cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Essentially Non-Oscillatory Adaptive Tree Methods

We develop high order essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) schemes on non-uniform meshes based on generalized binary trees. The idea is to adopt an appropriate data structure which allows to communicate information easily between unstructured data structure and virtual uniform meshes. While the generalized binary trees as an unstructured data structure can store solution information efficiently if combined with a good adaptive strategy, virtual uniform meshes allow us to take advantage of many well-developed ENO numerical methods based on uniform meshes. Therefore, the ENO adaptive tree methods proposed here can leverage the merits from both tree structures and uniform meshes. Numerical examples demonstrate that the new method is efficient and accurate.
Effect of Temperature on Larval Sunshine Bass Growth and Survival to the Fingerling Stage

Abstract Determining the optimum conditions for tank culture of sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) fingerlings will facilitate a year-round supply of seed for the production cycle of this increasingly popular food fish. This study determined the relationship between temperature and larval sunshine bass growth and survival to the time when fish were trained to accept commercial feeds. At 4 d posthatch (dph), larvae were stocked at five temperatures from 20°C to 32°C at 3°C increments. There were two replicates for each temperature. The larvae were fed rotifers through 8 dph. Conversion to a diet of brine shrimp Artemia spp. nauplii began at 6 dph, and training for acceptance of dry starter feed began at 20 dph. At harvest, average total length and average weight of the fish increased in a linear relationship with temperature, while relative survival and number of fish harvested decreased linearly with temperature. Tank yield had a curvilinear relationship wit...
Individual differences in cardiac and EMG activity after smoking

Abstract Smoking has well-known effects on heart rate and muscle activity. The influence of individual difference factors such as gender and personality characteristics, however, are not as well-known. This study examined the effects of smoking on heart rate and muscle activity and tested for differential changes due to gender and personality characteristics that are related to arousal experience and preference. Heart rate and forearm muscle activity were measured from 25 male and 25 female smokers while they performed a continuous motor performance task under three smoking conditions: deprived for at least 4 h, sham smoking for 5 min and smoking one of their own cigarettes for 5 min. Subjects were assigned to groups based on the Paratelic Dominance Scale, a measure of preference for arousal seeking (paratelic dominant) vs arousal avoidance (telic dominant). Smoking increased heart rate more for paratelic than for telic dominant subjects; there were no gender-related differences. EMG activity was higher when telic compared to paratelic dominant subjects were deprived from smoking and smoking decreased EMG activity more for telic than for paratelic dominant subjects. No differences were found for extraverts vs introverts.
From C2 Molecules to Self-Assembled Fullerenes in Quantum Chemical Molecular Dynamics

We present for the first time quantum chemical molecular dynamics simulations for the formation of fullerene molecules from ensembles of randomly positioned C2 molecules in a periodic boundary box. In this investigation, 25 trajectories were run at 2000−3000 K temperature, periodically adding batches of more C2 molecules. Four trajectories led to spontaneous self-assembly of fullerene molecules within 85 ps through three distinct stages: nucleation of polycyclic structures, growth by ring condensation of attached carbon chains, and cage closure.
Host Plant and Substrate Effects on Mortality of Southern Corn Rootworm from Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Abstract Bioassays were conducted to determine the effects of host plant and substrate type on the susceptibility of Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi larvae (southern corn rootworm) to entomopathogenic nematodes. Larvae were reared on corn, peanuts, and two squash species. One squash species produces bitter cucurbitacin E, whereas the second squash lacks these secondary compounds. Nematodes of the species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Lewiston strain) and Steinernema carpocapsae (Mexican strain) were applied at two concentrations in assays conducted in soil and sand to which rootworm larvae were transferred from different host plants. Host plants and substrate type significantly affected larval susceptibility to both nematode species. The hypothesis that ingested cucurbitacins serve as defense compounds for diabroticites was not supported by the results obtained in this study. D. undecimpunctata howardi larvae suffered higher mortality when reared on both squash species compared to larvae reared on corn or peanuts. Mortality caused by H. bacteriophora was significantly higher in soil than in sand. Generally, S. carpocapsae caused 10 times greater mortality than H. bacteriophora.
Technology choice for sustainable development

At the heart of the concept of sustainable development is the concern that human interactions with the environment are becoming, or have already become, impossible to maintain in the long run. Eventually, these interactions could lead to an inability of the global biosphere to provide essential amenities and services for further human development. Thus, sustainable development is first a concern about environmental degradation, at least as understood by most observers in the industrial world. We adopt the Brundtland Report definition of sustainable development, and also recognize that in this terminology, development clearly represents more than material consumption and economic growth. It includes, among other things, education, cultural and social activity, health, justice, peace, and security. One of the critical elements of sustainable development lies in understanding the role that technological innovation plays in this process. Recognizing that technology is a critical ingredient in the sustainable development recipe, we devise an operational knowledge based tool that can help determine which technologies are best suited to the needs of a sustainable society. Our purpose is to present and explore this decision support tool in order to assist researchers and technology policy makers in structuring and making decisions in light of sustainable development goals.
The smash product for derived categories in stable homotopy theory

Abstract An E 1 (or A ∞ ) ring spectrum R has a derived category of modules D R . An E 2 structure on R endows D R with a monoidal product ∧ R . An E 3 structure on R endows ∧ R with a braiding. If the E 3 structure extends to an E 4 structure then the braided monoidal product ∧ R is symmetric monoidal.
Employment characteristics of doctoral level computer scientists

A recent report from the National Research Council contains a detailed profile of doctoral level scientists and engineers, as well as doctorates in the humanities [1]. This paper summarizes those portions of the report that pertain to the employment characteristics of Ph.D.'s in computer science, and other Ph.D. scientists and engineers working in computer science. Our purpose is to verify the common folklore concerning employment opportunities in computer science, academic vs. business/industry employment of doctoral level computer scientists, work activities at the doctoral level, and the relative numbers of Ph.D.'s working in the various subdisciplines of computer science.
The integrity of the cholecystokinin receptor gene in gallbladder disease and obesity

Cholesterol gallstone disease and obesity are common and often associated disorders that could be affected by dysfunction of the receptor for cholecystokinin (CCK). Extending earlier studies that identified a defect at the level of receptor-G protein coupling in cholesterol gallstone disease, we characterized the primary structure of the gallbladder CCK receptor in patients undergoing a cholecystectomy. Represented were patients with cholesterol gallstones, as well as controls with pigment gallstones or without gallbladder disease. Both groups were composed of the range of body habitus from lean to morbidly obese. No evidence of any sequence mutation or polymorphism in the CCK receptor gene was found in any patient. This should lead future investigations of the pathogenesis of these problems toward the possible contribution of the plasmalemmal environment in affecting the association between normal receptors and G proteins.
Constitutive and inducible bentazon hydroxylation in shattercane (Sorghum bicolor) and Johnsongrass (S. halapense)

Abstract Bentazon hydroxylation was studied in excised shoots and microsomal preparations from shattercane ( Sorghum bicolor ) and Johnsongrass ( S. halapense ). Studies in vivo were conducted using excised shoots from untreated (constitutive) and naphthalic anhydride (NA)-treated (induced) etiolated seedlings. Both shattercane and Johnsongrass rapidly metabolized [ 14 C]bentazon forming two metabolites: A minor metabolite of 6-OH-bentazon and a major metabolite, tentatively identified as the glycosyl conjugate of 6-OH-bentazon. Pretreating the seeds of both species with naphthalic anhydride increased bentazon metabolism in etiolated shoots by twofold. The cytochrome P450 inhibitor tetcyclacis (50 μ M ) reduced bentazon metabolism in shoots from both NA-treated and untreated seedlings greater than 90%. Studies in vitro were conducted using microsomal preparations derived from NA-treated and untreated shattercance and Johnsongrass seedlings. Bentazon metabolism in microsomal preparations from both treated and untreated shattercane and Johnsongrass seedlings produced a single product: 6-OH-bentazon. Pretreatment of either shattercane or Johnsongrass with NA increased bentazon hydroxylation in vitro approximately twofold. Bentazon hydroxylation was nearly linear for 30 min in microsomal assays with both treated and untreated shattercane and Johnsongrass. Tetcyclacis (10 μ M ) and PBO (100 μ M ) inhibited bentazon hydroxylation in microsomes from treated and untreated seedlings from both species. Tridiphane (50 μ M ) did not affect bentazon hydroxylation. Substrate saturation assays demonstrated that bentazon hydroxylation in vitro was saturable. Kinetic constants calculated for bentazon hydroxylation with NA-treated and untreated shattercane were K m = 234 and 317 μ M , respectively, and V max = 3.54 and 2.00 nmol · (mg protein · min) −1 , respectively. Kinetic constants calculated for bentazon hydroxylation with NA-treated and untreated Johnsongrass were K m = 160 μM and 235 μ M , respectively, and V max = 1.25 and 0.68 nmol · (mg protein · min) −1 , respectively. These data suggest that bentazon hydroxylation in NA-treated and untreated shattercane and Johnsongrass is mediated by constitutive and inducible cytochrome P450 monooxygenase(s).
Alarista succina gen. et sp. nov. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) in Dominican amber

Alarista succina gen. et sp. nov. (Poaceae) is described from a single floret preserved in amber of Tertiary age originating from the Dominican Republic. The new genus is characterised by (1) a narrow-winged lemma awn, (2) numerous (as many as 17) lemma nerves, (3) a lengthy rachilla internode (implying a lax spikelet), (4) sinuous-margined long cells, (5) silica cells arranged transversely, (6) stomatal subsidiaries low domed and (7) papillae. The epidermal features are characteristic of the abaxial leaf blade surface of members of the Bambusoideae and the fossil is placed in this group. htp://zoobank.org/033FCBF4-CD61-4C85-97E4-8418C9ABA5E6
Studying the Legal Management of HIV-Related Stigma

Law has been a prominent tool for managing the stigmas associated with HIV. The belief that stigma would discourage HIV testing and that privacy and antidiscrimination policies could reduce this ef...
A MODEL OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY RECOGNITION PROCESS

The goal of this study is to propose a model of the entrepreneurial opportunity recognition process. A number of research propositions was generated based on the analysis of the available literature, and then validated by the analysis of in-depth cases of opportunity recognition that resulted in the creation of successful entrepreneurial ventures. The study indicates that entrepreneurial opportunities are discovered through recognition rather than purposeful search; prerequisites for successful opportunity discovery are a combination of entrepreneurial awareness, access to extended social networks, and prior knowledge of markets and customer problems; prior knowledge could exist due to work experience, personal, non-work related experiences and events, or due to relevant to these markets education. Further, opportunity recognition does not require an exceptional level of creativity, and is not likely to involve a prior knowledge of the ways to serve markets.
Development of pemphigus herpetiformis in a patient with psoriasis receiving UV-light treatment

Background: Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus herpetiformis, a rare variant of pemphigus, is characterized by erythematous, vesicular, bullous, or papular lesions in a herpetiform pattern, often associated with pruritus. Clinical cases documenting the development of pemphigus in patients with a history of psoriasis have been reported in the literature. Methods: We used immunological methods to study a case in which pemphigus herpetiformis occurred in a woman with a history of psoriasis, shortly after a course of ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy. Results: Histopathology revealed a subcorneal blister with prominent neutrophilic infiltration. Immunopathology detected in situ bound and circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies to epithelial cell surfaces and circulating IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. The patient was also found to have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Conclusions: This case illuminates a possible role of UV therapy in the induction of pemphigus herpetiformis through an epitope-spreading mechanism. The patient's autoimmune thyroiditis may also contribute to the predisposition for pemphigus development. The histopathological findings in pemphigus patients with a history of psoriasis may resemble Munro's microabscesses of psoriasis and should therefore alert pathologists and clinicians in considering additional diagnostic methods such as direct and indirect immunofluorescence.
Mercury - Wavelength and longitude dependence of polarization

The polarization-time variations noted in the present linear polarization observations of the integrated Mercury disk, with filters covering the 0.3-1.0 micron bandpass and between 53-130 deg of phase angle, may be accounted for in terms of longitude dependence through the variation of brightness or other properties over the surface. Kepler's equation for the eccentric anomaly was solved for each observation, and the true anomaly was used to find the subsolar longitude. The difference found in the polarization-albedo relations of Mercury and the moon indicates a difference in surface texture and/or composition.
The Greater Yellowstone policy debate: What is the policy problem?

Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding mountainous region comprise the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), a 19 million acre area that is one of the few relatively intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. Conservationists believe that continuation of present land management practices in the region will disrupt the ecological integrity of the GYE. Many authors have identified and described these threats, but as yet there has been no sustained effort to make sense of these threats in the context of the ongoing dynamic policy debate. We develop the foundation for such understanding by examining the implicit problem definitions that have emerged from this debate. They fall into three general categories: 1) a scientific definition, 2) an economic definition, and 3) a bureaucratic definition. This process produces an exploratory definition of the policy problem, which suggests a strategy for better understanding and policy design. We propose several intervention points at which substantive, one-the-ground improvements in the management of the GYE are possible.
An active‐constraint logic for non‐linear programming

Active-constraint logic for non-linear programming processes is sought such that the constraints in the active set possess positive projection multipliers and the resulting step does not violate the linear approximations to any of the constraints satisfied as equalities but considered inactive. Active-constraint logic which has the desired properties is given for the cases of two and three constraints. For the general case featuring more than three constraints satisfied as equalities, an active-set logic is suggested. The efficiency of the proposed logic is tested computationally on some quadratic programming problems in comparison with three existing active-set strategies.
SENSITIVITY OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT ASPIRATE BIOPSY FOR DETECTION OF SYSTEMIC AMYLOIDOSIS IN CARDIAC BIOPSY-PROVEN TRANSTHYRETIN CARDIOMYOPATHY

Subcutaneous fat aspirate for detection of systemic amyloidosis is a well-established screening method for immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL) and may make cardiac biopsy unnecessary if typical echocardiographic findings are present. At our institution this method has sensitivity of
Multiple Equilibria of a Hydrodynamically Coupled Flexible Disk Rotating Inside a Thin Housing

Experimental results are reported and a simple model proposed to explain a phenomenon in which the equilibrium deflection of a flexible disk rotating inside a narrow housing undergoes an abrupt jump when the rotation speed is varied slightly. Discontinuous jumps are observed in a small fraction (25%) of Zip disks rotating between 3000 rpm and 4500 rpm. For those disks exhibiting jumps, the jumps are repeatable for both increases and decreases in rotation speed during a test; no hysteresis is observed. A disk that initially exhibits the jump phenomenon may fail to exhibit jumps several days or weeks later and vice versa. Numerical results for a rotating membrane hydrodynamically coupled to the surrounding flow show that the number of possible equilibria is a sensitive function of the radial flows above and below the disk. In particular, a small change in radial flow from a radially inward flow to a radially outward flow can abruptly change the number of possible equilibria from two to one. The characteristics of this transition are compatible with the experimental observations.
Association of the insecticide naled with celery petiole lesion damage

Abstract During the past 4 years, significant damage occurred to commercially grown celery ( Apium graveolens ), an important vegetable crop grown in coastal areas of California. Symptoms consisted of dry, brown to tan lesions on the lower portions of plant petioles. Designated as celery petiole lesion (CPL), this problem only occurred during the summer and autumn growing periods and could cause mature plants to be unmarketable. Extensive isolations for pathogens failed to find an agent associated with the problem, and field trials involving fertilizers failed to reproduce CPL symptoms. However, experiments with pesticides indicated that the insecticide naled was associated with CPL. Greenhouse and field trials successfully reproduced symptoms identical to those found in commercial celery fields. Surveys in 1994 and 1995 indicated that all confirmed CPL cases in commercial fields were associated with the application of naled. In 1996, with the cancellation of the celery label for naled, no CPL was found in any celery field. Celery petiole lesion therefore should be identified as phytotoxicity due to ground applications of naled.
FORMATION OF PLATINUM ALLYL AND PROPARGYL COMPLEXES FROM PROTONATION OF PLATINUM ENYNE AND DIYNE COMPLEXES

Abstract Protonation of (Ph3P)2Pt[η2-HC≡CC(CH3)=CH2] (2a) with excess HBF4·Et2O produced the π-allyl complex (Ph3P)2Pt[η3-H2C=CC(CH3)=CH2+BF4− (3a-BF4) instead of a π-propargyl complex. Reaction of excess CF3CO2H with 2a initially produced the analogous π-allyl complex 3a-CF3CO2 which then added CF3CO2H across the vinylidene unit of 3a-CF3CO2 to give the π-allyl complex (Ph3P)2Pt[η3-CH3C(CF3CO2)C(CH3)CH2]+CF3CO2−. Protonation of the platinum diyne complex [(p-CH3-C6H4)3P]2Pt(η2-CH3C≡CC≡CCH3) (7b) with HBF4·Et2O at −73°C initially produced the platinum hydride complex trans-[(p-CH3-C6H4)3P]2PtH(η2-CH3C≡CC≡CCH3)+ BF4− (9), which rearranged to the platinum π-propargyl complex [(p-CH3-C6H4)3P]2Pt[η3(CH3CH=)-CC≡CCH3]+ BF4− (11) at −28°C.
Building the initial chain of the proteins through de novo modeling of the cryo-electron microscopy volume data at the medium resolutions

Cryo-electron Microscopy (cryoEM) is an advanced imaging technique that produces volume maps at different resolutions. This technique is capable of visualizing large molecular complexes such as viruses and ribosomes. At the medium resolutions, such as 5 to 10A, the location and orientation of the secondary structure elements (SSEs) can be computationally identified. However, there is no registration between the detected SSEs and the protein sequence, and therefore it is challenging to derive the atomic structure from such volume data. We present, in this paper, the preliminary results of the full-atom protein chains using our de novo modeling framework. The framework has multiple components including the ranking of topologies, the construction of helices and loops along the density traces, and the energy evaluation of the structure. A test containing thirteen simulated density maps and two experimentally derived density maps show that the true topology was ranked among the top 35 of the huge topological space. The best atomic model of the true topology was ranked within the top 40 for twelve of the fifteen proteins tested. The average backbone RMSD100 of these models is about 4A for the fifteen proteins.
Upgrading the North American Upper-Air Observing Network: What are the Possibilities?.

Abstract The current modernization and restructuring of the National Weather Service (NWS) to date has not involved the rehabilitation of the upper-air observing network over North America. The authors discuss the need for a thorough evaluation of the current upper-air observing system that examines both the old (current) rawinsonde network and newer, remote sensing networks. The key concern is that the meteorological community has given insufficient attention to the scientific questions underlying the choices of observing systems as related to the needs of operational forecasting. The authors argue that the principal basis for a scientific and objective evaluation of observing strategies is the ability of a particular observing system (or component of a system) to improve numerical weather prediction in the modernized NWS. Given this starting point, a number of possible new (and old) observing systems and observing strategies are discussed that offer the possibility for much improved initialization of me...
Multi-platform real-time realization of isolated permanent magnet synchronous generator

This paper introduces a multi-platform system for real-time studies of an isolated permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The system consists of an Altera DE2 Development Board field-programmable gate-array (FPGA), a Texas Instruments (TI) TMS320F28335 digital signal processor (DSP), and a PC running dSPACE1103 Control Desk for real time interaction and data acquisition. This work demonstrates the real time simulation performance of the PMSG implemented at a 1µs time step on the Altera DE2 FPGA utilizing an explicit Euler numerical ordinary differential equation (ODE) solver. The model is then validated by comparing the results to the widely accepted MATLAB/SIMULINK/SimPowerSystems PMSG under the same parameters and external excitations. The work presents the system architecture as well as introduces a simple methodology of implementing the coupled differential equations of the PMSG in an FPGA for real time simulation. The use of the Altera DE2 FPGA eliminates the cost of using a real-time simulation platform and allows for a smaller achievable time step which is advantageous when simulating high speed machines to observe system transients. This work demonstrates a simple process that uses one clock and takes advantage of the IEEE arithmetic and numeric types libraries. The multi platform structure also provides potential future hardware-in-the-loop capabilities for more complex system integration.
Prescription opioid use among older adults with arthritis or low back pain.

Objective To examine patterns of chronic opioid use in selected groups with arthritis and low back pain and compare them with patterns among persons with ischemic heart disease. Methods The study database consisted of Medicare beneficiaries who were enrolled in a drug benefit program for low-to-moderate income Pennsylvania residents. We identified selected patients who had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, or ischemic heart disease since 1995. Chronic opioid use, defined as at least six 30-day prescriptions in a year, was the endpoint of interest. We examined the proportion of patients meeting this definition during the period 1996–2001 and determined predictors based on multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results Four percent of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis used opioids chronically in 2001, compared with <1% in each of the other groups. There was no increase in the chronic use of opioids over the 6-year study period. Low-potency opioids were the most commonly prescribed preparations for chronic users from all patient groups. The prior use of medicines for psychiatric illness, including benzodiazepines or barbiturates, was associated with chronic prescription opioid use across all diagnoses. However, subjects with a prior diagnosis of psychiatric illness were less likely to receive chronic opioids. Conclusion Chronic opioid use is relatively uncommon, even among older individuals with arthritis or low back pain. The proportion of these individuals receiving such medicines has not increased in the late 1990s. There seems to be a complex relationship between psychiatric medication use, psychiatric diagnoses, and the use of chronic opioids among these individuals.
Basically Substituted Dioxolanes and Dioxanes

The synthesis of a group of basically substituted 1,3-dioxolanes and 1,3-dioxanes is reported. Cyclic acetals and ketals were prepared by the acid catalyzed, azeotropic distillation method, utilizing either a 1,2- or a 1,3-diol and either p -nitrobenzal-dehyde or p -nitroacetophenone as the carbonyl compound, followed by catalytic reduction of the aromatic nitro group to the corresponding primary amine. All members of this series have a p -amino-phenyl substituent at position 2 of the dioxolane or dioxane ring in order to conform structurally as closely as possible to the sulfonamide and procaine prototypes. These compounds exhibited no antibacterial action in vitro. One compound had local anesthetic activity.
Metabolism of photoaffinity-labeled insulin-like growth factor-I receptors by human cells in vitro.

These studies were undertaken to characterize the physiological fate of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGFI)- type I receptor complex in MG-63, an IGF-responsive human osteosarcoma cell line. To investigate this, a photoreactive iodinated derivative of IGF-I [5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyl-125I-IGF-I (ANBz-125I-IGF-I)] was synthesized. This derivative retained biological activity and photolabeled a cell surface component on MG-63 cells with the size and binding specificity characteristic of the type I IGF receptor. To assess the stability of the photoaffinity-labeled IGF-I., receptor complex, quiescent monolayers of MG-63 cells were incubated with ANBz-125 I-IGF-I at 2 C, photolyzed, and then warmed to 37 C. At various times the monolayers were solubilized and the receptor complex was identified by quantitative autoradiography after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under these conditions the photoaffinity-labeled IGF-I-receptor complex was relatively stable, with a halflife of 11 ± 2 ...
Distribution of AChE in cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons

Abstract Intracellular and surface acetylcholinesterase activities were determined for individual cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons dissected from the central nervous system of the leech. Echothiophate pretreatment was used to inhibit selectively extracellular enzyme. Cells releasing acetylcholine as a transmitter had approximately 10-fold higher levels of intracellular acetylcholinesterase activity, while all neurons had similar levels of activity associated with the cell surface. These results suggest that intracellular cholinesterase may be a useful marker for cholinergic neurons.
Controlled-release drug delivery systems in cardiovascular medicine.

Abstract Controlled-release drug delivery technology has had a significant effect on the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases. Oral and transcutaneous controlled-release systems allow relatively short-acting drugs to be administered once or twice daily with comparable therapeutic efficacy and fewer adverse reactions compared with standard formulations. They can provide decreased fluctuations in drug concentrations in plasma while possibly reducing the total amount of drug necessary for a clinical response. Techniques include the diffusion, bioerosion or degradation, and generation of osmotic pressure in orally active and transcutaneous drug delivery systems. Calcium-channel blocking agents, nitrates, β-blocking agents, antiarrhythmic agents, clonidine, and nicotinic acid can be administered by these techniques, which have greatly influenced the application of these drugs in clinical practice.
Usefulness of Periprocedural Bleeding to Predict Outcome After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Bleeding is a known predictor of poor outcome after a number of cardiac interventions. We investigated whether using the new bleeding definition of the Valve Academic Research Consortium predicts a poor outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. In addition, we sought to identify those patient characteristics that predict periprocedural bleeding and investigated the effect of blood transfusion. This was a retrospective study of 101 patients undergoing transapical or transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation at Kings College Hospital from August 2007 to November 2010. The association among bleeding, blood transfusion, and in-hospital and 6-month mortality was examined. Of the 101 patients, 5 (4.9%) had life-threatening periprocedural bleeding related to vascular or apical complications, 17 (17%) had major bleeding, and 79 (78%) had minor or no bleeding. The in-hospital mortality rate for the cohort was 9.9% (n = 10) and the 6-month mortality rate was 18.8% (n = 19). Those patients with life-threatening bleeding and those who were transfused had significantly greater in-hospital mortality rates than the patients without life-threatening bleeding or transfusion (60.0% vs 7.3%, p 5 g/dl, and a blood transfusion of >2 U were associated with increased mortality at 6 months. In a logistic regression model, coexisting vascular disease, diabetes, and preprocedural anemia significantly affected the incidence of life-threatening or major bleeding. In conclusion, consistent with many other cardiac interventions, life-threatening periprocedural bleeding after transcatheter aortic valve implantation is associated with poorer outcomes.
Design and development of amplifiable broad-host-range cloning vectors: Analysis of the vir region of Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmid pTiC58

Abstract The construction of a set of new plasmids that are suitable as general cloning vectors in Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens is described. Plasmid pUCD2 is amplifiable in E. coli, replicates in a wide range of gram-negative hosts and contains a number of useful restriction endonuclease cleavage sites and antibiotic resistance genes. This includes unique sites for KpnI, SacI, SacII, PstI, ClaI, SalI, EcoRV, and PvuII and the genes for resistance to kanamycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, and spectinomycin/streptomycin. Derivatives of pUCD2 include pUCD4, which has a unique XbaI site and the cosmid pUCD5, which also contains a unique EcoRI site. Two smaller plasmids pUCD9P and pUCD9X, contain many of the same unique sites as pUCD2 and pUCD4, but carry only the pBR322 replication origin and therefore do not display the extensive host-range of pSa. These plasmids were used to isolate and manipulate fragments of the A. tumefaciens pTiC58 plasmid in both E. coli and A. tumefaciens. Fragments from the virulence (vir) region of pTiC58 inserted immediately upstream of the spectinomycin resistance gene of pUCD2 resulted in spectinomycin resistance levels that varied greatly depending on the particular fragment and its orientation of insertion. Using this property we find that a major portion of the vir region of pTiC58 is transcribed in A. tumefaciens and E. coli from left to right toward the T region.
Adsorption and orientation of tetracycline on hydroxyapatite.

Adsorption of tetracycline from separate solutions of ethanol, p-dioxane, and chloroform onto synthetic hydroxyapatite (containing about 1.5 monolayer of physisorbed water) was studied in order to understand its interaction with bone and teeth. The adsorption isotherms of tetracycline are reversible and Langmuirian from ethanol and p-dioxane and are almost identical. The isotherm is irreversible from chloroform, and a constant amount of adsorbate is removed from the solutions above a certain concentration. The irreversibly adsorbed compound is completely desorbed by prolonged repeated washing with ethanol. An analysis of the reversible isotherms showed that at maximum coverage the ring or polycyclic structure of the molecule stands perpendicular to the surface with appropriate hydroxyl groups and ketooxygens hydrogen bonded to the surface. However, the adsorption from chloroform is irreversible and at maximum adsorption is about one and half times larger than that from either ethanol or p-dioxane. The process of adsorption does not affect the chemical integrity of tetracycline.
Influence of Mastitis on Properties of Milk. IV. Hydrolytic Rancidity

Abstract The effect of mastitis on acid degree values and lipase activity of milk was investigated using quarter milk samples obtained from individual cows. Both acid degree values and lipase activity were significantly higher (P 20 mm) samples than in the corresponding negative samples ( 20 mm) samples were 35 to 40% higher than for the negative samples. This relationship was also observed when lipolysis was spontaneous or induced. Lipase activity of the positive samples was approximately 7% higher than for the negative samples.
Precision Profiling and Components of Variability Analysis for Affymetrix Microarray Assays Run in a Clinical Context

Although gene expression profiling using microarray technology is widely used in research environments, adoption of microarray testing in clinical laboratories is currently limited. In an attempt to determine how such assays would perform in a clinical laboratory, we evaluated the analytical variability of Affymetrix microarray probesets using two generations of human Affymetrix chips (U95Av2 and U133A). The study was designed to mimic potential clinical applications by using multiple operators, machines, and reagent lots, and by performing analyses throughout a period of several months. A mixed model analysis was used to evaluate the relative contributions of multiple factors to overall variability, including operator, instrument, run, cRNA/cDNA synthesis, and changes in reagent lots. Under these conditions, the average probeset coefficient of variation (CV) was relatively low for present probesets on both generations of chips (mean coefficient of variation, 21.9% and 27.2% for U95Av2 and U133A chips, respectively). The largest contribution to overall variation was chip-to-chip (residual) variability, which was responsible for between 40 to 60% of the total variability observed. Changes in individual reagent lots and instrumentation contributed very little to the overall variability. We conclude that the approach demonstrated here could be applied to clinical validation of Affymetrix-based assays and that the analytical precision of this technique is sufficient to answer many biological questions.
MR Imaging Perfusion Mismatch: A Technique to Verify Successful Targeting of Liver Tumors during Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Purpose To evaluate the combined use of transcatheter intraarterial perfusion (TRIP) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging to determine complete tumor targeting during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) when performed within an integrated MR imaging–interventional radiology (IR) angiography suite. Materials and Methods Between October 2006 and March 2007, eight consecutive patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) successfully underwent TACE in a combined MR imaging–IR suite. All patients were male, with a mean age of 59 years (range, 41–71 years). Tumor enhancement on TRIP MR images before and after TACE were qualitatively compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images obtained after TACE. The authors computed the prevalence of perfusion mismatch. The presence of a perfusion mismatch was judged in a binary fashion. Results A perfusion match, confirming complete tumor targeting, occurred in six of the eight patients (75%). There was a perfusion mismatch in two patients (25%). Subsequent interrogation showed that the underlying cause of the mismatch was secondary to an unexpected collateral vessel in the first patient and watershed location of the tumor in the second patient. Conclusions Performing TACE in an MR imaging–IR suite can facilitate complete tumor targeting. By comparing perfusion images from TRIP and contrast-enhanced MR sequences, the operator gains confidence and can potentially obtain more selective catheter placement during TACE.
The Development of a Male Pseudohermaphroditic Rat Using an Inhibitor of the Enzyme 5α-Reductase

Incomplete masculinization of the external genitalia occurred in male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with a potent inhibitor of enzyme 5 alpha-reductase at the critical period of sexual differentiation in utero. The studies were performed using the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, 4-methyl-4-aza-5-pregnan-3-one-20[s] carboxylate, one of a series of aza steroids known to competitively inhibit the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. The degree of inhibition of male external genital development was dependent upon the dose of the inhibitor, and at a dose of 36 mg/kg X day, there was complete feminization of the external genitalia of the male animal with a urogenital sinus and a pseudovagina. These studies provide conclusive evidence for the hypothesis that 5 alpha-reductase activity and dihydrotestosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one) formation are essential for normal differentiation of male external genitalia. Epididymidis, vasa deferentia, and seminal vesicles were present at all doses of the inhibitor, suggesting testosterone dependency. However, confirmation of the testosterone dependency of Wolffian ductal differentiation awaits further studies, particularly comparison studies with the rabbit and dog, since Wolffian ductal differentiation in the rat, unlike the rabbit and dog, is not abolished with the antiandrogen, cyproterone acetate. The presence of prostatic buds, despite complete external genital feminization, was unexpected and suggests that these structures may have different thresholds of response for dihydrotestosterone. Prostatic differentiation may have a much lower threshold, requiring less dihydrotestosterone for differentiation.
Has the Rise in American Inequality Been Exaggerated

The author argues that, with proper adjustments, the conventional view about the rise in inequality has been exaggerated. Indeed, in recent periods, most of the inequality can be attributed to gains by a small proportion of very high-income individuals. He proposes a variety of aggressive policies to counteract the levels of inequality found by his analysis.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(benzazoles) containing the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane moiety

Poly(benzobisoxazoles) (PBOs), poly(benzobisthiazoles) (PBTs) and copolymers thereof containing the 2,5-dihydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octane moiety have been prepared and studied. The homopolymers were synthesized by the polycondensation of 2,5-dihydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid with 4,6-diamino-1,3-benzenediol dihydrochloride or 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzenedithiol dihydrochloride in poly(phosphoric acid). Random and block copolymers (PBO–PBT) were also prepared. The polymers were characterized by solubility, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy (infrared and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance), and thermal analysis such as differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis showed thermal stability of the polymers above 375°C in air and under argon atmosphere. The polymers exhibited high resistance to organic and inorganic solvents. The polymers were converted to the more stable aromatic polymers via dehydration and retro Diels–Alder reactions of the 2,5-dihydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octyl moiety by pyrolysis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 277–281, 1998
Molecular Basis for the Substrate Specificity of a Serine/Threonine-Specific Protein Kinase

Protein kinases typically phosphorylate the aliphatic alcohols of serine/threonine residues or the aromatic alcohol of tyrosine residues but not both. We report herein the first example of aromatic alcohol phosphorylation by a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylates the C-terminal aromatic alcohol in the active site-directed peptide Gly-Arg-Thr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Asn-(o-aminophenol). In contrast, corresponding peptides containing m- and p-aminophenols failed to serve as protein kinase substrates. These results indicate that the orientation of the aromatic hydroxyl group relative to the adjacent peptide backbone and is a critical structural motif employed in substrate recognition by the enzyme
Reconstructive Coronary Artery Surgery: Postoperative Assessment

Results of 288 direct coronary artery reconstructive operations in 281 patients have been reported. Selected patients with segmental obstructive lesions in their coronary arteries can be helped with direct reconstructive surgery. Best results have been achieved in patients with isolated segmental obstructions in the predominant right coronary artery. With the saphenous vein graft technique, surgical mortality has been reduced to 5.1%, and angiographic evidence of improvement has been achieved in three of four of the survivors. The direct surgical reconstruction of segmental occlusive disease offers the advantage of immediate improvement of myocardial perfusion, attendant protection against myocardial infarction, and immediate improvement if not complete remission of symptoms of myocardial ischemia. Excellent long-term results have been obtained in many patients who underwent patch-graft reconstruction; early experience indicates that saphenous vein graft reconstruction can be accomplished for patients wit...
Case report 609

This 32-year -o ld m a n presen ted with a 6 -mon th h i s to ry o f stiffness and swell ing in his r ight knee as well as a " c r a c k l i n g " m o t i o n at the jo in t . Ini t ia l r a d i o g r a p h s (not avai lable) were in te rp re ted by the fami ly phys i cian to be normal . His s y m p t o m s p rogressed for the next 4 m o n t h s at which t ime he was refer red to an o r thoped is t . R a d i o g r a p h s at t ha t t ime revealed a discrete a rea o f smal l puncrate ca lc i f ica t ions pos t e r io r to the knee t h o u g h t no t to involve the j o i n t space (Fig. 1). Based on these rad io g raph ic f indings a soft t issue t u m o r was suspected. A n open b iopsy was pe r fo rmed , resul t ing in an ini t ia l h i s to logica l diagnosis o f "we l l -d i f f e ren t i a t ed chond r o s a r c o m a . "
Optimizing the physical form – opportunities and limitations

This review addresses the question: ‘When can optimizing the physical form rescue leads with poor drug-like properties.’ This review addresses strategies involving: (1) alternate polymorphs or solvates; (2) salts; and (3) cocrystals. Amorphous materials are also briefly addressed. Overall, it is clear, based upon the unique properties that a new form can provide that optimizing the solid form can rescue a drug lead. What is not known or predictable is when an optimized form will be found or occur. Instead, one must screen to try to find a ‘home run’ form.
Direct visualization of electrogenic becteria in a microfabricated microbial fuel cell

We report a microfabricated transparent microbial fuel cell (MFC) visualizing electrogenic bacteria in situ with realtime and simultaneous measurements of bacterial electron transfer. The MFC features a protruded anode chamber which can be directly placed under an optical microscope for observing live bacterial behavior. The MFC had 140 μL-sized anode and 70 μL-sized cathode chambers separated by a proton exchange membrane (PEM). Using this device, a maximum current density of 2.3 μA/cm2 and power density of 5.29 nW/cm2 were achieved. This technique allows for both optical and electrical studies of the electrogenic bacteria and provides valuable information between the cell growth/biofilm formation and the extracellular electron transfer processes associated with MFC operation.
Testing odds-ratio equality for several diseases

We present a test for the hypothesis that odds-ratios are constant across two or more diseases, using matched case-control data. The test requires less computing than the usual conditional likelihood score test (Prentice, 1979) because it excludes the control covariates. We give a practical algorithm to compute the test statistic and discuss its power
Ionic Selectivity of Single Nanochannels

There has been an increasing interest in single nanochannel ionic devices, such as ionic filters that control the type of transported ions and ionic diodes that rectify the ionic flow. In this article, we theoretically investigate the importance of the dimensions, surface charge, electrolyte concentration, and applied bias on nanopore performance. We compare numerical solutions of the Poisson, Nernst−Planck (PNP), and Navier−Stokes (NS) equations with their one-dimensional, analytical approximations. We show that by decreasing the length of the nanopore, the ionic current and ionic selectivity become affected by processes outside the nanochannel. The contribution of electroosmosis is noticeable, especially for highly charged nanochannels, but is insignificant, justifying the use of the simple one-dimensional approximation in many cases. Estimates for the critical electric field at which the nanopore selectivity decreases and the ion current starts to saturate are provided.