cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraction of phosphorylated sperm specific histone H1 from sea urchin eggs: analysis of phosphopeptide maps.

Summary Sea urchin spermatozoa contain a unique histone H1 (SpH1) with an unusual primary structure. Within 12 minutes postinsemination SpH1 is phosphorylated and lost from the chromatin. Both sperm and egg kinases phosphorylate SpH1 in vivo . Until now the analysis of the phosphorylation of SpH1 in eggs in vivo during the first 12 minutes has been impossible because of the enormous volume of the egg relative to the sperm nucleus. Here we present the first such analysis based on the direct extraction of [32P]-labeled SpH1 from eggs, fractionation by HPLC, cleavage by CNBr and isolation of the two CNBr-generated fragments of SpH1 by HPLC. Two dimensional maps of the [32-P]-peptides show that at least five sites in the amino-terminal fragment, and five sites in the carboxyl-terminal fragment, are phosphorylated by 1 minute postinsemination.
Poems by a suicide: Sara Teasdale

An analysis of trends over time in the poems of Sara Teasdale as the time of her suicide approached identified a decrease in positive emotions and fewer references to the self and to others. These trends are different from those previously identified from studies of letters and diaries written by suicides.
Lens or Binary? Chandra Observations of the Wide-Separation Broad Absorption Line Quasar Pair UM 425

We have obtained a 110 ks Chandra ACIS-S exposure of UM 425, a pair of QSOs at z = 1.47 separated by 65, which show remarkably similar emission and broad absorption line (BAL) profiles in the optical/UV. Our 5000 count X-ray spectrum of UM 425A (the brighter component) is well fitted with a power law (photon spectral index Γ = 2.0) partially covered by a hydrogen column of 3.8 × 1022 cm-2. The underlying power-law slope for this object and for other recent samples of BALQSOs is typical of radio-quiet quasars, lending credence to the hypothesis that BALs exist in every quasar. Assuming the same Γ for the much fainter image of UM 425B, we detect an obscuring column 5 times larger. We search for evidence of an appropriately large lensing mass in our Chandra image and find weak diffuse emission near the quasar pair, with an X-ray flux typical of a group of galaxies at redshift z ~ 0.6. From our analysis of archival HST WFPC2 and NICMOS images, we find no evidence for a luminous lensing galaxy, but note a 3 σ excess of galaxies in the UM 425 field with plausible magnitudes for a z = 0.6 galaxy group. However, the associated X-ray emission does not imply sufficient mass to produce the observed image splitting. The lens scenario thus requires a dark (high M/L ratio) lens or a fortuitous configuration of masses along the line of sight. UM 425 may instead be a close binary pair of BALQSOs, which would boost arguments that interactions and mergers increase nuclear activity and outflows.
A novel percutaneous solution to limb ischemia due to arterial occlusion from a femoral artery ECMO cannula.

PURPOSE To describe a novel percutaneous technique for distal limb perfusion in the face of femoral artery occlusion secondary to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannula placement. TECHNIQUE The technique is described in a 59-year-old man who presented with an inferior wall myocardial infarction and a large ventricular septal defect (VSD) requiring the initiation of ECMO via right femoral artery and vein cannulae. He subsequently developed right lower limb ischemia secondary to cannula occlusion of the femoral artery. Percutaneous transfemoral placement of a flush catheter in the right common femoral artery was performed angiographically. Ischemic symptoms resolved, and the patient was subsequently able to undergo repair of his VSD without any further lower limb ischemic sequelae. CONCLUSION Percutaneous transfemoral placement of a flush catheter in the common femoral artery distal to ECMO cannula insertion has not to our knowledge been reported and carries the added benefit of restoring perfusion to both superficial and profunda femoris arteries.
On the effective viscosity of a suspension of drops partially coated by a stagnant film

Abstract A simple model is presented for determining the effective viscosity of a dilute suspension of small drops or bubbles partially coated by a stagnant surface which is due to the presence of a surfactant. The boundary value problem for a single drop or bubble having a stagnant film is solved approximately using a proven minimization technique. The overall mean suspension viscosity is found as a function of the fraction of the drop surface area that is immobile or contaminated.
The Correlation Functions of a Suspension of Large Particles in Amorphous Polybutadiene: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Abstract The correlation functions of a suspension of Lennard-Jones large particles in a model 1,4- cis -polybutadiene solvent have been investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. We present the effects of temperature, the degree of polymerization, and the solvent/large particle density on the effective interactions between the large particles and the solvent. It is found that as the temperature increases, the structure between solvent–solvent, solvent–large particle, and large–large particle decreases. Additionally, as the bulk density or the chain length is increased, the attractive part of the large–large interaction becomes weaker and small. We believe that in part, this is due to the polymer having collapsed onto itself and entangling the large particles and lessening their interaction until they are actually in contact. Increasing the length of the polymer also entangles the large particles. However, we believe that this may be a general feature that is a characteristic of a polymer solvent containing macroscopically large colloidal particles even though entanglement should be of less significance.
Stress‐strain behavior of irradiated polyurethane elastomers

Abstract : The applicability of the Martin-Roth-Stiehler stress-strain relationship to a number of reactor-irradiated (gamma-ray dose (D) range: O - 1. 9 x 10 to the 10th power ergs/gram in carbon) polyurethane elastomers was demonstrated. For each level of dose and irradiation temperature, the stress- strain values showed remarkably good agreement with the behavior predicted by this relationship, thus permitting a realistic characterization of the stress- strain curves up to extension ratios of 3 by two parameters (the tangent modulus E sub o and a coefficient K). While the available data did not justify conclusive inferences regarding the explicit nature of the functions E sub o (D) and K(D), it appears from this analysis that E sub o varies exponentially with dose D and that K is a slowly varying function of dose.
Apparent inhibition by arginine of macrocyclic b ion formation from singly charged protonated peptides.

There is now strong evidence for the existence of macrocyclic isomers of bn+ ions, the formation and subsequent opening of which can lead to loss of sequence information from protonated peptides in multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry experiments. In this study, the fragmentation patterns of protonated YARFLG and permuted isomers of the model peptide were investigated by collision-induced dissociation. Of interest was the potential influence of the arginine residue, and its position in the peptide sequence, on formation of the presumed macrocyclic b5 ion isomer and potential loss of sequence information. We find that regardless of the sequence position (either internal or at the N- or C-terminus), only direct sequence ions or ions directly related to fragmentation of the arginine side chain are observed.
I Want to Find Out how to Freebase Cocaine or yet Another Unobtrusive Test of Reference Performance.

Ethical problems in librarianship, especially in reference work, are a popular topic for research. Robert Hauptman's famous "bomb" experiment presented us with the question of whether wholesale information dissemination is ethical. I chose drug abuse to be the topic of my query in an unobtrusive test similar to Hauptman's. I intended to find out whether reference librarians would help me determine how one goes about freebasing cocaine. Responses, as expected, were varied. No one absolutely refused to hel me. Perhaps most of the librarians consulted were content not to 'I; now what I was going to do with the information. The results of this study parallel those reported by Hauptman. My conclusion, though, is in support of information dissemmation, recognizing the fact that anyone should have the right to read about either explosives or cocaine.
The Archaeology of Communities: A New World Perspective

The Archaeology of Communities:. New World Perspective. Marcello A. Canuto and Jason Yaeger. eds. New York: Routledge, 2000.271 pp.
Tissue and Lineage-Specific Variation in Inactive X Chromosome Expression of the Murine Smcx Gene

To understand how gene expression patterns are established on the inactive X chromosome during development, we have studied the murine gene Smcx, which is expressed from both the active and inactive mouse X chromosomes. In all tissues assayed, Smcx only partially escapes X inactivation, with expression levels from the inactive X allele approximately 30-65% that of the active X allele. Additionally, inactive X expression levels differed between extraembryonic and embryonic tissues and among different tissues from newborn and adult mice. Imprinted extraembryonic tissue had the lowest levels of inactive X Smcx expression, whereas the highest levels were in heart. These data suggest that the chromosomal basis of X inactivation differs among tissues, perhaps reflecting differences in the timing or regulation of inactivation in these cell lineages.
Enabling instantaneous feedback with full-duplex backscatter

This paper introduces the first design that enables full-duplex communication on battery-free backscatter devices. Specifically, it gives receivers a way to provide low-rate feedback to the transmitter on the same frequency as that of the backscatter transmissions, using neither multiple antennas nor power-consuming cancellation hardware. Our design achieves this goal using only fully-passive analog components that consume near-zero power. We integrate our design with the backscatter network stack and demonstrate that it can minimize energy wastes that occur due to collisions and also correct for errors and changes in channel conditions at a granularity smaller than that of a packet. To show the feasibility of our design, we build a hardware prototype using off-the-shelf analog components. Our evaluation shows that our design cancels the self-interference down to the noise floor, while consuming only 0.25 μW and 0.54 μW of transmit and receive power, respectively.
Maximum Entropy Density Estimation with Incomplete Presence-Only Data

We demonstrate a generalization of Maximum Entropy Density Estimation that elegantly handles incomplete presence-only data. We provide a formulation that is able to learn from known values of incomplete data without having to learn imputed values, which may be inaccurate. This saves the effort needed to perform accurate imputation while observing the principle of maximum entropy throughout the learning process. We provide analysis and examples of our algorithm under different settings of missing data.
Study of Dosage Compensation in Drosophila

Using a sensitive RT-QPCR assay, we analyzed the regulatory effects of sex and different dosage compensation mutations in Drosophila. To validate the assay, we showed that regulation for several genes indeed varied with the number of functional copies of that gene. We then confirmed that dosage compensation occurred for most genes we examined in male and female flies. Finally, we examined the effects on regulation of several genes in the MSL pathway, presumed to be involved in sex-dependent determination of regulation. Rather than seeing global alterations of either X chromosomal or autosomal genes, regulation of genes on either the X chromosome or the autosomes could be elevated, depressed, or unaltered between sexes in unpredictable ways for the various MSL mutations. Relative dosage for a given gene between the sexes could vary at different developmental times. Autosomal genes often showed deranged regulatory levels, indicating they were in pathways perturbed by X chromosomal changes. As exemplified by the BR-C locus and its dependent Sgs genes, multiple genes in a given pathway could exhibit coordinate regulatory modulation. The variegated pattern shown for expression of both X chromosomal and autosomal loci underscores the complexity of gene expression so that the phenotype of MSL mutations does not reflect only simple perturbations of genes on the X chromosome.
Confronting Maxwell's demon: biophysics of xylem embolism repair

Embolism results in a dramatic loss of xylem hydraulic transport capacity that can lead to decreased plant productivity and even death. The ability to refill embolized conduits despite the presence of tension in the xylem seems to be widespread, but how this occurs is not known. To promote discussion and future research on this topic, we describe how we believe refilling under tension might take place. Our scenario includes: (i) an osmotic role for low-molecular weight sugars; (ii) an apoplastic sugar-sensing mechanism to activate refilling; (iii) the contribution of vapor transport in both the influx of water and removal of entrapped gases; and (iv) the need for a mechanism that can synchronize reconnection to the transpiration stream through multiple bordered pits.
Optimal body weight for health and longevity: bridging basic, clinical, and population research

Summary Excess body weight and adiposity cause insulin resistance, inflammation, and numerous other alterations in metabolic and hormonal factors that promote atherosclerosis, tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration, and aging. Studies in both animals and humans have demonstrated a beneficial role of dietary restriction and leanness in promoting health and longevity. Epidemiological studies have found strong direct associations between increasing body mass index (BMI) and risks of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer, beginning from BMI of 20–21 kg m 2 . Although a recent meta-analysis suggests that overweight individuals have significantly lower overall mortality than normal-weight individuals, these data are likely to be an artifact produced by serious methodological problems, especially confounding by smoking, reverse causation due to existing chronic disease, and nonspecific loss of lean mass and function in the frail elderly. From a clinical and public health point of view, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and physical activity should remain the cornerstone in the prevention
Genesis of the 1000-Foot Arecibo Dish

The giant radar/radio astronomy dish near Arecibo, Puerto Rico, was conceived by William E. Gordon in early 1958 as a back-scattering radar system to measure the density and temperature of the Earth’s ionosphere up to a few thousand kilometers. Gordon calculated the required size of the antenna by using the Thomson cross-section for scattering by the electrons, and assuming that the elementary scattered waves would be incoherent. During the summer and autumn of 1958 Gordon led a study group that published a design report in December 1958. The report showed that a dish 1000 feet in diameter would be required, and described a limestone sinkhole in Puerto Rico that would make a suitable support for such a dish. Meanwhile, in November 1958, Kenneth L. Bowles per-formed an ionospheric radar experiment that showed that the Gordon calculation for the scattered power was roughly correct, but that the calculated spectral width was too big. The consequence of these results was that a dish substantially smaller than 1000 feet could have satisfied the original goals for the radar. However, from the spring of 1958 the value of 1000 feet had been in the minds of the study team, and a large suite of important experiments that such a dish could do had been identified. These apparently became the raison d’etre for the project, and the possibility of shrinking the dish to accomplish only the original goals seems to have been ignored. The project was sold to a new federal funding agency, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), which was interested, in part at least, because ballistic missiles traveled through the ionosphere and it was important to fully understand that environment. Gordon’s original calculation contained a remarkably beneficial error. Without it, it is doubtful that such a large dish would have been built.
Vitamin D status, adiposity, and lipids in black American and Caucasian children.

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated inversely with adiposity and positively with HDL cholesterol in children.
Laparoscopic pancreatic resection for cancer

Laparoscopic (lap) organ resection is now commonly performed for the management of solid tumors of the kidney, colon, adrenal glands and prostate. Surgeons have been slower to adopt minimally invasive approaches to the pancreas owing to operative complexity and complication potential. The majority of existing reports concerning lap pancreatectomy are single-center studies that describe experience with fewer than 20 cases. Only recently have larger experiences surfaced demonstrating the safety and efficacy of lap tumor enucleation and lap left pancreatectomy. As neoplastic disease is the most common indication for pancreatic resection, understanding the effects of the lap approach to pancreatectomy on cancer outcome is crucial. In addition to concerns of port-site tumor recurrence and tumor dissemination due to lap manipulation in the setting of pneumoperitoneum, adequacy of resection as defined by margin status and nodal assessment must be considered. This review covers the development and current state-of-the-art of lap pancreatic surgery for cancer. Existing data are reviewed for both open and lap pancreatic resections, with particular attention to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Projections of future advances in the field of lap pancreatic surgery are provided.
NUTRITIONAL CONDITION OF PACIFIC BLACK BRANT WINTERING AT THE EXTREMES OF THEIR RANGE

Abstract Endogenous stores of energy allow birds to survive periods of severe weather and food shortage during winter. We documented changes in lipid, protein, moisture, and ash in body tissues of adult female Pacific Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) and modeled the energetic costs of wintering. Birds were collected at the extremes of their winter range, in Alaska and Baja California, Mexico. Body lipids decreased over winter for birds in Alaska but increased for those in Baja California. Conversely, body protein increased over winter for Brant in Alaska and remained stable for birds in Baja California. Lipid stores likely fuel migration for Brant wintering in Baja California and ensure winter survival for those in Alaska. Increases in body protein may support earlier reproduction for Brant in Alaska. Predicted energy demands were similar between sites during late winter but avenues of expenditure were different. Birds in Baja California spent more energy on lipid synthesis while those in Alaska in...
Contrasting mechanisms of secondary metabolite accumulation during leaf development in two tropical tree species with different leaf expansion strategies

Young leaves of most species experience remarkably higher herbivore attack rates than mature leaves. Considerable theoretical effort has focused on predicting optimal defense and tradeoffs in defense allocation during leaf expansion. Among others, allocation to secondary chemistry may be dependent on growth constraints. We studied flavanoid production during leaf development in two species of Inga (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) with different expansion strategies: Inga goldmanii, a species with slowly expanding young leaves, and Inga umbellifera, a species with fast-expanding young leaves. In these two species, the most abundant and toxic class of defensive compounds is flavanoids (which include tannins). We measured their concentration by leaf dry weight, their total content per leaf, their HPLC chemical profile and their toxicity to a generalist herbivore at different expansion levels. Although in both species the flavanoid concentration decreased with increasing leaf expansion, that decrease was twice as pronounced for I. umbellifera as it was for I. goldmanii. I. umbellifera leaves produced flavanoids only during the first half of their development while I. goldmanii leaves continued production throughout. The changes in flavanoid HPLC profiles and toxicity were also more dramatic for I. umbellifera, which had different flavanoids in young than in mature leaves. Relative to I. umbellifera, I. goldmanii showed smaller changes in both flavanoid composition and toxicity in the transition from young to mature leaves. These results indicate that, even though young leaves suffer higher rates of attack and are predicted to have better chemical defenses than mature leaves, growth constraints may modulate defense allocation and thus, evolution of defense strategies.
Green's function formulation for multilayer normally biased ferrite structures using the transmission matrix approach

Normally biased ferrite substrates have been used extensively in antenna applications to control antenna and scattering characteristics. The case of a normally magnetized ferrite slab is considered the most difficult one compared with the case of a transversely or longitudinally magnetized ferrite slab. One can observe this difficulty from the comparison of the permeability tensor for each case. The most popular technique for the analysis of planar structures is the spectral domain approach, which can be adopted for a wide variety of structures. However, the formulation of a Green's function represents a major complexity in that approach. Determining the Green's function as a boundary value problem is quite difficult for magnetic substrates and becomes even more complicated for multilayer structures. In addition, Green's functions developed in such a procedure are useful only for the specific structures for which they are derived. A more flexible approach is to find the transmission matrix of the medium and then use this matrix to obtain the Green's function numerically. Since the transmission matrix does not depend on the geometry of the total structure, it is possible to form a software library of transmission matrices for several media types and use this library for the analysis of a variety of multilayer structures. Our technique based on the exact derivation of the transmission matrix and no approximation is made in the Green's function formulation. In addition, the Green's function is formulated in a way to increase the numerical efficiency in MoM applications.
Value of dynamic, contrast-enhanced MRI & intraoperative ultrasound for management of a nonpalpable, incidental, testicular Leydig-cell tumor

We report a case of a small, intratesticular, incidentally identified, nonpalpable Leydig-cell tumor in which preoperative, dynamic, contrast-enhanced MRI was essential in characterizing the lesion as a neoplasm. Sonographic evaluation failed to demonstrate internal color Doppler flow, resulting in a differential diagnosis that included debris-filled cyst. At surgical resection, intraoperative ultrasound was essential to locate the mass and confirm complete removal. This case highlights the value of dynamic, contrast-enhanced MRI and intraoperative ultrasound for the management of incidental intratesticular lesions with indeterminate sonographic and Doppler characterization. Radiologists and urologists should be familiar with this approach to the incidental, sonographically indeterminate, nonpalpable intratesticular lesion identified on scrotal ultrasound.
Drotrecogin Alfa (Activated) Treatment of Older Patients with Severe Sepsis

The incidence of severe sepsis increases dramatically with advanced age, with a mortality rate that approaches 50%. The main purpose of this investigation was to determine both short- and long-term survival outcomes among 386 patients aged >or=75 years who were enrolled in the Protein C Worldwide Evaluation of Severe Sepsis (PROWESS) trial. Subjects who were treated with drotrecogin alfa (activated; DAA) had absolute risk reductions in 28-day and in-hospital mortality of 15.5% and 15.6%, respectively (P=.002 for both), compared with placebo recipients. The relative risk (RR) for 28-day mortality was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.87), and the in-hospital RR was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.56-0.88). Resource use and patient disposition for DAA-treated patients compared favorably with those for placebo recipients. In addition, long-term follow-up data were available for 375 subjects (97.2%), and survival rates for DAA recipients were significantly higher over a 2-year period (P=.02). The incidences of serious adverse bleeding during the 28-day study period in the DAA and placebo groups were 3.9% and 2.2%, respectively (P=.34). There was no interaction between age and bleeding rates (P=.97). In conclusion, older patients with severe sepsis have higher short- and long-term survival rates when treated with DAA than when treated with placebo but an increased risk of serious bleeding that is not aged related.
Depression, Euthanasia, and Improving End-of-Life Care

As a result [of medical progress], Americans are living longer, and when they finally succumb to illness, lingering longer, either in great pain or in a stuporous, semi-comatose condition that results from the infusion of vast amounts of pain killing medications. . .The now recognized right to refuse or terminate treatment and the emergent right to receive medical assistance in hastening one’s death are inevitable consequences of [these] changes.
A Staged, Tortuous Microcapillary System: Hemodialysis and Ultrafiltration

A microcapillary system has been constructed by etching staged, tortuous microchannels onto stainless steel sheets; a flat membrane over the channel completes the microcapillary. The microcapillaries are sinusoidal and terminate every ??to form a region where the output of all capillaries mix. There are three stages per centimeter. Tortuosity and staging greatly reduce boundary layers and increase mass transfer through the membrane. There are 430 000 capillaries per square meter of membrane. The capillaries are oval (125 ?m X 250?m); thus membrane area per unit volume is only 36 percent less than a hollow-fiber capillary. Initial testing indicates satisfactory clearances and hydraulic conductivities for Cuprophane PT-150 membrane. This microcapillary system should find many industrial and biomedical applications where prime volume per unit membrane area and concentration polarization are major concerns of design.
Session layer requirements for multicastinternets

Why a focus on the session layer of the ISO Reference Model in any discussion on networking? Quality of service (QoS) control and the whole elephant. The parable about the blind men describing an elephant is useful to the discussion. Each feels one part of the elephant's anatomy and reports that part as the whole elephant. So the man who feels the elephant's tail has a wholly different mind's picture than the one feeling the elephant's side. And so it goes with QoS in a multicast environment. Each exploratory feel seems to yield a different view. This paper attempts to add some vision and get some notion of what the whole elephant ought to look like. This exercise is, of course, complicated by the fact that we're looking at an elephant that has yet to be built. First, we must understand that multicasting won't happen until it happens at several cooperating ISO layers. And as we consider the ubiquitous multicast implications at each layer, the QoS issue pops up every time. Thus, we focus on QoS.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging and in Vivo Circulatory Kinetics with Low-Boiling-Point Nanoscale Phase-Change Perfluorocarbon Agents

Many studies have explored phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) that can be vaporized by an ultrasonic pulse to form microbubbles for ultrasound imaging and therapy. However, few investigations have been published on the utility and characteristics of PCCAs as contrast agents in vivo. In this study, we examine the properties of low-boiling-point nanoscale PCCAs evaluated in vivo and compare data with those for conventional microbubbles with respect to contrast generation and circulation properties. To do this, we develop a custom pulse sequence to vaporize and image PCCAs using the Verasonics research platform and a clinical array transducer. Results indicate that droplets can produce contrast enhancement similar to that of microbubbles (7.29 to 18.24 dB over baseline, depending on formulation) and can be designed to circulate for as much as 3.3 times longer than microbubbles. This study also reports for the first time the ability to capture contrast washout kinetics of the target organ as a measure of vascular perfusion.
Taking the Pulse of a Massive Star

Astronomers have long used the internal vibrations of low-mass stars (including the Sun) to probe their internal structure. Application of this technique--called asteroseismology--to more massive stars requires very long periods of observation. Based on 21 years of data, [ Aerts et al .][1] have now probed the pulsations of a star nearly 10 times as massive as the Sun, extending asteroseismic probes to the realm of massive stars. In his Perspective, [Kawaler][2] explains that knowledge of the internal structure of such stars should advance understanding of the chemical evolution of galaxies and the explosion of supernovae. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/300/5627/1926 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/300/5627/1885
To Honor Her Head

The position of women in evangelical churches is determined by a number of interweaving factors, the most important of which is the Bible. Although these churches are often regarded as highly maledominated because of the supposed unambiguous nature of the Biblical texts, I hope to show here that in fact the very absoluteness of the Biblical standard and the ambiguity of meaning built into it generate a marked flexibility in meaning that permits a variety of symbolic strategies by both men and women with important implications for women’s position. In this chapter I will demonstrate this semantic flexibility through an in-depth analysis of the meaning of a key symbol of women’s position in three Edinburgh churches: the wearing of hats.
Effect of hemoglobin concentration on the oxidation of linoleic acid

The inhibitory effect of high concentrations of hemoglobin on the oxidation of linoleic acid was related to the ability of hemoglobin to associate with the fatty acid. Ultracentrifugation of the mixture of hemoglobin and potassium linoleate revealed that approximately 880 moles of linoleic acid could associate with 1 mole of hemoglobin. High concentrations of hemoglobin apparently reduced the amount of free linoleic acid accessible to the heme group, thus preventing the oxidation of the fatty acid. With low hemoglobin concentrations, at which the oxidation began immediately after the addition of the catalyst, the amount of free linoleic acid was considerably greater than that of bound linoleic acid.
A serological approach to the study of the male isoantigen in mice.

Earlier tests for the H-Y (male) antigen in mice were limited to male graft rejection by syngeneic females. The experiments described in this report attest to the specificity of a new serological test for this antigen. Anti-H-Y sera and immune ascites fluid with statistically significant cytotoxic indices were produced in C57BL/6Ha females; a cytotoxicity test of sufficient sensitivity to detect and titrate cytotoxic activity, or, conversely, to detect the presence of the male antigen on C57BL/6Ha male lymphoid cells in vitro, was devised.
Keyhole Reflection-Mode Coherent Diffractive Imaging of Nano-Patterned Surfaces Using a Tabletop EUV Source

We demonstrate the first reflection-mode keyhole coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) of non-isolated samples from a single diffraction pattern. A tabletop high harmonic generation (HHG) beam at 30 nm wavelength, with a highly curved wave-front, is used to illuminate Ti nano-patterns on a Si substrate at a 45 ° angle of incidence. The 30 nm illumination beam profile is first characterized using ptychograhic CDI. Keyhole CDI (kCDI) is then used to image the nano-sample. In contrast to ptychography CDI, keyhole CDI needs only one diffraction pattern, and therefore requires no scanning of the sample. This is a significant advantage for dynamic imaging, allowing a sequence of time-delayed images of the same region to be easily acquired. Our technique opens the door for imaging dynamics in nanostructures with sub-10 nm spatial resolution and fs temporal resolution.
Detection of nitrated and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization high resolution mass spectrometry

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common pollutants in the atmosphere and have long been recognized to be toxic to humans. These PAHs can be oxidized into more toxic products in both the gas and condensed (on the surface of suspended particulate matter) phases. In this work, we report fragmentation patterns observed using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization with high resolution mass spectrometry (APCI–HRMS) of PAH oxidation products. A representative group of 18 PAH derivatives containing carbonyl (oxo-PAHs), hydroxyl (hydroxy-PAHs), carboxyl (carboxy-PAHs), and/or nitro (nitro-PAHs) groups were studied. Ionization of carboxy-PAHs in negative mode yielded common fragments of [M−H]−, [M−H−CO]−, and [M−H−CO2]−. Oxo-PAHs provided common fragments of [M+H]+, [M+H−CO]+ and [M+H−2CO]+ in positive mode and [M+e−]− in negative mode. Mass spectra of aldehydes exhibited common fragments of [M+H]+, [M+H−CO]+, and [M+H−O]+ in positive mode and [M+e−]− and [M−H+O]− in negative mode. For all nitro-PAHs, [M+H]+, [M+H−O]+ and [M+3H−O2]+ ions were observed in positive mode. On the basis of the APCI–HRMS analysis of standards, eight reaction products of pyrene oxidation under heterogeneous conditions were characterized. HRMS data, specific fragments and common ions such as that of 205 m/z, characteristic for carbonyl phenanthrene, enabled the identification of the oxidation products.
A Critical Examination of the Polysymptomatic Distress Scale Construct as a Symptom Severity Questionnaire.

> A confusion develops between the use of scores to measure severity, and the same scores to establish diagnosis. > > Hugh A. Smythe J Rheumatol 2011;38:975–8 The assessment of disease severity is an essential undertaking related to morbidity and mortality. Ideally such assessment involves the use of objective markers, such as the level of hemoglobin in anemia or distribution of the number of erosions in rheumatoid arthritis. In many diseases within the sphere of rheumatology, objective markers have yet to be discovered. This situation has led to a profusion of questionnaires aimed at measuring disease severity. Such questionnaires need to be carefully designed to address the disorder under scrutiny and comprehensively validated to ensure their scientific reliability. The main symptom in most rheumatological disorders is pain. There are currently no generally available objective measures of pain, and its assessment invariably relies upon questionnaires, such as the Brief Pain Inventory1, or scales such as the visual analog scale2,3. Further, the evaluation of pain is complicated by its multidimensionality; most patients with chronic pain are fatigued, commonly depressed, often functionally impaired, and existentially distressed. The development of questionnaires has become a specialty in its own right, with its own arcane vocabulary, statistical complexities, and even its own journals. Achieving the right balance of generality and specificity without loss of content or efficiency is a challenging undertaking. In this issue of The Journal , Wolfe and colleagues present the Polysymptomatic Distress Scale (PSD) as a useful general severity measure and advocate its ease of interpretation by assigning 5 severity categories (none, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe)4. The PSD is derived from Dr. Wolfe’s 2010 diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia (FM)5. It combines 2 scales used for diagnosis: the Widespread Pain Index (WPI; 0–19) and the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS; 0–12) for … Address correspondence to R. Friend, Oregon Health and Sciences University, 2347 NW Overton St., Portland, Oregon 97210, USA. E-mail: ronald.friend{at}stonybrook.edu
Patterns and variability in geochemical signatures and microbial activity within and between diverse cold seep habitats along the lower continental slope, Northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract We collected 69 sediment cores from distinct ecological and geological settings along the deep slope in the Northern Gulf of Mexico to evaluate whether specific geochemical- or habitat-related factors correlated with rates of microbial processes and geochemical signatures. By collecting replicate cores from distinct habitats across multiple sites, we illustrate and quantify the heterogeneity of cold seep geochemistry and microbial activity. These data also document the factors driving unique aspects of the geochemistry of deep slope gas, oil and brine seeps. Surprisingly little variation was observed between replicate ( n =2–5) cores within sites for most analytes (except methane), implying that the common practice of collecting one core for geochemical analysis can capture the signature of a habitat in most cases. Depth-integrated concentrations of methane, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and calcium were the predominant geochemical factors that correlated with a site׳s ecological or geological settings. Pore fluid methane concentration was related to the phosphate and DIC concentration, as well as to rates of sulfate reduction. While distinctions between seep habitats were identified from geochemical signatures, habitat specific geochemistry varied little across sites. The relative concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen versus phosphorus suggests that phosphorus availability limits biomass production at cold seeps. Correlations between calcium, chloride, and phosphate concentrations were indicative of brine-associated phosphate transport, suggesting that in addition to the co-migration of methane, dissolved organic carbon, and ammonium with brine, phosphate delivery is also associated with brine advection.
Elastic Modulus of Pb/Sn Solder Joints in Microelectronics

Young’s modulus (E) values published in literature for the eutectic Pb37/Sn63 and near eutectic Pb40/Sn60 solder alloy vary significantly. One reason for this discrepancy is different testing methods for highly rate sensitive heterogeneous materials, like Pb/Sn alloys, yield different results. In this paper, we study different procedures used to obtain the elastic modulus; analytically, by single crystal elasticity and experimentally by ultrasonic testing and Nano indentation. We compare these procedures and propose a procedure for elastic modulus determination. The deformation kinetics of the Pb/Sn solder alloys is discussed at the grain size level.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Contributions of human platelets to the proteolytic activation of blood coagulation factors XII and XI

Abstract Previous studies have suggested that human platelets can promote the activation of factor XI by two different mechanisms, one requiring factor XII and ADP-treated platelets and the other requiring collagen-treated platelets in the apparent absence of factor XII. To investigate these hypotheses, isolated platelets were tested for their capacity to promote the activation and cleavage of purified factors XII and XI in various mixtures of purified factor XII, kallikrein, high molecular weight (HMW) kininogen, and factor XI. The activation of factor XII or factor XI was tested in clotting assays using plasmas deficient in factor XII, XI, IX, or VII and the limited proteolytic cleavage of 125l-labeled factor XII or XI was assessed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of reducing agents. That ADP- or collagen-treated platelets can promote the proteolytic activation of factor XII in mixtures containing kallikrein and HMW kininogen was shown by: (1) the proteolytic cleavage of factor XII; (2) the development of factor XII. coagulant activity; and (3) the proteolytic cleavage of 125l-factor XI. Platelets treated with collagen or thrombin were shown by both coagulant assays and by cleavage studies to participate with HMW kininogen and kallikrein in the proteolytic activation of factor XI by mechanisms that were partially dependent upon and partially independent of factor XII. That these zymogen activations are platelet-related was demonstrated by: (1) the enhanced coagulant activity and proteolysis observed after platelet stimulation with ADP, collagen or thrombin; (2) the inhibition of proteolytic activation seen when platelet responses were inhibited by indomethacin; (3) the absence of proteolytic activation in the absence of platelets or other surfaces; and (4) the localization of cleavage products of factor XI in platelet pellets. Experiments with celite or with unstimulated platelets present showed a linear relationship between factor-XII coagulant activity and proteolysis of factor XII. However, with activated platelets present the coagulant activity was two to fourfold greater than that observed for an equivalent amount of factor XII cleaved with celite present. These studies demonstrate that platelets can promote the proteolytic activation of factor XII by kallikrein and of factor XI by both factor-XII dependent and factor-XII-independent mechanisms.
Breaking From the Past: Intravascular Stent Therapy in Pediatrics.

In Goldilocks and the Three Bears , our young heroine was faced with 3 choices, 1 of which was “just right.” With intravascular stent therapy in pediatrics, interventionalists may be faced with many more choices, but rarely is the stent “just right.” For infants and young children, stenting
Two-Person Zero-Sum Games

As discussed in Section 1.3, two-person zero-sum games constitute an important class of Nash equilibrium games. Differential games of this class have been extensively treated, for instance in Refs. 5.1–5.4; here we shall only give those results which arise directly from specializing the N-person nonzero-sum case.
When sugar is not so sweet

Inadvertent modifications of proteins by metabolites have been implicated in numerous disorders, including inflammation, diabetes, and human aging. Despite their importance, little is known about the formation and effect of such protein modifications. A major obstacle to the study of their role in disease is the limited access to pure samples of protein modifications of this kind. On page 294 of this issue, Draghici et al. ( 1 ) provide a much-needed advance by reporting the total synthesis of glucosepane ( 1 , see the first figure), the core of a harmful protein modification that arises from reaction of the common metabolite glucose ( 4 , see the second figure).
Dangerous Beliefs: College Alcohol Beliefs Are Associated With Increased Risk of Regretted Sexual Encounters

ABSTRACTThis study explored the relative impact of college alcohol beliefs (CABs; i.e., the extent to which the student views alcohol as part of the fabric of college life), descriptive norms, injunctive norms, positive alcohol expectancies, and sensation seeking on college students' (N = 415) risk for engaging in regretted sexual encounters (RSE). Overall, 12% of our sample reported having experienced RSE within the past 30 days. When pitted against the other traditional predictors of college student drinking and its consequences, such as positive alcohol expectancies, descriptive and injunctive norms, and sensation seeking, CABs emerged as the strongest correlate of RSE other than drinking itself, and explained significant additional variance in RSE beyond these other predictors. Mediation analyses revealed that CABs had a significant indirect effect on RSE through typical weekly drinking. This pattern of findings indicates that college alcohol beliefs are, from a public health perspective, dangerous be...
Defensive Social Engineering

The methods we have described in the last four chapters work within cyberspace and involve only an occasional human other than the attacker. But most human deception involves non-cyber interactions between people. There are plenty of semi-cyberdeception methods used by cyberattackers, for which the terms “social engineering” and “scams” are appropriate. Social media (Tsikerdekis and Zeadally 2014) are a particularly fertile ground for deception in social engineering. Untrained people are not particularly good at detecting deception, and this aids social engineering (Qin and Burgoon 2007).
Immunotoxicity testing using human primary leukocytes: An adjunct approach for the evaluation of human risk.

Abstract Historically, immunotoxicity testing for chemicals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals has relied heavily on animal models to identify effects on the immune system followed by extrapolation to humans. Substantial progress has been made in the past decade on understanding human immune cell regulation, adaptive and innate immune responses and its modulation. The human immune system is complex and there exists diversity within composition, localization, and activation of different immune cell types between individuals. The inherent variation in human populations owing to genetics and environment can have a significant influence on the response of the immune system to infectious agents, drugs, chemicals and other environmental factors. Several recent reports have highlighted that mouse models of sepsis and inflammation are poorly predictive of human disease physiology and pathology. Rodent and human immune cells differ in the expression of cell surface proteins and phenotypes expressed in disease models, which may significantly influence the mechanism of action of xenobiotics and susceptibility yielding a different profile of activity across animal species. In the light of these differences and recent trends toward precision medicine, personalized therapies and the 3Rs (reduce, replace and refine animal use) approaches, the importance of using ‘all human’ model systems cannot be overstated. Hence, this opinion piece aims to discuss new models used to assess the effects of environmental contaminants and immune modulators on the immune response in human cells, the advantages and challenges of using human primary cells in immunotoxicology research and the implication for the future of immunotoxicity testing.
Fluconazole prevented fungal infections but not mortality in advanced HIV infection

Source Citation Powderly WG, Finkelstein DM, Feinberg J, et al. A randomized trial comparing fluconazole with clotrimazole troches for the prevention of fungal infections in patients with advanced ...
Some Statistical Tests and Experiments for Correlation of Financial Series

This short note describes some statistical tests and experiments for serial correlations of historical stock prices. More precisely, some parameters calculated via empirical characteristics functions are compared with the same parameters for time series with known degree of correlation.