cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and crystal structures of cis - and trans -1-(3′- N , N -dimethylthiocarbamoyl-4′-methoxy)-2-(3″, 4″, 5″trimethoxyphenyl) ethene

The combretastatin A-4 analogue cis-1-(3′-N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl-4′-methoxy)-2-(3″,4″, 5″-trimethoxyphenyl) ethene (1) and its trans stereoisomer (2) were synthesized. The molecular structures of these compounds were obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallization of 1 occurs in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a = 21.468(5), b = 7.932(1), c = 23.949(3); and β = 100.75(1)∘ and Z = 8. Crystallization of 2 occurs in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14) with a = 11.7825(7), b = 11.562(1), c = 14.911(1) and β = 93.294(6); and Z = 4. Details of the synthesis and the structural characterization of the title compounds are presented and discussed.
Expression of surface and secreted IgG2a by a murine B-lymphoma before and after hybridization to myeloma cells.

Abstract A20 is a spontaneous Balb/c murine lymphoma which has been reported to express immunoglobulin, Fc receptors, and la antigens, but not complement receptors, on its cell surface. Approximately 0.1% of the protein synthesized by a subclone of A20 (A20-1.11) is IgG 2a ,which is present on the cell surface as well as secreted by the cells. Biosynthetic labeling studies reveal that A20-1.11 cells synthesize a single κ light chain as well as two species of intracellular γ 2a heavy chain. The smaller γ 2a heavy chain, with a molecular weight of 62,000 daltons, is the intracellular precursor to a 64,000 dalton γ 2a heavy chain which is present in secreted IgG 2a . The larger intracellular γ 2a heavy chain, with a molecular weight of 68,000 daltons, is the intracellular precursor to a 70,000 dalton γ 2a heavy chain which is present in surface IgG 2a . Fusion of A20-1.11 lymphoma cells to murine myeloma cells results in hybrids expressing the more differentiated myeloma phenotype. That is, the expression of the secreted form of the lymphoma IgG 2a is amplified as much as 150 fold while the expression of the surface form of the lymphoma IgG 2a is abolished in the hybrid. The relationship of the γ 2a heavy chains expressed in these cells is discussed in relation to what has been reported for surface and secreted μ heavy chains.
On credible delegation by oligopolists: a discussion of distribution channel management

Several papers in the recent marketing literature have suggested that delegation in distribution e.g., the use of independent middlemen helps manufacturers to precommit strategically to profit-enhancing competitive actions. Further, the literature suggests that the profitability of such actions depends on market structure. We challenge these conclusions here. This is done in two steps. First, we perform an analysis of the entire class of models which have been used in the literature. Using internally consistent assumptions about market structure and contracting, the only subgame perfect equilibrium is one in which all distribution channels have infinitely many levels of delegation. Obviously, this is not what we see in the real world. Next, we relax a key hidden assumption, namely that all intra-channel agreements are observable to competitors. Without this assumption, the usual results unravel. Unless channel members can offer credible guarantees that unobservable agreements do not exist, the strategic effects of delegation disappear. Since these guarantees are virtually impossible to maintain credibly, we would expect to reject the hypothesis in the earlier literature relating channel structure to competition in an empirical study controlling for observability. We conclude that mechanisms other than strategic ones must be responsible for the existence of delegated channels, and make some suggestions about promising avenues for future theory research in channel structure.
It's All About the Relationships—In Serials, in FRBR, in Life: An Interview with Olivia M. A. Madison

Olivia M. A. Madison talks about her roles in the library profession and how her career developed along with them, most importantly the unanticipated relationships connecting the elements of her career. She discusses the influence of serials work on her career, her cataloging experiences, the early days of OCLC, her work in CC:DA, her adventures at IFLA, the development of FRBR, the future of bibliographic control, and her development as a librarian at Iowa State University.
Specific induction of early growth response gene 1 in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala following contextual fear conditioning in rats.

Abstract Although the amygdala is known to be crucial for fear conditioning, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the amygdala that are important for fear conditioning. One possible mechanism may be the activation of immediate-early genes, which function as regulatory factors of transcriptional processes. To investigate whether one of the major immediate-early gene families is involved in the learning and memory of fear, we examined the effects of fear conditioning on the expression of the four members of the early growth response (EGR) gene family, EGR-1, EGR-2, EGR-3, and EGR-4. Image analysis of in situ hybridization of messenger RNA of the four family members was performed in the amygdala, hippocampus, and neocortex 15, 30 and 60 min following one-trial contextual fear conditioning. Rats were either handled, placed within the testing context without receiving the footshock, and received a footshock immediately upon placement within the context, or received a footshock after a 3-min delay (delayed-shock). Of the four groups, only the delayed-shock group exhibited a fear response (freezing). EGR-1 messenger RNA expression in the dorsolateral part of the lateral amygdaloid nucleus was significantly greater in the delayed-shock group compared with the other groups 15 and 30 min following the conditioning. The increased expression of EGR-1 was specifically localized to the lateral nucleus of the amygdala; expression in the hippocampus and cortex was not increased by fear conditioning. In contrast, the expression of EGR-2, EGR-3, and EGR-4 messenger RNA was not increased in the amygdala, hippocampus or cortex following fear conditioning. In addition, following a retention test conducted 24 h after fear conditioning, no increases were found in the expression of EGR-1 messenger RNA expression in the amygdala, hippocampus or cortex. The results demonstrate that of the four genes of the EGR family of transcription-regulatory factors, only EGR-1 messenger RNA in the dorsolateral portion of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala was specifically increased with contextual fear conditioning. It is suggested that EGR-1 plays a functional role during learning, but not retrieval, of contextual fear within the lateral nucleus of the amygdala.
In vitro evaluation of estrogenic, estrogen antagonistic and progestagenic effects of a steroidal drug (Org OD-14) and its metabolites on human endometrium

Abstract The human endometrial model for in vitro evaluation of estrogenic, estrogen antagonistic, and progestagenic effects of endogenous steroids, natural products or synthetic drugs was applied to the study of Org OD-14, an analog of norethynodrel developed by Organon International, Oss, The Netherlands, and some of its metabolites. Estrogen antagonistic actions of Org OD-14 and its 4-ene isomer were evident from their ability to suppress the enhancement of PGF 2α output elicited by estradiol on fragments of secretory endometrium and to decrease the rate of output of the prostaglandin by proliferative tissue, already stimulated by endogenous estrogens. These inhibitory effects were similar to those obtained with progesterone and do not appear to involve competition for the estrogen receptor since the antiestrogen 4-hydroxyamoxifen was not active in parallel incubations of proliferative endometrium. The progestagenic effects of Org OD-14 and its 4-ene isomer were also evident from their capability to enhance estradiol 17β-dehydrogenase activity and glycogen accumulation in specimens of proliferative endometrium. Estrogenic effects of the 3α- and 3β-hydroxy metabolites of Org OD-14 were demonstrated by their stimulatory actions on PGF 2α output during incubations of secretory endometrium. The estrogenic and progestagenic actions of these compounds are in general agreement with their relative affinity for binding to the estradiol and progesterone receptors, although their actions may be influenced by intracellular metabolism in the endometrial tissue. For instance, the similarity in progestagenic activity of Org OD-14 and the 4-ene isomer, contrasting with their different affinities for the progesterone receptor, may result from in situ isomerization of Org OD-14 to the 4-ene metabolite.
Modeling and analysis of ship roll tank stimulator systems

A U-tube water tank is designed to roll a ship floating on a still water. The 6-DOF dynamic model of U-tube tank is derived and the effects of its parameters on ship roll motion are studied. Numerical simulations show that the U-tube tank is an effective stimulator to roll the ship on still water. For a rolling ship, it can be used as a damper to reduce ship roll motion quickly.
Determination of nitrogen fixation effectiveness in selected Medicago truncatula isolates by measuring nitrogen isotope incorporation into pheophytin

Effectiveness is a term used to describe the input that a bacterial nitrogen-fixing symbiosis makes to plant nitrogen metabolism. In legumes, effectiveness is considered a polymorphic trait where specific interactions between the plant and symbiotic rhizobia contribute to the success of the interaction. Evaluation of effectiveness using model legumes like Medicago truncatula may open new avenues for genetic studies. In previous work, an isotope dilution mass spectrometry method, which uses the effect of nitrogen fixation on the nitrogen isotope composition of chlorophyll in plants grown on 15N fertilizer as a measure of effectiveness, was developed for estimating the contribution of symbiotic nitrogen fixation to plant nitrogen content. This 15N-dilution assay was used to evaluate the level of nitrogen fixation effectiveness in three Medicago truncatula lines that have been used as parents in generating recombinant inbred lines. Three Sinorhizobium meliloti strains, USDA 1600, 102F51 and MK506, differ in this measure of effectiveness on three lines of M. truncatula: Jemalong A17, DZA315.16 and F83005.5. Plant–rhizobia combinations grown in two different conditions showed comparable differences in effectiveness.
Design of Ultra-Wideband, Aperiodic Antenna Arrays With the CMA Evolutionary Strategy

Recently, the covariance matrix adaption evolutionary strategy (CMA-ES) has received attention for outperforming conventional global optimization techniques such as the genetic algorithm (GA) or particle swarm optimization (PSO), often used in electromagnetic designs. Here, CMA-ES is first applied to the design of ultra-wideband aperiodic arrays using realistic spiral radiating elements. To improve the axial ratio of the array, optimization was extended to incorporate a mechanical rotation of each spiral element. This novel strategy of optimizing both the location and rotation of each element provides noticeable improvement in both the axial ratio and sidelobe level performance.
Modulation of fluoropyrimidine metabolism by chlorpromazine.

Chlorpromazine is a potent inhibitor of calmodulin and can alter the accumulation, metabolism, and incorporation into RNA of several fluoropyrimidine drugs. Using S-180 murine sarcoma cells, the accumulation of the base Fluorouracil and its metabolism to ribonucleotides is enhanced by chlorpromazine treatment, as measured by HPLC. In contrast, the accumulation and metabolism of the nucleoside Fluorouridine was suppressed by chlorpromazine. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that non-toxic concentrations of chlorpromazine were synergistic with Fluorouracil, but were antagonistic with Fluorouridine. These findings suggest that modulation by chlorpromazine of specific nucleoside kinases involved in Fluorouracil metabolism can result in increased therapeutic utility.
Muscle metaboreceptor modulation of cutaneous active vasodilation

PURPOSE: Isometric handgrip exercise in hyperthermia has been shown to reduce cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) by inhibiting the cutaneous active vasodilator system. METHODS: To identify whether this response was initiated by muscle metaboreceptors, in seven subjects two 3-min bouts of isometric handgrip exercise in hyperthermia were performed, followed by 2 min of postexercise ischemia (PEI). An index of forearm skin blood flow (laser-Doppler flowmetry) was measured on the contralateral arm at an unblocked site and at a site at which adrenergic vasoconstrictor function was blocked via bretylium iontophoresis to reveal active cutaneous vasodilator function unambiguously. Sweat rate was measured via capacitance hygrometry, CVC was indexed from the ratio of skin blood flow to mean arterial pressure and was expressed as a percentage of maximal CVC at that site. In normothermia, neither isometric exercise nor PEI affected CVC (P > 0.05). RESULTS: The first bout of isometric handgrip exercise in hyperthermia reduced CVC at control sites and this reduction persisted through PEI (pre-exercise: 59.8 +/- 5.4, exercise: 49.8 +/- 4.9, PEI: 49.7 +/- 5.3% of maximum; both P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant changes in CVC at the bretylium treated sites. The succeeding bout of isometric exercise in hyperthermia significantly reduced CVC at both untreated (pre-exercise: 59.0 +/- 4.8, exercise: 47.3 +/- 4.0, PEI: 50.1 +/- 4.1% of maximum; both P < 0.05) and bretylium treated sites (pre-exercise: 61.4 +/- 7.3, exercise: 50.6 +/- 5.1, PEI: 53.9 +/- 6.0% of maximum, both P < 0.05). At both sites, CVC during PEI was lower than during the pre-exercise period (P < 0.05). Sweat rate rose significantly during both bouts of isometric exercise and remained elevated during PEI. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the reduction in CVC during isometric exercise in hyperthermia, including the inhibition of the active vasodilator system, is primarily mediated by muscle metaboreceptors, whereas central command or muscle mechanoreceptors have less influence.
Night blood pressure responses to atenolol and hydrochlorothiazide in black and white patients with essential hypertension.

background Night blood pressure (BP) predicts patient outcomes. Variables associated with night BP response to antihypertensive agents have not been fully evaluated in essential hypertension. methods We sought to measure night BP responses to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), atenolol (ATEN), and combined therapy using ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring in 204 black and 281 white essential hypertensive patients. Initial therapy was randomized; HCTZ and ATEN once daily doses were doubled after 3 weeks and continued for 6 more weeks with the alternate medication added for combined therapy arms. ABP was measured at baseline and after completion of each drug. Night, day, and night/day BP ratio responses (treatment − baseline) were compared in race/sex subgroups. results Baseline night systolic BP and diastolic BP, and night/day ratios were greater in blacks than whites (P < 0.01, all comparisons). Night BP responses to ATEN were absent and night/day ratios increased significantly in blacks (P < 0.05). At the end of combined therapy, women, blacks, and those starting with HCTZ as opposed to ATEN had significantly greater night BP responses (P < 0.01). Variables that significantly associated with ATEN response differed from those that associated with HCTZ response and those that associated with night BP response differed from those that associated with day BP response. conclusions In summary, after completion of HCTZ and ATEN therapy, women, blacks, and those who started with HCTZ had greater night BP responses. Reduced night BP response and increased night/day BP ratios occured with ATEN in blacks. Given the prognostic significance of night BP, strategies for optimizing night BP antihypertensive therapy should be considered.
Cognitive dissonance: Physiological arousal in the performance expectancy paradigm

The physiological correlates of dissonance were investigated using a replication of Aronson and Carlsmith’s (1962) performance expectancy paradigm. Dissonance was predicted to be associated with an increased heart rate and skin conductance response (SCR). This prediction was partially supported; dissonance was significantly related to heart rate changes, but not to SCR. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the performance expectancy paradigm and its relationship to dissonance and arousal.
Partial characterization of two (Ca+2 + Mg+2)-dependent ATPase activities from bovine brain synaptic membrane homogenates.

Abstract Synaptic plasma membranes isolated from bovine brain exhibited a low and high affinity (Ca +2 + Mg +2 )-dependent ATPase as evidenced by kinetic constants for ATP. One activity which hydrolyzed ATP maximally at pH 7.4 and 7.8 exhibited an 8-fold higher affinity when compared to the second or lower affinity activity which hydrolyzed ATP maximally at pH 7.O. Both activities exhibited submicromolar kinetic constants for Ca +2 ( K m = 0.24 micromolar ). K m values for magnesium differed significantly; the lower affinity activity being approximately 6.5 times higher (120 μM) than that observed for the high affinity activity (18 μM). V max values obtained under optimal assay conditions (low and high) were 110–135 and 43–55 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Both activities were KCN, NaN 3 and ruthenium red insensitive. Only slight inhibition was observed in the presence of rotenone and oligomycin. Although both activities were observed to be trifluoperazine sensitive, they differed significantly with regard to other parameters. Na +1 and NH 4 +1 ions preferentially inhibited the low affinity activity greater than 90%. Cs +1 ions completely inhibited the high affinity activity while reducing the low affinity only 22%. Li +1 , Al +3 and Mn +2 significantly inhibited the high affinity activity while reducing the low activity only moderately. Both the low and high activity were inhibited by vanadate with half maximum inhibition occurring at 2 and 5 μM, respectively indicating the plasma membrane origin of these activities. Thermal denaturation studies indicated the high affinity activity to be stable for 2 minutes at 45°C after which 50% of the activity is lost at 2.5 minutes. In contrast, the low affinity activity gradually decreased over the time course and retains greater than 60% activity at 2.5 minutes. The positive allosteric calcium channel modulator, diltiazem, stimulates both low and high affinity activities, 10 and 40% at 10 and 30 μM, respectively. In contrast, the negative allosteric calcium channel modulator, verapamil, has no effect upon the high affinity activity while slightly inhibiting the low affinity activity. These observations are suggestive of either (1) a direct interaction with the (Ca +2 + Mg +2 )-dependent ATPase or (2) a close spatial relationship of either a specific catalytic site or conformation of the ATPase with that of the diltiazem binding site or resultant conformation of the calcium channel following diltiazem administration. Although kinetic data are consistent with other findings indicating the presence of different kinetic conformations of a single synaptic membrane protein, the presence of two different proteins maximally operational at two different ATP concentrations cannot be ruled out.
Are we training residents to communicate with low health literacy patients

Introduction: A third of Americans have low health literacy (HL). Research indicates a significant knowledge and skills gap among residents pertaining to management of patients with low HL. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the teaching and evaluation methods around HL in community-based internal medicine residency programs. In addition, the study compared the teaching and evaluation practices used for doctor-patient communication skills to those used for HL skills. Method: A structured questionnaire was completed by faculty of community-based internal medicine residency programs through the ‘Community Hospital Education and Research Network’ website and the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine community hospital assembly meeting in October 2011. Results: Less than 50% of the programs provided any formal teaching on HL. HL was primarily taught via didactics (75%) followed by clinical observation (42%) and role-playing (25%). On the contrary, patient-provider communication skills were taught primarily using clinical observations (90%) and standardized patients (46.7%). The HL dimensions that programs focused on were the use of teach-back technique (100%), prevalence of low HL (83.3%), association between low HL and patient outcomes (83.3%), and use of plain language (83.3%). The areas that were least taught included helping patients navigate the health system (33.3%) and choosing effective written material for low HL patients (50%). Conclusion: Health literacy is not being taught consistently as part of the core curricula of the communitybased internal medicine residency programs. There is a need for professional and technical resources to incorporate HL teaching in their curricula. There is a wide variation in terms of how HL skills are being taught and evaluated by community-based internal medicine residency programs. Keywords: health literacy; patient-provider communication; interpersonal and communication competency (Published: 7 January 2013) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2012, 2 : 19238 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v2i4.19238
Film-Cooled Trailing Edge Measurements: 3D Velocity and Scalar Field

Aircraft turbine blade trailing edges commonly are cooled by blowing air through pressure-side cutback slots. The surface effectiveness is governed by the rate of mixing of the coolant with the mainstream, which is typically much faster than predicted by CFD models. 3D velocity and coolant concentration fields were measured in and around a cutback slot using a simple uncambered airfoil with a realistic trailing edge cooling geometry at a Reynolds number of 110,000 based on airfoil chord length, which is lower than practical engines but still in the turbulent regime. The results were obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in a water flow apparatus. Magnetic resonance concentration (MRC) scans measured the concentration distribution with a spatial resolution of 0.5 mm3 (compared to a slot height of 5 mm) and an uncertainty near 5%. Magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV) was used to acquire 3D, three-component mean velocity measurements with a resolution of 1.0 mm3 . Coupled concentration and velocity measurements were used to identify flow structures contributing to the rapid mixing, including longitudinal vortices and separation bubbles. Velocity measurements at several locations were compared with an unsteady RANS model. Concentration measurements extrapolated to the surface provided film cooling effectiveness and showed that the longitudinal vortices decreased effectiveness near the lands and reduced the average film cooling effectiveness.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Female sexual function in neurologic disease

Sexual dysfunction occurs frequently in women with chronic neurologic diseases. This fact underlies the importance of neural integrity in healthy sexual function. The following is a review of female sexual function in common neurologic diseases.
Control of mammary tumor cell growth in vitro by novel cell differentiation and apoptosis agents.

The use of breast tumor differentiating agents to complement existing therapies has the potential to improve breast cancer treatment. Previously we showed quinidine caused MCF-7 cells to synchronously arrest in G1 phase of the cell cycle, transition into G0 and undergo progressive differentiation. After 72–96 h cells became visibly apoptotic. Using several analogs of quinidine we determined that MCF-7 cell cycle exit and differentiation are typical of quinoline antimalarial drugs bearing a tertiary amine side chain (chloroquine, quinine, quinidine). Differentiated cells accumulated lipid droplets and mammary fat globule membrane protein. Apoptosis was assayed by a nucleosome release ELISA. Quinidine and chloroquine triggered apoptosis, but not quinine, a quinidine stereoisomer that displayed weak DNA binding. The apoptotic response to quinidine and chloroquine was p53-dependent. A 4–15-fold induction of p21(WAF1) protein was observed in cells treated with quinidine or chloroquine prior to apoptosis, but p21(WAF1) was not increased in cells that differentiated in response to quinine. Chloroquine was most active in stimulating MCF-7 apoptosis, and quinine was most active in promoting MCF-7 cell differentiation. We conclude, distinct mechanisms are responsible for breast tumor cell differentiation and activation of apoptosis by quinoline antimalarials. Alkylamino-substituted quinoline ring compounds represented by quinidine, quinine, and chloroquine will be useful model compounds in the search for more active breast tumor differentiating agents.
Stacking investigations of the dispersion of higher order mantle Rayleigh waves and normal modes

Abstract Using a number of stacking techniques (including non-linear stacking), we have systematically investigated, both in the travelling wave and normal mode formalisms, the dispersion of the third, fourth and fifth branches of Rayleigh overtones, which travel with identical group velocities at similar frequencies, and are a prominent part of the horizontal, away from the source, components of long-period seismograms from major earthquakes. Using data from six major events recorded on the Global Digital Seismological Network, we have extracted more than 100 normal modes from these three branches in the period range 82–160 s; our results are generally in excellent agreement with values computed from available models of the Earth, and also with previously published values for a well-separated part of the third branch.
Sources and transport of organic carbon in an Arizona river-reservoir system

Abstract Sources and transport of organic carbon were studied in two large, Sonoran desert watersheds (Salt and Verde rivers) and a two-reservoir system on the Verde River. Total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations in the unregulated rivers above the reservoirs did not follow a simple relationship with flow. TOC concentrations usually declined during spring runoff and reached low concentrations (1–3 mg L −1 ) by early summer. In most years, distinct peaks (10–30 mg L −1 ) occurred in late summer, coincident with small but abrupt increases in flow associated with the first monsoon rains. A two-reservoir mass balance showed that 72% of the particulate organic carbon (POC) input was retained, probably due largely to simple sedimentation. Production of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) within the reservoir was 41% of the inflow loading, even though the reservoirs accounted for only 0.14% of the watershed area. Reservoir DOC production comprised a large fraction of total watershed production because upstream DOC production was extremely low (0.2 g C m −2 yr −1 ), the reservoirs were moderately productive, and water residence times were fairly long during most of the year. We postulate that reservoirs are major contributors to total watershed DOC production in arid regions.
Theory of answering queries using views

The problem of answering queries using views is to find efficient methods of answering a query using a set of previously materialized views over the database, rather than accessing the database relations. The problem has recently received significant attention because of its relevance to a wide variety of data management problems, such as query optimization, the maintenance of physical data independence, data integration and data warehousing. This article surveys the theoretical issues concerning the problem of answering queries using views.
Temperature cycling performance of ball grid array packages under thermal enabling load

Presence of a thermal enabling load applied to Ball Grid Array (BGA) components creates a distinctive set of evaluations to be completed for reliability of solder joints (SJ) that connect the BGA to the board. This becomes especially relevant for newer technologies that drive to smaller component form factors. In this comprehensive study, a computational mechanics based Design of Experiments approach was utilized to elucidate the impact of load, load assembly parameters and package design on the reliability of BGA joints. Modeling results were validated with test data showing excellent correlation. Multiple conclusions were derived with important implication for BGA design, definition of accelerated test setups and optimization of system level designs for reliability.
CRT-131 First- Versus Second-generation Drug-eluting Stents Following Rotational Atherectomy In Patients With Heavily Calcified Coronary Lesions

Little information is available regarding the comparison between the first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) following rotational atherecotmy (ROTA) for patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions (HCCL). Ninety-nine patients with HCCL who underwent RA prior to first-generation
Gluthatione-S-transferase P1 polymorphism I105V in familial and sporadic prostate cancer

Several reports suggest that the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) family of enzymes is involved in a variety of cancers, due to their carcinogen-detoxification properties. A polymorphism in codon 105 of the pi variant (GSTP1 I105V), which affects the enzymatic activity of the enzyme, has been linked to the incidence of cancers from different organs. However, the published data in prostate cancer (PCa) is controversial. Some studies report an association with the GSTP1 I105V polymorphism and sporadic PCa, whereas other studies report no association. Recently, one study showed a positive correlation between the GSTP1 I105V polymorphism and familial PCa in a Japanese population. In the present study, we assessed the correlation of the GSTP1 I105V polymorphism with familial and sporadic PCa in an American population. We analyzed DNA samples from 438 patients with familial PCa, 499 patients with sporadic PCa, and 510 controls. We found no significant association between the GSTP1 I105V polymorphism and familial or sporadic PCa when compared to the control group [odds ratio (OR) =1.0 (0.74-1.37); P=0.58]. Moreover, no association was found after stratification for age of diagnosis, Gleason grade, or lymph node involvement [OR =0.84 (0.65-1.09), P=0.37]. These data indicate that there is no associated risk for sporadic or familial PCa in American families containing the GSTP1 I105V polymorphism.
Reduction mammoplasty improves breast conservation therapy in patients with macromastia.

Abstract Background: Macromastia has been considered a contraindication to breast conservation therapy because of difficulties with radiation therapy. This study evaluates the feasibility of bilateral reduction mammoplasty as a component of breast conservation therapy for breast cancer patients with pendulous breasts. Methods: Of 153 patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 28 were identified as breast cancer patients with macromastia receiving breast conservation therapy. Median follow-up was 23.8 months. Results: Median patient age was 55 years. Nearly all patients were described as obese. Median weight of the reduction mammoplasty specimen on the cancerous side was 766 g. One patient (4%) required completion mastectomy for inadequate margin control. Major postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients (7%). There were no major postradiation complications. Patient survey revealed a satisfaction rate of 86%. Conclusion: Bilateral reduction mammoplasty is a reasonable and safe option for breast cancer patients with macromastia who desire breast conservation therapy.
IAEA's DEEP in Carlsbad: Co-producing energy and water in Southern California

The joint production of energy and desalinated water is examined in the context of the construction of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant at the site of the (fossil-fired) Encina Power Station in Carlsbad, California. The first part of the paper reproduces cost estimates of water at the Carlsbad Desalination Project. The second part of the paper reproduces these cost estimates using the International Atomic Energy Agency's Desalination Economic Evaluation Program (DEEP). The paper shows that the cost of desalinating water with nuclear power is cheaper than at fossil-fired plants, given the high cost of fossil fuel. Further, the estimated costs of producing electricity and water with gas reactors and gas turbines are lower than light water reactors with steam turbines. The paper concludes by suggesting that the next step in nuclear desalination in the USA would be to construct an RO plant at an existing light water reactor.
Perfusion MR Imaging with pulsed arterial spin-labeling: basic priciples and applications in functional brain imaging

Basic principles of the arterial spin-labeling perfusion MRI are described, with focus on a brain perfusion model with pulsed labeling. A multislice perfusion imaging sequence with adiabatic inversion and spiral scanning is illustrated as an example. The mechanism of the perfusion measurement, the quantification of cerebral blood flow, and the suppression of potential artifacts are discussed. Applications of the perfusion imaging in brain activation studies, including simultaneous detection of blood flow and blood oxygenation, are demonstrated. Important issues associated with the applications such as sensitivity, quantification, and temporal resolution are discussed.
Aerosol size distributions of elemental and organic carbon in urban and over-water atmospheres

Abstract Aerosol mass size distributions of elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) were measured to determine the extent to which carbon speciations within ambient aerosols differ between urban and over-water atmospheres. Samples were collected during twenty-one 12-h periods in urban Chicago and over Lake Michigan during the July 1994 and January 1995 sampling intensives. Total particle bound concentrations (sum of all size fractions) of elemental and organic carbon ranged from 0.15 to 0.96 and from 0.94 to 3.04 g m−3, respectively. On average, organic material (OM=1.4×OC) accounts for 18% of the total aerosol mass collected, but ranges from 10% (over-water, winter) to 39% (urban, summer). With regard to individual size fractions, organic matter ranges from 3% (>12 μm over-water, winter) to 49% (0.15–0.45 μm, urban, summer) of the particulate matter mass in the size class. Geometric mean aerodynamic equivalent diameters (GMDs) range from 0.72 to 2.4 μm for suspended particulate matter (Σ-PM), from 0.52 to 1.4 μm for EC, and from 0.60 to 1.9 μm for OC. Elemental and organic carbon GMDs are larger in the urban atmosphere than over the water during winter, while this trend is not observed in Σ-PM. Furthermore, geometric standard deviations are larger at the urban location in January for both EC and OC, indicating broader size distributions of both species under winter conditions due to greater quantities of EC and OC in large particles.
Mechanisms of G1 checkpoint loss in resected early stage non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Loss of the G1 checkpoint appears to be extremely common among virtually all neoplasms. A variety of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms have been demonstrated to play significant roles in this process. In a consecutive series of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we have established the loss of expression of the G1 Cdk inhibitors p15INK4b and p16INK4a by DNA methylation is very common (37%), and methylation of p16INK4a is tightly correlated with loss of expression of p16INK4a protein (P=0.0018). Furthermore, methylation of p15INK4b and p16INK4a appear inversely correlated, although methylation of p15INK4b is an infrequent event in this cohort (4%). Methylation was detected in all stages of NSCLC equally, and did not correlate with survival in these patients. Evidence for methylation was more frequent in squamous cell carcinomas in comparison to other tumor histologies (P=0.0156). In addition, over-expression of cyclin D1 was found to be tightly restricted (P=0.0032) to those tumors that had retained wild-type expression of pRB, and did not correlate with methylation or expression of p16INK4a gene product. Although loss of p16INK4a function remains tightly correlated with pRB expression, loss of other regulatory elements in NSCLC such as p53 mutation and cyclin D1 over-expression appear independent of loss of the p16INK4a gene product.
Bacterial Transcript Elongation Complexes can Retain Sigma Factor throughout RNA Synthesis

Production of a messenger RNA proceeds through sequential stages of transcription initiation, transcript elongation and termination; all three stages are regulated to control gene expression. As RNA polymerases (RNAPs) transition to elongation, they lose association with one or more initiation protein factors required to recognize transcription start sites, and they acquire proteins specifically involved in regulating transcript elongation and termination. Escherichia coli σ70 is an initiation factor. Previous studies reached conflicting conclusions about the extent to which σ70 is retained after elongation begins, and the rate of its release from RNAP actively undergoing transcript elongation has not been directly measured. We used multiwavelength single-molecule fluorescence co-localization microscopy to observe the association of σ70 with RNAP during initiation and throughout the elongation of a 2,400 nucleotide transcript. We observe that a majority of RNAP molecules lose σ70 concommitant with promoter escape, while a subpopulation of elongation complexes retain σ70 throughout elongation of the full transcript. The fraction of σ70 retained on elongation complexes is influenced by the sequence of the initial transcribed region. The presence of σ70 on elongation complexes far downstream of the promoter is expected to substantially alter their regulation by affecting transcription pausing, termination, and possibly re-initiation.
Series Spectrum of Sodium,NaII

Seventy-four lines in the sodium spark spectrum are classified as combinations between twenty-three terms of Naii. The ionization potential of Naii is fixed at 47.0±0.5 volts.
Fabrication and Characterization of Nano-Structuring Polymeric Surfaces for MEMS Applications

Using external stimuli to control surface properties, such as surface topology or wettability, has been of great interest. This paper presents the fabrication, mechanism, and analysis of an active method that modulates surface nano-topology and wettability of polymeric films. The polymeric film possesses the unique property of electrical potential-induced wettability conversion: when its doping level is electrically altered, the interstitial ions are incorporated or released, causing the polymer network to stretch and thereby changing its surface morphology.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Riboflavin phosphate esters in relation to adenosine triphosphate in schizophrenia

Summary o 1. The significance of Kerppola's claim of reduced blood levels of esterified riboflavin in schizophrenia is discussed in relation to the metabolic turnover of adenosine triphosphate in schizophrenia. 2. An attempt to repeat Kerppola's finding in a small series of schizophrenic and normal subjects failed to show any difference in esterified riboflavin levels.
Information Resources Management Education: IS Managers' and Educators' Views

This paper reports the findings of a survey designed to discover the degree to which various IRM topics are considered important in an undergraduate and graduate courses in IRM. Ninety IS managers and sixty three MIS educators participated in the survey. Managers and educators agreed on the importance of topics related to planning and organization for coverage at both course levels. In addition, topics related to systems development and control were important at the undergraduate level, while topics related to IS staffing, and financing were important at the graduate level.
Developing Patient-Centered Services, Part 1: A Primer on Pharmacy Practice Models:

The Director's Forum series is edited by Robert Weber and Scott Mark and is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. This month'...
Measuring public perceptions of the police

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test Mastrofski's six‐dimensional conceptualization of perceived service quality of the police.Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on data collected from a mail survey of residents in a suburban Virginia (USA) community and uses confirmatory factor analysis to test the six‐dimensional model of service quality.Findings – The six‐dimensional model does not fit the data. Instead a one‐factor model fits the data, suggesting that public perceptions of police service quality are a one‐dimensional construct.Research implications – Further research is necessary on two fronts. First, research should seek to determine whether the findings are consistent across different community contexts and types of samples. Second, research on related perceptual constructs, including procedural justice and legitimacy, should explore measurement properties in more detail.Originality/value – This is one of few studies to examine the construct validity of public perception measure...
Sex and diploidy in Armillaria mellea

The life cycle and sexuality of Armillaria mellea are poorly understood. The mating behavior is atypical, and laboratory fruiting is rare. Genetic studies reported herein are based upon monosporous progeny from 27 distinct fruiting bodies and reveal A. mellea as a bifactorial heterothallic fungus. Both loci determining sexuality are multiallelic. The simplest, internally consistent explanation of wild-type mating interactions, morphogenesis, mycelial aspect, and cytology, coupled with examination of the mating process with genetically marked, auxotrophic strains, is that the naturally occurring persistent vegetative stage is diploid. This would be the first wild-type Basidiomycete shown to possess a life cycle emphasizing an extended diploid phase. The occurrence and distribution of reproductively isolated “biological species” are also reported.
Attomole Peptide Analysis by High-Pressure Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry

A new high-pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (HP-MALDI) source for FTMS has recently been described (O'Connor et al. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom., in press). Improvements to the source design, including the incorporation of a new high-pressure gas channel plate, resulted in ions devoid of metastable fragmentation and also in increased sensitivity compared to the HP-MALDI prototype source design. The focus of this contribution is the evaluation of the current HP-MALDI FTMS configuration. The use of nonconductive sample surfaces, such as Parafilm and Teflon, was explored, and spectra from 30 amol of peptide applied to these surfaces were routinely obtained. In addition, the current limit of detection for this configuration is demonstrated to be 300 zmol for the phosphopeptide RRREEE(pS)EEEAA using multishot accumulation of the ions from 15 laser shots in the hexapole and 1 scan. In addition, the performance of the new HP-MALDI FTMS configuration and its potential application for high-throughput proteomics analyses are discussed.
Benefits of water quality policies: the Chesapeake Bay

Abstract The Chesapeake Bay is a unique and treasured natural resource. It is the largest estuary on the Atlantic coast and one of the largest estuaries in the world. The Chesapeake drains portions of six states: Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia and the District of Columbia. As testimony to its importance, the US Congress issued a directive in 1976 to the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) to examine and identify the factors that were altering the conditions of the Bay. Nutrient delivery to the Bay, which has increased dramatically over time, was identified as one of the factors and has been the primary focus of research and policy efforts related to achieving water quality improvements. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the benefits of water quality legislation in the Bay region from 1972, the year the Clean Water Act (CWA) was promulgated, to 1996. Nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorous, are the dominant criteria addressed by this case study. Benefits are assessed from a ‘with–without’ perspective. That is, 1996 water quality is compared with what it would have been in 1996 without the CWA and related legislation. The US EPA CBP Watershed and Water Quality Models were used to determine the distribution of nutrient loadings from point and non-point sources and characterize water quality. Modeling results indicate that conditions in the Bay are improved in some areas for some pollutants. Total phosphorus has decreased dramatically from ‘without’ concentrations in all major tributaries and segments of the Chesapeake Bay. The monetized annual boating, fishing, and swimming benefits of water quality improvements in the Chesapeake Bay range from $357.9 million to $1.8 billion. These benefit estimates represent use values for persons living in the District of Columbia, and portions of Maryland and Virginia. Residents of Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania, which are also part of the Bay Watershed, are not included in this analysis. As such, this range likely underestimates the true benefits of Bay water quality improvement.
Mergers of irrotational neutron star binaries in conformally flat gravity

We present the first results from our new general relativistic, Lagrangian hydrodynamics code, which treats gravity in the conformally flat (CF) limit. The evolution of fluid configurations is described using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), and the elliptic field equations of the CF formalism are solved using spectral methods in spherical coordinates. The code was tested on models for which the CF limit is exact, finding good agreement with the classical Oppenheimer-Volkov solution for a relativistic static spherical star as well as the exact semianalytic solution for a collapsing spherical dust cloud. By computing the evolution of quasiequilibrium neutron star binary configurations in the absence of gravitational radiation back reaction, we have confirmed that these configurations can remain dynamically stable all the way to the development of a cusp. With an approximate treatment of radiation reaction, we have calculated the complete merger of an irrotational binary configuration from the innermost point on an equilibrium sequence through merger and remnant formation and ringdown, finding good agreement with previous relativistic calculations. In particular, we find that mass loss is highly suppressed by relativistic effects, but that, for a reasonably stiff neutron star equation of state, the remnant is initially stable against gravitational collapse because of its strong differential rotation. The gravity wave signal derived from our numerical calculation has an energy spectrum which matches extremely well with estimates based solely on quasiequilibrium results, deviating from the Newtonian power-law form at frequencies below 1 kHz, i.e., within the reach of advanced interferometric detectors.