cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INHIBITION OF TOPOISOMERASE I FUNCTION BY CORALYNE AND 5,6-DIHYDROCORALYNE

The antitumor agent coralyne and a number of structural analogues were found to be inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase I and were characterized biochemically. Several of these analogues stabilized the covalent binary complex formed between calf thymus topoisomerase I and pSP64 plasmid DNA; coralyne and 5,6-dihydrocoralyne had the greatest potency as inhibitors in this assay. In common with camptothecin, the effects of coralyne and 5,6-dihydrocoralyne were reversed in the presence of increasing salt concentration or temperature, consistent with the interpretation that both functioned mechanistically in a fashion analogous to camptothecin. The sequence specificity of DNA cleavage by coralyne and 5,6-dihydrocoralyne was also studied in comparison with camptothecin using a 471-bp DNA duplex as a substrate for topoisomerase I. Seven sites of cleavage were apparent, four of which were shared in common by coralyne, 5,6-dihydrocoralyne and camptothecin. Coralyne and 5,6-dihydrocoralyne produced cleavage at one sequen...
Correction for insulin-dependent diabetes in maternal serum α-fetoprotein testing has outlived its usefulness

Abstract Objective: Historically, α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) have shown an approximately 20% decrement, and a correction factor is used to standardize multiples of the median (MOMs). With new laboratory methods and improved precision, we sought to re-evaluate the correctness of this approach. Study Design: Consecutive biochemical screens were conducted among 60,287 nondiabetic patients and 307 patients with IDDM. Analyses were conducted in one laboratory, and comparisons were made with use of standard formula weight adjustments including a 20% correction factor for IDDM. Patients were then stratified according to maternal weight. Results: Nondiabetic patients averaged 1.00 MOM, IDDM patients 0.91 MOM with no adjustments, 0.96 MOM adjusting for weight only, and 1.20 MOM adjusting for weight and diabetes status. To explain the "overcorrection," analysis by maternal weight showed significant overrepresentation of IDDM patients at 175 pounds or above. In fact, the mean weight in pounds for nondiabetic subjects was 151 ± 35 and for those with IDDM 174 ± 52 ( P Conclusions: With current methodologies, the 20% correction factor for IDDM erroneously overcorrects. Two hundred pounds is sufficent, the weight correction for diabetic status should be abandoned. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1084-6.)
Physiological Anatomy of the Choroidal Vasculature

The Choroidal Vasculature has been extensively studied in the past by postmortem injection techniques (ASHTON, 1952; RUSKELL, 1961; RING & FUJINO, 1967;VILSTRUP, 1952;WYBAR, 1954a, b). However, fluorescein angiographic studies in the living eye have revealed that the post-mortem studies did not give us correct information about the physiological anatomy of this vascular bed. Fluorescein angiography can truthfully be said to have made the major contribution so far in the study of the choroidal circulation in health and disease.
The effects of crude and purified human gonadotropin on in vitro stimulated human lymphocyte cultures.

Abstract Crude human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was found to be several fold more immunosuppressive than purified hCG in human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures stimulated by phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed, purified protein derivative and allogeneic cells in vitro . Immunosuppression by crude hCG was consistently noted at levels less than 1000 IU/ml and usually 80% inhibition was achieved with doses of 5000–10,000 IU/ml, whereas 40–50% inhibition or less was observed by purified hCG at 10,000 IU/ml. In two crude hCG preparations subjected to Sephadex G-100 chromatography, the fractions that inhibited lymphocyte cultures appeared in the eluate after the major peak of hCG activity. These data indicate that inhibitory substance(s) other than hCG are responsible for most of the immunosuppressive properties of first trimester pregnancy urine. Both crude and purified hCG were stimulatory to human lymphocytes when used alone without mitogens when cultured in fetal calf serum.
Faceted Framework for Metadata Interoperability

In the current information environment, meta data interoperability has become the predominant way of organizing and managing resources. However, current approaches to metadata interoperability focus on the superficial mapping between labels of metadata elements without considering semantics of each element. This research applied facet analysis to address these difficulties in achieving metadata interoperability. By categorizing metadata elements according to these semantic and functional similarities, this research identified different types of facets: basic, conceptual, and relational. Through these different facets, a faceted framework was constructed to mediate semantic, syntactical, and structural differences across heterogeneous metadata standards.
Analysis of transient of the datagram traffic for a demand assignment TDMA satellite access scheme

Abstract A modified version of the datagram capacity assignment of the FODA (fifo ordered demand assignment) access scheme, named FODA/IBEA, (information bit energy adaptive) is briefly presented. The main difference from the previous version (besides the fade countermeasure feature) is the possibility of the system to migrate, depending on the overall loading conditions, from a sort of fixed TDMA (time division multiple access) (called pre-assignment mode), in which each active station shares the spare capacity with all the others, to a more complex mechanism. The response of the system to a step of traffic at one of the active stations is studied, and the analytical expressions of the most significant variables are derived. The results of the analysis are first compared with the experimental ones and then used to show the sensitivity of the system's behavior with respect to some parameters. The possibility of adopting the capacity allocation algorithm in a distributed mode is also discussed.
Ground state of the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model and the resonating-valence-bond states

We have studied the relation between the resonating-valence-bond (RVB) state and the exact ground state for the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic (AF) Heisenberg model on a few small lattices. We describe a method to obtain the state of minimum energy within a family of RVB states. Based on the insight provided by the RVB states, and supported by our numerical results, we argue in favor of the existence of long-range order at T = 0 for the two-dimensional AF Heisenberg model.
A Design for Antiproton Collection and Beam Transport in the Fermilab Tevatron I Project

120 GeV protons from the Main Ring will be used to produce 8 GeV antiprotons. A pulsed lithium lens collects and matches the antiprotons to a beam line for injection into the Debuncher Ring. The p? beam has a transverse emittance of 20? mm-mr and a ?p/p = ± 2.0%. The beam line consists of a clean-up section with vertical emittance selection, two long dispersion free sections, a bend and a vertical injector. Antiprotons with a transverse emittance of 2? mm-mr and ?p/p = ± 7.0 × 10-4 are transported in the reverse direction, bypassing the target area, and along the 120 GeV proton transport line for reverse injection in the Main ring.
GENERATION AND STUDY OF REACTION INTERMEDIATES IN ORGANIC SOLIDS.

Abstract This paper reviews: (1) methods by which bond rupture, and ionization, can be produced in organic solids; (2) methods of detecting trapped reaction intermediates; (3) illustrative experiments dealing with the yields and the decay of trapped electrons and free radicals. Factors to be considered in deciding whether trapped electrons and radicals decay by random reaction with potential reacting partners, by combination with sibling partners, or by combination with other predestined partners are discussed. It is shown that radical decay rates do not show consistent correlation with viscosity.
Characterization of a genetically engineered inactivation-resistant coagulation factor VIIIa

Individuals with hemophilia A require frequent infusion of preparations of coagulation factor VIII. The activity of factor VIII (FVIII) as a cofactor for factor IXa in the coagulation cascade is limited by its instability after activation by thrombin. Activation of FVIII occurs through proteolytic cleavage and generates an unstable FVIII heterotrimer that is subject to rapid dissociation of its subunits. In addition, further proteolytic cleavage by thrombin, factor Xa, factor IXa, and activated protein C can lead to inactivation. We have engineered and characterized a FVIII protein, IR8, that has enhanced in vitro stability of FVIII activity due to resistance to subunit dissociation and proteolytic inactivation. FVIII was genetically engineered by deletion of residues 794-1689 so that the A2 domain is covalently attached to the light chain. Missense mutations at thrombin and activated protein C inactivation cleavage sites provided resistance to proteolysis, resulting in a single-chain protein that has maximal activity after a single cleavage after arginine-372. The specific activity of partially purified protein produced in transfected COS-1 monkey cells was 5-fold higher than wild-type (WT) FVIII. Whereas WT FVIII was inactivated by thrombin after 10 min in vitro, IR8 still retained 38% of peak activity after 4 hr. Whereas binding of IR8 to von Willebrand factor (vWF) was reduced 10-fold compared with WT FVIII, in the presence of an anti-light chain antibody, ESH8, binding of IR8 to vWF increased 5-fold. These results demonstrate that residues 1690-2332 of FVIII are sufficient to support high-affinity vWF binding. Whereas ESH8 inhibited WT factor VIII activity, IR8 retained its activity in the presence of ESH8. We propose that resistance to A2 subunit dissociation abrogates inhibition by the ESH8 antibody. The stable FVIIIa described here provides the opportunity to study the activated form of this critical coagulation factor and demonstrates that proteins can be improved by rationale design through genetic engineering technology.
IMPROVED PROCEDURES FOR PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MYROTHECIUM CELLULASE: PART 2. PURIFICATION PROCEDURES

Two methods are described for purification of the cellulase of Myrothecium verrucaria from concentrated culture filtrates. The steps of method I are (1) fractionation with ammonium sulphate, (2) el...
Contemporary Worldviews: Personal and Policy Implications12

In the past several decades, changes in industrial societies have presented a host of issues, worldwide in scope, around which individual attitudes may form: technological growth, population expansion, environmental quality, global resources, differing societal goals, etc. This study (N= 325) was conducted to identify and assess the major attitude/belief constellations surrounding these issues and to examine their psychological basis and implications for risk perception and societal decision-making procedures. Results supported the hypotheses that assessed contemporary worldviews are related in predictable ways to (a) the pexceived risk associated with selected technologies, (b) preferences for the manner in which societal decisions should be made, and (c) a coherent set of psychological variables. Discussion focuses on policy implications of differing contemporary worldviews and on future directions and applications of this line of research.
Exploring Topological Properties of NMR Graphs

In this paper we explore the topological properties of graphs derived from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) restraint data. Only the distance bound data is considered, connecting nodes only if the file contains a bound for the corresponding inter-atomic distance. Since NMR provides bounds for spatially-close atom pairs, the structure of the NMR graph depends heavily on the molecule's 3D shape. Therefore, understanding NMR graph topology is relevant to 3D structure prediction. We examine NMR graphs for nine molecules, sizes ranging between 195 and 1178 nodes. Three categories of topological properties are studied: connected components, diameter, and node-degree sequence. Several interesting observations emerged when relating the diameter and maximum degree to the size of the graph.
Beyond critical thinking and decision making: Teaching business students how to think

Teaching students how to think is a universal goal of educational institutions. Business schools have addressed this goal by injecting critical thinking activities into their programs, and by offering courses on managerial decision making. This paper reviews these efforts, and concludes that they are not adequate to the challenge of teaching business students how to think effectively. It proposes a comprehensive thinking skills program that includes critical thinking and decision making content, but also addresses the many other thinking tasks managers perform. The paper discusses programmatic issues and provides pedagogical advice pertaining to the teaching of thinking skills in business schools.
Involvement of ethylene in browning development of controlled atmosphere-stored ‘Empire’ apple fruit

Abstract ‘Empire’ apples [ Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] are susceptible to development of chilling injury, expressed as firm flesh browning, during controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Because of this susceptibility, fruit are typically stored at 2–4 °C, but the incidence of flesh browning can be increased by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment at these temperatures. In this study, flesh browning development has been investigated in relationship to ethylene production, internal ethylene concentration (IEC), flesh firmness, total phenolic concentrations, and the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POX) in the flesh tissues. Fruit were harvested from two orchards, either untreated or 1-MCP treated, and then stored under CA conditions at either 0.5 or 4 °C. Fruit were removed from storage at 1.5-month intervals for 10.5 months. 1-MCP treated apples were firmer than those of untreated apples, and had lower IECs, at all removals. Flesh browning incidence and severity developed earlier in 1-MCP-treated apples than untreated apples stored at either temperature. Total phenolic concentrations differed by orchard, but no major differences in concentrations were detected between untreated and 1-MCP treated apples. However, PPO activities were higher in the flesh of 1-MCP treated apples than untreated apples from both orchards and at both storage temperatures. POX activity was not consistently affected by 1-MCP treatment or storage temperature. Overall, our results suggest that inhibited ethylene production, either as a result of storage at 0.5 °C, or by treatment with 1-MCP at either temperature, may cause stress and damage to cells and result in higher PPO activity that leads to progressive flesh browning development during CA storage.
Three-area epidemiological study of geographic differences in stroke mortality. I. Background and methods.

An epidemiological study was conducted to determine the geographical variations in stroke mortality among three U.S. areas. They were Savannah, Georgia (high stroke rates), Hagerstown, Maryland (intermediate stroke rates) and Pueblo, Colorado (low stroke rates). In each area samples were drawn of the population in the 35--54 age group. The subjects were interviewed and examined to obtain the information required on medical conditions and/or living habits which would characterize each area. A brief medical and family history, as well as demographic and personal data, were obtained by interview. The medical examination included blood pressure, ECG, blood and urine chemistry, height and weight. In all three cities the response rate in the final sample selected was 90% (2,375 individuals) interviewed and 74% (1.939 individuals) examined.
Renal function in dogs with lymphosarcoma and associated hypercalcaemia

Renal function was investigated in 12 dogs with lymphosarcoma and accompanying hypercalcaemia. There was no age or breed predilection. Renal function was evaluated using the endogenous clearance of creatinine to estimate glomerular filtration rate and urinary and fractional excretion of endogenous substances. Standard serum biochemical determinations and urinalyses were also employed. Serum calcium concentrations were high (>2·99 mmol/litre) in ail dogs, while serum phosphorus concentrations approximated or were below those of normocal-caemic dogs in most cases. Hypercalcaemic nephropathy and impaired renal function were evident in all 12 dogs studied. Ten of the dogs (83 per cent) were isosthenuria and 11 (92 per cent) were hypercalciuric. Endogenous creatinine clearance was reduced by more than 50 per cent in all dogs examined. Urinary and fractional excretions of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride and potassium were increased over reference values. The observed alterations in renal function could be attributed to the direct effects of a high concentration of intrarenal calcium on renal tubular function and haemodynamics and to the presence of a renotropic factor that interacted specifically with the parathyroid hormone receptor in the kidney.
A new method for incorporating solvent effect into the classical, ab initio molecular orbital and density functional theory frameworks for arbitrary shape cavity

Abstract A new method for calculating the solvation energy of an arbitrary shape solute is presented. In this method, the solvents is treated as a homogeneous dielectric medium with a cavity. The solvation energy is presented in the Hartee-Fock-Roothaan form, which can be incorporated into both molecular orbital and density functional theories, as well as in the classical theory using the distributed monopole approach. We found that this approach yields on the average of 10% additional CPU time compared to the gas-phase calculations and an accuracy of better than 2.0 kcal/mol for neutral polar solutes but somewhat larger for ions.
The remarkable structure and dynamics of tris(allyl)rhodium and -iridium as determined by theory and experiment

The molecular geometries and electronic structures of M(η3-allyl)3 [M = Rh, Ir] have been calculated by both hybrid and gradient-corrected density functional theory (DFT). Hybrid DFT (B3LYP) calcul...
Quantifying requirements elaboration to improve early software cost estimation

This paper describes an empirical study undertaken to investigate the quantitative aspects of the phenomenon of requirements elaboration which deals with transformation of high-level goals into low-level requirements. Prior knowledge of the magnitude of requirements elaboration is instrumental in developing early estimates of a project's cost and schedule. This study examines the data on two different types of goals and requirements - capability and level of service (LOS) - of 20 real-client, graduate-student, team projects done at USC. Metrics for data collection and analyses are described along with the utility of results they produce. Besides revealing a marked difference between the elaboration of capability goals and the elaboration of LOS goals, these results provide some initial relationships between the nature of projects and their ratios of elaboration of capability goals into capability or functional requirements.
From fear recognition to kidney donation

Valerie Maupin’s best friend had a loved one who needed a kidney. In an act of extraordinary altruism, Maupin offered one of hers, but she was not a match. Then she wondered: If I’m willing to do this for someone I know, why not for someone else whose need is just as great? With that thought, Maupin, a 24-y-old nursing student and hair stylist living in San Diego, decided to do something even more extraordinary. She would donate one of her kidneys to a stranger. A few months later, her kidney was in Florida, filtering the blood of a grateful 50-y-old woman and fellow nurse named Christine Curti (1).
PROMISCUITY AND THE RATE OF MOLECULAR EVOLUTION AT PRIMATE IMMUNITY GENES

Recently, a positive correlation between basal leukocyte counts and mating system across primates suggested that sexual promiscuity could be an important determinant of the evolution of the immune system. Motivated by this idea, we examined the patterns of molecular evolution of 15 immune defense genes in primates in relation to promiscuity and other variables expected to affect disease risk. We obtained maximum likelihood estimates of the rate of protein evolution for terminal branches of the primate phylogeny at these genes. Using phylogenetically independent contrasts, we found that immunity genes evolve faster in more promiscuous species, but only for a subset of genes that interact closely with pathogens. We also observed a significantly greater proportion of branches under positive selection in the more promiscuous species. Analyses of independent contrasts also showed a positive effect of group size. However, this effect was not restricted to genes that interact closely with pathogens, and no differences were observed in the proportion of branches under positive selection in species with small and large groups. Together, these results suggest that mating system has influenced the evolution of some immunity genes in primates, possibly due to increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases in species with higher levels of promiscuity.
A new oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids

Abstract 2-Hydroperoxyhexafluoro-2-propanol (HPHI) is a selective catalytic and stoichiometric reagent for the oxidation of aldehydes to acids under mildly basic conditions.
Synthetic hydrogel scaffold is an effective vehicle for delivery of INFUSE (rhBMP2) to critical-sized calvaria bone defects in rats†

Medtronic’s INFUSE Bone Graft provides surgeons with a potent tool for stimulating bone formation. Current delivery vehicles that rely on Absorbable Collagen Sponges (ACS) require excessive quantities of the active ingredient in INFUSE, recombinant human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 (rhBMP2), to achieve physiologically relevant concentrations of the growth factor, driving up the cost of the product and increasing the likelihood of undesirable side effects in neighboring tissues. We demonstrate that a simple light-mediated, thiol-ene chemistry can be used to create an effective polymer delivery vehicle for rhBMP2, eliminating the use of xenografic materials and reducing the dose of rhBMP2 required to achieve therapeutic effects. Comprised entirely of synthetic components, this system entraps rhBMP2 within a biocompatible hydrogel scaffold that is degraded by naturally occurring remodeling enzymes, clearing the way for new tissue formation. When tested side-by-side with ACS in a critical-sized bone defect model in rats, this polymeric delivery system significantly increased bone formation over ACS controls.
Chaotic behaviour of the short-term variations in ozone column observed in Arctic

Abstract The diurnal variations observed in the ozone column at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard during different periods of 2009, 2010 and 2011 have been examined to test the hypothesis that they could be a result of a chaotic process. It was found that each of the attractors, reconstructed by applying the time delay technique and corresponding to any of the three time series can be embedded by 6-dimensional space. Recurrence plots, depicted to characterise the attractor features revealed structures typical for a chaotic system. In addition, the two positive Lyapunov exponents found for the three attractors, the fractal Hausdorff dimension presented by the Kaplan–Yorke estimator and the feasibility to predict the short-term ozone column variations within 10–20 h, knowing the past behaviour make the assumption about their chaotic character more realistic. The similarities of the estimated parameters in all three cases allow us to hypothesise that the three time series under study likely present one-dimensional projections of the same chaotic system taken at different time intervals.
Bioinformatics visualization: introduction to the special issue

Welcome to this special issue on Bioinformatics Visualization of the journal of Information Visualization. Bioinformatics involves the application of data-rich computational and informatics methods to support the scientific study of complex biological problems. Recent technological and intellectual advances in bioinformatics are transforming the way biological research is conducted, placing bioinformatics at the forefront of the information-intensive approach to scientific investigation. As a result, biological research is currently experiencing explosive growth in academic, industry, and government sectors. This trend creates a critical need for information visualization as a central member of the bioinformatics toolbox, along with data mining, digital libraries, modeling and simulation, and other information-related capabilities. It also provides tremendous new opportunities for advanced research in information visualization to overcome the unique and difficult problems in bioinformatics. The emerging field of bioinformatics visualization addresses the design of visual metaphors and the implementation of effective software tools that provide insight into complex biological data. Several key characteristics of bioinformatics offer broad challenges to information visualization researchers:
Proton Pump (H+/K+-ATPase) Expression in Human Laryngeal Seromucinous Glands

OBJECTIVE: Recent pilot research suggested that the H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump), which is the target of pharmacotherapy for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD), is associated with human laryngeal submucosal glands. The hypothesis of this study is that proton pump is expressed in the human larynx, and is not solely associated with the parietal cells of the stomach.METHODS: Fifteen surgical larynx subjects (27 pathologic specimens) containing seromucinous glands from banked tissue were retrospectively obtained after approval from Human Subjects Committee. Banked human stomach tissue was also obtained for comparative positive and negative controls. Sections were immunostained with two monoclonal antibodies selectively reactive with alpha or beta subunits of the H+/K+-ATPase (proton) pump.RESULTS: In the human larynx, positive staining was seen in 14 of 15 subjects. Twenty-six specimens showed consistent staining in the seromucinous cells and ducts for the alpha subunit, and 23 specimens for the beta subun...
Domain Clamping Effect in Barium Titanate Single Crystals

We have found that the dielectric constant of good single crystals of barium titanate decreases as the average polarization is decreased by means of an electric field. This has been interpreted as being due to a domain clamping effect arising from the multidomain situation in the crystal that accompanies the reduction in polarization. These measurements give a value for the coefficient of coupling of 0.50 which is in agreement with Caspari and Merz's value of ${d}_{33}$ and our measurement of ${S}_{33}$.. The coupling coefficient has been studied as a function of temperature using this clamping effect.
Quartz substrate infrared photonic crystal

This paper presents the fabrication of a planar photonic crystal (p 2 c) made of a square array of dielectric rods embedded in air, operating in the infrared spectrum. A quartz substrate is employed instead of the commonly used silicon or column III-V substrate. Our square structure has a normalized cylinder radius-to-pitch ratio of r/a = 0.248 and dielectric material contrast e r of 4.5. We choose a Z-cut synthetic quartz for its cut (geometry), and etching properties. Then a particular Z-axis etching process is employed in order to ensure the sharp-edged verticality of the rods and fast etching speed. We also present the computer simulations that allowed the establishment of the photonic band gaps (PBG) of our photonic crystal, as well as the actual measurements. An experimental measurement have been carried out and compared with different simulations. It was found that experimental results are in good agreement with different simulation results. Finally, a frequency selective device for optical communication based on the introduction of impurity sites in the photonic crystal is presented. With our proposed structure Optical System on a Chip (OsoC) with micro-cavity based active devices such as lasers, diodes, modulators, couplers, frequency selective emitters, add-drop filters, detectors, mux/demuxes and polarizers connected by passive waveguide links can be realized.
Voter support for the German PDS over time: Dissatisfaction, ideology, losers and east identity

Abstract In this paper, we examine the changing bases of support for the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), the former ruling Communist party of East Germany that has emerged as a consistent force in united Germany's party system. We draw on theories positing a dynamic relationship between individuals and their social environment to hypothesize about the changing effects of factors for PDS support over time and test our assertions using survey data from the 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 German Social Survey (ALLBUS). The dynamic influence of four factors identified as instrumental to the PDS’ electoral success among eastern Germans—being a “loser of unification”, economic and political evaluations, eastern German identity, and ideology—are examined. Our findings indicate that ideology is consistently the strongest indicator of PDS support in all years while the effects of sociotropic economic and political evaluations start strong but diminish over time. Contrary to many expectations, PDS supporters are neither the losers of unification nor do they exhibit a stronger eastern identity than other eastern Germans. We discuss the implications of these findings for the future of the PDS, especially given its recent merger in 2005, and for understanding the electoral support of other post-communist parties in Eastern Europe.
Photoinduced Redox Reaction Coupled with Limited Electron Mobility at Metal Oxide Surface

Photoinduced oxidation of trimethyl acetate (TMA) was examined on an atomically flat surface of rutile TiO2. The macroscopic rate of reaction (the partial pressure of desorption products) was temporary modulated when a TMA-covered surface was UV-irradiated in oxygen gas. Scanning tunneling microscope imaging revealed spatially modulated distribution of TMA and OH on that surface. The limited surface mobility of electrons photoexcited and trapped at OH-associated Ti sites was proposed to cause the temporal and spatial modulations. The characteristic length of the spatial modulation, i.e., the lateral dimension of electron confinement, was a few lattice constants of the oxide.
Tract disruption and external displacement following gastrostomy tube exchange in adults.

Background: Anecdotal reports, mostly in children, indicate that disruption of the gastrostomy tract may occur during gastrostomy tube exchange and cause serious complications. The aim of our study was to determine the rate of tract disruption occurring in adults requiring long-term enteral nutrition who had an original gastrostomy tube replaced and to evaluate factors contributing to this complication. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent replacement of their gastrostomy tube over a 3-year period. Information was collected relating to patient demographics, underlying diagnosis, method of insertion and tube type used for initial gastrostomy tube and subsequent tube replacement, staff involved in tube replacement, patient nutritional status at the time of tube change, and the number of days from initial tube placement to replacement. For comparative purposes, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those with tract disruption and those without tract disrup...
Is there a gender difference in fingerprint ridge density

In the past it has been assumed that the fingerprints of women tend to have "fine" epidermal ridge detail while men have "coarse" ridge detail. Past studies have examined this hypothesis but have not clearly demonstrated if observed differences are statistically significant. The goal of this study is to determine if women have significantly higher ridge density, hence finer epidermal ridge detail, than men by counting ridges that occur within a well defined space. If significant gender differences do exist then the likelihood of inferring gender from given ridge densities will be explored. This study focused on 400 randomly picked ten-print cards representing 400 subjects. The demographic composition of this sample population represents 100 Caucasian males, 100 African American males, 100 Caucasian females and 100 African American females all within the age range of 18-67. Results show that women tend to have a significantly higher ridge density than men and that this trend is upheld in subjects of both Caucasian and African American descent (F = 81.96, P < 0.001). Application of Bayes' theorem suggests that a given fingerprint possessing a ridge density of 11 ridges/25 mm2 or less is most likely to be of male origin. Likewise a fingerprint having a ridge density of 12 ridges/25 mm2 or greater is most likely to be of female origin, regardless of race.
Suppression of alcohol consumption by fenfluramine in Fawn-Hooded rats with serotonin dysfunction.

Abstract The high preference for alcohol intake observed in Fawn-Hooded rats has been attributed to the central serotonin (5-HT) dysfunction in this strain. To further characterize the involvement of 5-HT in alcohol-seeking behavior in Fawn-Hooded rats, the effect of both acute and subchronic administration of fenfluramine, a 5-HT releaser, on alcohol intake and preference was determined. Rats were individually housed and provided free access to a solution of 10% alcohol, food, and water. After establishing a stable baseline, rats were injected twice daily for 1 day or for 5 consecutive days either with saline or 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of fenfluramine at 0930 h and 1600 h, and their consumption of alcohol, food, and water was measured for 24 h. Another group of rats scheduled with a limited access (1 h/day) to alcohol and free access to food and water were injected with either saline or 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg/kg fenfluramine 20 min before exposure to alcohol, and their alcohol consumption was measured at the end of 1 h exposure. Further, to determine the effect of fenfluramine on alcohol metabolism, rats were injected with 1.0 mg/kg fenfluramine or saline and 15 min later with 2.5 g/kg alcohol (16%, v/v). Blood alcohol levels were then measured at 1, 3, and 5 h after alcohol administration. Our results demonstrate that both acute and subchronic administration of fenfluramine dose-dependently attenuate alcohol intake and increased water intake without a significant effect on food intake. Fenfluramine did not affect the pharmacokinetics of alcohol, indicating a central effect. These findings provide more support for the involvement of the serotonergic system in excessive alcohol consumption and indicate that fenfluramine exerts an attenuating effect on alcohol intake by enhancing the activation of serotonergic systems in the brain.
Type V hyperlipoproteinemia a study of a patient and family

Summary 1. Serum lipid and lipoprotein assays were performed on blood obtained from a patient who was found to have Type V hyperlipoproteinemia. Assays included analytical ultracentrifugation and electrophoretic separation of the lipoprotein moieties on agarose gel. 2. Thirteen members of the patient's family were also investigated and two were found to have Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia and one had a possible intermittent form of the Type V disorder. 3. Comparison of the ultracentrifuge and electrophoretic data showed some differences in the serum lipoprotein levels particularly the very low density lipoproteins.
Risk stratification after successful coronary revascularization: the lack of a role for routine exercise testing.

Abstract OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for exercise testing (EXT) after successful coronary revascularization (CR) using the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation experience. BACKGROUND The ACC/AHA guidelines state that EXT within three years of successful CR is not useful. METHODS The 1,678 patients randomized to CR by either angioplasty or bypass surgery were required to take symptom-limited treadmill tests one, three and five years after revascularization. RESULTS Patients who took the test at each specified time had a much lower subsequent two-year mortality than those who did not (1.9% vs. 9.4%, 3.5% vs. 12.6% and 3.3% vs. 11.0% at one, three and five years, respectively, after CR [p −6 were independently predictive of two-year survival after the five-year test. ST depression on the one-year test was associated with more revascularizations (relative risk = 1.6; p CONCLUSIONS Patients with stable multivessel coronary disease who took a protocol-mandated exercise test at one, three and five years after revascularization were at low risk for mortality in the two years subsequent to each test. Exercise parameters did not improve prediction of mortality in the two years after the one- and three-year tests. The ACC/AHA guidelines on exercise testing after CR (no value for routine testing in stable patients for three years after revascularization) are supported by these results.
Annual Cycle in the Size of the Gut of the Purple Sea Urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson)

Annual Cycle in the Size of the Gut of the Purple Sea Urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson)
Effect of Dietary Patterns on Ambulatory Blood Pressure: Results From the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Trial

Abstract—We measured ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in 354 participants in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Trial to determine the effect of dietary treatment on ABP (24-hour, da...
Ammonia recycled percolation as a complementary pretreatment to the dilute-acid process.

A two-stage dilute-acid percolation (DA) was investigated as a pretreatment method for switchgrass. With use of extremely low acid (0.078 wt% sulfuric acid) under moderate temperature (145–170°C), hemicellulose in switchgrass was completely solubilized showing no sugar decomposition. The treated switchgrass contained about 70% glucan and 30% lignin. The high lignin content in the treated feedstock raises a concern that it may cause a high enzyme consumption because of irreversible adsorption of cellulase enzymes to lignin. This problem may be amplified in the SSF operation since it is usually run in fed-batch mode and the residual lignin is accumulated. The DA pretreatment was, therefore, combined with the ammonia recycled percolation (ARP) process that has been proven to be effective in delignification. The combined pretreatment essentially fractionated the switchgrass into three major components. The treated feedstock contained about 90% glucan and 10% lignin. The digestibility of these samples was consistently higher that that of DA treated samples. Further study on the interaction of cellulase with xylan and that with lignin has shown that the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose is inhibited by lignin as well as xylan. The external xylan was found to be a noncompetitive inhibitor to cellulose hydrolysis. The cellulase used in this study was proven to have the xylanase activity.
Connectivity and larval dispersal along the Oregon coast estimated by numerical simulations

[1] Connectivity and larval dispersal is explored off the Oregon coast during the summer upwelling season of 2001 using numerical ocean circulation simulations. The study region, with strong wind‐driven currents and variable topography, is modeled using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) forced by the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System. A large number of passive particles as models of planktonic larvae are released daily for 120 days from 1 May to 28 August at depths of 1, 7, 15, 20, 50, and 75 m at every grid point shoreward of the 200 m isobath (on average 32 km offshore). The particles are transported by the three‐dimensional currents of the model simulation. The competency time window for larval settlement is assumed to be in between days 15 and 35 after larvae are released. Larval settlement occurs at the shallowest location during the competency time window. Connectivity matrices reveal that some of the places of highest retention are similar to the proposed Oregon marine reserve sites, especially Cape Perpetua. The Heceta Bank region has high probabilities as both a source and a destination for settled larvae. Larvae released in the Heceta Bank region often settle at higher latitudes than their release location. There are strong correlations between the number of settled larvae shallower than the 50 m isobath and a 6 to 8 day running mean of the alongshore wind stress. Larvae are retained near the shore when the winds, averaged over the previous 6 to 8 days, are relaxed or downwelling favorable.
CD4/immunoglobulin interaction: implications for immune physiology and autoimmunity

CD4 has an important role in T cell activation events that depend on its binding to non-polymorphic MHC class II determinants on antigen-presenting cells. Here, we provide evidence that CD4 also interacts with immunoglobulins (Ig). The Ig-binding region lies within residues 21-49 of VI domain of CD4. Immunochemical studies suggest that this property of CD4 does not depend on the three-dimensional folding of the CD4 molecule. Synthetic peptides (/)) encompassing amino acid residues 16-49 and 21-49 of CD4 bind immunoglobulins in comparable way to the intact molecule. In vitro p 16-49 enhances significantly idiotype/anti-idiotype and some weak antigen-antibody interactions. Antigen antibody complexes formed in antigen excess bind CD4 peptides with much higher avidity then non-complexed antibodies. The possible role of the CD4/Ig interaction in T-B cell cooperation is discussed.
Regulation of Angiotensin II Type I Receptor (AT1R) Protein Levels in the Obese Zucker Rat Kidney and Urine

Increased renal expression of the angiotensin II, type-1 receptor (AT1R) has been associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and progression of renal disease. We tested whether common medications used to treat hypertension and the metabolic syndrome alter renal AT1R; and whether urine AT1R can be used as a reasonable noninvasive marker of renal levels in the obese Zucker rat, a model for human metabolic syndrome. Immunoblotting revealed that renal and urinary levels of AT1R were significantly higher in obese versus lean rats and correlated (R = 0.62, p < 0.05). Chronic treatment with BP lowering, candesartan, an AT1R antagonist, increased renal levels of AT1R in both lean (282% of lean controls) and obese (178% of obese controls) rats, but decreased urine AT1R levels in obese rats (72% of obese controls). Similarly, chronic treatment with rosiglitazone (RGZ), a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (subtype γ) agonist, significantly decreased urine (43% of obese controls) but not renal AT1R (105%)...
COMPONENT FAILURE ANALYSIS IN MEMS PACKAGING

A finite element analysis (FEA) method used to determine the limits of package failure criteria is described. The failure criteria for the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) packages presented here include von Mises, Mohr’s theory, and micro-crack phenomena. In addition, we explore the limits of micro-scale failure criteria on brittle MEMS assemblies. The paper describes stress source identification methods and failure mechanisms for packaged assemblies that can guide MEMS package designers to reduce potential failure modes and improve reliability.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Translocation of an imperilled woodrat population: integrating spatial and habitat patterns

Many species have strong habitat preferences that directly influence population viability. For successful reintroduction of threatened populations that rely on habitat structures, the correct placement of artificial structures is also important to population persistence. In this paper, we present a hierarchical approach to the problem of translocating animals that rely on permanent habitat structures, in which we first use population dynamics data to identify areas of suitable habitat, and then identify optimal configuration for habitat structures. We use data collected from a non-endangered, conspecific population of the endangered riparian woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes riparia) to examine the degree to which the distribution of dens in translocation sites might influence the likelihood that animals persist in their new environment. We characterize the habitats in which dens occur, analyze their spatial clustering, and compare them to temporal changes in population status for sex and age classes. We compare the potential efficacy of translocation efforts using spatial analysis versus solely habitat-based approaches and identify the optimal spatial configuration of dens that should be considered in this translocation effort. We found that patterns of habitat use were positively correlated with overstorey cover, and animal weight was positively correlated with understorey cover. Woodrats appear to select den locations on the basis of understorey cover, but also benefit from dense overstorey cover and distance to nearest tree. Our results suggest that in translocation efforts, artificial dens should be placed in clusters within a radius of 15 m, as values above and below this value showed negative correlations with body mass. Translocations should occur after reproductive events, which occur in April and August for woodrats in southern California. Our analyses provide practical guidelines in determining appropriate timing and spacing for translocation events in the context of animal condition, minimizing disease transmission, and reproduction.
Response to Letter Regarding Article by Banki et al, “Acute Neurocardiogenic Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”

We were very interested to read Dr Gnecchi-Ruscone’s comments regarding our article.1 Similar to stress cardiomyopathy (SC), elevated catecholamine levels are frequently observed after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).2 In our series, the mean plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were 129±102 pg/mL and 372±494 pg/mL, respectively.3 The majority of the levels are lower than those reported for SC, …