cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Between Worlds of Exchange: Ethnicity among Peruvian Market Women

The street worries the rich, its disorder and daily uncertainty represent a constant threat. … One has to … disperse the populace, control these immoderate gestures of a violence that is only the mirror image of their own daily life … yet to prevent a crowd from forming is not sufficient. … One has to go further: make hygienic, cleanse [and] enlighten these obscure masses. … There follows a determined volition to construct a productive and pacified space.
Achromatic-Point Prediction

This paper constitutes a mathematical elaboration, in a form permitting direct predictions of data, of the empirical discoveries of Helson and Michels concerning the “effect of chromatic adaptation on achromaticity.” An equation is developed permitting the chromaticity of a test spot that appears achromatic against an extended chromatic background to be predicted from the background chromaticity and the luminance ratio of spot to background. The technique for numerical solution of the equation is explained, and a family of curves allowing approximate solution by interpolation is presented. If the luminance of the achromatic spot is no greater than that of the background, the achromatic chromaticity always lies more than 34 of the way along the line directed from the absolute (black background) neutral point to the background point, regardless of the color of the background. As part of a discussion of additional numerical methods useful in applying the model to data, general least-squares formulas are presented for the coordinates of the point best representing the common intersection of any set of given lines; and for the line, passing through a specified point, that best fits a set of given points by the criterion of perpendicular deviations.
Novel sst4-Selective somatostatin (SRIF) agonists. 2. Analogues with β-methyl-3-(2-naphthyl)alanine substitutions at position 8

We present a family of human sst(4)-selective, high-affinity (IC(50) = 2-4 nM) cyclic somatostatin (SRIF) octapeptides. These peptides result from the substitution of dTrp(8) in H-c[Cys(3)-Phe(6)-Phe(7)-DTrp(8)-Lys(9)-Thr(10)-Phe(11)-Cys(14)]-OH (SRIF numbering) (ODT-8) by one of the four conformationally biased stereoisomers of beta-methyl-3-(2-naphthyl)alanine (beta-Me2Nal). Whereas H-c[Cys-Phe-Phe-DNal-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys]-OH (ODN-8, 2) has high affinity and marginal selectivity for human sst(3) (Reubi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2000, 97, 13973-13978), H-c[Cys-Phe-Tyr-D-threo-beta-Me2Nal-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys]-OH (5) has high affinity for all sst's except for sst(1); H-c[Cys-Phe-Tyr-L-threo-beta-Me2Nal-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys]-OH (6) has high affinity for sst(4) (IC(50) = 2.1 nM), with more than 50-fold selectivity toward the other receptors. Analogues 7 and 8, containing d- and l-erythro-beta-Me2Nal instead of the corresponding threo derivatives at position 8, are essentially inactive at all receptors. Substitution of Tyr(7) in 5 and 6 by Aph(7) resulted in 9 and 10 with similar affinity patterns overall yet lowered affinity. The substitution of DCys(3) for Cys(3) in 5 and 6 yielded H-c[DCys-Phe-Tyr-D-threo-beta-Me2Nal-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys]-OH (11) and H-c[DCys-Phe-Tyr-L-threo-beta-Me2Nal-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys]-OH (12), with biological profiles almost identical to those of their parents 5 and 6 (i.e., high affinity for sst(2-5) for 11 and high affinity and selectivity for sst(4) for 12). Analogue 12, with high sst(4) affinity combined with the highest sst(4) selectivity among all tested compounds, is an agonist in the cAMP accumulation assay (EC(50) = 1.29 nM). Cold monoiodination of 12 yielded 14, with loss of sst(4) selectivity and loss of high affinity (IC(50) = 21 nM). Introduction of Tyr(2) in 9 and 10 and substitution of Cys(3) by dCys(3), to yield 15 and 16 (IC(50) = 9.8 and 61 nM, respectively, for sst(4) and limited selectivity), failed to generate a high-affinity (125)iodinatable sst(4)-selective ligand. Substitution of Phe by Tyr at position 11 in H-c[DCys-Phe-Phe-L-threo-beta-Me2Nal-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys]-OH yielded 18 (IC(50) = 11.8 nM at sst(4)), with limited sst(4) selectivity (30-fold or greater at the other receptors) yet only slightly improved affinity over that of 14. Cold monoiodination of 18 yielded 20 (IC(50) = 30 nM at sst(4) and high selectivity). Whereas we were able, in this study, to identify a new family of sst(4)-selective, high-affinity compounds, our additional goal, to identify highly potent and sst(4)-selective ligands amenable to (125)iodination, could not be achieved satisfactorily. On the other hand, some of the diastereomers identified in this study, such as 5, 11, 17, and 19, are very potent ligands at all receptors but sst(1).
PRINCIPAL RESULTS OF JOINT REGIONAL STUDY IN MIDDLE ASIA AND SOUTHEASTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Although the regional geologic study of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan was complicated by lack of outcrops in desert areas, the results have been gratifying. The study outlined areas favorable for geophysical work and drilling which led to discovery of oil and gas fields in Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits. Most of the study was done in the epi-Hercynian platform of Middle Asia, known as the Karakorum platform. Its basement has been penetrated by drilling in a number of places and data obtained are given. Data concerning Permo-Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous deposits are also given. The epi-Hercynian (Karakorum) platform of Middle Asia occupies over one million square kilometers. It contacts the Precambrian platform along a deep rift on the south edge of the South Emba uplift, and the epi-Caledonian platform along the Talas-Fergana deep rift, which extends northwest from Karatau. The Karakorum platform is bounded by the Alpine geosynclinal province and foredeeps, along a system of deep faults traced on lan...
Higher-derivative Lee–Wick unification

Abstract We consider gauge coupling unification in Lee–Wick extensions of the Standard Model that include higher-derivative quadratic terms beyond the minimally required set. We determine how the beta functions are modified when some Standard Model particles have two Lee–Wick partners. We show that gauge coupling unification can be achieved in such models without requiring the introduction of additional fields in the higher-derivative theory and we comment on possible ultraviolet completions.
Effects of microiontophoretically applied chemicals on hypothalamic neural activity

Seven barrel electrodes were utilized to record simultaneously from and apply chemicals to single neurons in the hypothalamus of anesthesized male hooded rats. When a stable baseline discharge frequency was established for lateral preoptic area (LPA) or lateral hypothalamic (LH) neurons, glutamate, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glucose and sodium were administered microiontophoretically. In addition, the effects of microiontophoretically administered chemicals and LPA or LH electrical stimulation on hypothalamic neural activity were in some cases determined for the same neuron. Recordings from 53 hypothalamic neurons indicate that the direct application of these chemicals affect LPA and LH neural activity at relatively low ejection currents in a dose related manner. In the LPA, glutamate which has a nonspecific effect and increased the discharge frequency in 96% of the cells tested, was used to establish the reliability of the techniques and baseline. Norepinephrine decreased (73%), acetylcholine increased (28%) and decreased (12%), glucose increased (12%), and sodium increased (4%) discharge frequency. In the LH, glutamate increased (91%), norepinephrine decreased (33%), acetylcholine increased (50%) and decreased (14%), glucose increased (12%) and decreased (6%), and sodium increased (20%) discharge frequency. Also, significant relations between chemical and electrical stimulation suggest that norepinephrine and possibly acetylcholine might be involved in the interactions between the LPA and LH neurons. Results are discussed in terms of the neurochemical modulation of ingestive behavior.
Aggression Levels Following Frustration of Abusing Versus Nonabusing College Males

A classic aggression paradigm was used to assess the relationship between aggressive and nonaggressive college males (n = 74). Subjects were exposed to no-, low-, or high-frustration conditions where a female confederate thwarted their attainment of a goal. Subjects then had the opportunity to electrically shock the confederate. Intensity and duration of shock were the dependent measures. Frustration conditions did not result in a significant main effect, but aggression in subjects' relationship histories produced a significant main effect for both intensity and duration of shock. There was also a significant repeated measures effect for both intensity and duration of shock. Relationship-aggressive males reported higher rates of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse in relationships as well as more physically abusive experiences from parents and more fights with other males. For males with a history of relationship aggression, situational cues may not be as important for eliciting aggression as their prop...
Vascular rejection and graft eosinophilia in rat lung allografts

Abstract Allogeneic lung transplantation was performed using a rat model in order to assess the pathologic changes that developed during the process of rejection. The left lungs of 38 BN rats (RT-1n) were orthotopically transplanted into LEW rats (RT-11). The allografts developed the well-known changes of perivascular, peribronchial, and interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates resulting in necrosis of the pulmonary parenchyma at 7–8 days after transplantation. In addition, we document two findings that have not been reported previously in lung transplantation: vasculitis and eosinophilic infiltrates. Vasculitis with swelling and vacuolization of the endothelial cells was observed in transplants as early as 3 days following transplantation. Vasculitis with fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel wall was prominent at 7–8 days after grafting. The allografts also exhibited eosinophilia at 2 to 4 days following transplantation. The density of eosinophils in the inflammatory infiltrate reached a peak of 20% on Day 3 post-transplantation. These findings suggest an important role of humoral immunity and a possible involvement of eosinophils in lung allograft rejection.
Single strand breaks in CHO cell DNA induced by ultrasonic cavitation in vitro.

Abstract Ultrasonic cavitation induces a multiplicity of bioeffects in cell suspensions exposed in a 72 RPM rotating-tube exposure system. Single strand DNA breaks (SSBs) were found in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells exposed directly to 1.61 MHz ultrasound at a continuous 8 W/cm 2 spatial peak, temporal average (SPTA) intensity with cavitation for 10 min at 2°C. Viability assessed by the trypan blue test was less than 1%, which indicates that these SSBs were in dead cells. Burst mode exposure with 10.5μs bursts repeated each 21 μs not only caused SSBs at 5.6 W/cm 2 and 8 W/cm 2 (SPTA) for 10 min, but also allowed 20% and 7% viability, respectively. In order to determine if any of these breaks resided in the viable fraction of cells, the exposures were repeated with a 30 min postexposure incubation period at 37°C to allow breaks in viable cells to repair. No significant repair occurred, relative to the samples which remained at 2°C to prevent repair. A similar result was obtained with 10.5 μs bursts repeated each 42 μs at 4 W/cm2 (SPTA) with 46% viability. Thus, the observed ultrasonically induced SSBs reside primarily in the nonviable fraction of cells.
Routine Pneumococcal Vaccination of Children Provokes New Patterns of Serotypes Causing Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Adults and Children

Introduction Routine vaccination of infants with protein-conjugated 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) begun in 2000 initiated a sea change of prevalent serotypes (STs) in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). The authors investigated in 1 community all STs causing IPD during 5 years before (PRE) and 2, 5-year periods after (POST1 and POST2) its initiation and found that PCV7 adversely affected ST coverage of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) among adults. Methods From 1996-2010, 620 consecutive Streptococcus pneumoniae IPD strains from adults (521) and children (99) hospitalized with IPD in Huntington, WV, were collected. Each strain was typed by Quellung reaction. The Marshall University Institutional Review Board approved this study. Results By 6 to 10 years after the initiation of PCV7, IPD in children decreased significantly, whereas IPD in adults increased significantly. In both adults and children, IPD due to PCV7 STs decreased significantly. In adults with IPD, PCV7 STs were replaced by several non-PCV7 STs including STs contained in PPV23 but not in PCV7 and STs not contained in either vaccine. IPD due to 4 nonsusceptible STs included in PCV7 decreased from PRE to POST1 and POST2. IPD due to nonsusceptible STs not included in PCV7 increased from PRE to POST1 and POST2. Conclusions Routine PCV7 decreased IPD in children but not in adults. Predominant STs changed--children exhibited fewer PCV7 STs and adults exhibited fewer PCV7 and PPV23 STs--reducing vaccine coverage and increasing the risk of replacement STs causing IPD in adults.
The Early History of Lead Pigments and Cosmetics in China

The oxides of lead, minium, litharge and massicot 1), have probably been known, at least as curiosities, as long as lead itself, as ordinary by-products of the extraction of the metal from galena 2). The metallurgy of lead is very ancient: in Asia Minor it seems to go back to the third millenium B.C. The separation of admixed silver from galena by cupellation is also very old 3). The beginnings of the manufacture of lead pigments in China, then, may be as old as lead metallurgy itself. It is well known that many ancient Chinese bronze artifacts, like the coins of Imperial Athens and some old Hittite bronzes, contain lead, sometimes a
Tolerance to nicotine following chronic treatment by injections: a potential role for corticosterone.

C57BL/6 male mice were injected intraperitoneally with nicotine (2.0 mg/kg) or saline three times each day (0800 h, 1300 h and 1800 h) for a period of 12 days and then tested for nicotine tolerance using a series of behavioral and physiological tests. For each of these tests, animals that received chronic nicotine treatment were significantly less sensitive to nicotine challenge than were animals that received chronic saline treatment, as indicated by shifts to the right of dose-response curves. Animals were retested for nicotine sensitivity 2 weeks following cessation of chronic nicotine injections. Tolerance to acute nicotine challenge persisted in nicotine-treated animals. Chronic nicotine treatment by injections did not alter the binding ofl-[3H]-nicotine or α-[125I]-bungarotoxin in any of eight brain regions. Plasma corticosterone (CCS) levels were determined in animals prior to the initiation of the injection series (day 0), and on days 4, 8 and 12 of chronic treatment, immediately before the first injection of the day. CCS levels in nicotine-treated animals were elevated as compared to saline-injected controls by day 12 of treatment. Nicotine-treated animals also had elevated CCS levels 2 weeks after the last chronic injection. Nicotine-treated animals were, however, tolerant to nicotine-induced CCS release. Since previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that plasma CCS levels are inversely correlated with sensitivity to nicotine, it is possible that the tolerance to nicotine measured following chronic treatment by injections is due, at least in part, to the elevation in plasma CCS levels.
Nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations and sources in urban and suburban atmospheres of the Mid-Atlantic region

Abstract Gas and particle phase concentrations of 26 nitro-PAHs were quantified in ambient air collected in downtown Baltimore, MD, an urban region, and in Fort Meade, MD, a suburban area 20 km south-southeast of Baltimore, during January and July 2001. Total (gas+particle) concentrations for individual nitro-PAH compounds varied by as much as five times from sample to sample within each month. 2-Nitrofluoranthene and 9-nitroanthracene were the most abundant of the nitro-PAHs quantitatively analyzed in the air at both sites, accounting for approximately half of the total nitro-PAH concentrations during January and July. Concentrations at Baltimore were on average two to three times higher than those measured at the Fort Meade site. Concentrations for most nitro-PAHs were higher in January than in July, suggesting a reduction in photodecay of nitro-PAHs during January promoted the accumulation of nitro-PAHs. Concentrations of nitro-PAHs produced from gas-phase reactions were significantly correlated with concentrations of oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) measured simultaneously at the Fort Meade site. 3-Nitrophenanthrene and 4-nitrophenanthrene were negatively correlated with NO x and were the only nitro-PAHs correlated with O 3 , suggesting a different formation mechanism for these compounds compared to the other nitro-PAHs found in this study. The relative contribution of gas-phase reactions and primary emission sources of nitro-PAHs were evaluated using source specific concentration ratios of 2-nitrofluoranthene and 1-nitropyrene (2-NF/1-NP). The mean ratios of 2-NF/1-NP at both sites were statistically higher in July than January, indicating gas-phase reactions were an important source of 2-nitrofluoranthene in the summer. However, in January, gas-phase reactions were reduced, the NO 3 -initiated reaction in particular, and primary emissions may significantly contribute to ambient nitro-PAH levels. The two dominant gas-phase production pathways of nitro-PAHs from the OH and NO 3 -initiated reactions were investigated using concentration ratios of 2-nitrofluoranthene and 2-nitropyrene (2-NF/2-NP). At both sites, 2-NF/2-NP ratios indicated that the daytime OH-initiated reaction was the dominant gas-phase formation pathway. The estimated contributions of nitro-PAHs produced through gas-phase reactions via the OH pathway during July were >45% and during January were >83% at both Fort Meade and Baltimore.
The rate of s-cis/s-trans isomerization in angiotensin II is at least 70-fold greater than in His-Pro and is not rate limiting in receptor binding.

The dipeptide L-histidyl-L-proline interconverts between the s-cis and s-trans rotational isomers of the amide bond with an average rate constant of 2.0 ks-1 at 22.5 degrees. This rate is independent of pH throughout the pH range 5.5-8.5 as determined by pH jump from low pH with potentiometric recording of the slow approach to equilibrium pH, and by integration of the histidine C-2 and C-4 proton n.m.r. resonances as a function of time following pD jump from low pD. From the temperature dependence of the n.m.r. experiments this interconversion has an Arrhenius activation energy of 20 kcal X mol-1 and a free energy of activation of 21 kcal X mol-1, similar to other simple acyl- and aminoacylprolines. The octapeptide angiotensin II containing L-histidyl-L-proline at position 6-7 interconverts at least 70-fold faster than the free dipeptide. This rate is too fast to be rate limiting in the binding of angiotensin II to its receptor in rat adrenal cortex.
Developing Creative Laboratory Skills through Student Self-Developed Activities

At Georgia Gwinnett College, the majority of students taking Introductory Physics courses are undergraduates in Biology majors. Creative skills and technical writing abilities are critical in holistic student development and student preparedness for the challenges in Biology related fields in the 21st century. However, training in developing those skills is not typically available to students until graduate school. In this courses-imbedded research project, students were exposed to a semester long series of realistic problems related to acceleration, force, torque and energy. Students are required to self-develop activities for formulating protocols of collecting data, analyzing, and making conclusions about these problems. The purpose to use this new method of student laboratory engagement is to train students in being able to be creative, critical, and trouble shoot simple problems during experimentation. Additionally, technical writing is emphasized as this is important for students to be successful as graduates in biology major in today's world. Throughout the semester students learn how to present scientific results. Instructors organize the discussion on the validation of experimental plan, grade reports and provide detailed one-on-one feedback to students. At the end of semester students are required to write a comprehensive report summarizing all their experimental procedures, data collection approaches, and presentation of results. Students' performance are assessed by carefully developed rubrics based on accepted standards used in conducting scientific research and reporting, a point-based scale is used to track student's skills of critical thinking, quantitative data analysis, and their technical communication. Additionally, students' feedback through pre-and post-survey questions is assessed to determine effective of this new lab format in their learning process.
Improving the Believability of Non-Player Characters in Simulations

In recent years the video game industry has experienced rapid expansion developing virtual environments that accurately mimic a real-world setting. However, the industry almost entirely relies on finite state machines for deploying computer-controlled characters within these environments. This has resulted in simulated inhabitants that lack the same degree of believability as their surroundings. As part of this research a simulation was developed using Java in which an agent was placed. In a survey students were asked to rank the believability of different artificial intelligence techniques employed by the simulation. The genetic algorithm developed for this simulation provided for an agent whose decisions were more believable than the decisions generated by a finite state machine or random selection process.
Second order difference equations related to the collatz 3n+1 conjecture

Consider the following two-term analog of the Collatz 3n+1 iteration:Start with two positive integers. If the sum is even, take the average. If the sum is odd, multiply the difference by 3/2 and ad...
Nitrous oxide emission as affected by alternate anaerobic and aerobic conditions from soil suspensions enriched with ammonium sulfate.

Abstract The effect of several anaerobic and aerobic cycles of varying duration on N 2 O emission and labelled N loss was investigated in ( 15 NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 amended soil suspensions. No N 2 O was evolved from the continuously-anaerobic treatment. The continuously-aerobic treatment produced approximately 0.8 μg N 2 O-N g −1 dry soil in 56 days. Alternate anaerobic-aerobic cycles increased the net N 2 O evolution with 7.2 μg N 2 O-N g −1 dry soil produced in 56 days from the 7-day anaerobic, 7-day aerobic treatment. The net N 2 O evolution increased further when the duration of the anaerobic and aerobic periods was increased from 7-7 days to 14-14 days (15.7μg N 2 O-N g −1 dry soil in 56 days), although the total 15 N loss from the system was approximately the same for the two treatments. The results of this study show that N 2 O evolution from soils is likely to be greater under fluctuating moisture conditions than under either continuously well-aerated conditions, or continuously excess-moisture conditions.
Accuracy of numerical algorithms for satellite orbit propagation and Gravity field determination

The orbit determination process, such as that used for the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, known as GRACE, is highly dependent upon the comparison of measured observables with computed values, derived from mathematical models relating the satellites’ numerically integrated state to the observable. Significant errors in the computed state corrupt this comparison and induce errors in the least-squares estimate of the satellites’ states, as well as the gravity field. Due to the high accuracy of the intersatellite ranging measurements from GRACE, numerical computations must mitigate errors to maintain a similar level of accuracy. One error source is the presence of roundoff errors in the computed intersatellite range-rate when integrating continuous, smoothly varying accelerations with double-precision arithmetic. These errors occur at approximately 8 pm/s root mean square and limit the accuracy of numerically integrating background gravity field models to degrees/orders 260 and 410 for satellite pa...
Spinal cord stimulation electrode design: prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing percutaneous and laminectomy electrodes-part I: technical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE The clinical use of spinal cord stimulation for treatment of chronic intractable pain has been increasingly successful because of recent technical improvements, particularly the development of multiple-contact electrodes supported by programmable implanted pulse generators. Contemporary el
Patient and tumor characteristics associated with increased mortality in young women (≤40 years) with breast cancer

Background The goal of the current study is to identify predictors responsible for mortality disparities between young (≤40 years) and older (>40 years) women with breast cancer. Methods From 1998 to 2006, 344 patients ≤40 years were treated for breast cancer. Cox regression models calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to determine differences in breast cancer mortality in women ≤40 years versus >40 years (n = 3,252), controlling for potential confounders in univariate tests. Results From 1998 to 2006, 3,596 patients were treated for breast cancer; 9.6% were ≤40 years and 90.4% were >40 years. Young women were more likely to be African-American, with a family history of breast cancer, diagnosed at advanced stage, and treated by mastectomy (P 40 years) (aHR 1.52, CI 1.37–1.74). Conclusions Young women (≤40 years) with breast cancer are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and have tumors with poor prognostic features. Young women (≤40 years) are 52% more likely to die from breast cancer compared to older women (>40 years). J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:248–251. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phylogeography of the greenside darter complex, Etheostoma blennioides (Teleostomi: Percidae): a wide-ranging polytypic taxon.

The greenside darter, Etheostoma blennioides (Teleostomi: Percidae), is a wide-ranging polytypic taxon that occurs throughout eastern North America. A previous morphological study recognized four subspecies (blennioides, newmanii, gutselli, and pholidotum), several morphological races, and three zones of morphological intergradation. We generated complete cytochrome b (1140 bp) sequence data for 51 individuals from across the range of the greenside darter inclusive of all of the currently recognized taxa to assess genetic variation and taxonomic boundaries. Both maximum parsimony and mixed model Bayesian analyses resulted in two strongly supported deeply divergent clades including (1) a Tennessee River drainage clade, and (2) an Ohio River and Great Lakes basins, Interior Highlands, and Atlantic slope clade. Etheostoma blennius, a closely related congener, nested within the Tennessee River clade of E. blennioides, rendering the complex paraphyletic. Test of alternative topologies failed to support the current taxonomic designations. The inclusion of nuclear sequence data from intron 1 of the S7 ribosomal protein (523 bp) from a subset of the populations was included to independently test whether the currently recognized taxa conform to distinct evolutionary lineages and also to clarify potential issues associated with ancestral hybridization. Although the nuclear data was less variable than the mitochondrial data, the monophyly of several of the subspecies could not be rejected.
Biologic significance and therapeutic implications of antigen/MHC interactions

Abstract Synthetic analog peptides of chicken ovalbumin have been synthesized that have up to a 10-fold higher capacity to bind a particular MHC specificity (IAd) than the natural peptide. Some of these peptides were very efficient in inhibiting induction of both in vitro and in vivo immune responses. Howeve, factors other than the ability to bind to MHC are also important in defining the capacity of a particular peptide to function in vivo. The finding that the antigen-presenting functions of MHC can be inhibited in vivo opens up the possibility of using this as a therapeutic approach to MHC-associated autoimmune diseases.
Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Tumor in Transplanted Kidney

Treatment options for tumors in allograft kidneys include radical nephrectomy or nephron-sparing surgery. Nephron-sparing procedures relieve the patient of the necessity of immediate dialysis. Partial nephrectomy is technically challenging and potentially difficult because of existing comorbidities and adhesions from previous surgery. Probe ablation is technically simpler and is associated with lower morbidity, shorter hospitalization, and reduced convalescence compared with open partial nephrectomy of a renal allograft. We present an interesting case with a synchronous finding of a papillary renal cancer in a native and allograft kidney, in which the allograft tumor was treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.
Surface structures of approximant phases in the Al-Pd-Mn system

We present a study of the surface of the j8-Al-Pd-Mn approximant phase based upon scanning tunneling microscopy and low-energy electron diffraction. Several structures are observed on two different samples grown either by the Bridgman technique or by a self-flux method, and which contain various degrees of disorder. We also describe some other complex crystalline phases that are sometimes observed on the fivefold surface of Al-Pd-Mn quasicrystalline samples after the sputter-annealing cleaning process under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. This includes the T approximant phase resulting from surface decomposition after a high-temperature annealing.
Solving Multiresponse Optimization Problems Using Quality Function–Based Robust Design

﻿Many organizations today implement Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) to address design problems. Quality function deployment (QFD) is a Six Sigma tool that proactively translates customers’ needs into technical design requirements. As yet, few researchers ha..
Vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy in a correctional population

Abstract Objectives Adequate nutrition among inmates at correctional facilities may prevent a variety of diseases and conditions. Vitamin D is a nutrient of particular interest to incarcerated populations; however, research in this area is sparse. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess vitamin D status among inmates in a prison in southern Arizona, a sun-replete region of the United States. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D] among short-term (group 1; 1 y; n = 30) inmates at The Fourth Avenue Jail in Maricopa County (Phoenix) Arizona. Results The long-term inmates in group 2 had statistically significantly lower levels of 25(OH)D (13.9 ± 6.3 ng/mL) compared with group 1 (25.9 ± 12.4; P Conclusions This study demonstrates the presence of vitamin D deficiency at the Fourth Avenue Jail in Maricopa County, Arizona, particularly among inmates who have been housed at the facility for >1 y. Because marked vitamin D deficiency is associated with a myriad of adverse health outcomes, consideration should be given to providing dietary or supplemental vitamin D to inmates at correctional facilities.
Generalized extended empirical bond-order dependent force fields including nonbond interactions

We present a general approach for describing chemical processes (bond breaking and bond formation) in materials using force fields (FF) that properly describe multiple bonds at small distances while describing nonbond (Coulomb and van der Waals) interactions at long distances. This approach is referred to as the generalized extended empirical bond-order dependent FF. In this paper we use the Brenner empirical bond-order dependent FF for the short-range interactions and report applications on the energetics and structures of graphite crystal, dynamics of molecular crystals, and distortions of bucky tubes.
Two-layer baroclinic eddy heat fluxes : Zonal flows and energy balance

The eddy heat flux generated by statistically equilibrated baroclinic turbulence supported on a uniform, horizontal temperature gradient is examined using a two-layer β-plane quasigeostrophic model. The dependence of the eddy diffusivity of temperature, D_τ, on external parameters such as β, bottom friction κ, the deformation radius λ, and the velocity jump 2U, is provided by numerical simulations at 110 different points in the parameter space β* = βλ^2/U and κ* = κλ/U. There is a special “pivot” value of β*, β^(piv)_* ≈ 11/16, at which Dτ depends weakly on κ*. But otherwise Dτ has a complicated dependence on both β* and κ*, highlighted by the fact that reducing κ* leads to increases (decreases) in Dτ if β is less than (greater than) βpiv*. Existing heat-flux parameterizations, based on Kolmogorov cascade theories, predict that D_τ is nonzero and independent of κ* in the limit κ* → 0. Simulations show indications of this regime provided that κ* ≤ 0.04 and 0.25 ≤ β* ≤ 0.5. All important length scales in this problem, namely the mixing length, the scale of the energy containing eddies, the Rhines scale, and the spacing of the zonal jets, converge to a common value as bottom friction is reduced. The mixing length and jet spacing do not decouple in the parameter regime considered here, as predicted by cascade theories. The convergence of these length scales is due to the formation of jet-scale eddies that align along the eastward jets. The baroclinic component of these eddies helps force the zonal mean flow, which occurs through nonzero Reynolds stress correlations in the upper layer, as opposed to the barotropic mode. This behavior suggests that the dynamics of the inverse barotropic cascade are insufficient to fully describe baroclinic turbulence.
The Role of Intraseasonal Variability in the Nature of Asian Monsoon Precipitation

Abstract The structure of the mean precipitation of the south Asian monsoon is spatially complex. Embedded in a broad precipitation maximum extending eastward from 70°E to the northwest tropical Pacific Ocean are strong local maxima to the west of the Western Ghats mountain range of India, in Cambodia extending into the eastern China Sea, and over the eastern tropical Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal (BoB), where the strongest large-scale global maximum in precipitation is located. In general, the maximum precipitation occurs over the oceans and not over the land regions. Distinct temporal variability also exists with time scales ranging from days to decades. Neither the spatial nor temporal variability of the monsoon can be explained simply as the response to the cross-equatorial pressure gradient force between the continental regions of Asia and the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, as suggested in classical descriptions of the monsoon. Monthly (1979–2005) and daily (1997–present) rainfall estimates ...
Bilateral lesions of the fastigial nucleus prevent the recovery of blood pressure following hypotension induced by hemorrhage or administration of endotoxin

The present studies were undertaken to determine if bilateral lesions of the fastigial nuclei of the cerebellum would impair the recovery and maintenance of mean arterial blood pressure during hypotension caused by hemorrhage or administration of endotoxin. We had shown previously that cerebellectomy would produce such an impairement, and the fastigial nuclei were implicated as the specific area involved due to the known pressor response observed when they are stimulated electrically. Chloralose-anesthetized dogs were made hypotensive by administration of E. coli endotoxin or hemorrhage to 50 mm Hg and observed over the subsequent 3 h. Dogs with fastigial nucleus lesions had a significantly lower mean arterial pressure during both the recovery and maintenance phases when compared with intact animals under both hypotensive protocols. In the hemorrhage study, a significant number of lesioned animals died whereas none of the controls died. Lesion of the fastigial nuclei produced an impairment similar to that seen with cerebellectomy. It is concluded that the fastigial nuclei play an important role in the recovery of blood pressure following a hypotensive episode.
Corporate social responsibility, benchmarking, and organizational performance in the petroleum industry: A quality management perspective

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of corporate social responsibility and benchmarking on organizational performance in the petroleum industry. We find that top management support for quality is the main driver of practices associated with corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility appears to have a significant impact on internal quality results (operational performance) but it does not have a significant effect on external quality results (firm performance). We did not find a very strong relationship between benchmarking and internal/external quality results. Our findings suggest that the implementation of corporate social responsibility in the petroleum industry is economically driven. Recommendations for managers and future research have been outlined.
Sialochemistry in chronic recurrent parotitis : electrolytes and glucose

The concentration of parotid fluid electrolytes and glucose was measured in: (a) a subject during an acute exacerbation of chronic recurrent parotitis and then at various stages of recovery following treatment with corticosteroids; (b) a group of seven patients seen during an acute exacertation and then when clinical symptoms had subsided; and (c) a group of 22 patients studied at various stages of parotitis. During acute exacerbations sodium and chloride concentrations were markedly elevated despite the very low flow rate and potassium was only half the normal salivary level. Phosphate concentration was also extremely low; glucose was very high. During recovery flow rate gradually increased while sodium, chloride and glucose levels fell. Potassium returned quickly to normal while the phosphate level rose very gruadually. The pattern of flow rate and sialochemistry during recovery was essentially the same for all patients. The pattern of flow rate and sialochemistry during recovery was essentially the same for all patients. In most subjects there was a residual effect, and elevated sodium and chloride and a decreased phosphate relative to flow rate. The degree of change from normal appeared to be a good indication of residual pathology within the gland. Sialochemistry should be useful to the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic recurrent parotitis.
Satellite despinning control in the equivalent axis frame

Abstract The nonlinear equations of motion for the despinning of a satellite can be transformed into linear equations by considering the motion in the equivalent axis frame. Within this frame despinning becomes a plane motion, resulting in only one linear equation of motion. This is a much simpler problem than using the three nonlinear Euler equations. The reduced computation requirement makes it possible to implement look-ahead control by computing a sequence of optimal control actions at every time stage. The look-ahead controller is potentially more stable than the horizon-of-one controllers.
NMRFAM-SDF: a protein structure determination framework

The computationally demanding nature of automated NMR structure determination necessitates a delicate balancing of factors that include the time complexity of data collection, the computational complexity of chemical shift assignments, and selection of proper optimization steps. During the past two decades the computational and algorithmic aspects of several discrete steps of the process have been addressed. Although no single comprehensive solution has emerged, the incorporation of a validation protocol has gained recognition as a necessary step for a robust automated approach. The need for validation becomes even more pronounced in cases of proteins with higher structural complexity, where potentially larger errors generated at each step can propagate and accumulate in the process of structure calculation, thereby significantly degrading the efficacy of any software framework. This paper introduces a complete framework for protein structure determination with NMR--from data acquisition to the structure determination. The aim is twofold: to simplify the structure determination process for non-NMR experts whenever feasible, while maintaining flexibility by providing a set of modules that validate each step, and to enable the assessment of error propagations. This framework, called NMRFAM-SDF (NMRFAM-Structure Determination Framework), and its various components are available for download from the NMRFAM website (http://nmrfam.wisc.edu/software.htm).
Relative basicities of cyclic ethers and esters. Chemistry of importance to ring-opening co- and terpolymerization reactions

Abstract We have re-evaluated the use of the red-shifted ν OD vibrational mode in CH 3 OD as a result of hydrogen-bonding to various oxygen donor ligands in determining the basicity strengths of such donors. This was accomplished by initially defining the relationship of the analogous vibrational shifts of several amines with respect to the corresponding shift in benzene versus their well-established p K b s in water. The reactivity ratios for terpolymerization processes involving two different epoxides and CO 2 catalyzed by binary (salen)MX/onium salt (M = Cr or Co) catalyst systems were determined by a Fineman–Ross analysis, i.e., quantifying the amount of respective monomers in the polymer versus that in the feed during the early stages of the process. These reactivity ratios reflect the tendencies for an epoxide monomer to self-propagate or cross-propagate during the monomer enchainment process. The relative basicities of cyclic ethers were shown to greatly influence the interpretation of these measured reactivity ratios.
A longitudinal examination of sexually transmitted infection/HIV prevention knowledge and sexually transmitted infections among African-American adolescent females

This study examines whether sexually transmitted infection prevention knowledge predicts the acquisition of biologically confirmed sexually transmitted infections among African-American adolescent females. A total of 715 females were recruited from public health clinics in Atlanta, Georgia, and using audio computer-assisted self-interview technology, we assessed for demographics, sexually transmitted infection prevention knowledge, risky sexual behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections. After controlling for demographics and prior risky sexual behaviors, participants with high prevention knowledge were 0.09 times less likely to report sexually transmitted infections, and those with multiple sexual partners were 1.3 times more likely to report sexually transmitted infections. Our findings suggest that the promotion of accurate sexually transmitted prevention knowledge is critical especially among females with multiple sex partners.
Microvascular decompression for pediatric onset trigeminal neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) is generally a disease of the elderly. Vascular compression, the causative agent in the majority of cases, is thought to result from atherosclerotic changes within the vessels of the posterior fossa. Rarely, the disease presents during childhood, before the onset of severe atherosclerotic changes. We therefore sought to explore the role of vascular compression in pediatric patients with medically refractory TGN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients were identified in whom the onset of typical TGN had occurred during childhood (age 18 yr or younger) and who underwent exploration of the cerebellopontine angle. Twenty-two of 23 underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) of the trigeminal nerve. Twenty-one of these patients were followed for more than 1 year. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the efficacy of MVD for the treatment of TGN in this select population. Operative findings were recorded and correlated with patient outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 23 patients (96%) were found to have vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve at the time of exploration. One patient was found to have an epidermoid tumor. MVD resulted in complete pain relief at the time of discharge in 16 of 22 patients (73%), with an additional 4 patients (18%) having a greater than 75% diminution of pain. The 21 patients who were followed for at least 1 year were followed for a mean of 105 months. At the time of their last follow-up, 9 of these patients (43%) continued to have complete pain relief and 3 (14%) had a greater than 75% diminution of pain. The most common operative finding was a vein compressing the nerve, often in combination with a branch of the superior cerebellar artery. DISCUSSION: MVD has been demonstrated to be a safe and efficacious treatment for TGN in the adult population. Patients whose symptoms begin in childhood do not enjoy the same therapeutic response to MVD as do patients with TGN onset in adulthood. An increased incidence of venous compression was noted in this population, as was a longer duration of symptoms before MVD. These factors may be responsible for the decreased efficacy of MVD in this patient population.
A mutant residue in the third transmembrane region of the GABAA alpha1 subunit causes increased agonistic neurosteroid responses

Abstract Pregnane derived steroids have agonistic and antagonistic actions at GABA A receptors. Putative binding sites for agonistic neurosteroids are located within the transmembrane (TM) regions. A mutation within the rat α 1 TM3 region, S299C, caused the expressed receptors to have unusual and extreme sensitivity to agonistic neurosteroids. For mutant α1S299C receptors, with wild type β and γ subunits, expressed in Xenopus oocytes, steroids activated the GABA A receptors in the absence of GABA. Maximal steroid induced currents were about half of maximal GABA currents. The steroid activation was biphasic with EC 50 's much lower than wild type, in subnanomolar and nanomolar concentrations, while the wild type had only one activation peak with near micromolar EC 50 . These currents could be blocked by both picrotoxin and an antagonist neurosteroid. The steroids did not seem to potentiate significantly submaximal GABA currents. The α1S299C mutation did not affect responses to the extracellularly acting partial agonist piperidine-4-sulfate. Substituted cysteine experiments indicate that this mutant can be modified by pCMBS − when the sulfhydryl reagent is added with the higher steroid concentration for activation but not the lower steroid concentration. The pCMBS − will also immediately block the high concentration steroid current. Taken together the data suggest that α1S299 is important in at least the in transduction of the steroid binding to the rest of the receptor.
Mesothelin confers pancreatic cancer cell resistance to TNF-α-induced apoptosis through Akt/PI3K/NF-κB activation and IL-6/Mcl-1 overexpression

Background Previous studies showed that mesothelin (MSLN) plays important roles in survival of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells under anchorage dependent/independent conditions as well as resistance to chemotherapy. The recent success of intratumorally-injected adeno-encoded, chemo/radiation-inducible-promoter driven hTNF-α, (TNFerade) + gemcitabine in pre-clinical models of PC have renewed interest in use of TNF-α as a therapeutic component. To help find additional factors which might affect the therapy, we examined the resistance of MSLN-overexpressing pancreatic cancer cell lines to TNF-α-induced growth inhibition/apoptosis.