cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of applicant competitiveness to general surgery, surgical subspecialties, and integrated programs.

Abstract Background General surgery was once the gateway into a career in surgery. Over time, surgical subspecialties developed separate residency programs, and recently, integrated programs have emerged. It is unknown what impact the presence of surgical subspecialties and integrated programs have had on general surgery. Our objective was to evaluate match trends and quantify competitiveness of the general surgery, integrated programs, and surgical subspecialties matches. Methods National Residency Matching Program match data and applicant characteristics from 2010 through 2020 were analyzed for US senior allopathic applicants. Integrated programs were defined as plastic and vascular surgery, and surgical subspecialties were defined as otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery. Trends were evaluated using linear regression, programs were compared on 10 metrics by Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and a logistic regression was used to rank each specialty match. Results The number of US senior applicants per position to integrated programs decreased and approached that of general surgery and surgical subspecialties, but the median number of applicants per position to general surgery was lower than to surgical subspecialties or integrated programs (1.21 interquartile range). Our logistic regression showed United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, research experience, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society membership, and graduation from a top medical school to be the most important factors in the match, and our weighted rank score found general surgery (2.85) to be less competitive than surgical subspecialties (1.92) or integrated programs (1.17). Conclusion Throughout the last decade, integrated programs and surgical subspecialties have matched more competitive applicants based on the most significant predictors of the match. Moving forward, it is important that general surgery strives to attract the best and brightest out of medical school.
Tunnel magnetoresistance of a natural protein molecule

Abstract The coherent spin transport in a natural protein molecule sandwiched between ferromagnetic electrodes was analyzed based on first-principle calculations in the presence of spin–orbit coupling. The helical peptides exhibited high absolute values of the tunnel magnetoresistance ratio above 0.50. The energy level of the highest-occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) was very close to the Fermi level and sensitively responded to a change in the magnetic configuration of the electrodes. In addition, the HOMO had wave functions consisting of atomic orbitals at specific amide groups that were derived from the close-packed helical peptide structure.
Vasculitic Neuropathies

From pathological standpoint, we divide vasculitic neuropathies in two categories: nerve large arteriole vasculitides and nerve microvasculitis. It is also important to determine whether a large arteriole vasculitis has an infectious etiology as it entails different treatment approach. Treatment of non-infectious large arteriole vasculitides consists initially of induction therapy with corticosteroids. Adding an immunosuppressant, mainly cyclophosphamide, is often needed. Treatment of infectious large arteriole vasculitides needs a multidisciplinary approach to target both the underlying infection and the vasculitis. Corticosteroids are the first-line therapy for classic non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy. Stable or improving patients without biopsy evidence of active vasculitis can be either observed or treated. Currently, adding an immunosuppressant is only indicated for patients who continue to progress on corticosteroids alone or patients with a rapidly progressive course. The treatment of the radiculoplexus neuropathies such as diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy, lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy (in non-diabetic patients), and diabetic cervical radiculoplexus neuropathy, as well as painless diabetic motor neuropathy, is not well established yet. We treat patients, if they present early on in the disease course or if they have severe disabling symptoms, with IV methylprednisolone 1 g once a week for 12 weeks.
Early diagnosis and critical management of wound botulism in the emergency department: a single center experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND Clostridium botulinum remains a major threat to a select population of subcutaneous and intramuscular drug users. We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with wound botulism and their clinical presentations to the Emergency Department (ED). RESULTS A total of 21 patients met the inclusion criteria and all had a confirmed history of heroin use disorder. Initial presentation to the ED included generalized weakness (n = 20, 95%), difficulty swallowing (n = 15, 71%), and speech/voice problems (n = 14, 79%). Sixteen patients (76%) also presented with visible skin wounds and fifteen (71%) required mechanical ventilation (MV). Patients who presented with dysphagia as well as dysarthria and/or dysphonia were more likely to require a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. Patients who required MV and PEG tubes were noted to have a longer hospital length of stay (LOS) due to the severity of the disease progression. CONCLUSIONS Emergency physicians should remain vigilant about early recognition of wound botulism, especially in patients who inject drugs.
Advantages of mRNA Amplification for Microarray Analysis

Expanding applications of cDNA microarrays such as fine needle aspiration biopsy and laser capture microdissection necessitate the ability to perform arrays with minute starting amounts of RNA. While methods for amplifying RNA have been advocated, the fidelity of array results using amplified material has not been fully validated. Here we demonstrate preserved fidelity in arrays using one or two rounds of mRNA amplification, validated by downstream real-time quantitative PCR. In addition, the quality of the array data was superior to that obtained using total RNA. Based on these results, we recommend routine mRNA amplification for all cDNA microarray-based analysis of gene expression.
Influence of cations on spheroplasts of marine bacteria functioning as osmometers.

Penetration of substrates into marine bacteria as influenced by cations has been demonstrated by the effects of increased osmotic pressure in spheroplasts of these cells. Spheroplasts of Pseudomonas natriegens , stabilized with lactose, underwent a metabolic swelling in the presence of a substrate to which they had been induced. Maximal and persistent swelling was achieved only by addition of catabolizable substrate and both Na + and K + . Addition, along with substrate, of Na + alone or K + alone did not stimulate swelling; no metabolic swelling occurred in the presence of a sugar to which the cells had not been induced. Confirmation of rapid uptake by induced cells of the inducer sugar, l-arabinose, but not the d-isomer, was obtained with 14 C-labeled substrate. Addition of NaN 3 completely inhibited swelling, and 2, 4-dinitrophenol and ouabain each suppressed it by 50%, indicating requirement for energy metabolism and involvement of an adenosine triphosphatase in the penetration phenomena of these cells. Images
Pale Cell Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Association with Pale (Clear) Cell Acanthoma

An 85-year-old woman developed a tumor on her left thigh, thought to be a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Microscopy revealed irregularly shaped, bulbous and deep aggregates of pale/clear cells emanating from the surface and reaching the lowermost dermis. This asymmetric mass of keratinocytes showed focal necrosis and dyskeratosis but no frank anaplasia, mitoses or infiltrative pattern. The interface with the dermis was blunt but irregularly undersurfaced. A more characteristic pale cell acanthoma (PCA) was colliding with it and consisted of a superficial, more regularly psoriasiform proliferation with thin suprapapillary plates and erosion but no necrosis. While it has been known that PCA can be unusual polypoid, large or atypical no author has proposed that some of the latter variants could represent a malignancy, more akin to verrucous carcinoma than to conventional SCC, due to the paucity of overt anaplastic features and the underestimation of pushing invasion and low cytologic atypia as defining traits of malignancy. One case of SCC in situ with PCA has been recently acknowledged but this is not what we are reporting: We propose that voluminous, misshapen, asymmetric or deep “PCAs” may be low-grade carcinomas with pale cell differentiation and likely origin in a pre-existing PCA.
Evaluation of Student Learning Outcomes in MSW Programs

Abstract Directors of 64% of the 99 CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs in the United States responded to a survey that examined how programs evaluate educational outcomes. The findings revealed that educators in the majority of programs assess acquisition of foundation and advanced knowledge on a course-by-course basis using a variety of traditional methods. Educators in only 14% of the programs conduct qualifying examinations before student enrollment in the advanced curriculum, and those in approximately 33% of the programs conduct comprehensive examinations upon students' completion of the advanced curriculum. Most programs rely on self-report alumni surveys to additionally assess post-MSW outcomes. The results point to a number of issues that need to be considered in the profession's attempt to ensure academic accountability.
Morphological and Elastic Properties of the Glenoid Region of the Shoulder

Researchers have tried to assess the morphological and mechanical characteristics of bone using various methods with a limited success (Mow and Hayes, 1997, and Cowin, 2001). This may be due to the complexity for documentation and characterization of architecture by the anisotropic and nonhomogeneous characteristic of the bone. The bones of the shoulder joint complex are particularly deprived of information on their mechanical and morphological properties. Very little is known for example on the mechanics and morphology of the glenoid of the shoulder. The present work presents an attempt to identify a proper method for the measurement and characterization of the morphology and mechanics of bone, particularly in the glenoid. Our results show that trabecular lines are directed at 82.15° ± 7.98° relative to the glenoid articular surface, young’s modulus obtained from CT scan was 230 ± 8 MP, and the elastic tensors obtained from cadaver were 326 ± 78 MPa for E2222 , 144 ± 22 MPa for E1111 =E3333 , 49 ± 7 MPa for E3311 , 59 ± 9 MPa for E1122 =E2233 , 51 ± 8 MPa for E1313 , and 70 ± 10 MPa for E1212 =E2323 . These results were consistent with Wolf’s Law and were in agreement with results reported in literatures (Anglin et al., 1999, Frich et al., 1998, and Mansat et al., 1998).Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Projective Compactification of \(\mathbb {R}^{1,1}\) and Its Möbius Geometry

We examine the semi-Riemannian manifold $$\mathbb {R}^{1,1}$$ , which is realized as the split complex plane, and its conformal compactification as an analogue of the complex plane and the Riemann sphere. We also consider conformal maps on the compactification and study some of their basic properties.
Child Sexual Abuse Evaluations: Adherence to Recommendations

Sixty-eight parents of children with alleged child sexual abuse (CSA) were surveyed 4 months after visiting an interdisciplinary CSA evaluation clinic in order to examine the extent to which recommendations were recalled and implemented. Of those parents for whom specific recommendations were provided, 9% recalled recommendations for medical follow-up, 79% recalled recommendations for child therapy, and 43% recalled recommendations for parental therapy. Families were more likely to receive and adhere to recommendations when there were behavioral problems and a strong indication of CSA. To improve communication with families, the reasons for recommendations must be clearly conveyed, and possible barriers to implementation should be anticipated and addressed. In addition, recommendations need to be realistic, and professionals need to facilitate the implementation of their treatment plan.
DNA precursor metabolism and genomic stability

Intracellular concentrations of the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) are closely regulated, and imbalances in the four dNTP pools have genotoxic consequences. Replication errors leading to mutations can occur, for example, if one dNTP in excess drives formation of a non-Watson-Crick base pair or if it forces replicative DNA chain elongation past a mismatch before DNA polymerase can correct the error by 3' exonuclease proofreading. This review focuses on developments since 1994, when the field was last reviewed comprehensively. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: 1) novel aspects of dNTP pool regulation, 2) dNTP pool asymmetries as mutagenic determinants, 3) dNTP metabolism and hypermutagenesis of retroviral genomes, 4) dNTP metabolism and mutagenesis in the mitochondrial genome, 5) chemical modification of nucleotides as a premutagenic event, 6) relationships between dNTP metabolism, genome stability, aging, and cancer.
New regulators for quantum field theories with compactified extra dimensions. II. Ultraviolet finiteness and effective field theory implementation

In the previous article, we proposed two new regulators for quantum field theories in spacetimes with compactified extra dimensions. Unlike most other regulators that have been used in the extra-dimension literature, these regulators are specifically designed to respect the original higher-dimensional Lorentz and gauge symmetries that exist prior to compactification, and not merely the four-dimensional symmetries which remain afterward. In this paper, we use these regulators in order to develop a method for extracting ultraviolet-finite results from one-loop calculations. This method also allows us to derive Wilsonian effective field theories for Kaluza-Klein modes at different energy scales. Our method operates by ensuring that divergent corrections to parameters describing the physics of the excited Kaluza-Klein modes are absorbed into the corresponding parameters for zero modes, thereby eliminating the need to introduce independent counterterms for parameters characterizing different Kaluza-Klein modes. Our effective field theories can therefore simplify calculations involving Kaluza-Klein modes, and be compared directly to potential experimental results emerging from collider data.
Contribution of Raman scattering to water-leaving radiance: a reexamination.

We have reexamined the contribution of Raman scattering to the water-leaving radiance in case 1 waters by carrying out radiative transfer simulations that combine the latest reported measurements of the absorption coefficient of pure water with direct measurements of the spectral variation of the Raman-scattering coefficient. The resulting contribution of Raman scattering is then compared with experimental measurements of the water-leaving radiance, and the fractional contribution of radiance produced by Raman scattering to the total radiance measured at a given wavelength is determined. The results show that (1) the contribution of Raman scattering to the water-leaving radiance in an ocean of pure seawater is as much as 50-100% larger than earlier predictions, and (2) the Raman contribution does not decay as rapidly with increasing concentrations of chlorophyllouslike pigments C as predicted earlier. In fact, the Raman fraction for C 8% at wavelengths of interest in ocean color remote sensing and therefore cannot be ignored in ocean color modeling.
Identification of parameters required for efficient lentiviral vector transduction and engraftment of human cord blood CD34+ NOD/SCID Repopulating cells

Objective Human cord blood (CB) is a potential source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for gene therapy to treat patients with hematopoietic disorders. However, limited numbers of CB CD34 + cells, low transduction efficiency with lentiviral vectors (LVs), and low engraftment efficiency of nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) repopulating cells (SRC), a measure of HSC, are blocks to this procedure. To optimize culture and transduction conditions, we compared various lengths of time for prestimulation before transduction, transduction duration, and posttransduction cell culture. Materials and Methods We used a LV to transduce human CB CD34 + cells followed by engraftment into NOD/SCID mice. We evaluated the effects of prestimulation and transduction time and optimized ex vivo cell culture duration before transplantation. Results We were able to achieve up to 40% transduction efficiency and up to 50% engraftment efficiency of SRC in CB CD34 + cells when CB CD34 + cells were either not prestimulated or prestimulated in 1% fetal bovine serum medium for 1 hour, followed by 5 hours transduction and 3 days culture in a cocktail of growth factors after transduction. No apparent functional changes of CB CD34 + cells were noted under these conditions. Conclusion This gene-transduction/cell-expansion protocol is the first systematic study to optimize prestimulation time, transduction time, and, very importantly, ex vivo culture time after transduction, and may be of use for LV gene transduction in a gene therapy setting.
Morphine enhancement of shuttle avoidance prevented by alpha-methyltyrosine.

Rats were given 6 days of training (180 trials) to make a two-way (shuttle) avoidance response. “Poor performers” making less than 50% avoidances in the 6th block of 30 trials were given drug treatments on the next 2 days. Both morphine sulfate (15 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine sulfate (1 mg/kg) increased the avoidance level by 70–100%. Prior treatment with α-methyltyrosine (50 mg/kg) prevented the effects of both drugs. Nalorphine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg) also blocked the effect of morphine. The action of α-methyltyrosine to block enhancement of avoidance is taken to indicate that this effect of morphine is attributable to a catecholamine-dependent excitatory component of its activity profile.
Role of Endolysosomes in HIV-1 Tat-Induced Neurotoxicity

Combined anti-retroviral therapeutic drugs effectively increase the lifespan of HIV-1-infected individuals who then have a higher prevalence of HAND (HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorder). Soluble factors including HIV-1 proteins released from HIV-1-infected cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of HAND, and particular attention has been paid to the HIV-1 Tat (transactivator of transcription) protein because of its ability to directly excite neurons and cause neuronal cell death. Since HIV-1 Tat enters cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis and since endolysosomes play an important role in neuronal cell life and death, we tested here the hypothesis that HIV-1 Tat neurotoxicity is associated with changes in the endolysosome structure and function and also autophagy. Following the treatment of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons with HIV-1 Tat or as controls mutant-Tat or PBS, neuronal viability was determined using a triple staining method. Preceding observations of HIV-1 Tat-induced neuronal cell death, we observed statistically significant changes in the structure and membrane integrity of endolysosomes, endolysosome pH and autophagy. As early as 24 h after HIV-1 Tat was applied to neurons, HIV-1 Tat accumulated in endolysosomes, endolysosome morphology was affected and their size increased, endolysosome membrane integrity was disrupted, endolysosome pH increased, specific activities of endolysosome enzymes decreased and autophagy was inhibited, as indicated by the significant changes in three markers for autophagy. In contrast, statistically significant levels of HIV-1 Tat-induced neuronal cell death were observed only after 48 h of HIV-1 Tat treatment. Our findings suggest that endolysosomes are involved in HIV-1 Tat-induced neurotoxicity and may represent a target for therapeutic intervention against HAND.
Longitudinal conduction studies in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 1

Motor conduction studies were performed serially in 10 patients, ages 10-62 years, with clinical and electrophysiological criteria of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 1 (HMSN-1) over periods of 11-19 years. Median nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and distal motor latency showed no significant change on serial studies. Mean median compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude values, however, decreased 66% in 8 patients. Observed clinical progression in HMSN-1, over prolonged periods of time, was not associated with MNCV slowing. However, CMAP amplitude reduction, reflecting progressive axonal loss, correlated with clinical deterioration.
Dynamic imaging of preimplantation embryos in the murine oviduct

Studying the dynamic events involved in early preimplantation embryo development during their transport from the ovary to the uterus is of great significance to improve the understanding of infertility, and eventually to help reduce the infertility rate. The mouse is a widely used mammalian model in reproductive biology, however, dynamic imaging studies of mouse preimplantation embryos have been very limited due to the lack of proper imaging tools for such analysis. Here, we introduce an innovative approach, which can potentially be used for three-dimensional imaging and tracking of murine oocytes with optical coherence tomography (OCT) as they exit the ovary and migrate through the oviduct to the uterus. The imaging is performed with spectral-domain OCT system operating at 70 kHz A-scan rate. The preimplantation embryos and surrounding cumulus cells can be clearly visualized. Results from our experiments indicate that OCT has great potential for dynamic imaging of the oviduct and oocyte tracking, which provides the foundation for future investigations aimed at understanding dynamic events during preimplantation stages in normal development as well as in mouse models of infertility.
Detectability of multiple link failures in multi-agent systems under the agreement protocol

The detectability of single link failures in a multi-agent network under the agreement protocol has been the subject of a previous study. This work expands the available results by considering the effect of multiple link losses. The analytical results offer sufficient graphical conditions for the detectability of a group of edges in the network information flow digraph. To this end, a powerful extension of the all-minors matrix tree theorem in algebraic graph theory is proved which relates the minors of the Laplace-transformed Laplacian of a directed graph to the number of shortest paths between its vertices. The results reveal an intricate relationship between the detectability of link failures and the inter-nodal paths in the network digraph.
Imaging through random media by use of low-coherence optical heterodyning.

Optical heterodyning is a detection scheme that permits the preferential detection of ballistic photons transmitted through a random medium, providing the imaging of absorbing structures within. We introduce a normalized cross-correlation function as a quantitative measure of image quality and employ it to investigate the effect of source coherence length on the ability of optical heterodyning to detect these absorbing structures. The ability to image in transmission is found to be greatly enhanced by use of a reduced-coherence-length source. The effect on image quality of the transport mean-free-path length is quantified and found to depend on source coherence length. The necessity of considering scatterer particle–particle correlations is also presented.
Accessory parotid glands as a site of metastases from outside the head and neck : case report

Metastases to the salivary glands from outside the head and neck are rare. The world literature reports 53 cases to the parotid, and 25 to the submandibular-submaxillary gland. This is the first report of a metastasis to the accessory parotid gland.
Some properties of phospholipases of alveolar macrophages.

Abstract Alveolar macrophages contain several phospholipase A activities that can be distinguished with respect to pH optimum, dependence on, or inhibition by Ca 2+ , and intracellular distribution. Hydrolysis of phospholipid by disrupted macrophages was demonstrated using 2 types of substrate: (1) mixed Escherichia coli phospholipids, labeled with [1- 14 C]-oleate during growth of the bacteria that were then autoclaved to inactivate E. coli phospholipases and to render the bacterial phospholipids accessible to the macrophage phospholipases, and (2) purified phosphatidylethanolamine labeled with [1- 14 C]-fatty acid either in the 1- or in the 2-position. Phospholipase A activity with acid pH optimum is at least in part associated with the macrophage lysosomes. Since radioisotopically labeled lecithin of intact macrophages undergoes rapid net breakdown, it is conceivable that the phospholipase(s) with alkaline pH optimum that is (are) not mainly associated with the lysosomes, play a role in the turnover of endogenous phospholipid.
Effects of Baroclinicity on Resistance Laws for the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Over a Slightly Inclined Terrain

Abstract The similarity theory of an atmospheric boundary layer over a slightly inclined terrain, discussed in an earlier paper (Sorbjan, 1983) is extended to the case of geostrophic wind varying with height. The forms of resistance laws and universal functions are obtained in the cases when the Ekman height or the actual boundary layer height are used as the boundary layer height scales.
MgO films grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract MgO films were grown on (0 0 1) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The crystalline structures of these films were investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Growth temperature was varied from 350 to 550 °C, with crystalline quality being improved at higher temperatures. The MgO films had a domain structure: (1 1 1)[1 1 2¯] MgO ∥(0 0 1)[1 0 0] YSZ with four twin variants related by a 90° in-plane rotation about the [1 1 1] MgO axis. The observed epitaxial orientation was compared to previous reports of films grown by pulsed laser deposition and sputtering and explained as resulting in the lowest interface energy.
What your design looks like to peripheral vision

At any given instant, much of a display appears in a user's periphral vision. Based on the information available in a glance, the user moves their eyes, scanning the display for items of interest, and piecing together a coherent view of the display. Much of this processing happens unconsciously. Understanding the information available in the periphery can help design better information visualizations and user interfaces, by enabling designers to make displays that effectively guide eye movements and make important information available in a glance. However, it is difficult to attend to our peripheral vision to gain insights about the information available there. In this paper, we discuss a means of visualizing the information available in peripheral vision, given an image of a display and the current fixation. We show results of our model on several information visualizations.
The Effect Of The Zeros Of Transfer Function On System Response: Application To Interferometer Speed Control

This paper shows the development of a control strategy for a digitally controlled Michelson Interferometer inside of a MIDAC Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Initial investigation has shown undesirable response characteristic, primarily due to locations of the zeros of the system. The effect of the zeros on a general second order case will be studied and the definitions of the poles and zeros for the multivariable system are summarized. Techniques to compensate for the undesired location of zeros are derived and applied to the control of the interferometer under investigation.
Structural classification of layered dichalcogenides of group IV B, V B and VI B transition metals

Abstract A classification of the trigonal prismatic and octahedral structures exhibited by the layered dichalcogenides of group IV B, V B and VI B metals is achieved through consideration of the relative size, polarisation of the bonding orbitals, and the ionicity of the metal-chalcogen bond. A plot of the ratio of the covalent radii of the metal and chalcogen atoms against Pauling's resonating bond ionicity is shown to successfully achieve a separation of the two structures, consistent with the primarily covalent nature of the bonds.
Effects of Reservoir Operations on Hatchery Coastal Rainbow Trout in Lake Roosevelt, Washington

Abstract It is suspected that reservoir operations limit the mitigation fishery for coastal rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus in Lake Roosevelt, Washington. Entrainment through Grand Coulee Dam has been suggested as the primary impact of reservoir operations. However, the causal mechanisms and effects of entrainment have been difficult to quantify. A logistic regression model was used to examine the effect of reservoir operations on the coastal rainbow trout tag return probability. Eight independent variables were studied: release location, presence–absence of a tag reward, minimum reservoir elevation (m above mean sea level (msl)) during a sample year, reservoir elevation on the fish release date, mean daily water retention time (d) 2 weeks postrelease, mean daily retention time 4 weeks postrelease, mean annual water retention time, and water year type (associated with shallow, average, or deep drawdown events). Models were selected on the basis of likelihood ratio tests, odds ratio confidence in...
The Cox3p assembly module of yeast cytochrome oxidase

Yeast cytochrome oxidase (COX) was previously inferred to assemble from three modules, each containing one of the three mitochondrially encoded subunits and a different subset of the eight nuclear gene products that make up this respiratory complex. Pull-down assays of pulse-labeled mitochondria enabled us to characterize Cox3p subassemblies that behave as COX precursors and contain Cox4p, Cox7p, and Cox13p. Surprisingly, Cox4p is a constituent of two other complexes, one of which was previously proposed to be an intermediate of Cox1p biogenesis. This suggests that Cox4p, which contacts Cox1p and Cox3p in the holoenzyme, can be incorporated into COX by two alternative pathways. In addition to subunits of COX, some Cox3p intermediates contain Rcf1p, a protein associated with the supercomplex that stabilizes the interaction of COX with the bc1 (ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase) complex. Finally, our results indicate that although assembly of the Cox1p module is not contingent on the presence of Cox3p, the converse is not true, as none of the Cox3p subassemblies were detected in a mutant blocked in translation of Cox1p. These studies support our proposal that Cox3p and Cox1p are separate assembly modules with unique compositions of ancillary factors and subunits derived from the nuclear genome.
The Apoptotic Mechanism of Action of the Sphingosine Kinase 1 Selective Inhibitor SKI-178 in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines

We previously developed SKI-178 (N′-[(1E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylidene]-3-(4-methoxxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carbohydrazide) as a novel sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1) selective inhibitor and, herein, sought to determine the mechanism-of-action of SKI-178–induced cell death. Using human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines as a model, we present evidence that SKI-178 induces prolonged mitosis followed by apoptotic cell death through the intrinsic apoptotic cascade. Further examination of the mechanism of action of SKI-178 implicated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and cyclin-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDK1) as critical factors required for SKI-178–induced apoptosis. In cell cycle synchronized human AML cell lines, we demonstrate that entry into mitosis is required for apoptotic induction by SKI-178 and that CDK1, not JNK, is required for SKI-178–induced apoptosis. We further demonstrate that the sustained activation of CDK1 during prolonged mitosis, mediated by SKI-178, leads to the simultaneous phosphorylation of the prosurvival Bcl-2 family members, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, as well as the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of Mcl-1. Moreover, multidrug resistance mediated by multidrug-resistant protein1 and/or prosurvival Bcl-2 family member overexpression did not affect the sensitivity of AML cells to SKI-178. Taken together, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of SKI-178 targeting SphK1 as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of AML, including multidrug-resistant/recurrent AML subtypes.
Collaborative roles in managing electronic publications

A la bibliotheque de la Houston Academy of Medicine - Texas Medical Center, la gestion des publications electroniques, en forte augmentation, est un processus collaboratif, impliquant entre autres les directeurs assistants des Collections, des Systemes et de l'Informatique, le bibliothecaire charge des periodiques, le bibliothecaire charge du Web et un specialiste des systemes et des bases de donnees. L'A. examine les roles et les responsabilites specifiques de chacun et soupese les avantages et les inconvenients de la collaboration.
The impact of specific battering experiences on the self-esteem of abused women

This study examined the self-esteem of 48 women who were identified as battered and compared them to a group of 48 nonbattered women. As expected, the group of battered women experienced lower self-esteem than the nonbattered women. Four clusters of battering experiences were also identified: Physical Abuse, Emotional/Controlling Abuse, Sexual/Emotional Abuse, and Miscellaneous Abuse. Analyses indicated that Emotional/Controlling abuse was the only abuse cluster that was significantly related to lower self-esteem. The findings suggest that abuse that is controlling in nature might play a significant role in the feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness noted in battered women and may contribute to the difficulty that some battered women have in terminating their abusive relationships.
Atrial natriuretic peptide in heart failure

Atrial natriuretic peptide hormone of cardiac origin, which is released in response to atrial distension and serves to maintain sodium homeostasis and inhibit activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Congestive heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased cardiac volume and pressure overload with an inability to excrete a sodium load, which is associated with increased activity of systemic neurohumoral and local autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Circulating atrial natriuretic peptide is greatly increased in congestive heart failure as a result of increased synthesis and release of this hormone. Atrial natriuretic peptide has emerged as an important diagnostic and prognostic serum marker in congestive heart failure. In early heart failure, it may play a key role in preserving the compensated state of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. Despite increased circulating atrial natriuretic peptide in heart failure, the kidney retains sodium and is hyporesponsive to exogenous and endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide. The mechanism for the attenuated renal response is multifactorial and includes renal hypoperfusion, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems. Therapeutic strategies to potentiate the biologic actions of atrial natriuretic peptide may prolong the asymptomatic phase and delay progression to overt congestive heart failure.
Teaching Students to Deconstruct Life Experience with Addictions: A Structured Reflection Exercise

ABSTRACT Students come to the classroom with life experience that may reinforce stigmatization of those who struggle with addiction. Educators must address this dynamic directly if addiction practitioners are to move beyond their personal experiences and come to understand the neuroscience of addiction, evidence-based practices, and the human potential for recovery. This article provides a structured reflection exercise that challenges future practitioners to deconstruct dominant narratives that foster stigma while making space for emerging possibilities of new learning.
Analysis and Interpretation of the Reflectance Spectra of BEDT-TTF Based Charge-Transfer Salts (Organic Super-conductors and Conductors)

Abstract Polarized micro-reflectance spectra of BEDT-TTF (ET) based charge-transfer (CT) superconductors and conductors are analyzed and interpreted. The paper discusses results which have allowed us to differentiate between various structural phases for (ET)2X type salts, obtain information concerning the nature of the environment in the important structure-determining anion-hydrogen cavity of these salts, and in identifying impurities present in the salts. Possible relationships of the -C-C-H bending frequency to the electronegativity of the halogen atom in the anion- hydrogen cavity and to lattice softness are cited.
Computer-based training initiatives for education in surgical decision making

Abstract Purpose To determine how computer-based training (CBT) can be integrated into a general surgical residency education program for training and assessing decision-making skills in surgery. Methods Because of the emphasis on the American Board of Surgery In-training Exam (ABSITE) and Qualifying Exam preparation, traditional paper-and-pencil multiple choice quiz format testing predominates within most surgical programs. However, decision skills also require training and assessment for residents. Established methods of oral examinations for practice testing require a significant commitment of faculty time. Various CBT programs, with the necessary interactivity, are currently available for supplementing a residency’s education curriculum in the arena of decision making. Moreover, multimedia capability allows integration of new image technologies into training in decision making. One residency program is exploring new CBT systems to aid curriculum development and education in its subspecialty section curricula. Results The divisions of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery have 2 concurrent and parallel CBT modules in place for service residents at the start of the 1998–1999 academic year. Both modules have flexibility that allows function as either testing or teaching modules. Either module can run when faculty are not available, requiring only a Windows-compatible computer. More important, both modules contain the requisite interactivity and branch-based decision trees that potentially model a certifying examination. The same decision branching also supports weighted scoring, allowing for emphasis and recording of certain responses. Each module also can integrate sophisticated multimedia, allowing exposure to medical imaging information. The enhanced and engaging feedback capabilities have generated high levels of resident acceptance. Conclusions Computer-based training modules offer a promising new direction in decision-making-skill curriculum development for surgical education. It also allows integration of multimedia in creating tools for assessment and training of new image-intensive modalities in residency programs.
Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I mutants have compensatory mutations in DNA gyrase genes

Escherichia coli deletion mutants lacking DNA topoisomerase I have been identified previously and shown to grow at a normal rate. We show that such strains grow normally only because of spontaneously arising mutations that compensate for the topoisomerase I defect. Several of these compensatory mutations have been found to map at or near the genes encoding DNA gyrase, gyrA and gyrB. DNA gyrase assays of crude extracts show that strains carrying the mutations have lower gyrase activity. Thus the mutations are in the gyrase structural genes or in nearby regulatory sequences. These results, in conjunction with DNA supercoiling measurements of others, indicate that in vivo DNA superhelicity is a result of a balance between topoisomerase I and gyrase activities. An excess of negative supercoils due to an absence of topoisomerase I is deleterious to the cell, but a moderate gyrase deficiency is not harmful.
The reaction of α-methoxyvinyllithium with trialkylboranes

Abstract Several alkenyltrialkylborate salts derived from the reaction of α-methoxyvinyllithium (MVL) with trialkylboranes have been prepared. At −80°C, the initial complex is stable as indicated by its iodination to give moderate yields of enol ethers. Warming the complex to room temperature leads via an alkyl group migration to a new alkenyldialkylmethoxyborate salt. Oxidation of this complex leads to methyl ketones. Alternatively, treatment of this salt with various electrophiles, such as acid, iodine, or alkylating agents prior to oxidation leads to methyldialkylcarbinols, 1,1-dialkylethylenes and hindered tertiary alcohols, respectively. The products can be rationalized by electrophilic attack at the β carbon of an alkenylborate salt. The remarkable nucleophilicity of these salts appears to be comparable to that of enamines.
Propagation of light pulses in a laser amplifier

Light pulses propagation in nonlinear laser medium, obtaining equations of motion for density matrix
Teammates On and Off the Field? Contact With Black Teammates and the Racial Attitudes of White Student Athletes

The intergroup contact hypothesis holds that proximate, cooperative interactions on an equalized basis between Blacks and Whites can minimize Whites’ prejudice (Allport, 1954). This experiment investigated the effect of contact between White and Black high school teammates on White student athletes’ racial attitudes. Using the 1996 Social and Group Experiences (SAGE) survey (created by the authors and administered in the Fall of 1996) commissioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the results indicated a significant relationship between amount of contact with Black teammates in high school and racial policy support and affect, depending on the type of sport played. White student athletes playing team sports who had higher percentages of Blacks as high school teammates expressed more policy support for and greater positive affect toward Blacks as a group than did their counterparts playing individual sports. The role of athletic experiences in changing racial attitudes is discussed.
Melting and crystallization behaviors of biodegradable polymers enzymatically coalesced from their cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

Inclusion complexed (IC) and coalesced biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), and their diblock copolymer (PCL-b-PLLA) were achieved by forming ICs between host α-cyclodextrin(α-CD) and guest PCL, PLLA, and PCL-b-PLLA, followed by removing the α-CD host with an amylase enzyme. FTIR spectra of the coalesced polymers reveal that the host α-CD can be completely removed, without polymer degradation, by treatment with an amylase enzyme. The melting and crystallization behavior of these CD-IC treated polymers, which are crystallizable, biodegradable, and bioabsorbable, are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy. Results show that coalescence increased the crystallinities of the homopolymers but decreased that of the diblock copolymer. The Avrami exponent (n), derived from both isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization models for homo-PCL and -PLLA and the PCL and PLLA blocks in the diblock copolymer samples coalesced from their ...
Lymphoscintigraphy Does Not Enhance Sentinel Node Identification or Alter Management of Patients With Early Breast Cancer

Summary Lymphoscintigraphy (LS) is often performed before sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) for breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine whether routine LS enhances rate of identification of sentinel nodes (SN), and if findings on LS alter either the SLND procedure or the subsequent patient management. Methods LS using technetium-99m sulfur colloid (99 m Tc) was performed in 136 consecutive patients undergoing SLND for invasive breast cancer. Three equal aliquots of 99 m Tc were injected peritumorally, and LS images were obtained at 60 to 120 min after 99 m Tc injection. Data were collected on the success of LS to visualize SN. Information regarding body mass index (BMI), biopsy type (core vs excisional), tumor location (medial vs lateral), and SN positivity were recorded and comparison was made with success of operative SN identification. In all SLND cases, 1% lymphazurin blue dye was used in addition to the 99 m Tc. Results LS failed to identify an SN in 9 of 136 cases (6.6%). Failed mappings did not correlate with biopsy type, tumor location, or SN positivity. There was a positive correlation between increased BMI and failed LS (p = Conclusions There was a correlation between failed LS and BMI, but no correlation with biopsy type or tumor location. Drainage to extraaxillary sites was rare. LS findings did not enhance success of intraoperative identification of SN or alter the postoperative management of patients with early stage breast cancer.
A miniature stimulating electrode set

Abstract A miniature stimulating electrode set which can be used on cut or intact nerves is described in detail. Its simplicity of design and ease of construction make it eminently suitable for both research and the teaching laboratory.
Thermodynamic Analysis of a Magnetic Liquefier for Hydrogen

The aim of this paper is to present a thermodynamic analysis of a magnetic liquefier for hydrogen. A hydrogen liquefaction cycle is examined. A magnetic refrigerator, a liquid-nitrogen pre-cooling system, an expansion valve and a liquid-hydrogen separator integrate the system. The magnetic refrigerator consists of two heat exchangers and two stages of beds of magnetic materials. The analysis considered that the system operates with gaseous hydrogen entering at high pressure and ambient temperature. A fraction of this incoming flow is liquefied by the system. One magnetic material GdNi2 is used in the upper stage and another magnetic material GdPd is used in the lower stage. The heat transfer fluid for the magnetic refrigerator is helium. The beds in both stages are periodically magnetized and demagnetized and the fluid flows are arranged to meet the cycle liquefaction requirements. Sensitivity analysis has been performed to study the thermodynamic behavior of the magnetic liquefier cycle. Liquefaction efficiency, the nitrogen boil-off rate per unit mass of hydrogen, the fraction of the hydrogen gas that is liquefied and the magnetic refrigerator performance trends are evaluated. Simulations indicate that the higher the performance of the magnetic refrigerator is the higher the liquefaction efficiency of the system is with the same intermediate temperature. It was also observed that the liquefaction efficiency increases with the decrease in the nitrogen boil-off rate per unit mass of hydrogen. Magnetic liquefier exhibits a great potential by showing a very high efficiency when compared to small and large scale commercial liquefiers for hydrogen.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Influence of an Offshore Shift in the Gulf Stream on Waters of the South Carolina Continental Shelf

Abstract A 4.3-month-long dataset from moorings on the continental shelf off South Carolina during 1986 showed unusual midrecord shifts in bottom pressure, temperature, stratification, and alongshelf currents. The Gulf Stream moved farther offshore during the second half of the time period. This offshore position appears to have facilitated Gulf Stream influence on shelf waters all across the continental shelf.