamental. Moreover, they endure hampering investigators’ case-finding efforts and clouding research in this field with imprecision.