cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1H MAS and 1H/27Al TRAPDOR NMR studies of oxygen-zeolite interactions at low temperatures: Probing bronsted acid site accessibility

Sorption of oxygen in the pores of zeolite HY and 1H MAS NMR has been used to determine which Bronsted acid sites are accessible to oxygen. Large increases in the 1H spinning-sideband manifolds are observed at low temperatures for the supercage protons that can directly interact with the oxygen molecules; a much smaller increase in sideband intensity is seen for the sodalite protons. Dramatic reductions of the T1's of all the protons, of approximately 2 orders of magnitude, are observed at −150 °C, in comparison to T1 measurements made in air at room temperature, or at −150 °C for samples with adsorbed N2. The T1's of the supercage protons are, however, shorter than those measured for the sodalite protons. Both the decrease in the T1's, and the large sideband manifolds, are due to the dipolar coupling interactions with the unpaired electrons present on the O2 molecules. Second moment (M2) analysis is used to quantify the increase in the width of the 1H spinning sideband manifolds, in samples of zeolites H...
Particle self-assembly in oil-in-ionic liquid Pickering emulsions

Abstract We have studied polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-in-1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) Pickering emulsions stabilized by polystyrene microparticles with different surface chemistry. Surprisingly, in contrast to the consensus originating from oil/water Pickering emulsions in which the solid particles equilibrate at the oil–water droplet interfaces and provide effective stabilization, here the polystyrene microparticles treated with sulfate, aldehyde sulfate, or carboxylate dissociable groups mostly formed monolayer bridges among the oil droplets rather than residing at the oil–ionic liquid interfaces. The bridge formation inhibited individual droplet–droplet coalescence; however, due to low density and large volume (thus the buoyant effect), the aggregated oil droplets actually promoted oil/ionic liquid phase separation and distressed emulsion stability. Systems with binary heterogeneous polystyrene microparticles exhibited similar, even enhanced (in terms of surface chemistry dependence), bridging phenomenon in the PDMS-in-[BMIM][PF6] Pickering emulsions.
Effect of Semen Quality on Fertility in Turkeys

Abstract Estimation of progressive motility of individual male turkeys from commercial flocks range from 1 to 80% with approximately 40% of the samples being rated below 40% motile. It is postulated that the poor quality semen from this large number of males may adversely affect fertility. The fertility trial reported here was designed to test this hypothesis. PROCEDURE One hundred sixty males were placed on 14 hours of light on March 1. After three weeks on the stimulatory light regime, the semen from each male was collected by aspiration into 2 ml. of Pipes-Tris buffer (Table 1) in a 5 ml. ampule. The ampule was capped and immediately placed in crushed ice. At the time of collection the semen quality was visually rated 1-3 with 3 being the highest quality. This was a subjective rating based on the appearance of the semen (i.e., color, density, volume) as it was collected. At…
Atomic Structure and Vibrations in Zinc Crystals. VI. Determination of Electron Asymmetry and the Two Principal Characteristic Temperatures

The results reported in papers by Brindley, Miller and the two previous papers of this issue of the Physical Review are discussed. The results show that the true atomic structure factor $f$ (the effect of atomic vibrations having been removed) is a function of the orientation angle $\ensuremath{\psi}$ out to $\frac{(sin \frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\varphi})}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}=0.6$. It is shown how the $f$ values may be obtained for two values of $\ensuremath{\psi}$ from diffuse scattering measurements alone at room temperature. The $f$ curves for $\ensuremath{\psi}={14}^{\ensuremath{\circ}} \mathrm{and} {90}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ coincide for $\frac{(sin \frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\varphi})}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$ between 0.6 and 1.0. At 0.6 the curves fork. Correcting Miller's $F$ values ($\ensuremath{\lambda}=0.71\mathrm{A}$) for atomic vibrations and Brindley's $F$ values ($\ensuremath{\lambda}=1.54\mathrm{A}$) for atomic vibrations and dispersion, $f$ points are obtained which mostly fall between or on the $f$ curves for $\ensuremath{\psi}={14}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ (this is practically the same as the $f$ curve for $\ensuremath{\psi}={0}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$) and $\ensuremath{\psi}={90}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$. It is shown that the difference between the two $f$ curves is due to a reasonable asymmetry in the spatial distribution function of the valence electrons. The $\ensuremath{\Delta}F$'s between Miller's and Brindley's $F$ values are corrected for atomic vibrations, and the resultant $\ensuremath{\Delta}f$'s are all equal within experimental error. The average $\ensuremath{\Delta}f=2.35$ in good agreement with the quantum mechanical $\ensuremath{\Delta}f=2.36$. The characteristic temperatures associated with vibrations parallel and perpendicular to the principal axis have been found. The characteristic temperature for parallel vibrations decreases while that for perpendicular vibrations remains almost constant with rise of temperature in agreement with Zener's theory. The average characteristic temperature for vibrations in all directions is just slightly greater than the characteristic temperature for specific heat in agreement with Zener's theory. The decrease of the characteristic temperature with temperature appears to begin when the root mean square displacement exceeds about 0.13A.
Simultaneous electrophoresis of pepsinogens and pepsins

Two new buffer systems, a pH 8.3 and a pH 5.7 buffer, for agar gel electrophoresis of human pepsinogens and pepsins are described. Electrophoresis of pepsinogens and pepsins was done on the same plate using the pH 5.7 buffer, and relationships of the major enzyme and zymogen components were determined. Four major and seven minor zymogen components were determined. Four major and seven minor zymogen bands were found following electrophoresis of extracts of human gastric mucosa. On activation of these extracts with 0.5 N HCl, the number of enzymatically active bands remained the same, although their mobility was increased. On two-dimensional electrophoresis, the relationship of four major bands before and after activation was maintained, the most mobile pepsin being derived from the most mobile pepsinogen, the least mobile derived from the least mobile pepsinogen, and intermediate pepsins derived from corresponding intermediate pepsinogens.
An Analysis of Attentional Components in Hyperactive and Normal Boys

Attentional performance was examined in hyperactive and normal 10 and 14 yearold boys. The children participating in the present study were administered a series of measures hypothesized to test three components of attention: coming to attention, decision making, and sustaining attention to a task over time. Multivariate analyses followed by univariate tests indicated that both age groups of normal children were superior to hyperactive children in attentional performance while hyperactive adolescents demonstrated significant improvement with age only in the area of coming to attention. Findings were interpreted to suggest that while activity levels of hyperactive children may diminish at adolescence, hyperactive adolescents still continue to be impulsive and impaired in attention. Correlational analyses yielded low but statistically significant relationships among the attentional measures, but no significant relationships between IQ and the attention test scores. Findings were consistent with the interpre...
Digit Memory Test: unequivocal cerebral dysfunction and suspected malingering

The Digit Memory Test (DMT) (Hiscock & Hiscock, 1989), a forced-choice test for detecting malingering, was administered to 27 patients with unequivocal cerebral dysfunction, 5 patients with postconcussional syndrome, 6 suspected malingerers and 10 normal controls. Results indicate that, even in patients with severe, but static cerebral dysfunction and unequivocal memory disorder, DMT performance is between 95% to 100% correct. By contrast, the 6 patients in whom malingering was seriously considered performed at a level much below the other three groups (74% correct) but not significantly below chance. The DMT may be helpful in evaluating patients suspected of malingering even when they do not score significantly below chance.
An approximate petroleum hydrocarbon budget for the Hudson Raritan estuary—New York

Abstract The quantities of petroleum hydrocarbons being discharged to the Hudson Raritan estuary have been estimated, in tonnes day −1 , from data in the literature as: sewage discharges (35), oil refinery discharges (1.3), non-oil refinery industrial discharges (17), oil spills (1.5), atmospheric deposition (0.002), urban and rural run-off (37). Losses have been estimated in a somewhat similar manner as: permanent deposition in sediments (11), dredging (5.8), advection (6.5), bed sedimentary transport (0.007), decomposition in water and sediments (42), evaporation (0.4), movement of surface slicks (0.4). The results are approximate but suggest that petroleum hydrocarbons originate principally from sewage as well as urban and rural run-off and only moderate proportions are discharged through the estuary mouth. However, this discharge combined with that due to dredging spoil disposal operations results in a considerable quantity of petroleum hydrocarbon entering the adjacent New York Bight.
Worst-case ambient air concentrations from point sources using the Gaussian Plume Model

Abstract The highest possible ground-level ambient air concentrations due to an elevated point source diffusing over flat terrain are obtained from the Gaussian Plume Model for power law forms of the dispersion coefficients. The critical wind speed, critical plume height and distance downwind are also obtained. The results are discussed for various sets of Gaussian dispersion coefficients and the increased concentrations due to trapping are presented.
Visual pop-out in infants: Evidence for preattentive search in 3- and 4-month-olds

The present experiment tested for preattentive visual search in 3- and 4-month-old infants using stimulus features described by Treisman and Souther (1985) as producing visual “pop-out” effects in adults. Infants were presented with two visual arrays to the left and right of midline. One array comprised homogeneous elements, while the other had a discrepant element embedded in it. On the basis of previous research, we expected infants to fixate the array containing the embedded discrepant element. The pattern of fixation indicated detection of the embedded discrepant element for both age groups, but only with stimuli shown to elicit visual pop out in adults. This asymmetry in detection is consistent with the presence of preattentive visual search in infants as young as 3 months.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND GENE EXPRESSION IN CULTURED ACCESSORY OLFACTORY BULB NEURONS

Glutamate and norepinephrine (NE) are believed to mediate the long-lasting synaptic plasticity in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) that underlies pheromone recognition memory. The mechanisms by which these neurotransmitters bring about the synaptic changes are not clearly understood. In order to study signals that mediate synaptic plasticity in the AOB, we used AOB neurons in primary culture as a model system. Because induction of pheromone memory requires coincident glutamatergic and noradrenergic input to the AOB, and requires new protein synthesis, we reasoned that glutamate and NE must induce gene expression in the AOB. We used a combination of agonists that stimulate alpha1 and alpha2 adrenergic receptors in combination with N-methyl-d-aspartic acid and tested expression of the immediate-early gene (IEG) c-Fos. We found that the glutamatergic and noradrenergic stimulation caused significant induction of c-Fos mRNA and protein. Induction of c-Fos was significantly reduced in the presence of inhibitors of protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phospholipase C. These results suggest that glutamate and NE induce gene expression in the AOB through a signaling pathway mediated by protein kinase C and MAPK.
Developmental changes in membrane transport and permeability in the early mouse embryo.

Electrophysiological and isotope tracer flux experiments were performed to measure the membrane ion permeability and transport properties of the two-cell mouse embryo. The results show that the internal exchangeable Na and K are 151 and 130 mM, respectively, and their membrane permeabilities are (PNa) 16 × 10−8 cm sec−1 and (PK) 21 × 10−8 cm sec−1. These values predict a membrane potential of −24 mV (inside negative) which agrees well with −19 mV measured with microelectrodes. Ouabain-sensitive isotope fluxes demonstrate a Na/K pump mechanism with a stoichiometry of 1.7:1 (Na:K). An external-Na-dependent Na efflux is demonstrated by the reduction of unidirectional Na efflux in Na-free medium, but there is no evidence for a similar mechanism of K efflux at this stage of development. These results are compared with the values reported for the mouse oocyte [Powers, R. D., and Tupper, J. T. (1974). Develop. Biol. 38, 320–331; (1975). Exp. Cell Res. 91, 413–421]. The hyperpolarization of the membrane potential as compared with the oocyte (−13 mV) results primarily from the increased PKPNa ratio. A similar phenomenon has been noted in other developing embryos. The increase in pump-mediated K influx at the two-cell stage is accompanied by a decrease of similar magnitude in the external-K-dependent K efflux which is found in the oocyte. This suggests that the KK exchange mechanism may be converted to an active pump. Because of the changes in ion concentrations and movements and the unusual metabolic requirements of the mouse embryo, the effect of external Na on the uptake of glucose and pyruvate in the oocyte and two- and eight-cell stage was examined. No Na-dependent carbohydrate transport could be found at these stages.
Output feedback stabilization of linear systems in the presence of parametric uncertainties

The author considers the problem of stabilization of linear systems in the presence of uncertain parameters which are described by Gaussian white noise processes. He presents a design procedure for a full order observer which makes the closed loop state-observer composite system exponentially stable in the mean-square as well as almost-sure sense. This method also permits the selection of the closed-loop expected eigenvalues of the composite state-observer system. >
Anxiety and Depression in Patients Receiving Implanted Cardioverter-Defibrillators: A Longitudinal Investigation:

Objective:The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has dramatically improved survival rates following sudden cardiac death episodes. However, researchers have devoted little attention to the psychosocial consequences of living with the device. The current study used a longitudinal design to evaluate the impact of adaptation to the ICD on incidence and severity of anxiety and depression.Method:ICD recipients were administered standardized anxiety and depression questionnaires as well as questions evaluating quality of life related to the ICD in two consecutive yearly assessments. A preliminary evaluation of potentially important theoretical variables, such as the perceived predictability and controllability of shock onset was also conducted.Results:One-third of the study population (N = 38) had clinically significant levels of anxiety, depressed mood, and fear of symptoms of autonomic arousal. These negative affective states persisted over time, with 40 to 63 percent of subjects continuing to have ...
Fuzzy logic control of an automotive engine

A systematic fuzzy logic control design method for control of automotive engine idling speed is discussed. The method uses the direct intelligent control paradigm. The procedure is based on partitioning of the state space into small rectangles called cell groups, and quantization of the states and the available controls into finite levels or bins. Membership functions are then assigned for the state and controls. The transition from one conditional subspace to another is accomplished via a center-point mapping of the cell groups, under the applied action of each if-then rule. The systematic aspects of the procedure refer to the way transitional elements are clustered on the basis of an explicitly defined performance measure. Optimum transitions are selected using a search procedure. The fuzzy rules are generated automatically for transitioning from any initial cell group to the target cell group. A simplified engine model for idling speed control is used as the testbed for development and demonstration purposes. >
Commonalities in IB Practice and the Schoolwide Enrichment Model.

This article discusses commonalities that exist between two popular educational approaches that provide options for a wide range of student achievement levels, the Schoolwide Enrichment Model and the International Baccalaureate, especially the Primary Years Programme, in classroom practice. Introductions to the International Baccalaureate and Schoolwide Enrichment Model are presented, as is a discussion of commonalities in the two approaches related to the themes of overall school culture, student self-reflection, portfolios, and inquiry-based instruction. Both approaches have similar as well as different goals, and suggested ways to combine the approaches may help to refine the instruction and curriculum provided in both IB and the Schoolwide Enrichment Model.
Factors Required for the Binding of Reassembled Yeast Kinetochores to Microtubules In Vitro

Kinetochores are structures that assemble on centromeric DNA and mediate the attachment of chromosomes to the microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The protein components of kinetochores are poorly understood, but the simplicity of the S. cerevisiae kinetochore makes it an attractive candidate for molecular dissection. Mutations in genes encoding CBF1 and CBF3, proteins that bind to yeast centromeres, interfere with chromosome segregation in vivo. To determine the roles played by these factors and by various regions of centromeric DNA in kinetochore function, we have developed a method to partially reassemble kinetochores on exogenous centromeric templates in vitro and to visualize the attachment of these reassembled kinetochore complexes to microtubules. In this assay, single reassembled complexes appear to mediate microtubule binding. We find that CBF3 is absolutely essential for this attachment but, contrary to previous reports (Hyman, A. A., K. Middleton, M. Centola, T.J. Mitchison, and J. Carbon. 1992. Microtubule-motor activity of a yeast centromere-binding protein complex. Nature (Lond.). 359:533-536) is not sufficient. Additional cellular factors interact with CBF3 to form active microtubule-binding complexes. This is mediated primarily by the CDEIII region of centromeric DNA but CDEII plays an essential modulatory role. Thus, the attachment of kinetochores to microtubules appears to involve a hierarchy of interactions by factors that assemble on a core complex consisting of DNA-bound CBF3.
System considerations for efficient and linear supply modulated RF transmitters

This paper presents an overview of the envelope tracking RF transmitters which require a dynamic power supply implemented as an envelope modulator. Optimal design of this component requires an understanding of the system and power amplifier (PA) behavior. Here, we specifically address design of transmitters for wireless communications at the base station in the 2.14 GHz band with W-CDMA modulation. PA characterization and a new system modeling method are developed to determine envelope modulator requirements for a given signal type. System measurements of a proof-of-concept ET system dissipates 61% less power than the traditional drive-modulated transmitter.
High-density seeding of myocyte cells for cardiac tissue engineering

Tissue engineering of 1- to 5-mm-thick, func- tional constructs based on cells that cannot tolerate hyp- oxia for prolonged time periods (e.g., cardiac myocytes) critically depends on our ability to seed the cells at a high and spatially uniform initial density and to maintain their viability and function. We hypothesized that rapid gel- cell inoculation in conjunction with direct medium per- fusion through the seeded scaffold would increase the rate, yield, viability, and uniformity of cell seeding. Two cell types were studied: neonatal rat cardiomyocytes for feasibility studies of seeding and cultivation with direct medium perfusion, and C2C12 cells (a murine myoblast cell line) for detailed seeding studies. Cells were seeded at densities corresponding to those normally present in the adult rat heart ((0.5-1) × 10 8 cells/cm 3 ), into collagen sponges (13 m m×3m mdiscs), using Matrigel® as a vehicle for rapid cell delivery. Scaffolds inoculated with cell-gel suspension were seeded either in perfused car- tridges with alternating medium flow or in orbitally mixed Petri dishes. The effects of seeding time (1.5 or 4.5 h), initial cell number (6 or 12 million cells per scaffold), and seeding set-up (medium perfusion at 0.5 and 1.5 mL/ min; orbitally mixed dishes) were investigated using a randomized three-factor factorial experimental design with two or three levels and three replicates. The seeding cell yield was consistently high (over 80%), and it ap- peared to be determined by the rapid gel inoculation. The decrease in cell viability was markedly lower for per- fused cartridges than for orbitally mixed dishes (e.g., 8.8 ± 0.8% and 56.3 ± 4%, respectively, for 12 million cells at 4.5 h post-seeding). Spatially uniform cell distributions were observed in perfused constructs, whereas cells were mainly located within a thin (100-200 µm) surface layer in dish seeded constructs. Over 7 days of cultiva- tion, medium perfusion maintained the viability and dif- ferentiated function of cardiac myocytes, and the con- structs contracted synchronously in response to electri- cal stimulation. Direct perfusion can thus enable seeding of hypoxia-sensitive cells at physiologically high and spatially uniform initial densities and maintain cell viabil-
Elastoplastic meshless integral method

Abstract In this paper, the meshless integral method based on regularized boundary integral equation [A. Bodin, J. Ma, X.J. Xin, P. Krishnaswami, A meshless integral method based on regularized boundary integral equation, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg. 195 (2006) 6258–6286] has been extended to elastoplastic materials. In the formulation, the domain of interest is populated with a set of nodes using an automatic node generation algorithm. The sub-domain and support domain associated with each node are also generated automatically using algorithms that have been developed for this purpose. The governing integral equation is obtained from the weak form of elastoplasticity over a local sub-domain, and the moving least-squares approximation is used for meshless function approximation. The constitutive law is the small deformation, rate-independent flow theory based on von Mises yielding criterion with isotropic hardening. The generalized collocation method is employed to enforce the essential boundary conditions exactly, which is simple and computationally efficient. Natural boundary conditions are incorporated in the system governing equation and require no special handling. The solution algorithm for elastoplastic analysis is discussed in detail. The proposed method can handle any prescribed loading profile, including unloading and reversed loading. Numerical examples show that the elastoplastic integral meshless method is accurate and robust.
Planetary Migration: What Does It Mean for Planet Formation?

Gravitational interactions between a planet and its protoplanetary disk change the planet’s orbit, causing the planet to migrate toward or away from its star. Migration rates are poorly constrained for low-mass bodies but reasonably well understood for giant planets. In both cases, significant migration will affect the details and efficiency of planet formation. If the disk is turbulent, density fluctuations will excite orbital eccentricities and cause orbits to undergo a random walk. Both processes are probably detrimental to planet formation. Planets that form early in the lifetime of a disk are likely to be lost, whereas late-forming planets will survive and may undergo little migration. Migration can explain the observed orbits and masses of extrasolar planets if giants form at different times and over a range of distances. Migration can also explain the existence of planets orbiting close to their star and of resonant pairs of planets.
Synthetic Biology and the International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition

? JM T^e are excited to share an exciting new m/m/ area ?f biological research that will be V V of great interest to many TriBeta stu? dents and faculty mentors. As biology and math? ematics faculty mentors ourselves with a long? standing commitment to undergraduate research, we have advised students working on a variety of research topics, including cell biology, mo? lecular phylogenetics, cancer biology, microarray analysis, graph theory, and computer program? ming. Each of these areas provided interesting projects for our students, enabling them to learn how to conduct research and disseminate their results through presentations and publications. However, about four years ago, our active un? dergraduate research programs transitioned to a new research field called synthetic biology. Syn? thetic biology is exciting, interdisciplinary, rela? tively inexpensive and appropriate for under? graduate research. Synthetic biology has also enabled us to establish multidisciplinary research groups composed of biology and mathematics professors and students and to work together as a collaborative team from our two institutions, Missouri Western State University and Davidson College. Our students have used their research experience to get jobs and enter graduate school at a time when global interest in synthetic biol? ogy is growing rapidly. In this article, we de? scribe the emerging field of synthetic biology, provide examples of the impact it is having on the understanding of biology and the ability to engineer biological systems, and explain how undergraduates are making important contribu? tions to its development. We will also describe the international Genetically Engineered Ma? chines (iGEM) competition as an entry point for undergraduate students to begin synthetic biology research.
Foraging Ontogeny is not Linked to Delayed Maturation in Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

The acquisition of complex foraging behaviors by young is a proposed cause of a prolonged juvenile phase in many vertebrates, including primates. I compared the foraging behaviors of infant, juvenile and adult squirrel monkeys to determine if significant age-related differences in foraging behavior and efficiency were present. Infants and juveniles differed from each other in patterns of prey and fruit foraging, but few differences existed between juveniles and adults. Despite differing in the use of foraging substrates, young juveniles (8-12 mo) were as efficient as older juveniles (1-4 yr) and adults at capturing and processing large prey. Young juveniles (<1 yr) were limited in their ability to consume husked palm fruits due to an inability to peel them to obtain pulp. By 1 yr of age, however, foraging behaviors of adults and juveniles were nearly indistinguishable. The absence of meaningful differences between adults and juvenile foraging is not consistent with the hypothesis that the need to develop foraging skills accounts for the pattern of extended juvenility in squirrel monkeys.
Consumer Age Affects Response to Sensory Characteristics of a Cherry Flavored Beverage

The sensory responses of a young adult population were compared to one over age 60. Using a central composite design, sweetness and flavor intensity, flavor quality, overall acceptability, perceived thirst quenching and flavor identification were evaluated using an artificially flavored cherry beverage varying in sucrose, flavor, and color. The mean data were modeled to a response surface as a function of sucrose, color, and flavor. In both populations the measures were responsive to factors manipulated in the design. Color had specific unique effects on overall acceptance, flavor quality, and intensity in each of the populations. The older population was more sensitive to visual cues and less sensitive to changes in flavor concentration.
A Persuasive Example of Collaborative Learning

This article details the process of integrating a 12-week collaborative learning project within a course on Persuasion and Propaganda. We present a specific instantiation of Meyers's (1997) articulation of general principles for incorporating small group projects into college courses. Student groups designed, executed, and evaluated persuasive campaigns to change the attitudes and behavior of target populations. Student self-reports indicated that the course format was significantly more popular than traditional formats in other psychology courses. Moreover, students worked significantly harder for and learned more from the cooperative learning components than from the traditional lecture- and text-based components of this course.
An Adjoint Method for Obtaining the Most Rapidly Growing Perturbation to Oceanic Flows

Abstract This work explores the formation and growth of waves on oceanic flows using a quasigeostrophic model. In particular, we consider flow regimes consisting of zonal oceanic jets, similar in fact to the westward extension of the Gulf Stream. Traditionally, the formation of waves has been ascribed to exponentially unstable modes, but rather than adopt this paradigm, we seek the most rapidly growing perturbation without restriction or its structure to normal-mode form. Optimal excitations are determined using the adjoint of the quasigeostrophic dynamic equations, and the perturbations found by this method are shown to grow mote rapidly than the unstable mode. Applications of the theory presented here include determination of a tight upper bound on perturbation growth rate, a constructive method for finding the most disruptive disturbance to a given flow, and a method for determining the relative predictability of flows. From the form of the most rapidly growing perturbation, resolution requirements for...
Bactericidal antibiotics promote reactive oxygen species formation and inflammation in human sinonasal epithelial cells.

Background Bactericidal antibiotics have been shown to stimulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in mammalian cells through mitochondrial dysfunction. This results in oxidative tissue damage that may have negative consequences for long-term antibiotic use. Antibiotics are widely and heavily used in the treatment of acute and chronic sinusitis; however, the relationship between antibiotics and ROS formation in sinonasal epithelial cells (SNECs) has not yet been demonstrated. Methods Human SNECs were collected from patients during endoscopic sinus surgery and grown in culture at the air-liquid interface. Differentiated SNECs were stimulated with the bactericidal antibiotics amoxicillin and levofloxacin and the bacteriostatic antibiotic clarithromycin for 24 hours. ROS were quantified via fluorescence. Cell death was quantified by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) secretion. Expression of inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant genes were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Cultured SNECs treated with the bactericidal antibiotics amoxicillin and levofloxacin resulted in a significant increase in production of ROS (p < 0.05) and secretion of LDH (p < 0.05). The increase in ROS formation correlated with an increase in expression of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant genes as well as the expression and production of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, and interleukin 1 β (IL-1β) (p < 0.05). SNECs treated with clarithromycin did not demonstrate statistically significant increases in ROS or proinflammatory cytokine production. Conclusion In this study, we show that treatment of cultured human SNECs with bactericidal antibiotics leads to formation of ROS with an associated increase in inflammatory and antioxidant gene expression and cell death. This suggests that long-term or inappropriate antibiotic use in the treatment of sinusitis may result in oxidative tissue damage to the sinonasal epithelium. Future studies will explore the clinical implications of such damage to the sinonasal epithelium.
Sympathetically induced changes in the responses of slowly adapting type I receptors in cat skin.

The effects of sympathetic efferent activity on slowly adapting Type I receptors in the hairy skin of cats were studied by recording from single afferent units in the saphenous nerve. Stimulation of the sympathetic trunk at 10 Hz had predominantly excitatory effects, which were seen in some units as the development of a background discharge in the absence of overt mechanical stimulation, or in most other units as a reduction in the threshold for mechanical activation. These effects generally persisted throughout the 3-min period of sympathetic stimulation (SS). The percentage of afferent units that began to discharge during SS was significantly greater in female cats than in males (53% vs. 19%). An increase in the force exerted by the skin on the stimulus probe was also observed during SS.Several tests were conducted to assess possible neurochemical and mechanical mechanisms of action. Administration of the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent phentolamine produced a marked reduction in the sympathetic effects...
Convicting the Innocent Redux

My book, “Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecutions Go Wrong,” published in 2011, tells the story of the first 250 DNA exonerations in the United States. There have now been 330 DNA exonerations. There is no other country in the world in which such a large group of people have been exonerated by DNA evidence. This Chapter updates data collected when researching the book, and in many respects, the patterns remain the same. Many faced quite severe sentences. Twenty exonerees had been sentenced to death. Ninety-two were sentenced to life in prison, 12 of which were sentenced to life without parole. The vast majority, 80 percent of these DNA exonerees, were racial minorities. There have been some notable changes in the composition of the most recent set of DNA exonerations. The more recent DNA exonerations include far more murder convictions than the first 250 DNA exonerations. These changes have impacted the types of evidence prominent in the cases. Similarly high percentages of cases involve eyewitness misidentifications (70%) and forensics (69%). Most striking, more of the cases include false confessions (21%) and informant testimony (22%). Many of the most recent exonerations were particularly hard fought along the path to eventual exoneration. Often because prosecutors were swayed by confession evidence they continued to litigated cases for years, even despite DNA tests results. Indeed, 22 of the recent 80 cases involved DNA analysis, 18 of which DNA exclusions of individuals that were nevertheless convicted; 3 more of which involved DNA exclusions concealed from the defense, and one more case, which involved a sample mix-up leading to an error in DNA analysis. Of the 227 cases that involved forensic evidence, 46% or 105 cases, involved invalid, erroneous, or concealed forensics. Almost half of the cases with eyewitness identifications involved cross-racial identifications. Twenty-nine of these inmates received vacaturs during appeals or post-conviction occurring prior to their DNA exonerations, representing 14% of the 204 that had written decisions published by judges. These most recent exonerations are particularly troubling, because some of the same underlying practices that can lead to wrongful convictions are with us today, even if reforms are spreading and attitudes towards criminal justice are shifting.
Efficacy of natural antiinflammatories in primary rat tracheal epithelial cell transformation.

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 4987 We have developed and used a primary rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) cell transformation model for identifying potential chemopreventive agents belonging to different chemical classes/biological activity. The current study examined whether natural products with significant anti-inflammatory characteristics have chemopreventive activity in the same model system. RTE cells were treated with B[ a ]P alone or with five nontoxic concentrations of a natural anti-inflammatory product and the resulting foci at the end of 30 days were scored for inhibition of transformation. EP-1A, a sea cucumber fraction containing saponins , was tested at 0.01-1.0 µg/mL and it inhibited transformation in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 0.1µg/ml. Similarly, CbrA5, a lipid fraction from sea cucumber, inhibited transformation at all concentrations (0.3-10µg/mL) with 100% inhibition at the highest dose and an IC50 of 0.3µg/mL. Green oil, another lipid compound from sea cucumber significantly inhibited B[ a ]P-induced transformation (0.1-10µg/mL) in a reverse dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 0.1µg/mL. Frondanol, an oil extract from sea cucumber, was the only fraction that was not effective in this model. Iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analogue was highly effective (44-100 %) at higher concentrations (30-100 µM). Turmerin, a water soluble small peptide from turmeric, exhibited dose-dependent response with maximum inhibition (37%) at 10 µg/mL. In addition, turmerin showed excellent correlation between inhibition of transformation and effect on CK-14, survivin and apoptosis, biomarkers that appear at different stages of RTE transformation. The agents were rated based on the IC50 concentration from low high as follows: EP-1A ≤ Green oil< CBr5 <Turmerin<Iloprost. It appears that the RTE model system can be successfully employed to identify natural antiinflammotories, another class of cancer preventive agents. It is highly likely that these agents being natural products, have multiple biological activities which has contributed to their effectiveness in this primary cell respiratory model of transformation (Supported by NCI #N01-CN-43301).
Class Actions in Brazil - A Model for Civil Law Countries [English]

Asserting that class actions are compatible with civil law systems, the author describes the Brazilian system of class actions, comparing it with its American counterpart, and placing it in the context of other systems' approaches to class action litigation. In this paper, the author presents the Brazilian class action system to an international audience and introduces a typical civil law class action to an American audience.The author contends that the Brazilian class action system is a unique creation in the way that it addresses aspects of class action litigation such as standing to sue, types of group rights, res judicata and lis pendens. The Brazilian experience demonstrates that civil law systems can employ a class suit procedure successfully but cannot transplant the American class action model into their systems without substantial adaptation.
Breastfeeding and intimacy

Psychosexual functioning refers to the relationship between psychological factors and sexual functioning. Breastfeeding may influence psychosexual functioning at a variety of levels, from the individual to the relational. A number of physiological transitions take place after parturition and the initiation of breastfeeding that may affect sexual intimacy. Depressive symptoms may interfere with psychosexual functioning in both men and women. Breastfeeding and sexual intimacy are enacted within particular social and cultural contexts. Sexualization of the breast in Euro-American societies creates psychological dissonance in a woman's perception of her dual identity as a mother and as a sexual partner. Social stigma also influences men's responses to sexual intimacy with a breastfeeding partner. Both long-term and short-term breastfeeding have been shown to improve sexual and emotional intimacy between mothers and fathers. More research is required to understand non-heteronormative and adoptive breastfeeding in relation to psychosexual functioning. Keywords: breastfeeding; intimacy; lactation
Effect of soybean thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) feeding injury on penetration of acifluorfen in soybean

Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of the physical injury inflicted by feeding soybean thrips, Sericothrips variabilis (Beach), on penetration of acifluorfen in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill. In these studies, S. variabilis feeding injury was observed to have a minimal effect on 14C-acifluorfen penetration while attempts to simulate rasping type feeding injury increased 14C-acifluorfen penetration two to three fold. Scrutiny of the soybean leaflet tissues damaged by feeding S. variabilis , using both light and scanning electron microscopy, revealed that epidermal cells were collapsed and many mesophyll cells destroyed. There were no gashes on the leaf surface to indicate a rasping-sucking feeding behavior as described in the early literature. The primary damage on the surface of the leaves was holes, indicating S. variabilis has a piercing-sucking type feeding action. These observations on S. variabilts feeding support recent findings made for other thrips species. Based on these findings, we concluded that the piercing type feeding injury caused by S. variabilis does not produce wounds on the leaf surface of sufficient quantity or size-compared with wounds that were predicted for a rasping-sucking action-to allow a significant increase of 14C-acifluorfen into the soybean leaf.
On McDowell on the content of perceptual experience

Research in Artificial Intelligence has suggested to philosophers that the psychology of a human agent may be described by means of a flow chart, which outlines a breakdown into different sub-agencies and the paths of access that they have to each other that allow them to co-operate in carrying out the intentions of the human agent, the corporation whom they comprise. A further description of each of these sub-agencies, now treated similarly as corporations, sets up an elaborate functionally described hierarchy. At each descending stage of the hierarchy, a level that was at the previous stage conceived merely as a black box is described as a subsystem with organizational structure and functional detail, and with many and diverse access relations to other subsystems in the hierarchy. Daniel Dennett has pursued this suggestion for the application of AI research, further perhaps than any other philosopher. He provides a constitutive account of our 'dealings with content' in terms of this cognitive-scientific suggestion.' His analysis of visual experience appeals to a specific access relation which holds between the deliverances of the visual subsystem and a public relations subsystem, which in our case is the system responsible for our linguistic output: the crude idea is that, of all the contents which result from processing by the visual box that are passed on in this elaborate information-processing hierarchical system, those that we could report are the ones we are conscious of. This is intended to give a satisfyingly deflationary answer to the question of consciousness, to the question: is it like anything to have this sort of experience? McDowell has not written the seventy-nine-thousandth paper complaining that this cognitive-scientific picture cannot capture the ineffable, lived, givenness of experience. His complaint and his angle on consciousness is quite different.2 He does not deny the relevance of the picture to consciousness. Rather, he says, Dennett's mistake is to misdescribe the relevance. The picture of a series of informationprocessing subsystems, with the public relations or speech-output box as privileged, is a respectable, indeed perhaps essential, part of the account, but it does not constitute
Peptide mapping study of anti-DNP-PLL antibodies produced by guinea pigs with and without the PLL gene

SummaryPeptide map of F(ab')2 fragments of anti-DNP-PLL antibodies obtained from responder guinea pigs immunized with DNP-PLL and from guinea pigs lacking the PLL gene immunized with DNP-PLL ovalbumin complexes were compared. No structural differences that could be attributed to the “PLL gene” were observed.
Factors Influencing the Initial Strength of the Tibial Tray-Cement Interface Bond

Questions/purposes: What factors influence tibial tray-cement interface bond strength? We developed a laboratory model to investigate this issue with the goal of providing technical recommendations to mitigate the risk of tibial tray-cement loosening. Methods: Forty-eight size 4 Triathlon® tibial trays were cemented into an acrylic holder using two different cements: Simplex® and Palacos®; three different cementing times: early (low viscosity), per manufacturer (normal, medium viscosity), and late (high viscosity); two different cementation techniques: cementing tibial plateau only and cementing tibial plateau and keel; and two different fat (marrow) contamination conditions: metal/cement interface and cement/cement interface. A push-out test was applied at a velocity of 0.05 mm/s, and the load recorded continuously throughout the test at a rate of 10 Hz. The test was stopped when the plate debonded from the cement (i.e. the tray visibly separated from the acrylic support and the load dropped substantially). Statistical analysis was performed using Welch9s t-tests and Cohen9s d tests. Results: Compared to cementing under manufacturer-recommended conditions (normal), late cementing reduced the interface strength of Simplex™ by 47%. Early cementing increased interface strength of Simplex by 48% and Palacos by 139%. Cementing the keel increased the bond strength of Simplex™ 153% and Palacos™ 243% and over the respective normal cementing of the plateau only. Fat contamination of the metal-cement interface reduced the interface strength to practically zero (−99% Simplex and −91% Palacos), but by adding cement to the underside of the tibial tray prior to an insertion resulting in fat contamination, this was reduced to −65% in Simplex (the difference in strength between normal and fat contamination with the underside cemented was not statistically significant in Palacos). Conclusions: Under laboratory conditions, a clean tibial tray-cement interface is strong, but much stronger when the keel is cemented. Earlier application of the cement to metal increases bond strength while later application reduces bond strength. Fat contamination of the tibial tray-cement interface reduces bond strength, but application of cement to the underside of the tibial tray prior to insertion substantially mitigates this. Clinical relevance: To maximize tibial tray-cement bond strength, 1) apply cement to the component soon after mixing, 2) thoroughly dry the entire tibial interface (plateau and keel), and 3) cement the keel as well as the plateau. These results suggest that clinical loosening at the tibial tray-cement interface can result from too late application of cement to the tray, and/or interface contamination by marrow or other fluid (blood or saline). The surgeon should consider applying cement to the undersurface of the component soon after mixing (while tacky). Cement placed into the keel region may also reduce the potential for marrow or other fluid contamination of the interface.