cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical staging and high dose rate brachytherapy for endometrial cancer: Limiting external radiotherapy to node-positive tumors

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and morbidity of surgical staging and high dose rate brachytherapy for women with stage I–IIIA endometrial cancer. Methods Sixty consecutive patients underwent surgical staging consisting of total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, peritoneal cytology, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, periaortic lymphadenectomy, and omentectomy. High dose rate brachytherapy was delivered postoperatively in three fractions for a total of 2100 cGy. Only patients with nodal metastasis received external radiotherapy. Results Twenty-two tumors (37%) were considered highrisk uterine disease because of deep invasion (stage IC), cervical involvement (stage II), positive peritoneal cytology (stage IIIA), or poor differentiation (grade 3). Lymph node metastases were detected in five patients. There was no surgical mortality, and morbidity from surgery and high dose rate brachytherapy was minimal. At a median follow-up of 3 years, there has been one recurrence. The conventional practice of postoperative external radiotherapy was altered in 23 of 60 patients (38%): 22 women with high-risk uterine factors did not receive external radiotherapy, and one patient with low-risk uterine factors (less than 50% myometrial invasion, grade 2) received external radiotherapy because of microscopic pelvic lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Surgical staging and high dose rate brachytherapy without external radiotherapy for stage I–IIIA endometrial cancer were associated with minimal morbidity and produced excellent survival.
Several adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinases in the thyroid.

Three protein kinases that are stimulated by adenosine 3’,5’-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) have been isolated from bovine thyroids by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. One of these kinases has a molecular weight of about 76,000, with a pH optimum of 7.5 both in the presence and absence of cyclic AMP. This peak of kinase activity phosphorylates protamine sulfate more rapidly than histone, but the phosphorylation of protamine is not cyclic AMP-dependent. The other two peaks of kinase activity have molecular weights of 102,000 and 191,000, but otherwise appear similar in their characteristics. Both show a pronounced pH optimum of 6.5 in the presence of cyclic AMP, but little pH effect in its absence. These two peaks of kinase activity phosphorylate histone and protamine nearly equally, although cyclic AMP stimulates their phosphorylation of histone more than protamine. (Endocrinology 91: 1343, 1972)
The core of some location games

An important problem in Location Theory is that of assigning plants to locations in an optimal manner. In the context of this problem, recognizing interplant transportation costs, Koopmans and Beckmann (1957) introduced the Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP). It is shown in this paper that when the QAP is formulated as a cooperative location game, its core may be empty. By contrast, the core of the game corresponding to thelinear assignment problem (where transportation costs are disregarded) is assured to be non-empty. Some conditions under which the core is non-empty are discussed.
Localization of genes for variant forms of mitochondrial proteins on mitochondrial DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Electrophoretic variant forms of mitochondrial translation products have been analyzed genetically and biochemically to determine their position on the yeast mitochondrial genome and to determine if they correspond to known products of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Three variant polypeptide species designated var1 ( M r = 40,000 to 42,000), var2 ( M r = 25,000), and var3 ( M r = 45,000) have been mapped by a combination of recombinational mapping by crosses to wild-typo testers and by deletion mapping procedures using petites of defined mitochondrial genotypes. In all cases, the variant polypeptide species have been mapped relative to each other and to known mitochondrial drug-resistance markers. We have not observed any recombinants between var 1 and var 2 and thus these polypeptide species maybe derived from a common transcriptional or translational precursor, var 1 and var 2 were found to map in the span between ery and oli 1, at a site which represents a new locus for a mitochondrial structural gene. From immunological analysis and molecular weight considerations, we conclude that var1, whose function is unknown, is probably not a component of cytochrome oxidase, the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase complex or the bc 1 segment of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. var 3 maps very close to and is probably allelic with the oli 1 locus. We conclude that the var3 species, which shows metastable aggregation in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, is a component of the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase complex, most likely subunit 9 of that complex.
Multilateralism: A Constraint on Unilateralism and Regionalism in Agricultural Trade

It would be difficult to imagine a more interesting time to be considering the mix of multilateral, regional, and unilateral elements that make up the international agricultural trade regime. It has been assumed until recently, with full justification, that multilateral rules are an ineffective constraint on domestic farm policies and hence on the conditions governing world trade in temperate zone commodities. The wellknown exceptions in the GATT have made it a weak rod with which to beat protectionist domestic policies. Article XI of the GATT, which establishes the "tariffs only" principle, allows quantitative restrictions on imports where domestic agricultural policies control supplies. This exception has, for example, allowed Canada to keep tight restrictions on trade in dairy and poultry products. Article XVI, though banning most export subsidies, admits their use in primary products under certain (so far unenforceable) conditions. As a result, EC export restrictions have for twenty years depressed world markets for wheat and dairy products. The United States managed to get a waiver in 1955 exempting it from even the modest constraints of Article XI, thus allowing quantitative import constraints on a number of products. The EC went one better, choosing in 1961 a "variable levy" for its main import barrier. Such a levy was neither a tariff, which could have been "bound," nor a quota, which would have been subject to Article XI.' As a "grey area" measure, its place in the GATT has been in dispute ever since. With US and EC policies essentially beyond GATT scrutiny, other countries could hardly be made to toe the line. Japan was persuaded to replace many of its quantitative restrictions by tariffs, but chose to keep them in place for the most sensitive commodities. Regional rules on agricultural trade have not effectively curbed unilateral tendencies to subjugate trade relations to domestic policy requirements. In most free-trade areas, as discussed below, agriculture has been treated as an exception. The EC, determined to go beyond the free-trade area model toward a common market, translated domestic policy objectives to the Community level. This decision resulted not in a modest, liberal regime emphasizing free trade and competition in global markets, but in an obtrusive protectionist policy designed to seal off EC agriculture from the cold winds of outside com-
Endangered Species Policy in Canada and the US: A Tale of Two Islands

In 2010 the US declared the Lake Erie water snake a recovered species, but in Canada the snake is still considered to be an endangered species. After explaining the legal similarities between the Ontario Endangered Species Act and the American Endangered Species Act, this article examines a case study with landowner interviews from one US island and one Canadian island. It is concluded that landowner attitudes toward conservation and private property are very similar. Thus, it is argued that bureaucratic differences, particularly institutional capacity and implementation styles, enabled the US but not Canada to recover the snake. The article concludes with a discussion of the need for better communication between the two countries for the purposes of biodiversity conservation.
In vivo imaging of gene expression.

Imaging of gene expression is increasingly essential for cancer diagnosis, prediction of tumor response to various available therapies, and for monitoring response to therapy, whether it is gene or nongene therapy. Most of the work on developing techniques and methodologies for imaging gene expression has been performed in mice. Sophisticated small animal imaging technologies have been developed for this purpose. Imaging of gene expression in humans is still very limited. Nuclear medicine, positron-emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and optical methods are the modalities that have shown preliminary utility in imaging gene expression. Two major imaging strategies have been investigated: using marker genes encoding either intracellular enzymes or cell-surface receptors. The first approach exploits the ability of certain enzymes to modify imaging prodrugs, so that tissue accumulation of such drugs reflects the expression. The second approach uses cell-surface expression of ligand-binding receptors that can be detected using imaging tracers. In this review, we summarize some of the imaging techniques that have been developed to detect gene expression.
Gas chromatographic separation of amines by special selectivity

This study deals with the separation of several aliphatic amines by the use of metal complexation in GLC.
Evolving distributed resource sharing for cubesat constellations

Advances in miniaturization will allow for the commoditization of large numbers of tiny satellites, known as "CubeSats." However, current algorithms made for small tightly-managed space missions are ill-designed to take advantage of the huge amount of resources available in a decentralized collection of these CubeSats. We believe that multiagent evolutionary algorithms are ideally suited to exploit the distributed nature of this new problem. This paper presents a solution where a customer in need of satellite observations can reliably obtain these observations at low cost, through the help of a multiagent system as an intermediary. Each agent in this system is assigned to a single CubeSat. Given a set of the customer's observational needs, and models of the CubeSats' salient properties, the agents evolve policies that attempt to purchase an appropriate set of observations at a low price. This system is especially flexible as it demands no centralized resource broker, contracts or commitments of resources. We perform a series of experiments on an Earth-observition domain. The results show that the evolutionary methods combined with multiagent techniques have three times the performance of a simple hand-coded allocation algorithm, and twice the performance of simple evolving agents.
The history and chronology of siwalik cercopithecids

Cercopithecid monkeys make a comparatively late appearance in the Miocene Siwalik formations of the Indian Subcontinent. The oldest well-dated specimen is a 6.3 MY old colobine, ?Presbytis sivalensis, and it is doubtful that any cercopithecids were present in the Siwalik faunas prior to 7.0 MY, a date that is considerably later than estimates for their appearance elsewhere in Eurasia. Cercopithecines appear later than colobines. Although their temporal ranges are uncertain, cercopithecines evidently were not present before 3.2 MY and possibly not until 2.5 MY. They are represented by three species,?Macaca palaeindica, Procynocephalus subhimalayanus, andTheropithecus delsoni. In the Siwaliks the appearances of colobines and cercopithecines coincide with or follow shortly after major faunal changes that also bring other northern Eurasian and African taxa into the region.
Complications of sphenoid sinusitis

Abstract Regarding the skull base, no structure is as centrally located as the sphenoid sinus. It sits at the junction of the anterior and middle cranial fossae, and is surrounded by vital structures. Although relatively rare, complications of the inflammatory and infectious conditions of sphenoid sinusitis are the result of direct extension of disease to the surrounding tissues, or a propagated thrombophlebitis through valveless veins, which connect the paranasal sinuses with the orbit, cavernous sinus, and intracranial cavity. The spread of inflammation and/or infection from the sphenoid sinus to the orbit and cavernous sinus causes 5 distinct clinical entities: (1) preseptal cellulitis, (2) orbital cellulitis, (3) subperiosteal abscess, (4) orbital abscess, and (5) cavernous sinus thrombosis. The list of possible intracranial complications of sphenoid sinusitis includes meningitis, skull base osteomyelitis, and epidural, subdural, or cerebral abscess. A high index of suspicion must accompany any patient with unresolving sinusitis, increasing or changing symptoms, including the development of visual changes, ophthalmoplegia, focal neurologic signs, seizures, mood alterations, or persistent headache despite adequate therapy. Early identification and therapeutic intervention for orbital and intracranial complications of sphenoid sinusitis are paramount to a favorable prognosis.
Studies of the Ag‐Pt Interface Formed by Ag Deposition from Sulfolane Solutions on Thin Film Electrodes

Vapor deposition, thin film fabrication techniques have been applied to the preparation of Pt electrodes of various topographies. Large variations were observed in the electrical resistivities of these electrodes as a function of porosities. The effect of these film preparation techniques on Ag electrodeposition from solutions of AgClO/sub 4/ in sulfolane was examined. Analysis of cyclic voltammetric data and double potential step chronocoulometric results indicate silver deposition occurs without underpotential deposition in sulfolane in contrast to behavior found in aqueous medium. Auger electron spectroscopy and argon ion sputter etching were used to examine the surface and depth profile of controlled potential-deposited thin layers of Ag. Porous films showed deep penetration of all monitored species (Ag, Pt, S, Cl). The degree of penetration decreases rapidly with increasing film density. The surface analysis results have been correlated to the electrochemical behavior and interpreted in terms of the extent of solvent, solute interaction prior to electrodeposition.
Cigarette smoke-sensitive asthma: challenge studies.

Abstract The effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke on pulmonary function were assessed in 21 subjects with asthma who claimed respiratory complaints (cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness) on previous exposure to cigarette smoke. Exposure to mechanically produced tobacco smoke was performed in a static inhalation chamber for two 2-hour intervals at two distinct smoke levels (as measured by carbon monoxide, nicotine, and pariculate levels). Seven of the 21 smoke-challenged subjects experienced a significant (>20%) decline in FEV 1 during passive exposure to tobacco smoke. One of these seven subjects was nonatopic, whereas a second subject had a negative response to methacholine challenge. The smoke-challenge responses were reproducible in all seven reactive subjects. Increasing concentrations of tobacco smoke failed to elicit pulmonary changes in previously challenged, unreactive or "smoke-tolerant" subjects. There was no association between a positive smoke challenge and the presence of serum IgE antibodies and/or a positive immediate wheal-and-flare skin test to a tobacco leaf extract. Collectively, these studies document a significant decline in pulmonary function in a substantial percentage (33%) of a population of "smoke-sensitive" subjects with asthma exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. The data also dissociate this effect from tobacco-leaf hypersensitivity.
Axisymmetric stagnation point flow and mass transfer for power-law fluids. II: Moderate Schmidt number correction

The theory for axisymmetric stagnation point flow of power-law fluids has been extended to include the correction terms for convective diffusion at moderate Schmidt numbers. The dimensionless mass transfer rate is expressed as an asymptotic series that is valid for Re(1 − n)/3(1 + n) Sc−13 < 1. The result can be used to predict accurate diffusion coefficients for dilute species in fluids with specified power-law characteristics.
Thermal vibration and apparent thermal contraction of single-walled carbon nanotubes

It is of fundamental value to understand the thermo-mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes. In this paper, by using molecular dynamics simulation, a systematic numerical investigation is carried out to explore the natural thermal vibration behaviors of single-walled carbon nanotubes and their quantitative contributions to the apparent thermal contraction behaviors. It is found that the thermo-mechanical behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes is exhibited through the competition between quasi-static thermal expansion and dynamic thermal vibration, while the vibration effect is more prominent and induces apparent contraction in both radial and axial directions. With increasing temperature, the anharmonic interatomic potential helps to increase the bond length, which leads to thermally induced expansion. On the other hand, the higher structural entropy and vibrational entropy of the system cause the carbon nanotube to vibrate, and the apparent length of nanotube decreases due to various vibration modes. Parallel analytical and finite element analyses are used to validate the vibration frequencies and provide helpful insights. The unified multi-scale study has successfully decoupled and systematically analyzed both thermal expansion and contraction behaviors of single-walled carbon nanotube from 100 to 800 K, and obtained detailed information on various vibration modes as well as their quantitative contributions to the coefficient of thermal expansion in axial and radial directions. The results of this paper may provide useful information on the thermo-mechanical integrity of single-walled carbon nanotubes, and become important in practical applications involving finite temperature.
Computerized detection of vertebral compression fractures on lateral chest radiographs: Preliminary results with a tool for early detection of osteoporosis

Vertebral fracture (or vertebral deformity) is a very common outcome of osteoporosis, which is one of the major public health concerns in the world. Early detection of vertebral fractures is important because timely pharmacologic intervention can reduce the risk of subsequent additional fractures. Chest radiographs are used routinely for detection of lung and heart diseases, and vertebral fractures can be visible on lateral chest radiographs. However, investigators noted that about 50% of vertebral fractures visible on lateral chest radiographs were underdiagnosed or under-reported, even when the fractures were severe. Therefore, our goal was to develop a computerized method for detection of vertebral fractures on lateral chest radiographs in order to assist radiologists’ image interpretation and thus allow the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. The cases used in this study were 20 patients with severe vertebral fractures and 118 patients without fractures, as confirmed by the consensus of two radiologists.Radiologists identified the locations of fractured vertebrae, and they provided morphometric data on the vertebral shape for evaluation of the accuracy of detecting vertebral end plates by computer. In our computerized method, a curved search area, which included a number of vertebral end plates, was first extracted automatically, and was straightened so that vertebral end plates became oriented horizontally. Edge candidates were enhanced by use of a horizontal line-enhancement filter in the straightened image, and a multiple thresholding technique, followed by feature analysis, was used for identification of the vertebral end plates. The height of each vertebra was determined from locations of identified vertebral end plates, and fractured vertebrae were detected by comparison of the measured vertebral height with the expected height. The sensitivity of our computerized method for detection of fracture cases was 95% (19/20), with 1.03 (139/135) false-positive fractures per image. The accuracy of identifying vertebral end plates, marked by radiologists in a morphometric study, was 76.6% (400/522) and 70.9% (420/592) for cases used for training and those for testing, respectively. We prepared 32 additional fracture cases for a validation test, and we examined the detection accuracy of our computerized method. The sensitivity for these cases was 75% (24/32) at 1.03 (33/32) false-positive fractures per image. Our preliminary results show that the automated computerized scheme for detecting vertebral fractures on lateral chest radiographs has the potential to assist radiologists in detecting vertebral fractures.
Control of Elastic Systems via Passivity-Based Methods

In this paper we present a controller synthesis approach for elastic systems based on the mathematical concept of passivity. For nonlinear and linear elastic systems that are inherently passive, ro...
Unexpected mass decoupling for 3He-4He films on a solid hydrogen substrate

Quartz oscillator measurements reveal new behavior in $^{3}\mathrm{He}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ mixture films on a ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ substrate. For mixture films of total coverage greater than one monolayer, in addition to the expected Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, a second mass decoupling event is observed, which behaves differently from the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.
Proton conduction in thin film yttrium-doped barium zirconate

The proton conductivity of yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BYZ) films epitaxially grown on MgO(100) has been studied in the range of 140–290°C as a function of film thickness (60–670nm) in relation to their crystal and morphological structure at the nanoscale. Highly textured 60nm BYZ film epitaxially grown on MgO(100) showed high ionic conductivity, close to its bulk value. In contrast, thicker polycrystalline samples with rougher surfaces, caused by grain boundary formation, exhibited lower conductivity.
Revision of the Calcite–Aragonite Transition, with the Location of a Triple Point between Calcite I, Calcite II and Aragonite

Conflicting reports have been published for the position of the calcite–aragonite phase transition, and two factors contributing to this are the slow solid state reaction kinetics and the problems of quenching the stable assemblage. Bell and England concluded from their experiments that aragonite which formed stably within a wide pressure range (above 600° C) inverted to calcite during the quench. We have recently extended the phase relationships involving a liquid phase in the system calcium oxide–carbon dioxide–water from 4 kbars pressure to 40 kbars using a piston-and-cylinder high-pressure apparatus. The liquids in this system are very reactive media, and no problems have been encountered in reaching equilibrium in this and a variety of related systems. Across the calcite–aragonite boundary, the ternary phase assemblage calcite + liquid + vapour undergoes a transition to aragonite + liquid + vapour. In runs completed at pressures well above and well below the phase boundary, aragonite and calcite crystals in the quenched assemblage calcium carbonate + liquid + vapour were positively identified by X-ray and optical properties. The morphology of aragonite crystals coexisting with the ternary liquid is distinct from that of the calcite crystals, and the original shape of the equilibrium phase, aragonite or calcite, becomes frozen into the surrounding liquid during the quench and is thus preserved for microscopic examination. The shape of the carbonate crystals in the quenched assemblage calcium carbonate + liquid + vapour was therefore used to bracket the calcite–aragonite transition boundary down to the solidus temperature at 580° C. X-ray powder diffraction and refractive-index measurements demonstrate that crystals with the morphology of aragonite, in runs close to the transition boundary, have inverted to complexly twinned, biaxial calcite with optic axial angles ranging from near zero up to an estimated 20° (2V for aragonite is 18°). The implications of this observation have been discussed elsewhere.
Old World Monkeys

Paul F. Whitehead and Clifford J. Jolly (Editors), 2000, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 528 p. (Hardcover $115) ISBN: 0-521-57124-3. Old World monkeys (Order Primates; Superfamily Cercopithecoidea) are the most numerous and diverse group of living African and Asian primates, and they are found frequently in Plio-Pleistocene deposits throughout the Old World including Europe. Their fossil representatives are useful in biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Studies of cercopithecoids contribute richly to evolutionary biology, in general, and particularly to human evolutionary biology. Except for apes, they are our closest biological relatives; they experience their world with human-like vision and dexterity. They shared our ancestors' habitat extensively: hominid fossil sites usually contain lots of monkeys and pitifully few humans. It is humbling to realize how rare ancient people were and how successfully our monkey cousins flourished in the Plio-Pleistocene. Only by the close of the Pleistocene did the hominids begin to exert their hegemony on the world. This collection of 19 papers explores the biology of this successful and diverse group. There are 27 authors whose affiliations include departments of zoology, anthropology, conservation, biology, anatomy, genetics, psychology, neuropsychiatry, and primatology. The papers are original contributions that explore many themes …
Cerebral toxoplasmosis: case review and description of a new imaging sign

Toxoplasmosis can have catastrophic consequences in immunocompromised patients if left untreated. Accurate diagnosis is difficult, as there is substantial overlap between the imaging findings and presenting clinical syndromes of cerebral toxoplasmosis and primary central nervous system lymphoma. This paper reviews the previously described and fairly well-known post-contrast computed tomography (CT) and T1-weighted (W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) target signs seen in toxoplasmosis. In addition, it offers a new imaging sign, the T2W/FLAIR (fluid attenuated inversion recovery) target sign, which is often seen in clinical practice but not well-published, as an aid to the diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis.
545: Impact of pretransplant statin treatment on sensitization and crossmatch results of cardiac allograft recipients

Purpose: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins, are used to treat patients for elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Statins have been reported to improve heart and renal allograft survivals. Statins may also be immunomodulatory, in that they may reduce the presence of lymphocyte reactive antibodies, positive recipient-donor crossmatches and alter the expression of HLA antigens. Methods and Materials: We therefore evaluated the effect of statin treatment before cardiac transplantation on the presence of Flow PRA identified HLA antibodies and pretransplant flow cytometry crossmatch results. We studied 67 patients treated with statins and 108 untreated patients prior to cardiac transplantation. Results: Of the statin treated patients 75% (50/67) presented with a Flow PRA 5 % compared to 55% (59/108) of the untreated patients, p 0.02. Patients with a positive blood transfusion history (as a source of allosensitization) treated with statins vs no statins presented with an HLA class I PRA of 14 10 % vs 48 20% and an HLA class II PRA of 21 8% vs 36 19%, p 0.02 for both HLA class I and II PRAs, respectively. Although all patients were antihuman globulin (AHG) pretransplant crossmatch negative 37 % (40/108) of untreated vs 9% (6/67) of statin treated patients displayed positive flow cytometry crossmatches, p 0.001. Of great interest is the fact that graft loss at 12 months posttransplant is 8.1 % for statin treated compared to 15.7% for untreated recipients. Conclusions: Our data suggest that besides impacting cholesterol and triglycerides statin treatment before cardiac transplantation results in fewer at risk sensitized patients displaying significantly reduced HLA class I and II HLA antibodies and a reduced frequency of positive flow cytometry crossmatches. Therefore, statins may alter the expression of HLA antigens resulting in fewer sensitized patients displaying a reduced level of at risk sensitization. The mechanism of these observed statin immunomodulations requires further study.
A Note on the Irreducibility of Hecke Polynomials

Let T 2k p (x) denote the characteristic polynomial of the action of T 2k p on S2k . It is well known that T 2k p (x) # Z[x] and has degree dk where dk := dim(S2k). However, much more is conjectured to be true. Maeda has conjectured that the Hecke algebra of S2k over Q is simple, and that its Galois closure over Q has Galois group Sdk . Recently there have been numerous investigations regarding the irreducibility of characteristic polynomials of Hecke operators on S2k . The existence of such polynomials have proven to be useful in proving nonvanishing theorems for central values of level 1 modular L-functions, and in constructing base changes to totally real number fields for level 1 eigenforms (see [C-F, H-M, Ko-Z]). In this note we show that a ``positive proportion'' of the Hecke polynomials T 2k p (x) are irreducible if there are two distinct primes l and q for which T 2k q (x) is irreducible over Fl , the finite field with l elements. Throughout p will denote a prime number.
A paramagnetic trigonal paddlewheel complex with iron-dithiolato ligand paddles: {[(C9H18N2S2)Fe(NO)]3Ag2}(BF4)2

Abstract Addition of AgBF 4 to (bme-dach)Fe(NO), (bme-dach, N , N ′-bis(2-mercapto-ethyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane) affords a pentametallic C 3 paddlewheel complex, {[(bme-dach)Fe(NO)] 3 Ag 2 }[BF 4 ] 2 , resulting from the ability of the thiolate sulfurs of the N 2 S 2 complex to serve as a bidentate bridging ligand to Ag + ions. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals the NO ligands coordinated to each Fe are all pointed in the same direction, resulting in a threefold rotation axis and a pseudo-mirror plane bisecting the Ag⋯Ag axis in the asymmetric unit cell. This Ag 2 trigonal paddlewheel complex of non-bonded Ag⋯Ag average distance = 2.866(3)Ǻ has also been characterized by infrared and UV–vis spectroscopies. The complex shows paramagnetism both in solution (Evans’ method) and in the solid state due to three S = ½ {Fe(NO)} 7 units. The EPR spectrum shows a single isotropic signal with g = 2.024. SQUID analysis confirms this paramagnetism yielding a χT value of 1.17 emu-K/mol with the presence of weak ferromagnetic coupling evident at temperatures less than 20 K. To our knowledge this is the first example of a paddlewheel complex in which paramagnetism exists within the bridging bidentate ligand “paddles”.
Imaging and Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Chemical Groups in a Protein Complex using DNA Labels

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool for imaging and chemical characterization of bio-samples at molecular resolution in physiologically-relevant environments. However, the localized tip-sample interactions limit high-resolution images to the topmost layer of surfaces. Consequently, characterizing the three-dimensional (3-D) inner structures of molecules has been a challenge. Here, we demonstrate three-dimensional (3-D) localization of chemical groups within a single protein complex using AFM. We employ short DNA sequences to label specific chemical groups inside a protein complex. T-shaped cantilevers functionalized with complementary probe DNAs allow locating each label with sequence specificity and sub-nanometer resolution. We also measure pairwise distances between labels and reconstruct the 3-D loci of the target groups using simple geometric calculations. Experiments with the biotin-streptavidin complex showed that the 3-D loci of carboxylic acids of biotins are within 2-Angstroms of their respective 3-D loci in the corresponding crystal structure, suggesting AFM may complement existing structural biological techniques in solving structures that are difficult to study due to their size and complexity. This technique maybe finds applications in studying structure of DNA or RNA binding proteins.
High Mass Methyl-accepting Protein (HMAP), a Highly Effective Endogenous Substrate for Protein -Isoaspartyl Methyltransferase in Mammalian Brain

Abstract A previously unidentified endogenous substrate for protein -isoaspartyl methyltransferase in mammalian brain has been characterized and partially purified. This high mass methyl-accepting protein (HMAP) is concentrated in rat brain cytosol and is not detectable in rat liver, heart, lung, kidney, or skeletal muscle. HMAP is acidic and heterogeneous in size, with an average mass, as judged by size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography, greater than 700 kDa. After partial purification from cow brain by anion-exchange chromatography, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and gel filtration, HMAP could accept 12.1 nmol of methyl groups per mg of protein, suggesting that it contains a level of isoaspartate at least 50 times greater than that of the average protein in brain cytosol. Partially purified HMAP is degraded by trypsin, verifying that it is composed, at least in part, of protein. Additional studies on this unusual macromolecule may shed important new light on mechanisms of isoaspartate formation in cells and the molecular pathology of brain aging.
Beliefs and attitudes regarding drug treatment: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior in African-American cocaine users

Background The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can provide insights into perceived need for cocaine treatment among African American cocaine users.
Gonverning equation of a non-steady motion of a crack tip

The objective of this investigation is to raise a question regarding the asymptotic stress field at the tip of a moving, curving crack
Evidence for the breakup of eastern Gondwanaland by the early Cretaceous

An analysis of early Cretaceous marine magnetic anomalies of south-western Australia helps to piece together eastern Gondwanaland. It is suggested that India once abutted Western Australia.
Differential modulation of L-type calcium channel subunits by oleate.

Nonesterified fatty acids such as oleate and palmitate acutely potentiate insulin secretion from pancreatic islets in a glucose-dependent manner. In addition, recent studies show that fatty acids e...
Online cognitive engagement of boys with ADHD.

The present study was designed to examine the role that attentional problems may play in accounting for difficulties in story comprehension experienced by children with ADHD. A secondary task methodology was used to examine whether or not online variations in cognitive engagement with a televised story were related to the continuity of central or incidental information.Twenty-two 9- to 11-year-old boys with ADHD and 36 of their nonreferred peers watched a television program and responded to auditory probes presented at preselected points during continuous sequences of central or incidental information. The reaction times to the probes for nonreferred boys showed the expected linear increase in cognitive engagement (i.e., the RTs increased) as central, plot-relevant sequences continued. In contrast, boys with ADHD showed the expected increase in RTs relatively late in the central sequences.The results were discussed in terms of how delays in engaging with central information may contribute to the academic ...
Control of the natural frequencies of nitinol-reinforced composite beams

The natural frequencies of flexible fiberglass composite beams are controlled by activating optimal sets of shape memory alloy (NITINOL) wires which are embedded along the neutral axes of these beams. The underlying phenomena influencing the behavior of this class of composite structural members are presented. The individual contributions of the fiberglass-resin matrix, the NITINOL wires and the shape memory effect to the overall performance of the composite beam are determined at different operating temperatures and initial preloads of the wires. The modes of vibration of the fiberglass beams are measured with and without the NITINOL reinforcement at various operating conditions. With properly designed NITINOL reinforcement, it is shown that the beams can become stiffer and less susceptible to buckling. The modes of vibrations of the activated NITINOL-reinforced composite beams can also be shifted to higher frequency bands relative to those of the unactivated or un-reinforced beams. Finite element model is developed to described the interaction between the NITINOL wires and the fiberglass-resin matrix. Close agreement is obtained between theoretical predictions and experimental results. With such tunable characteristics, the NITINOL-reinforced composite beams can be effective in attenuating the vibrations induced by various external disturbances.
Interpersonal Behavior, Perception, and Affect in Status-Discrepant Dyads: Social Interaction of Gay and Heterosexual Men

Social stigma theory guided this study of social interaction in status-discrepant dyads. Interpersonal trait judgments were characterized by out-group covariation bias at the individual and dyadic levels. Men used shared stereotypes and idiosyncratic generalizations regarding characteristics of out-group members when judging their traits, and this was most pronounced in heterosexual men’s judgments of gays. Heterosexual men were accurately aware of how gay men judged their traits, whereas gay men made inaccurate predictions. Verbal and nonverbal behaviors of heterosexual men were consistent with their feelings about the social interaction, whereas public displays and private experience were discrepant among gay men. Methodological and statistical implications for research on social interaction in status-discrepant dyads and estimation of out-group covariation bias are considered.
The relationship between cooperative, competitive, and individualistic attitudes and differentiated aspects of self‐esteem1

Four studies to clarify the relationship between attitudes toward styles of social interdependence and ways of deriving self-esteem were conducted among 821 white, middle-class, secondary school students in a midwest suburban community. Correlations between attitudes toward three styles of interdependence and four ways of deriving self-esteem indicate distinctive and theoretically predictable patterns of relationship. Students who indicate a cathexis for cooperative relationships report patterns of higher self-esteem related to freedom of personal expressiveness and feelings of personal well-being; students indicating a cathexis for competitive or individualized patterns of interdependence report greater vulnerability on dimensions of self-esteem reflecting sensitivity to experiences of success, approval, and support of others. The magnitudes of correlations between a global measure of personal worth and attitudes toward the three types of interdependence reflect the extent to which positive social reinforcement is available in these settings. Specific correlations that reflect these findings are significant, p < .01.
A Two-Step Robust Design Procedure of Linear Dynamic Systems for Reducing Performance Variations

Systems can be classified as dynamic or static depending on the nature of the performance. A static system has a fixed target value for the performance characteristic while a dynamic system has a variable performance characteristic. This variable characteristic can be adjusted by a signal factor based on the requirement of the user. Due to this nature, modeling and optimization methods of dynamic systems may be different from those for static systems. This paper presents a two-step approach to the optimization modeling and design of linear dynamic systems. The approach is based on the concepts of quality engineering, experimental design, loss function, signal-to-noise (SN) ratio and optimization methodology. The motivation, justification and computation of SN ratios for linear dynamic systems will be discussed. As an illustrative example, a circuit design problem is given to demonstrate the method.
Cutaneous blood flow and local sweating after systemic atropine administration.

Localized cutaneous vasodilation (flush) is seen following systemic atropine administration. To verify calculated enhanced dry heat loss with actual changes in cutaneous blood flow, four men were studied in both control and atropine (0.025 mg·kg−1;im) experiments (Ta=30°C,Tdp=7°C) during moderate exercise (55%\(\dot V\)O2 peak). Esophageal temperature (Tes) and arm sweating (\(\dot m_s \)) by local dewpoint were measured continously. Skin (forearm) blood flow (FBF) was measured twice each minute by venous occlusion plethysmography. Injection of atropine (2 mg) caused an increased sensitivity (+85%,p<0.01) in FBF toTes with no change in the vasodilator threshold. An elevatedTes onset (0.3°C,p<0.05) for sweating occurred with no change in the sensitivity of\(\dot m_s \) toTes (−27%,p<0.20). No elevation in either forearm or\(\bar T_{sk} \) occurred before the onset of vasodilation, however, both mean skin (\(\bar T_{sk} \)) and local arm temperatures were higher in the atropine experiments after 15 min of exercise. Systemic atropine resulted in higher cutaneous vasodilation at the same core temperature with the local skin temperature following passively. The effect of systemic atropine in stimulation of increased cutaneous vasodilation is suggested to result by a combination of central and local responses which may be mediated through the release of vasoactive sustances.
Transonic airfoil calculations including wind tunnel wall-interference effects

The results of Reynolds-averaged time-dependent inviscid and turbulent compressible Navier-Stokes computations using the implicit finite-difference approach of Steger (1978), modified by incorporating a pressure boundary condition, (PBC) to account for wall interference are compared with experimental data on a NACA 64A010 airfoil (Johnson and Bachalo, 1980) in graphs and briefly characterized. The computational approach is the same as that used by King and Johnson (1980), but a 137 x 50 mesh is used instead of a 97 x 35 mesh, and special care is taken in resolving the nose, shock, and trailing-edge regions. Imposition of PBC is shown to improve significantly the accuracy of the computations for the flowfield on the upper surface of the airfoil, shifting the shock forward to its experimentally measured position in the case of turbulent flow. The failure of the method, even with PBC, to match the experimental shock location in the case of a flow with a separation bubble is attributed to inadequacies in the algebraic turbulence model employed (Baldwin and Lomax, 1978).
Airway Surface Liquid Volume Regulates ENaC by Altering the Serine Protease-Protease Inhibitor Balance A MECHANISM FOR SODIUM HYPERABSORPTION IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Efficient clearance of mucus and inhaled pathogens from the lung is dependent on an optimal airway surface liquid (ASL) volume, which is maintained by the regulated transport of sodium and chloride across the airway epithelium. Accumulating evidence suggests that impaired mucus clearance in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways is a result of ASL depletion caused by excessive Na+ absorption through the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). However, the cellular mechanisms that result in increased ENaC activity in CF airways are not completely understood. Recently, proteases were shown to modulate the activity of ENaC, but the relevance of this mechanism to the physiologic regulation of ASL volume is unknown. Using primary human airway epithelial cells, we demonstrate that: (i) protease inhibitors are present in the ASL and prevent the activation of near-silent ENaC, (ii) when the ASL volume is increased, endogenous protease inhibitors become diluted, allowing for proteolytic activation of near-silent channels, and (iii) in CF, the normally present near-silent pool of ENaC is constitutively active and the α subunit undergoes increased proteolytic processing. These findings indicate that the ASL volume modulates the activity of ENaC by modification of the serine protease-protease inhibitor balance and that alterations in this balance contribute to excessive Na+ absorption in cystic fibrosis.
Radiation Protection and Regulations for the Nuclear Medicine Physician

As authorized users of radioactive material, nuclear medicine (NM) physicians play a leading role in the use and management of these agents. Regarding patient management, NM physicians are responsible for ensuring both the appropriateness of exams and the associated patient doses. Along with radiologists, NM physicians are the ones developing and implementing processes that provide guidance to and dialog with referring physicians to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate type of imaging exams. Regarding regulatory compliance, in collaboration with radiation safety officers, NM physicians are the ones educating their staff about principles of radiation protection and radiation safety with adherence to regulations from agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration. On occasion, these regulations and standards can be difficult to comprehend. This article is intended to serve as a condensed guide for NM physicians who are in the process of applying for a radioactive materials license, establishing a new radiation protection program, or want to ensure continued compliance and maintenance of safety and security of licensed materials in the clinical or research settings.
Null Ideals of Matrices

ABSTRACT Let R denote a commutative ring with identity. Let A ∈ M n×n (R). The kernel of the natural map ϑ A : R[x] → M n×n (R) given by ϑ A (a t x t + ··· + a 1 x + a 0) = a t A t + ··· + a 1 A + a 0 I n is denoted by N A and called the null ideal of A. In this article, the question of when N A is a principal ideal in R[x] is studied. For n = 2, N A is principal for every matrix A ∈ M 2 × 2 (R) if and only if R is a P.P. ring, i.e., every principal ideal in R is projective. If R contains only finitely many minimal primes, then N A is principal for every A ∈ M 2×2(R) if and only if R is a finite product of integral domains. If R contains only finitely many minimal primes, then N A is principal for all n ≥ 1 and for all A ∈ M n×n (R) if and only if R is a finite product of normal domains. For fixed n ≥ 1 and A ∈ M n×n (R), conditions on various R-submodules of N A are given which imply N A is principal.
Design and short-term stability of single-frequency CO 2 lasers

This paper describes a family of sealed-off, single-frequency, TEM 00q -mode CO 2 lasers with output powers up to 15 watts. Short-term frequency stability[1],[2] measurements of the beat note of two free-running lasers in typical laboratory setups are discussed thereafter. The preliminary measurements indicate a short-term stability of about 5 parts in 1012for an observation time of 0.05 seconds, and about 5 parts in 1013, disregarding the discrete spectral lines resulting from 60-Hz modulation by power supply ripple. One or two orders-of-magnitude improvement is predicted, leading to the possibility of measuring the linewidth limit imposed by quantum noise.