cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple Line-to-Ground Fault Characterization and Mitigation in MVDC Shipboard Electrical Systems

Future shipboard electrical systems utilizing zonal Medium Voltage dc (MVdc) distribution, face conflicting design objectives. The system must be simultaneously power dense, cost effective, and survivable. DC zonal distribution with multiple generation sources offers survivability advantages. Shipboard electrical distribution systems can utilize a floating ground design to increase survivability in single line-to-ground (SLG) fault scenarios. However, this could decrease the survivability upon the incidence of a second line-to-ground (LG) fault or during multiple line-to-ground fault (MLG) scenarios. Particularly when it comes to critical loads that are cross-fed from opposite sides of the ship and MLG faults on opposite polarity buses or between ac and dc buses occurring in different zones. This work characterizes the most problematic MLG fault scenarios and analyzes mitigation anpproaches.
The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in FIGO stage IB grade 3 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy

Objectives: The optimal treatment of FIGO stage IB grade 3 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma remains unknown. It is unclear if adjuvant chemotherapy (CHT) in addition to adjuvant radiotherapy enhances survival in this subgroup of endometrial cancer patients. The goals of the present study were to perform a National Cancer Database (NCDB) analysis in this cohort of patients to 1) compare overall survival following treatment with a hysterectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy with or without CHT, 2) evaluate CHT utilization in the United States, and 3) investigate which factors are associated with survival in stage IB grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 with FIGO stage IB grade 3 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma treated with hysterectomy and postoperative radiotherapy with or without adjuvant systemic CHT were identified in the NCDB. Overall survival (OS) was assessed with Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared with the log-rank test. A Cox model was constructed to evaluate survival after controlling for confounders, and logistic regression was used to reveal predictors of CHT use. Results: While the receipt of CHT was associated with a trend toward increased 5-year OS from 68.1% to 74.7% (p=0.059), this association did not reach statistical significance on propensity score weighted (p=0.073) and multivariate analyses (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.86; CI: 0.70-1.06; p=0.15) as shown in the figure. Moreover, there was some evidence of a differential CHT effect in patients who did not undergo a lymphadenectomy (LND; p=0.056); CHT was associated with a trend toward reduced hazard of death in patients with LND (aHR=0.82, CI: 0.66-1.01, p=0.0634) but not in patients who did not undergo LND (aHR=1.70, CI: 0.86-3.35, p=0.1255). Patients who underwent brachytherapy as opposed to external beam radiotherapy, had lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), were 59 years or younger, were diagnosed in the more recent years of the study and treated in higher facility case volume centers were more likely to: receive adjuvant chemotherapy. No LND (HR 1.51; CI: 1.13-2.03; p=0.0057), positive LVSI (HR 1.71; CI: 1.36-2.16; p 70 (HR 2.61; CI: 2.03-3.36; p Download : Download high-res image (275KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Adjuvant CHT plus radiotherapy was associated with a non-statistically significant increase in OS in FIGO stage IB grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients compared to those treated with adjuvant radiotherapy alone. This potential effect is most apparent in patients who underwent LND.
Inductor Design for Non-Isolated Critical Soft Switching Converters Using Solid and Litz PCB and Wire Windings Leveraging Neural Network Model

High frequency and high efficiency inductor design method is proposed for the application of critical soft switching with large current ripple to improve the power density and efficiency of electrified energy conversion systems. Firstly for the theoretical design section, the core/coil size, number of turns, airgap, inductance are optimized to minimize the inductor losses. Secondly for the structural design section of coil, a 3D routing method of litz PCB winding is developed to reduce the AC copper losses. The strand number, trace width, thickness and layout of litz PCB are analyzed in detail. Different types of coil, including solid/litz types of PCB/wire windings, are compared and analyzed based on the high frequency copper loss reduction and space utilization. For the structural design section of core, E and I cores are optimized to reduce the volume and core losses. Specifically, E-E, E-I, I-I and E-Air types of core structures are designed and compared considering the core loss, volume reduction and airgap limitation for the stack of turns. Ten derived prototypes are built to benchmark with the commercial inductors. Power losses, temperature rise and cost are reduced by a factor of 10, 2.5 and 3 with the proposed core and coil structures.
Analysis of toxicity and clinical outcomes in full versus reduced starting dose cabozantinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients

Abstract Background : Full dose cabozantinib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is 60mg, but adverse events (AEs) may require dose reductions. Limited data exist comparing efficacy among cabozantinib doses. We compared AEs and clinical outcomes in mRCC patients treated with full versus reduced starting cabozantinib dose. Methods : We performed a retrospective analysis of 87 mRCC patients treated with cabozantinib at Winship Cancer Institute from 2016-2019. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response (OR) rate measured clinical outcomes. AEs were collected from clinic notes and the most common were hypertension, mucositis/hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), or gastrointestinal toxicity. Univariate analysis (UVA) between starting doses and AEs with clinical outcomes was performed using logistic regression model. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was also performed using Cox proportional hazard model. Results : Most patients were male (71%) with clear-cell RCC (72%). The majority were IMDC intermediate (58%) or poor (35%) risk. One third received first-line cabozantinib and 64% had ≥3 baseline metastatic sites. Most patients (68%) required dose reduction from 60mg or started at reduced dose without escalation. Reduced dose patients were more likely to have ≥3 distant metastatic sites (70% vs 58%) and ≥ 2 prior lines of systemic therapy (50% vs 40%) compared to full dose patients. UVA revealed a trend towards shorter OS (HR: 1.78, p=0.095), PFS (HR: 1.50, p=0.107), and lower chance of OR (HR:0.42, p=0.149) among reduced dose patients. This trend did not hold in MVA (OS HR: 1.20, p=0.636; PFS HR: 1.23, p=0.4662). Mucositis/HFSR and hypertension were significantly associated with improved outcomes in UVA. Conclusions : Although we found a trend favoring full dose cabozantinib, this is likely due to worse baseline disease characteristics among patients starting on a reduced dose. Hypertension and mucositis/HFSR may be associated with improved outcomes. Larger studies are warranted to validate these findings.
Using molecular databases

The vast amount of data on biological systems can make it hard to find a particular piece of information. The power of current Web-based systems helps to access data with great speed. This chapter describes some typical scenarios and provides directions to potential resources. Usually, a standard textbook will be the best starting point. The American Society of Nutritional Sciences provides a Website with brief outlines describing function, sources, and health significance of essential and other nutrients. Further, the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has recommended a system to categorize enzymes. A four-component enzyme commission numbering system facilitates the reference to a specific group of enzymes. Additionally, one of the best sources of information on genes and genetic syndromes is OMIM, the online version of McKusick's textbook Mendelian Inheritance in Man, currently hosted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the US National Library of Medicine. The National Library of Medicine also provides detailed sequence information and search engines such as BLAST. Sequence data can also be retrieved from the Genome Database (GDB). The database provides information on probes, primers for sequence amplification, and known polymorphisms.
The origin of the p.E180 growth hormone receptor gene mutation

Laron syndrome, an autosomal recessive condition of extreme short stature, is caused by the absence or dysfunction of the growth hormone receptor. A recurrent mutation in the GHR gene, p.E180, did not alter the encoded amino acid, but activated a cryptic splice acceptor resulting in a receptor protein with an 8-amino acid deletion in the extracellular domain. This mutation has been observed among Sephardic Jews and among individuals in Ecuador, Brazil and Chile, most notably in a large genetic isolate in Loja, Ecuador. A common origin has been postulated based on a shared genetic background of markers flanking this mutation, suggesting that the Lojanos (and others) may have Sephardic (Converso) Jewish ancestry. Analysis of the population structure of Lojanos based on genome-wide analysis demonstrated European, Sephardic Jewish and Native American ancestry in this group. X-autosomal comparison and monoallelic Y chromosomal and mitochondrial genetic analysis demonstrated gender-biased admixture between Native American women and European and Sephardic Jewish men. These findings are compatible with the co-occurrence of the Inquisition and the colonization of the Americas, including Converso Jews escaping the Inquisition in the Iberian Peninsula. Although not found among Lojanos, Converso Jews also brought founder mutations to contemporary Hispanic and Latino populations in the BRCA1 (c.68_69delAG) and BLM (c.2207_2212delATCTGAinsTAGATTC) genes.
Insider Trading: The Value of Asymmetric Information Created by Tradable Securities and its Implications for Disclosure

While tradable securities remain a popular means of compensating managers, there is constant discussion on the need for tighter regulation, including disclosure requirements, to prevent employees from actually being able to gain from trading these securities based on their private information. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the role and economic consequences of disclosures aimed at reducing the ability to gain from insider trading. Using the principal-agent framework I show that in some situations allowing the agent to trade anonymously on his private information increases production and, more importantly, generates a Pareto improvement compared to the case where the agent's trades are required to be publicly disclosed. The intuition for this result is that the bid-ask spread imposed by the market maker makes it costly for the agent to sell his shares and get full insurance if he has taken a low-cost action. As a consequence, the agent takes the high-cost action with higher probability, which in turn makes the overall economy better off.
Blood esterase determinations as markers of exposure.

Organophosphate (OPs) and organocarbamate (OCs) esters are widely used pesticides. Their inhibition of cholinesterases (ChEs) is a major source of their toxicity. The need for detecting exposure to OPs and OCs has resulted in continuing interest in assaying for ChEs. This paper discusses assay techniques, their usefulness as indicators of exposure, and the problem of detecting adverse effects (Weiss 1990; Wilson et al. 1992a).
Model-Based Testing with Spec#

This half-day tutorial introduces model-based testing, using the Spec# modeling language and the Spec Explorer test tool.
Performance Track’s Postmortem: Lessons from the Rise and Fall of EPA’s “Flagship” Voluntary Program

For nearly a decade, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) considered its National Environmental Performance Track to be its “flagship” voluntary program — even a model for transforming the conventional system of environmental regulation. Since Performance Track’s founding during the Clinton Administration, EPA officials repeatedly claimed that the program’s rewards attracted hundreds of the nation’s “top” environmental performers and induced these businesses to make significant environmental gains beyond legal requirements. Although EPA eventually disbanded Performance Track early in the Obama Administration, the program has been subsequently emulated by a variety of state and federal regulatory authorities. To discern lessons useful for similar voluntary programs, we report here the findings from a multipronged, multi-year research effort assessing business participation in Performance Track. We find no evidence to support the sweeping assertions EPA made about the program’s achievements. Facilities participating in Performance Track simply could not be shown to be top performers. Rather, what most distinguished these participants was a factor distinct from environmental quality, namely their propensity to engage in outreach with government and community groups. Furthermore, drawing on an extensive analysis of business participation in Performance Track and other EPA voluntary programs, we show how Performance Track faced inherent limitations in its ability to induce any dramatic environmental gains, making its model more of a poor substitute for the conventional regulatory system than a plausible means for the system’s transformation.
Let us Never Speak of It?, on Edward S. Small Direct Theory: Experimental Film/Video as Major Genre

Edward S. Small _Direct Theory: Experimental Film/Video as Major Genre_ Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1994 ISBN 0-8093-1920-9 122 pp.
Poliovirus Polyuridylic Acid Polymerase and RNA Replicase Have the Same Viral Polypeptide

A poliovirus-specific polyuridylic acid [poly(U)] polymerase that copies a polyadenylic acid template complexed to an oligouridylic acid primer was isolated from the membrane fraction of infected HeLa cells and was found to sediment at 4 to 5S on a linear 5 to 20% glycerol gradient. When the poly(U) polymerase was isolated from cells labeled with [(35)S]methionine and was analyzed by glycerol gradient centrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the position of only one viral protein was found to correlate with the location of enzyme activity. This protein had an apparent molecular weight of 62,500 based on its electrophoretic mobility relative to that of several molecular weight standards and was designated p63. When the poly(U) polymerase was isolated from the soluble fraction of a cytoplasmic extract, the activity was found to sediment at about 7S. In this case, however, both p63 and NCVP2 (77,000-dalton precursor of p63) cosedimented with the 7S activity peak. When the 7S polymerase activity was purified by phosphocellulose chromatography, both p63 and NCVP2 were found to co-chromatograph with poly(U) polymerase activity. The poliovirus replicase complexed with its endogenous RNA template was isolated from infected cells labeled with [(35)S]methionine and was centrifuged through a linear 15 to 30% glycerol gradient. The major viral polypeptide component in a 26S peak of replicase activity was p63, but small amounts of other poliovirus proteins were also present. When the replicase-template complex was treated with RNase T1 before centrifugation, a single peak of activity was found that sedimented at 20S and contained only labeled p63. Thus, p63 was found to be the only viral polypeptide in the replicase bound to its endogenous RNA template, and appears to be active as a poly(U) polymerase either as a monomer protein or as a 7S complex.
Building Structured Web Community Portals Via Extraction, Integration, and Mass Collaboration

The World-Wide Web hosts numerous communities, each focusing on a particular topic. As such communities proliferate, so do efforts to build community portals. Most current portals are organized according to topic taxonomies. Recently, however, there has been a growing effort to build structured data portals (e.g., IMDB, Citeseer) that present a unified view of entities and relationships in the community. Such portals can prove extremely valuable in a wide range of domains. But how can we build them efficiently? In this talk, I will present a new research vision that addresses this question. The goal is to develop a system that a small team (or ideally just one person) can quickly deploy to build an initial (but already useful) structured portal, then leverage the entire community in a mass collaboration fashion to improve and expand this portal. As such, the research agenda requires combining and extending research in information extraction, information integration, and Web 2.0 technologies, among others. This agenda is actively being pursued in the Cimple project, a joint effort between the University of Wisconsin and Yahoo Research. In the talk I will describe recent progress in Cimple, portal prototypes, lessons learned, and future directions. I will focus in particular on how Cimple raises interesting and novel challenges for both AI and database research. More information about Cimple can be found at www.cs.wisc.edu/~anhai/projects/cimple.
The Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro - A Novel 4 WD Concept with the Mew 2.11 Watercooled Engine

The Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro is presented as a novel 4 WD. The visco coupling is the heart of the forward drive train. Main advantages are automatic performance distribution between the axles and self-locking at extreme revolution differences between front and rear. Another important advantage of the standard 2 WD Vanagon is the well-known excellent spring suspension and damping comfort which is not negatively effected by the 4 WD technique. The vehicle is equipped with a new more powerful engine with 2,1 liter displacement and 70 kW (95 HP) nominal power output which is based on the watercooled horizontally opposed engine program.
Advocacy by Nonprofit Human Service Agencies

Abstract This article reports and analyzes findings of a mixed-methods study which examined correlations between select organizational factorsbudget size, staff size, age, local government funding, and leadership-and the advocacy behavior of human service agencies in Washington, DC. Surveys were sent to 100 agency executive directors, and 43 were returned. Follow-up interviews with staff from the five highest scoring and five lowest scoring agencies are reported. Findings show that budget size, staff size, leadership, and local government funding are positively correlated to agency advocacy behavior. Barriers and enhancements to agency advocacy behavior are also discussed.
Open access to scholarly full‐text documents

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to discuss open access to scholarly full‐text documents.Design/methodology/approach – Discusses open access to scholarly full‐text documents.Findings – The paper shows that while open access archives are good for the majority, for publishers, editors and authors, open access articles can substantially increase their impact, and the impact factor for the source journals.Originality/value – The paper offers insights into scholarly full‐text documents.
The Impact of Completeness and Web Use Motivation on the Credibility of e-Health Information

Recent articles on the quality of health information on the Internet reveal 2 critical criteria: completeness and credibility. This article investigates the effect of Web use motivation on the relationship between completeness and consumer perceptions of credibility. Based on a 2 × 3 experiment conducted with 246 respondents, the article demonstrates that the extent of completeness of health information on the Internet impacts consumer assessment of source and website credibility. In contrast to the extant research on the orthogonality of content and source characteristics, this research demonstrates their interaction.
Leptodactylus lauramiriamae, a distinctive new species of frog (Amphibia: Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Rondônia, Brazil

A new species of frog is described from Rondonia, Brazil. The new species shares most features with the genus Leptodactylus, although externally it resembles species of Physalaemus as much as species of Leptodactylus. The new species is provisionally assigned to the genus Leptodactylus, the definition of which must be expanded to include an areolate belly and small osteoderms lying above the vertebral column in order to accommodate the new species. The new species is known only from a single cerrado enclave in a predominantly Amazonian rainforest landscape.
Analysis and Experimental Characterization of Statistical Errors in Brownian Microscopy

The Brownian diffusivity is a key parameter characterizing the stochastic motion of particles suspended in a liquid, which in turn reflects the rheological properties and thermodynamic states of the liquid. Fundamental understanding of statistical uncertainty in the Brownian diffusivity is critical since the number of Brownian steps tracked in practical experiments is limited. We develop an approximate analytic expression for statistical errors in the Brownian diffusivity, while accounting for electronic noise and other imperfections in a video microscopy system. The expression is validated using Monte Carlo simulations and microchannel based experiments. The present model allows us to make a priori estimate of overall experimental uncertainty and thereby helps improve the accuracy and reliability of various microrheological and biosensing techniques based on Brownian microscopyCopyright © 2006 by ASME
Detection and treatment of coronary artery disease in liver transplant candidates

Patients with end-stage liver disease and coronary artery disease (CAD) being considered for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) present a difficult dilemma. The availability of multiple screening tests and newer treatment options for CAD prompted this review. Recent data suggest that the prevalence of CAD in patients with cirrhosis is much greater than previously believed and likely mirrors or exceeds the prevalence rate in the healthy population. The morbidity and mortality of patients with CAD who undergo OLT without treatment are unacceptably high, making identification of patients with CAD before OLT an important consideration. Patients with documented CAD or major clinical predictors of CAD should undergo cardiac catheterization before OLT. Those with advanced CAD not amenable to interventional therapy or with poor cardiac function are not candidates for OLT. Dobutamine stress echocardiogram appears to be an excellent means of screening patients with intermediate or minor clinical predictors of CAD before OLT. Patients found to have mild or moderate CAD should be aggressively treated medically and, if necessary and feasible based on hepatic reserve, by percutaneous or, less likely, surgical intervention pre-OLT to correct obstructive coronary lesions. Prospective studies regarding optimal screening strategies for the presence of CAD and the indications, timing, and outcomes of interventional therapy in patients with advanced cirrhosis are lacking and much needed.
Effects of Locus of Control and Provision of Overviews in a Computer-Assisted Instruction Sequence

AbstractThe effects of locus of control (learner control versus program control of branching) and provision of overviews were investigated using a computer-assisted instruction sequence. Sixty college students were assigned randomly to four treatment conditions. Performance and response latency data were collected. Achievement gain was significantly greater under learner control than under program control. No significant main effects were found when using test response latency as the dependent measure. There was a significant difference among average response latencies of correct and incorrect responses on the post-test. A high negative correlation was observed between the time interval taken to make a response on the post-test and percentage of correct responses within the interval.
Novel Pancreaticojejunostomy with a Low Rate of Anastomotic Failure-Related Complications

Background Pancreatic anastomotic failure has traditionally been a source of significant morbidity and potential mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Both patient-derived and technical factors contribute to pancreatic anastomotic failure. From a technical standpoint, an "ideal" pancreaticojejunal anastomosis would meet the following criteria: applicable to all patients, easy to teach, and associated with a low rate of pancreatic anastomotic failure-related complications. The pancreaticojejunostomy described by one of the authors (LHB) meets the criteria for an "ideal" pancreaticojejunostomy. Study Design We performed an audit of results of a consecutive series of patients at two institutions who underwent pancreaticojejunostomy using the described technique. Pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in all cases using a novel two-layer technique consisting of an outer full thickness pancreas-to-seromuscular jejunal anastomosis and an inner duct-to-mucosal anastomosis. Incidences of pancreatic anastomotic failure (measured using the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula definition) and perioperative pancreatic anastomotic failure-related complications were analyzed. Results One hundred eighty-seven patients underwent pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy using the described technique. Overall mortality was 1.6%. The rate of clinically significant pancreatic anastomotic failure (International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula grade B or C) was only 6.9%. There was no bleeding, reoperation, or mortality secondary to pancreatic anastomotic failure among patients in this series. Conclusions The novel pancreaticojejunostomy is applicable to all patients in whom the pancreatic duct can be identified, and it is associated with very low rates of significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. These findings support its routine use for pancreaticojejunal reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis for hepatic artery thrombosis following liver transplantation

(2/3 good, 1/3 bad) had mixed outcomes (see table). In patients without biopsy post-PTA (8/21), 6/8 had bad and 2/8 had good outcomes.There was no significant difference (p 40.05) in time between transplant and PTA, improvement in luminal diameter or manometry (prevs. post-PTA) in patients with good vs. bad outcomes, and patients with HO vs. no HO on EB or on LB. Conclusion: Liver biopsy is an important diagnostic and prognostic tool in transplant patients needing PTA for HO. Biopsy 460d (rather than early biopsy) after PTA accurately separates patients with good long-term clinical outcomes from patients with persistent HO requiring further interventions.
Using Liquid Flow to Quantify the Pore Structure of Fibrous Materials

This paper describes two techniques to quantify the pore structure of fibrous materials using liquid flow analysis. Liquid porosimetry evaluates pore dimensions in terms of their pore volume distributions, and in-plane flow analysis describes the structure in terms of permeability distributions.
Immunization of mice with recombinant L7L12 ribosomal protein confers protection against Brucella abortus infection

BALBc mice were immunized with the recombinant Brucella abortus L7L12 ribosomal protein fused to maltose binding protein (MBP). Vaccinated animals mounted a specific immune response to the recombinant fusion protein as demonstrated by immunoblot analyses. Additionally, B. abortus L7L12 ribosomal protein conferred a significant degree of protection when compared to mice vaccinated with adjuvant alone, adjuvant plus MBP or B. abortus. These results indicate that a recombinant B. abortus protein, previously identified as T-cell-reactive, engendered protective immunity to mice against brucellosis.
Intranuclear structures in paracrystalline array.

Intranuclear structures in paracrystalline array, interpreted as possible microtubules, are present within reactive cells associated with vaccinia virus-infected human skin. These structures are observed within nuclei of cells not in any apparent stage of mitotic division and not containing virus particles. If there is a microtubular structure to these elements, the present study indicates that they can be synthesized and developed in this particular fashion at a time other than during mitosis. It is not known whether the vaccinia virus plays a role in this process.
Characterization of the spleen green hemeprotein with magnetic and natural circular dichroism spectroscopy: positive evidence for a myeloperoxidase-type active site

Abstract The green hemeprotein purified from bovine spleen has been characterized with magnetic and natural circular dichroism (MCD and CD) spectroscopy for the first time. The enzyme derivatives studied include the native high-spin ferric form and its high-spin chloride and low-spin cyanide and nitrite complexes, the ligand-free high-spin ferrous form and its low-spin CO adduct, and Compounds II (ferryl iron species) and III (dioxygen adduct). All these enzyme states exhibit MCD spectra that are considerably different from the spectra of analogous complexes of normal heme iron. In particular, the following distinctions have been observed. (1) The sign of the derivative-shaped MCD bands of the high-spin ferric and Compound II forms in the Soret (380–500 nm) region and of the ferrous low-spin and Compound III forms in both the Soret and visible (500–700 nm) regions are opposite to and, except for the high-spin ferric form, are less symmetric than those seen for normal heme iron systems. (2) MCD intensities in the Soret region for the high-spin ferrous and low-spin ferric derivatives are noticeably smaller than those of normal heme proteins by a factor of up to ten. (3) Prominent MCD bands are seen around 450 and 630 nm for the green hemeprotein derivatives; these features are considerably red-shifted (30–50 nm) relative to the analogous transitions observed for normal heme proteins. In contrast to the aforementioned spectral differences, the MCD and CD spectra of the spleen green hemeprotein derivatives are essentially identical to those previously reported for several derivatives of another spectroscopically anomalous heme-type enzyme, myeloperoxidase. This provides strong evidence that the two enzymes have identical prosthetic groups and endogenous axial ligands coordinated to the central iron. The novel MCD features of the green proteins, taken together with previously reported spectroscopic results, are most consistent with the presence of a chlorin-type prosthetic group in both proteins. In addition, the CD spectral similarities suggest that the two green proteins have nearly identical active-site environments.
Method for auto-alignment of digital optical phase conjugation systems based on digital propagation

Optical phase conjugation (OPC) has enabled many optical applications such as aberration correction and image transmission through fiber. In recent years, implementation of digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) has opened up the possibility of its use in biomedical optics (e.g. deep-tissue optical focusing) due to its ability to provide greater-than-unity OPC reflectivity (the power ratio of the phase conjugated beam and input beam to the OPC system) and its flexibility to accommodate additional wavefront manipulations. However, the requirement for precise (pixel-to-pixel matching) alignment of the wavefront sensor and the spatial light modulator (SLM) limits the practical usability of DOPC systems. Here, we report a method for auto-alignment of a DOPC system by which the misalignment between the sensor and the SLM is auto-corrected through digital light propagation. With this method, we were able to accomplish OPC playback with a DOPC system with gross sensor-SLM misalignment by an axial displacement of up to~1.5 cm, rotation and tip/tilt of ~5∘, and in-plane displacement of ~5 mm (dependent on the physical size of the sensor and the SLM). Our auto-alignment method robustly achieved a DOPC playback peak-to-background ratio (PBR) corresponding to more than ~30 % of the theoretical maximum. As an additional advantage, the auto-alignment procedure can be easily performed at will and, as such, allows us to correct for small mechanical drifts within the DOPC systems, thus overcoming a previously major DOPC system vulnerability. We believe that this reported method for implementing robust DOPC systems will broaden the practical utility of DOPC systems.
Prosecutorial Discretion and Press Coverage: The Decision to Try the Case

The vast majority of criminal court cases are settled through the plea-bargaining process; only a few actually reach the trial stage. Previous research suggests a significant relationship between greater press coverage and plea-bargaining behavior. The authors seek to understand the effect of press coverage on the prosecutor's decision to try the case. They study the dispositions of homicides for an 11-year period (1980-1990) for a southwestern city of average population (120,000) that spans the tenure of three district attorneys. The relationship between the political agenda of the prosecutor and the disposition of murders is not as clear as previous research suggests. No significant relationships are found between press coverage and the disposition of the case.
The modern Fontan operation shows no increase in mortality out to 20 years: A new paradigm

Objective Dating back to the first published report of the Fontan circulation in 1971, multiple studies have examined the long-term results of this standard procedure for palliation of single-ventricle heart disease in children. Although the technique has evolved over the last 4 decades to include a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) conduit for a large percentage of patients, the long-term outcome has not yet been established. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possibility of a late increasing risk for death after 15 years among patients with a modern Fontan operation and to evaluate late morbidity. Methods Between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 2011, 207 patients underwent the Fontan procedure using an internal or external PTFE conduit plus a bidirectional cavopulmonary connection. Survival and late adverse events were analyzed. Risk factors for early and late mortality were examined using hazard function methodology. Results At 1, 10, and 20 years, survival for the entire cohort was 95%, 88%, and 76%, respectively, with no deaths in the last 6 years of the study. Hazard modeling showed a 1.3% risk of death per year 24 years after the Fontan procedure, with no late increasing hazard phase. Freedom from reoperations was greater than 90% at 20 years and freedom from thrombotic complications was 98% at 20 years (with greater than 80% of patients on aspirin alone). Survival curves were superimposable for 16- to 20-mm conduits, and the freedom from any reoperation including transplantation was greater than 90% after 20 years. Multivariable risk factor analysis identified only earlier date of operation as a predictor of early and late mortality. By era of surgery, the 10-year predicated survival is 89% for patients undergoing surgery in 2000 and 94% for patients in 2010. Conclusions Early and late survival after a Fontan operation with a PTFE conduit is excellent, with no late phase of increasing death risk after 20 years. Late functional status is good, the need for late reoperation is rare, and thrombotic complications are uncommon on a standard medical regimen including aspirin as the only anticoagulation medication.
High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Lactic Acid and Lactic Acid Lactate in Amrinone Lactate Formulations

Abstract A high performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitation of lactic acid in Amrinone Lactate formulations is described. Samples were separated using a Dionex HPICE-AS1 ion chromatography exclusion column and a mobile phase of 1 mM sodium octanesulfonate. A conductivity detector equipped with an anion micromembrane suppressor was used and regenerated with 5 mM tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. The method demonstrated a recovery of 100.3% with a linear correlation coefficient of the standards of 0.9999. The selectivity of the method was demonstrated by showing the absence of chromatographic interference by other formulation components. The method also separates lactic acid lactate from lactic acid. Studies conducted on samples of Amrinone Lactate Injection and placebo demonstrated a temperature related equilibrium between lactic acid and lactic acid lactate.
The simultaneous determination of both the quantity and the fatty acid composition of the triglycerides in three to ten microliters of plasma.

An integrated system using chromatography on silica gel-impregnated glass paper, an internal standard and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) makes possible the isolation of triglycerides, the determination of triglyceride, fatty acid composition, and the quantitative determination of triglyceride.
A new method for radiolabeling of Gelfoam particles with 99mTc

Embolization of the spleen and other organs using Gelfoam has recently gained acceptance as a therapeutic procedure. A simple non-invasive determination of the placement of Gelfoam particles is needed and this requires labeling Gelfoam with radionuclides. We have developed a simple, reliable reproducible, and inexpensive method of labeling Gelfoam with 99mTc using commercial sulfur colloid kits. Optimal reaction conditions include room temperature incubation for 60 min at 12 rpm rotation. In vitro stability indicated no loss of 99mTc activity up to 3 h post labeling. Imaging of intra-arterially placed 99mTc Gelfoam at 1 h and 24 h in animals and humans has consistently produced well-defined images of the radioemboli.
Teaching Introduction to Africana Studies Sustaining a Disciplinary Focus

In the American academy, there is quite possibly no other discipline with the history of (Black) Africana Studies. Founded on the idea of struggle and resistance and eventually becoming the intellectual arm of the Black Power movement, the field has for decades institutionalized and established itself as a cogent and coherent academic discipline. The flagship course for the discipline has always been the introductory course from the field’s inception. One of the central questions that loom in many Africana circles concerns building egalitarian consensus on the teaching of the introductory course. This work seeks to address that issue by offering plausible guidelines for instructors and practitioners to follow.
THE REVERSIBLE INACTIVATION OF TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS BY CRYSTALLINE RIBONUCLEASE

The reversible inactivation of tobacco mosaic virus by crystalline ribonuclease is reported. Studies on the effect of time of standing on the amount of inactivation, and on the effect of dilution and repeated high speed centrifugation on the recovery of virus activity, and the preparation of an insoluble virus-enzyme complex show that the inactivation is brought about at least in part by a combination between virus and enzyme. The significance of the fact that ribonuclease has no detectable effect on the virus nucleic acid when the latter is in combination with protein in the form of virus is discussed with respect to the structure of the virus.
Surface Structural Investigations by Photoemission Spectroscopy

Note: Univ wisconsin,dept phys,madison,wi 53706.ISI Document Delivery No.: MP990 Reference LSE-ARTICLE-1981-007doi:10.1002/sia.740030105 Record created on 2006-10-03, modified on 2016-08-08
Crystallographic fatigue crack initiation in nickel-based superalloy René 88DT at elevated temperature

Abstract The fatigue behavior of a polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy Rene 88DT was examined in the lifetime regime of 105–109 cycles at 593 °C in air using an ultrasonic fatigue apparatus operating at frequencies close to 20 kHz. Three experimental techniques were combined to obtain new insights into the crack initiation process: serial sectioning, electron backscatter diffraction and quantitative fractographic analysis. Most fatigue failures initiated from internal microstructural sites comprised of large grains. Large crystallographic facets formed at crack initiation sites due to cyclic strain localization on {1 1 1} slip planes in the region close to Σ3 twin boundaries in large grains having high Schmid factors. The micromechanical mechanism of crystallographic fatigue crack initiation was analyzed in terms of both resolved shear stress and elastic incompatibility stresses in regions close to Σ3 twin boundaries. The influence of critical microstructure features on fatigue crack initiation and fatigue life variability is discussed.
Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Radical Anion by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy from Cells using Spin Traps

Reactive nitrogen/oxygen species (ROS/RNS) at low concentrations play an important role in regulating cell function, signaling, and immune response but in unregulated concentrations are detrimental to cell viability1, 2. While living systems have evolved with endogenous and dietary antioxidant defense mechanisms to regulate ROS generation, ROS are produced continuously as natural by-products of normal metabolism of oxygen and can cause oxidative damage to biomolecules resulting in loss of protein function, DNA cleavage, or lipid peroxidation3, and ultimately to oxidative stress leading to cell injury or death4. Superoxide radical anion (O2•-) is the major precursor of some of the most highly oxidizing species known to exist in biological systems such as peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radical. The generation of O2•- signals the first sign of oxidative burst, and therefore, its detection and/or sequestration in biological systems is important. In this demonstration, O2•- was generated from polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Through chemotactic stimulation with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), PMN generates O2•- via activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase5. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase which comes in three isoforms, as inducible-, neuronal- and endothelial-NOS, or iNOS, nNOS or eNOS, respectively, catalyzes the conversion of L- arginine to L-citrulline, using NADPH to produce NO6. Here, we generated NO from endothelial cells. Under oxidative stress conditions, eNOS for example can switch from producing NO to O2•- in a process called uncoupling, which is believed to be caused by oxidation of heme7 or the co-factor, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)8. There are only few reliable methods for the detection of free radicals in biological systems but are limited by specificity and sensitivity. Spin trapping is commonly used for the identification of free radicals and involves the addition reaction of a radical to a spin trap forming a persistent spin adduct which can be detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The various radical adducts exhibit distinctive spectrum which can be used to identify the radicals being generated and can provide a wealth of information about the nature and kinetics of radical production9. The cyclic nitrones, 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline-N-oxide, DMPO10, the phosphoryl-substituted DEPMPO11, and the ester-substituted, EMPO12 and BMPO13, have been widely employed as spin traps--the latter spin traps exhibiting longer half-lives for O2•- adduct. Iron (II)-N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate, Fe(MGD)2 is commonly used to trap NO due to high rate of adduct formation and the high stability of the spin adduct14.
Quantifying how climatic factors affect variation in plant disease severity: A general method using a new way to analyze meteorological data

A general method is presented for analyzing how climatic conditions affect plant disease severity. An example of its application is given for the analysis of stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis) data on winter wheat cultivar Gaines and climatic data collected at Pullman, WA. for 1968–1986. A computer program WINDOW was written to identify the climatic factors most highly correlated with disease. This program is designed to utilize meteorological data for an entire growing season of a crop as well as to include climatic conditions preceding planting. This program uses an iterative process to examine variable-length segments of meteorological data in a more exhaustive analysis than previously possible. Climatic factors considered include: mean maximum, minimum, and average temperature; total and frequency of precipitation; consecutive days with and without precipitation; accumulation of negative and positive degree days; and number of days with extreme temperature events. Variables that were highly correlated with disease were the basis for regression models that were developed to predict disease severity index for each of the three cultivars. Two- and three-variable models explained, respectively, 75 and 76% of the variation in disease from year to year. Predictions (which could be made early enough in the growing season to allow application of chemical control) were evaluated on the basis of whether years with severe disease were accurately predicted. Models were validated using Allen's PRESS statistic and by application to new data. The method is potentially applicable to studies of how climatic conditions affect the populations or productivity of other types of organisms.
Varieties of imaging with scanning probe microscopes

The question comes up periodically at conference lunches where scanning probe microscopists are gathered: “Do you think we could image biological macromolecules under a thin layer of water?” It would be wonderful if we could confine biological macromolecules under a thin layer of water or other aqueous solution such that the biomolecules were all close enough to the surface for the atomic force microscope (AFM) tip to image them. AFMs have imaged enzymes in action and biological macromolecules in motion (1–6). Nevertheless, it is always a challenge to find conditions where the macromolecules are bound to a flat surface tightly enough for good AFM imaging and loosely enough for their biological activities to occur. If the macromolecules could be trapped under a thin fluid layer, we might be able to image them without binding them to a surface. The current issue of PNAS presents a step in this direction in the scanning probe microscope (SPM) images of biological macromolecules under a thin layer of aqueous solution (7).
Drug Evaluation Oncologic, Endocrine & Metabolic: Bicalutamide (Casodex™)

Bicalutamide (Casodex™) is a relatively new non-steroidal antiandrogen indicated for use in combination therapy with castration for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Developed from a series of non-steroidal compounds related to flutamide, bicalutamide is a potent, orally active, well tolerated anti-androgen with a half-life compatible with once-daily administration. In the clinical programme in prostatic cancer, patients were exposed to bicalutamide in doses ranging from 10 - 600 mg. Doses of 10 - 200 mg have been shown to have intrinsic activity in terms of producing subjective improvement and objective responses, and daily doses of up to 600 mg are currently being evaluated. Results of monotherapy studies reveal that 50 mg of bicalutamide is less effective than castration in patients with advanced disease; Phase III monotherapy studies are ongoing to compare 150 mg of bicalutamide with castration. In monotherapy studies, both 50 mg and 150 mg of bicalutamide have an advantage over castration in...