cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous Infusion of Phenelzine, Cyclosporine A, or Their Combination: Evaluation of Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, Oxidative Damage, and Cytoskeletal Degradation following Severe Controlled Cortical Impact Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

To date, all monotherapy clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI) trials have failed, and there are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapies for the acute treatment of severe TBI. Due to the complex secondary injury cascade following injury, there is a need to develop multi-mechanistic combinational neuroprotective approaches for the treatment of acute TBI. As central mediators of the TBI secondary injury cascade, both mitochondria and lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes make promising therapeutic targets. Cyclosporine A (CsA), an FDA-approved immunosuppressant capable of inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and phenelzine (PZ), an FDA-approved monoamine oxidase inhibitor capable of scavenging neurotoxic lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes, have both been shown to be partially neuroprotective following experimental TBI. Therefore, it follows that the combination of PZ and CsA may enhance neuroprotection over either agent alone through the combining of distinct but complementary mechanisms of action. Additionally, as the first 72 h represents a critical time period following injury, it follows that continuous drug infusion over the first 72 h following injury may also lead to optimal neuroprotective effects. This is the first study to examine the effects of a 72 h subcutaneous continuous infusion of PZ, CsA, and the combination of these two agents on mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial bound 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and acrolein, and α-spectrin degradation 72 h following a severe controlled cortical impact injury in rats. Our results indicate that individually, both CsA and PZ are able to attenuate mitochondrial 4-HNE and acrolein, PZ is able to maintain mitochondrial respiratory control ratio and cytoskeletal integrity but together, PZ and CsA are unable to maintain neuroprotective effects.
Living Together with National Border Lines and Nationalisms

In service of this argument, this paper firstly establishes the concept of nationalism, then describes details of the situation in Okinawa. Through an analysis of the social condition within the theoretical framework of nationalism, a blind spot within the discussion of nationalism is clarified at the theoretical level. The conclusion of this chapter is that the most important educational responsibility in Okinawa is to speak to people’s conscience.
Serine Catabolism by SHMT2 Is Required for Proper Mitochondrial Translation Initiation and Maintenance of Formylmethionyl-tRNAs.

Summary Upon glucose restriction, eukaryotic cells upregulate oxidative metabolism to maintain homeostasis. Using genetic screens, we find that the mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT2) is required for robust mitochondrial oxygen consumption and low glucose proliferation. SHMT2 catalyzes the first step in mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism, which, particularly in proliferating cells, produces tetrahydrofolate (THF)-conjugated one-carbon units used in cytoplasmic reactions despite the presence of a parallel cytoplasmic pathway. Impairing cytoplasmic one-carbon metabolism or blocking efflux of one-carbon units from mitochondria does not phenocopy SHMT2 loss, indicating that a mitochondrial THF cofactor is responsible for the observed phenotype. The enzyme MTFMT utilizes one such cofactor, 10-formyl THF, producing formylmethionyl-tRNAs, specialized initiator tRNAs necessary for proper translation of mitochondrially encoded proteins. Accordingly, SHMT2 null cells specifically fail to maintain formylmethionyl-tRNA pools and mitochondrially encoded proteins, phenotypes similar to those observed in MTFMT-deficient patients. These findings provide a rationale for maintaining a compartmentalized one-carbon pathway in mitochondria.
Facing the Challenges of Reconstructing Ancient Buildings

Johnstone and Graff’s contribution to what they term the “archaeology” of Greek rhetoric is original and significant. By describing the visual and acoustic characteristics of bouleuterion interiors...
Functional blaKPC-2 Sequences Are Present in U.S. Beef Cattle Feces Regardless of Antibiotic Use

Carbapenems are classified as critically important antibiotics since they are employed when resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections fail to respond to other antibiotic therapies. Carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB) were traditionally understood to be rare in the U.S. food-producing animals. Recently, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), our group detected blaKPC-2 in all 72 metagenomic DNA (mgDNA) samples prepared from the feces of 36 lots of beef cattle "raised without antibiotics" (RWA) and 36 lots raised "conventionally" (CONV). Since a small internal fragment of the blaKPC-2 gene was targeted by the qPCR detection method, we sought to determine if functional blaKPC-2-like sequences are present in beef cattle feces. Full-length blaKPC-2 sequences were amplified from 18 mgDNA samples (9 CONV and 9 RWA), cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO vectors, and transformed into Escherichia coli TOP10 cells. All 14 of the samples with blaKPC-2 cloned in the same orientation as the Plac promoter had carbapenemase activity and imipenem minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥32 μg/mL. We conclude that the blaKPC-2 genes detected in our previous study were functional, which indicates that CRB were present in those fecal samples. Identification of functional Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases in fecal samples from both CONV and RWA cattle strongly suggests that CRB are more common in U.S. beef cattle feces than previously believed. Critically, more research using similar qPCR methods to determine the levels of carbapenem-resistant genes in human feces, feces from other food animal species, wildlife, companion animals, and the environment are required to accurately assess public health implications.
Religion and the Making of Nigeria by Olufemi Vaughan

Vaughan, Olufemi. Religion and the Making of Nigeria. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2016.
Effects of dietary probiotics on beef cattle performance and stress

Abstract Dietary probiotics have been shown to benefit cattle production; however, little is known about how they affect beef cattle temperament and stress. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate how dietary probiotics impact beef cattle performance and stress. Two treatments were used for this study: (1) control, receiving feed without probiotics and (2) probiotics, receiving feed containing 10 g per head per day of probiotics (Probios feed granules, Chr. Hansen Inc., Milwaukee, WI). Three groups of cattle were evaluated. Group 1 consisted of 7 weaned calves that were 7-10 months old and used a crossover experimental design where the calves were given each treatment for 3 weeks. Group 2 consisted of 33 female cattle ≥ 1 year of age and had treatments applied for 6 weeks using a randomized complete block design (control n = 16, probiotics n = 17). Group 3 consisted of calves that were nursing group 2 cows allocated to the control and probiotics treatment for 6 weeks (n = 8 per treatment). Weekly body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency (group 2 only), chute exit velocity, behavior during a novel object test (group 1 and 2), and serum cortisol during weeks 0 and 6 (group 2) were measured. Group 1 cattle receiving probiotics had a greater overall change in body weight, average daily gain, and gain:feed ( P ≤ 0.05). No differences in group 2 or 3 growth performance were observed ( P > 0.10). No treatment effect was observed for group 1 weekly chute exit velocity; however, group 2 and 3 cattle of the probiotics treatment had an overall slower weekly chute exit speed compared with control cattle ( P ≤ 0.02). No treatment differences were observed in serum cortisol concentrations in group 2 cattle during weeks 0 or 6 ( P ≥ 0.72). During the novel object test, group 1 cattle receiving probiotics exited the arena slower and group 2 cattle receiving probiotics crossed zone lines more frequently and had less frequent vocalizations compared with control treatment cattle ( P ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that dietary probiotics can improve performance in weaned, growing calves and may have benefits for cattle handling without negatively affecting cattle welfare with respect to stress.
Bacterial Sodium Channels: Models for Eukaryotic Sodium and Calcium Channels

Eukaryotic sodium and calcium channels are made up of four linked homologous but different transmembrane domains. Bacteria express sodium channels comprised of four identical subunits, each being analogous to a single homologous domain of their eukaryotic counterparts. Key elements of primary structure are conserved between bacterial and eukaryotic sodium and calcium channels. The simple protein structure of the bacterial channels has allowed extensive structure–function probes of key regions as well as allowing determination of several X-ray crystallographic structures of these channels. The structures have revealed novel features of sodium and calcium channel pores and elucidated the structural importance of many of the conserved features of primary sequence. The structural information has also formed the basis for computational studies probing the basis for sodium and calcium selectivity and gating.
Training Interviewers and Experimenters

Abstract This chapter describes training of experimenters and interviewers for roles in social science experiments. Topics covered include recruiting assistants, developing scripts and roles for the experimenters, and fostering good habits for the collection and analysis of experimental data. Discussion of how to encourage assistants to develop work habits that contribute to the investigator’s experimental program concludes the chapter. Experiments are treated as theatrical productions in the discussion.
Domestic Violence: What Every Multicultural Clinician Should Know

Domestic violence (DV) is a social reality affecting the lives of millions of Americans across gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cultural backgrounds. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (National intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2010 summary report, 2010) found that approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men living in the USA experience physical abuse by their intimate partners every year. Domestic violence results in nearly 2.0 million injuries and 1,300 deaths every year (Chronister & Aldarondo, 2012). Death and injuries are only two of the many consequences of domestic violence, albeit the most serious. Given the extent and severity of its impact, it is essential for clinicians to gain knowledge about a variety of issues related to domestic violence.
Vortex Flow Filtration for Ultrafiltration of Protein Solutions

The induction of secondary flow by Taylor vortices during ultrafiltration of protein solutions provides a means to enhance this unit operation. Vortex flow filtration is readily implemented by placing a membrane on a high speed rotating cylinder in a narrow annular gap. The resulting increase in mass transfer coefficient makes the filtration dependent on membrane properties such that filtration flux is controlled by membrane permeability and protein transmission is enhanced.
Flame Temperature Sensor Based on a Silicon Nitride Hot Surface Igniter

A flame temperature sensor based on using silicon nitride (SN) hot surface igniters (HSI) used as a dual-purpose sensor for both ignition and temperature measurement has been designed to measure the fuel-air equivalence ratio of premixed combustion systems. Equivalence ratio of premixed combustion systems provides a measure of efficiency of the system. Knowledge of the flame temperature along with the mass airflow rate of the air intake has been employed to calculate the equivalence ratio between 0.6 and 1, which is the range of equivalence ratios that most of the premixed systems run in practice. Different types of sensors from Kyocera and CoorsTek with different variations in the dimensions of the sensor element and the supporting ceramic element have been studied.
The Gut-Brain Axis and the Microbiome: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.

Background & Aims Based largely on results from preclinical studies, the concept of a brain gut microbiome axis has been established, mediating bidirectional communication between the gut, its microbiome, and the nervous system. Limited data obtained in human beings suggest that alterations in these interactions may play a role in several brain gut disorders. Methods We reviewed the preclinical and clinical literature related to the topic of brain gut microbiome interactions. Results Well-characterized bidirectional communication channels, involving neural, endocrine, and inflammatory mechanisms, exist between the gut and the brain. Communication through these channels may be modulated by variations in the permeability of the intestinal wall and the blood-brain barrier. Brain gut microbiome interactions are programmed during the first 3 years of life, including the prenatal period, but can be modulated by diet, medications, and stress throughout life. Based on correlational studies, alterations in these interactions have been implicated in the regulation of food intake, obesity, and in irritable bowel syndrome, even though causality remains to be established. Conclusions Targets within the brain gut microbiome axis have the potential to become targets for novel drug development for brain gut disorders.
Bribery in Balanced Knockout Tournaments

Balanced knockout tournaments comprise a common format for sporting competitions and pairwise decision-making. In this paper, we investigate the computational complexity of arranging the tournament's initial seeding and bribing players to guarantee one player's victory. We give a model of bribery in which the organizer can both arrange the seeding and bribe players to decrease their probability of beating other players at a cost, without exceeding a budget. We also show that it is \NP-hard to determine a bribery and a seeding under which a given player wins the tournament with probability 1, even when the pre-bribery matrix is monotonic, and the post-bribery matrix is e-monotonic and very close to the initial one. We also show that for almost all n player inputs generated by a well known deterministic model due to Condorcet, one can always bribe the "top" $O(logn )$ players so that there is an efficiently constructible seeding for whichany player wins.
High-resolution microscopy for imaging cancer pathobiology.

Light microscopy plays an essential role in clinical diagnosis and understanding the pathogenesis of cancer. Conventional bright-field microscope is used to visualize abnormality in tissue architecture and nuclear morphology, but often suffers from many limitations. This review focuses on the potential of new imaging techniques to improve basic and clinical research in pathobiology. Light microscopy has significantly expanded its ability in resolution, imaging volume, speed, and contrast. It now allows 3D high-resolution volumetric imaging of tissue architecture from large tissue and molecular structures at nanometer resolution. Pathologists and researchers now have access to various imaging tools to study cancer pathobiology in both breadth and depth. Although clinical adoption of a new technique is slow, the new imaging tools will provide significant new insights and open new avenues for improving early cancer detection and personalized risk assessment and identifying the best treatment strategies.
The Forgotten Hepatitis B Donor in Heart Transplantation

Purpose In the past, Hepatitis B donors have been declined in patients who have not been vaccinated by the Hepatitis B vaccine. There is concern that these donors would transmit Hepatitis B to the recipient if they are not vaccinated. There is treatment available for these Hepatitis B infections, however, it has not been established as to its efficacy in patients on immunosuppression. In addition, hepatitis viruses have been reported to affect the endothelium of vital organs. Hepatitis B may injure the endothelium of the coronary vascular tree and could potentially result in a greater development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) after heart transplantation. Therefore, we sought to assess this possibility by examining our patients who received Hepatitis B donors. Methods Between 2010 and 2016 we assessed 24 heart transplant patients who received a Hepatitis B donor. All of the recipients had received a Hepatitis B vaccine prior to transplantation. Endpoints include 3-year survival, 3-year freedom from CAV, 3-year freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE), and freedom from first year rejection, including any treated rejection (ATR), acute cellular rejection (ACR), and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). These study patients were compared with 600 patients without Hepatitis B donors in a contemporaneous era. Results 3-year survival, freedom from NF-MACE, and freedom from first year rejection were similar between the Hepatitis B and control groups. There is numerically a lower incidence of freedom from CAV in the Hepatitis B group compared to the control, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion Hepatitis B donors appear to have acceptable outcome compared to non-Hepatitis B donors after heart transplantation. Larger numbers of Hepatitis B donors will be needed to assess risk for increased CAV development.
Good agreement between hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and 2 hours oral minimal model assessed insulin sensitivity in adolescents.

Background/objective Rates of dysglycemia are increasing in youth, secondary to obesity and decreased insulin sensitivity (IS) in puberty. The oral minimal model (OMM) has been developed in order to measure IS using an easy oral glucose load, such as an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), instead of an hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HE-clamp), a more invasive and time-consuming procedure. However, this model, following a standard 2 hour- OGTT has never been validated in youth, a population known for a different physiologic response to OGTT than adults. Thus, we compared IS measurements obtained from OMM following a 2-hour OGTT to HE-clamp and isotope tracer-assessed tissue IS in adolescents. We also compared the liver/muscle-specific IS from HE-clamp with other liver/muscle-specific IS surrogates following an OGTT previously validated in adults. Methods Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. Adolescent girls with (n = 26) and without (n = 7) polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (14.6 ± 1.7 years; BMI percentile 23.3%-98.2%) underwent a 2-hour 75 g OGTT and a 4-phase HE-clamp. OMM IS (Si), dynamic Si (Sid ) and other OGTT-derived muscle and liver IS indices were correlated with HE-clamp tissue-specific IS. Results OMM Si and Sid correlated with HE-clamp-measured peripheral IS (r = 0.64, P Conclusion In adolescent girls, the 2-hour OMM provided the best estimate of peripheral IS. Additional surrogates for hepatic IS are needed for youth.
Quality of Life Initiative Fall 2018

This case study collected data over three months to determine the probability of a 25-year old-single mother with two children, ages three and four, to have a quality of life. The basic life variables selected for this case were groceries, daycare, health insurance, transportation cost, and housing. The study found that the single mother could not afford to pay for basic life expenses and would go into debt by roughly $1,218 a month, depending on her spending choices. She works a full-time job that pays $9 an hour, bringing in a net income of $18,720 per year. The mother of two would have to earn or receive help equaling $34,946.46 a year to pay for the categories selected and an extra $1,200 in yearly savings for emergencies to achieve the quality of life standard.
Engineering nanoparticles to overcome immunological barriers for enhanced drug delivery

Abstract Nanotechnology has recently gained traction in the medical field as a method of targeted delivery and timed release of therapeutic drugs. As interest in this field grows, design considerations of the selected nanotechnology and extensive knowledge of the human immune system are necessary to design an effective system for drug delivery. Suppression and control of an immune response has become an achievable outcome to ensure efficient treatment of target tissues through careful selection of materials and immune antagonists. This review outlines the immune system, the challenges created by its inherent functions, biocompatible materials that are presently being used to construct nanoparticles, and molecules and techniques used to manipulate the immune response to nanoparticles.
Transformative co-mentoring: changing the healthcare profession by honoring roots and fostering wings

The underrepresentation of minorities from rural communities in U.S. health professions has resulted in a lack of cultural understanding and inadequate healthcare for people of color and the poor. ...
The Energy Narratives: Fossil Fuels Versus Renewables

This chapter summarizes the competing narratives for and against the use of fossil and renewable energy resources and technologies. The chapter presents pros and cons as expressed by each narrative so that the reader understands how the narratives do and do not relate to data from Chapter 2. The pros and cons are expressed via several concepts used in debating the energy narratives: energy resource size, the price of energy, energy reliability, morality, energy in economic development, environmental impacts such as land and greenhouse gas emissions, and government support, or subsidies.
Guanosine Tetraphosphate Has a Similar Affinity for Each of Its Two Binding Sites on Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase.

During nutrient deprivation, the bacterial cell undergoes a stress response known as the stringent response. This response is characterized by induction of the nucleotide derivative guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) that dramatically modulates the cell's transcriptome. In Escherichia coli, ppGpp regulates transcription of as many as 750 genes within 5 min of induction by binding directly to RNA polymerase (RNAP) at two sites ~60 A apart. One proposal for the presence of two sites is that they have different affinities for ppGpp, expanding the dynamic range over which ppGpp acts. We show here, primarily using the Differential Radial Capillary Action of Ligand Assay (DRaCALA), that ppGpp has a similar affinity for each site, contradicting the proposal. Because the ppGpp binding sites are formed by interactions of the β' subunit of RNAP with two small protein factors, the ω subunit of RNAP which contributes to Site 1 and the transcription factor DksA which contributes to Site 2, variation in the concentrations of ω or DksA potentially could differentially regulate ppGpp occupancy of the two sites. It was shown previously that DksA varies little at different growth rates or growth phases, but little is known about variation of the ω concentration. Therefore, we raised an anti-ω antibody and performed Western blots at different times in growth and during a stringent response. We show here that ω, like DksA, changes little with growth conditions. Together, our data suggest that the two ppGpp binding sites fill in parallel, and occupancy with changing nutritional conditions is determined by variation in the ppGpp concentration, not by variation in ω or DksA.
Multimodal characterization of Yucatan minipig behavior and physiology through maturation.

Brain injuries induced by external forces are particularly challenging to model experimentally. In recent decades, the domestic pig has been gaining popularity as a highly relevant animal model to address the pathophysiological mechanisms and the biomechanics associated with head injuries. Understanding cognitive, motor, and sensory aspects of pig behavior throughout development is crucial for evaluating cognitive and motor deficits after injury. We have developed a comprehensive battery of tests to characterize the behavior and physiological function of the Yucatan minipig throughout maturation. Behavioral testing included assessments of learning and memory, executive functions, circadian rhythms, gait analysis, and level of motor activity. We applied traditional behavioral apparatus and analysis methods, as well as state-of-the-art sensor technologies to report on motion and activity, and artificial intelligent approaches to analyze behavior. We studied pigs from 16 weeks old through sexual maturity at 35 weeks old. The results show multidimensional characterization of minipig behavior, and how it develops and changes with age. This animal model may capitulate the biomechanical consideration and phenotype of head injuries in the developing brain and can drive forward the field of understanding pathophysiological mechanisms and developing new therapies to accelerate recovery in children who have suffered head trauma.
Cancer care affordability: what is our role?

Objectives: With rapidly rising health care costs, affordability is a major concern of cancer treatment and survivorship. We sought to determine the role oncologists believe they should play in decreasing costs and improving cancer care affordability. Methods: A survey was developed to assess oncologists’ attitudes toward affordability and assess whether a range of provider-based solutions to reduce financial toxicity for patients would be practical or acceptable to practicing clinicians. Attending physicians practicing clinical cancer care at an urban, academic, tertiary referral center, were emailed a voluntarily, anonymous survey. Surveys were administered via REDCap between February and March 2020. Four reminder emails were sent to encourage participation. Results: Of 851 eligible physicians, 346 completed the survey (41% response rate); 342 answered all questions (99% completion rate). A total of 118 (34%) were medical oncologists, 52 (15%) were surgical oncologists, 46 (13%) were radiation oncologists, 7 (2%) were neuro-oncologists, and 123 (36%) were other specialty oncologists. One hundred twelve (32%) were within 5 years of their terminal year of training, 165 (48%) were 6-25 years out, and 69 (20%) were more than 25 years out. One hundred eighty-eight (54%) were male. Of all participants, 308 (89%) indicated they believed that at least 20% of patients on active treatment have significant financial issues related to paying for their cancer treatment; 57 participants (16%) indicated they thought that at least 60% of patients may have this concern; 286 (83%) felt there was at least some way of either preventing or mitigating patient financial toxicity; 285 (82%) indicated they thought they should play an active role in minimizing financial toxicity; and 270 (78%) indicated they thought they should be aware of a patient's risk for financial toxicity prior to making treatment recommendations. Two hundred thirty-nine participants (70%) believed they could modify test or treatment plans to reduce costs for patients at high risk for financial burden if they knew, and 232 (67%) said they would modify their plans; this included 55 (24%) who would modify treatment dosing/frequency, 152 (66%) would change testing/imaging frequency, and 154 (67%) who would change follow-up interval. A total of 223 (65%) felt that national guidelines should incorporate patient affordability concerns when being developed. Only 76 (22%) had received any training on costs, affordability, or value-based care, and only 18 (5%) had received any training on cost conversations. Conclusions: Academic oncologists overwhelmingly believe they should play an active role in addressing affordability issues for patients, and the majority believe it is possible to reduce financial toxicity through various means. Provider-facing interventions to improve patient affordability may include proactively identifying patients at high risk for financial burden in order to create tailored plans to reduce their risk of high costs and resultant financial toxicity.
Journal of Chemical Education Call for Papers: Special Issue on New Visions for Teaching Chemistry Laboratory

The Journal of Chemical Education announces a call for papers for an upcoming special issue on New Visions for Teaching Chemistry Laboratory.
Airway management after failure to intubate by direct laryngoscopy: outcomes in a large teaching hospital.

Purpose The purpose of this single-centre database review was to establish the incidence of failure to intubate by direct laryngoscopy, to measure morbidity and mortality associated with this event, and to examine the use and efficacy of alternative airway devices.
Monitoring Murine Skeletal Muscle Function for Muscle Gene Therapy

The primary function of skeletal muscle is to generate force. Muscle force production is compromised in various forms of acquired and/or inherited muscle diseases. An important goal of muscle gene therapy is to recover muscle strength. Genetically engineered mice and spontaneous mouse mutants are readily available for preclinical muscle gene therapy studies. In this chapter, we outlined the methods commonly used for measuring murine skeletal muscle function. These include ex vivo and in situ analysis of the contractile profile of a single intact limb muscle (the extensor digitorium longus for ex vivo assay and the tibialis anterior muscle for in situ assay), grip force analysis, and downhill treadmill exercise. Force measurement in a single muscle is extremely useful for pilot testing of new gene therapy protocols by local gene transfer. Grip force and treadmill assessments offer body-wide evaluation following systemic muscle gene therapy.
A Rapid LC-MS/MS Method for Quantification of CSUOH0901, A Novel Antitumor Agent, in Rat Plasma

CSUOH0901, a novel anticancer derivative of nimesulide, exhibits very promising anticancer activities in various cancer cell lines. In order to support further pharmacological and toxicological studies of this promising anticancer drug candidate, an LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The drug molecules were extracted from plasma samples by protein precipitation and then analyzed with LC-ESI-MS/MS. An excellent analyte separation was achieved using a phenomenex C18 column with a mobile phase of 90% methanol and 5 m m of ammonium formate. The validated linear dynamic range was between 0.5 and 100 ng/mL and the achieved correlation coefficient (r2) was >0.9996. The results of inter- and intra-day precision and accuracy were satisfactory, that is, <12% for accuracy and within ±5% for precision at a low and high quality control concentrations, respectively. In addition, the analyte and internal standard (JCC76) were found to be stable under the storage conditions at −20°C for about 2 months. Hence, the acquired results proved that the LC-ESI-MS/MS method developed is precise, accurate and selective for the quantification of CSUOH0901 in plasma, and can be used for pharmacokinetic studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On Stabilization Independent of Delay with a Finite Dimensional Compensator

Stabilizability independent of the delay duration is considered as a design objective when synthesizing a finite dimensional compensator to be used in a feedback loop. It is demonstrated that to achieve stability independent of delay by means of a finite dimensional compensator a certain first level realization must have some one dimensional stabilizability properties.
From star formation to galaxy formation.

Current scenarios for the large-scale structure of the universe lead to rather precise predictions for the structure and evolution of primeval galaxies. These scenarios are reviewed, and models of protogalaxies are described. I discuss the origin of the first stars, and the chemical evolution of galaxies. The role of environment in affecting galaxy properties is described, and I conclude with a summary of various tests of galaxy formation theory.
Electromyography tests in patients with implanted cardiac devices are safe regardless of magnet placement

Introduction: Methods: We compared the problems or complications associated with electrodiagnostic testing in 77 patients with implanted cardiac devices. Thirty tests were performed after magnet placement, and 47 were performed without magnet application. Results: All electrodiagnostic tests were performed safely in all patients without any serious effect on the implanted cardiac devices with or without magnet placement. A significantly higher number of patient symptoms and procedure changes were reported in the magnet group (P < 0.013). No statistical difference was found in the testing difficulty or ECG changes. Conclusion: The magnet group patients had an approximately 11-fold greater risk of symptoms than those in the control group. Our data do not support a recommendation that magnet placement is necessary for routine electrodiagnostic testing in patients with implanted cardiac devices, as long as our general and specific guidelines are followed. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Relationship between lignin degradation and production of reduced oxygen species by phanerochaete chrysosporium

The relationship between the production of reduced oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O2∸), and hydroxyl radical (·OH), and the oxidation of synthetic lignin to CO2 was studied in whole cultures of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burds. The kinetics of the synthesis of H2O2 coincided with the appearance of the ligninolytic system; also, H2O2 production was markedly enhanced by growth under 100% O2, mimicking the increase in ligninolytic activity characteristic of cultures grown under elevated oxygen tension. Lignin degradation by whole cultures was inhibited by a specific H2O2 scavenger, catalase, implying a role for H2O2 in the degradative process. Superoxide dismutase also inhibited lignin degradation, suggesting that O2∸ is also involved in the breakdown of lignin. The production of ·OH was assayed in whole cultures by a benzoate decarboxylation assay. Neither the kinetics of ·OH synthesis nor the final activity of its producing system obtained under 100% O2 correlated with that of the lignin-degrading system. However, lignin degradation was inhibited by compounds which react with ·OH. It is concluded that H2O2, and perhaps O2∸, are involved in lignin degradation; because these species are relatively unreactive per se, their role must be indirect. Conclusions about a role for ·OH in ligninolysis could not be reached.
Hydrocarbon analogues of boron clusters--planarity, aromaticity and antiaromaticity.

An interesting feature of elemental boron and boron compounds is the occurrence of highly symmetric icosahedral clusters. The rich chemistry of boron is also dominated by three-dimensional cage structures. Despite its proximity to carbon in the periodic table, elemental boron clusters have been scarcely studied experimentally and their structures and chemical bonding have not been fully elucidated. Here we report experimental and theoretical evidence that small boron clusters prefer planar structures and exhibit aromaticity and antiaromaticity according to the Huckel rules, akin to planar hydrocarbons. Aromatic boron clusters possess more circular shapes whereas antiaromatic boron clusters are elongated, analogous to structural distortions of antiaromatic hydrocarbons. The planar boron clusters are thus the only series of molecules other than the hydrocarbons to exhibit size-dependent aromatic and antiaromatic behaviour and represent a new dimension of boron chemistry. The stable aromatic boron clusters may exhibit similar chemistries to that of benzene, such as forming sandwich-type metal compounds.
The Future of Preclinical Animal Models in Pharmaceutical Discovery and Development A Need to Bring In Cerebro to the In Vivo Discussions

Animal models have provided an important tool to help make the decision to take potential therapies from preclinical studies to humans. In the past several years, the strong reliance of the pharmaceutical discovery and development process on the use of animal models has come under increasing scrutiny for ethical and scientific reasons. Several prominent and widely publicized articles have reported limited concordance of animal experiments with subsequent human clinical trials. Recent assessments of the quality of animal studies have suggested that this translational failure may be due in part to shortcomings in the planning, conduct, and reporting of in vivo studies. This article will emphasize methods to assure best practice rigor in animal study methods and reporting. It will introduce the so-called scientific 3Rs of relevance, robustness, and reproducibility to the in vivo study approach and will review important new trends in the animal research and pharmaceutical discovery and development communities.
Control strategies for particulate emissions from vehicular diesel exhaust

Abstract The advantages and disadvantages of several possible control strategies for particulate emissions from vehicular diesel exhaust are discussed. The evaluation of the potential usefulness of the various control strategies is based on available data concerning the mass loading and particle size distribution and on anticipated control standards. Several studies have been made on devices for removing particulate emissions from vehicular diesel exhaust. These studies, which include the techniques of filtration, wet scrubbers, and electrostatic precipitation, are summarized. A comparison of the various control devices is made based on such factors as size, efficiency, and maintenance requirements.
Flow inclination measurements in hypersonic tunnels

Cp — pressure coefficient at a = 0° M — Mach number in freestrearn P = pressure differential between ports symmetrically located on either side of the body in the pitch plane PT — claw tube impact pressures for recovery cone at a = 0° Ptz — impact pressures behind normal shock in freestrearn q — dynamic pressure in freestrearn RD = Reynolds number in freestrearn based on diameter of circle inscribing body cross section at pressure ports Sa = sensitivity of flow direction indicator to small changes in a TQ = stagnation temperature Ts = temperature on cone surface or within spiked cylinder a. = pitch angle ~ zero yaw deg 6 = cone total angle
An Indirect Determination of Some Ions by Flameless Atomic Absorption Using a Wire Loop Atomizer

Abstract In previous studies using a wire loop atomizer with a preconcentrating soaking step it has been reported that there are sometimes interferences due to other species in the sample besides the metal of interest. It is possible to use this interference to advantage as an indirect method for some anions and metals that are determined only with poor sensitivity by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Cyanide, lanthanum, and zirconium were studied to determine if useful calibration curves and low detection limits could be obtained by this indirect method.
Predictors of permanent loss of custody for mothers of infants and toddlers in foster care

The maltreating mothers of abused and neglected infants and toddlers were evaluated as part of an intensive intervention program. The purpose of this study was to examine cumulative risk versus specific risk factors that led to permanent loss of custody by mothers, predicated upon decisions by the Juvenile Court with regard to permanency planning. The following risk factors were analyzed as potential predictors of placement outcomes: maternal education, maternal history of abuse as a child, history of psychiatric difficulties, substance-abuse history, conviction history (excluding child-abuse charges), depressive symptomatology, degree of partner violence experienced, and cumulative number of risks the mother experienced. Results indicated that mothers who lost custody had significantly more risk factors than those who were reunified with their children. Cumulative risk was a stronger predictor than specific risk factors. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Development and testing of a detection method for liquid chromatography based on aerosol charging.

Aerosol-based detection methods for HPLC in which HPLC effluent is converted to an aerosol and detected optically have been employed in the past. This paper describes a new aerosol-based detection method for HPLC, which we name aerosol charge detection. This detection method also involves generation of an aerosol but with aerosol detection by charging aerosol particles and measuring the current from the charged particle flux. A commercial electrical aerosol size analyzer was used for the aerosol detection. The constructed detector was tested using flow injection analysis with water as the mobile phase, and the signal response was found to be linear for sodium sulfate over the concentration ranges of 0.2−100 μg mL-1 using one of the nebulizers. Minimum mass and concentration detection limits using the more efficient nebulizer were estimated to be 0.2 ng and 10 ng mL-1, respectively. Behavior for most of the other compounds tested was similar with some differences in sensitivity. Testing the detector using ...
A High‐Vacuum Seal‐Off Valve

Several ideas have been developed to seal off vacuum systems. Two of the most common methods are the pinching off of annealed metal tubing with or without the use of solder, and the installation of a complete valve. Both types of tubing seals require a new piece of tubing soldered or welded into the system each time it is evacuated; the requirements of an external force and an external source of heat present disadvantages in some applications. Additional disadvantages are that the vacuum space is exposed to the atmosphere and that loss of residual vacuum results during the replacement of the seal-off tubing. A complete valve is objectionable because it is often an awkward protuberance on a small piece of apparatus.
Deflection coil for an external accelerator beam

A compound vertical and horizontal deflection coil using a motor-stator type iron core and a winding with a sinusoidal turns distribution makes a useful tool for precisely positioning, and sweeping the external beam of an accelerator. The design, method of construction, performance and characteristics of this coil are discussed.
Benchmarking to improve the quality of cystic fibrosis care.

Purpose of reviewBenchmarking involves the ascertainment of healthcare programs with most favorable outcomes as a means to identify and spread effective strategies for delivery of care. The recent interest in the development of patient registries for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been fuele
Remote sensing of Lake Chicot, Arkansas: Monitoring suspended sediments, turbidity, and Secchi depth with Landsat MSS data

This research used water quality data from Lake Chicot, Arkansas and a corresponding set of Landsat MSS data to compare the ability of satellite-based sensor systems to monitor suspended sediment concentration, Secchi disk depth, and nephelometric turbidity. Lake Chicot was selected, in part, because of the availability of a wide range of water quality conditions. Secchi disk depth and nephelometric turbidity are both optical measures of water quality and differ from suspended sediment concentration, which is a measure of the weight of inorganic particulates suspended in the water column. four different models for these relationships between the satellite data and the water quality data were tested: 1) simple linear regression analysis with the satellite data transformed to exo-atmospheric reflectance, 2) a simple linear regression involving a natural logarithm transformation of the satellite and water quality variables, 3) simple linear regression analysis of the digital chromaticity transformation of the satellite data and the natural logarithm of the water quality data, and 4) optimized curve fitting of a theoretically derived exponential model for the relationship between exoatmospheric reflectance and the water quality data. Two different solar spectral irradiance curves and an orbital eccentricity correction factor are tested using the exponential model. Results suggest: 1) Remote sensing from space-based platforms can provide meaningful information on water quality variability; 2) an exponential model best characterizes the relationship between the satellite data and the water quality measures investigated; 3) slight differences result from using the solar curve proposed by the World Radiation Center (as opposed to the NASA standard); and 4) predictions based on optical measures of water quality, rather than measures of the weight of particles in the water column, are slightly better when using Landsat MSS data.
Aminoimidazole Carboxamide Ribonucleoside Toxicity: A Model for Study of Pyrimidine Starvation

Aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleoside (AIC-R), a purine precursor, has biphasic effects on the growth of Chinese hamster fibroblasts. At 200 microM AIC-R cell growth is almost completely arrested, while at 50 and 700 microM AIC-R cell growth is comparable to that observed in the absence of nucleoside. The growth inhibition produced by AIC-R is the consequence of inhibition of the orotate phosphoribosyltransferase-orotidylic decarboxylase (OPRT-ODC) reactions, as evidenced by a 87% reduction in the intracellular concentrations of UTP and CTP, accumulation of orotate in the medium, and restoration of normal growth by inclusion of 100 microM uridine in the medium. Inhibition of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis at 200 microM AIC-R is associated with an 82% reduction in the intracellular concentration of PP-ribose-P and a 150% increase in the concentration of purine nucleotides. Restoration of cell growth to a normal rate at 700 microM AIC-R--a condition under which PP-ribose-P remains depressed and purine nucleotide concentrations are also depressed (40% of control)--and absence of toxicity at 50 microM AIC-R--a condition under which purine nucleotide concentrations are increased by 150% and PP-ribose-P concentration is normal--suggest that the inhibition of OPRT-ODC observed at 200 microM AIC-R is caused by the combination of the reduction in PP-ribose-P and increase in purine nucleotides. These studies provide a better understanding of the control of the OPRT-ODC reactions in the cell and provide additional insight into the basis of pyrimidine starvation induced by purine nucleosides.
Comments on the optical lineshape function: Application to transient hole-burned spectra of bacterial reaction centers

The vibrational spectral density is an important physical parameter needed to describe both linear and non-linear spectra of multi-chromophore systems such as photosynthetic complexes. Low-temperature techniques such as hole burning (HB) and fluorescence line narrowing are commonly used to extract the spectral density for a given electronic transition from experimental data. We report here that the lineshape function formula reported by Hayes et al. [J. Phys. Chem. 98, 7337 (1994)] in the mean-phonon approximation and frequently applied to analyzing HB data contains inconsistencies in notation, leading to essentially incorrect expressions in cases of moderate and strong electron-phonon (el-ph) coupling strengths. A corrected lineshape function L(ω) is given that retains the computational and intuitive advantages of the expression of Hayes et al. [J. Phys. Chem. 98, 7337 (1994)]. Although the corrected lineshape function could be used in modeling studies of various optical spectra, we suggest that it is be...
An uncountable number of solutions for a BVP governing Marangoni convection

This paper investigates a boundary value problem (BVP) governing Marangoni convection over a flat surface. The BVP involves a temperature gradient parameter k>-1. Previous numerical and analytical studies report the existence of one solution for each value of k. Here we show that the nature of the solutions varies greatly depending on the value of k. For each -1=0 we prove the existence of a solution but, based on numerical integration of the differential equation, conjecture the existence of precisely two solutions when k>0.