cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors were first administered in Europe to human subjects in the 1860s, and synthetic derivatives of the natural alkaloid inhibitors were developed in the 1930s to modulate peripheral cholinergic function. However, only within the last decade have these agents been systematically studied for therapy of central cholinergic deficits. This time interval parallels the cloning of the gene and determination of the structure of the target molecule, AChE. Because AChE in mammals is encoded by a single gene and the portion of the gene encoding the catalytic domain is invariant, selectivity of action can be achieved only by altering parameters of disposition and pharmacokinetics of action of the inhibitor rather than its specificity for particular AChE isozymes in various regions of the CNS. This article describes the mechanism of action of short-acting, carbamoylating, and phosphorylating inhibitors of cholinesterase and suggests possible strategies for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
Evidence for a Common Mechanism of Action of Interleukin-1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Epidermal Growth Factor on Prostaglandin Production in Human Chorion Cells

PROBLEM: Although chorion produces prostaglandins in response to interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), little attention has been given to the mechanisms of action of prostaglandin biosynthesis in this tissue.
Both solubility and chemical stability of curcumin are enhanced by solid dispersion in cellulose derivative matrices

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) of curcumin (Cur) in cellulose derivative matrices, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB), and cellulose acetate adipate propionate (CAAdP) were prepared in order to investigate the structure-property relationship and identify polymer properties necessary to effectively increase Cur aqueous solution concentration. XRD results indicated that all investigated solid dispersions were amorphous, even at a 9:1 Cur:polymer ratio. Both stability against crystallization and Cur solution concentration from these ASDs were significantly higher than those from physical mixtures and crystalline Cur. Remarkably, curcumin was also stabilized against chemical degradation in solution. Chemical stabilization was polymer-dependent, with stabilization in CAAdP>CMCAB>HPMCAS>PVP, while matrices enhanced solution concentration as PVP>HPMCAS>>CMCAB≈CAAdP. HPMCAS/Cur dispersions have useful combinations of pH-triggered release profile, chemical stabilization, and strong enhancement of Cur solution concentration.
The use of coincidence counting mass spectrometry to study the emission and metastable dissociation of cluster ions

Abstract Coincidence counting and time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used to study the coincidental emission of ions from single fission fragment, impacts from an inorganic solid. Removal of interfering peaks is possible by observing those ions in coincidence with a mass peak unambiguously representative of the sample of interest. The use of coincidence also allows a direct study of the correlation of ions and neutrals formed due to the metastable dissociation of ions while in the drift region of the spectrometer. Such studies allow insight into the structure of cluster ions, which can aid in relating the cluster ion composition and structure back to that of the original solid.
Theoretical and Experimental Framework of Neurite Response to Chemical Gradients in 3D Matrices

During the development of nervous system, various attractive and repulsive signals in the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) environment guide the growing neurites along specific directions to reach their intended targets. Neuronal motility is controlled by extracellular signal-sensing via the growth cone at the neurite tip, including chemoattractive and repulsive cues. We quantitatively investigate this response using a combination of mathematical modeling and in vitro experiments, and determine the role of guidance cues and ECM on neurite outgrowth and turning. A microfluidic system was used to show that cortical neurite outgrowth and turning under chemogradients (IGF-1 or BDNF) within 3D scaffolds is highly regulated by the source concentration of the guidance cue and the physical characteristics of the scaffold. A partial differential equation model of neurite outgrowth has been proposed that may be used as a predictive tool. The parameters for the chemotaxis term in the model are determined from experimental data. Resulting model simulations demonstrate how neurite outgrowth was critically influenced by the experimental variables, which was further supported by experimental data on cell-surface-receptor expressions. We demonstrate that our model results are in excellent agreement with experimental findings.
Idiotype suppression in immune response of BALB/c mice to alpha-1,3-dextran by antiidiotypic antibody.

SummaryThe two mouse myeloma globulins, MOPC-104E IgM and J558 IgA, have antibody specificity to α-1,3-dextran and represent two idiotypes of antidextran antibodies. The results of the reported experiments indicate that idiotype suppression could be achieved by prior immunization of BALB/c mice with either 104E IgM or J558 IgA. After this immunization antibodies to dextran were only of the other idiotype. The absence of cross-reactivity strongly suggests that the idiotypes of antidextran antibodies are directed against different epitopic groups on the antigen.
Controlled release plastic strips containing (Z)-9-dodecen-1-ol acetate for attractingSpodoptera frugiperda

Laminated plastic strips and polyethylene vials used for dispensing (Z)-9-dodecen-1-ol acetate attracted maleSpodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in similar numbers for comparable periods. Addition of an antioxidant to the pheromone dispensed from the polyethylene vials did not significantly increase the period of effectiveness. The laminated plastic strips were acceptable dispensers of pheromone bait for attractingS. frugiperda males to sticky traps in the field.
Establishing a telemedicine clinic for HIV patients in a correctional facility.

Approximately 1.2 million U.S. residents are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite extensive education and prevention efforts, 1 in 5 infected individuals is unaware of his or her HIV status, and approximately 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with HIV annually.[1][1] The estimated
Lineshape asymmetry and frequency shift in a motionally narrowed Zeeman resonance

Abstract A frequency shift non-linear with g -factor is found for a motionally narrowed Zeeman resonance in a spherical cell. Using single Legendre polynomial gradients, low-order even terms cause the worst shift, with line assymetry remaining small.
Minimizing artifact formation in magnetorheological finishing of chemical vapor deposition ZnS flats.

The polishing performance of magnetorheological (MR) fluids prepared with a variety of magnetic and nonmagnetic ingredients was studied on four types of initial surface for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) ZnS flats from domestic and foreign sources. The results showed that it was possible to greatly improve smoothing performance of magnetorheological finishing (MRF) by altering the fluid composition, with the best results obtained for nanoalumina abrasive used with soft carbonyl iron and altered MR fluid chemistry. Surface roughness did not exceed 20 nm peak to valley and 2 nm rms after removal of 2 μm of material. The formation of orange peel and the exposure of a pebblelike structure inherent in ZnS from the CVD process were suppressed.
Quarkonia spectra from lattice gauge theories

Abstract A quark-antiquark potential obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation for the pure SU(3) lattice gauge theory is modified for light quark effects and used to calculate charmonium and beautonium spectra. Results are in good agreement with experimental data.
Rational Design of Small 3D Gold Clusters

We designed a series of small 3D gold clusters using a four-atomic tetrahedron with a four center–two electron (4c–2e) bond inside as a building block. The follow-up results of the unbiased global minimum searches proved that indeed the designed 3D structures containing small tetrahedral building blocks with a 4c–2e bond inside are either global minimum structures or low-lying isomers. We believe that the proposed way of building 3D clusters could be used for rational design of other 3D gold clusters.
Open-circuit voltage enhancement in graded bandgap AlxGa1−xAs solar cells

Abstract The improvement of solar cell performance through the use of semiconductor heterostructures is an area of current interest. One particular application involves the use of a graded bandgap structure to achieve an increase in the open-circuit voltage Voc. Since previous analytical treatments have reached differing conclusions regarding the magnitude of the Voc-enhancement, in this work a numerical device model is used to realistically assess the performance of graded bandgap AlxGa1−xAs solar cells. The conditions under which Voc-enhancement is possible are outlined and the design trade-offs discussed. It is shown that, although Voc-enhancement is realizable, optimization of the overall performance of the cell leads to designs for which Voc-enhancement is minimal.
Oil sensitivity and systematic risk in oil-sensitive stock indices

Abstract This paper has two primary objectives. First, is to examine and compare the oil sensitivity of equity returns of non-Gulf, oil-based countries (Mexico and Norway) with that of two major oil-sensitive industries (US oil and transportation industries). Second, is to examine and compare the oil sensitivity of those returns with their sensitivity to systematic risk with respect to the world capital market. The findings suggest that the oil price growth leads the stock returns of the oil-exporting countries and the US oil-sensitive industries, with the US oil industry showing the greatest sensitivity. The results also indicate that investors view the systematic risk more importantly than the oil sensitivity in pricing those oil-sensitive returns, regardless of the direction of the world capital market.
PION CONDENSATION IN A RELATIVISTIC FIELD THEORY CONSISTENT WITH BULK PROPERTIES OF NUCLEAR MATTER

Pion condensation has not previously been investigated in a theory that accounts for the known bulk properties of nuclear matter, its saturation energy and density and compressibility. We have formulated and solved self-consistently, in the mean field approximation, a relativistic field theory that possesses a condensate solution and reproduces the correct bulk properties of nuclear matter. The theory is solved in its relativistically covariant form for a general class of space-time dependent pion condensates. Self-consistency and compatibility with bulk properties of nuclear matter turn out to be very stringent conditions on the existence and energy of the condensate, but they do allow a weak condensate energy to develop. The spin-isospin density oscillations, on the other hand, can be large. It is encouraging, as concerns the possible existence of new phases of nuclear matter, that this is so, unlike the Lee-Wick density isomer, that appears to be incompatible with nuclear matter properties.
Ventricular septal defect with aortic incompetence simulating patient ductus arteriosus

Abstract Only 7 cases of ventricular septal defect with aortic incompetence have been catheterized and reported in the literature. This is the eighth case, a report of one of the rarer complications of ventricular septal defect, namely, aortic incompetence due to laxity of the noncoronary aortic cusp. A brief summary of ventricular septal defect and differential diagnosis are given.
Theoretical study of noble-metal (100) surface reconstructions using first-principles techniques

Using first-principles calculations, in conjunction with modeling techniques, we show that the top layer of the Au(100) surface will transform to a close-packed structure while that of Ag(100) will not. Our calculations provide some insight into the microscopic origin of the difference in stability between 4{ital d} and 5{ital d} fcc metal (100) surfaces.
Graham's pebbling conjecture on products of many cycles

A pebbling move on a connected graph G consists of removing two pebbles from some vertex and adding one pebble to an adjacent vertex. We define f"t(G) as the smallest number such that whenever f"t(G) pebbles are on G, we can move t pebbles to any specified, but arbitrary vertex. Graham conjectured that f"1(GxH)@?f"1(G)f"1(H) for any connected G and H. We define the @a-pebbling number @a(G) and prove that @a(C"p"""jx...xC"p"""2xC"p"""1xG)@?@a(C"p"""j)...@a(C"p"""2)@a(C"p"""1)@a(G) when none of the cycles is C"5, and G satisfies one more criterion. We also apply this result with G=C"5xC"5 by showing that C"5xC"5 satisfies Chung's two-pebbling property, and establishing bounds for f"t(C"5xC"5).
DIAGNOSIS OF MEGAURETER BY POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASOUND

Abstract Background Presentation of congenital megaureter in adult life is rare; patients usually become symptomatic in childhood. Case Report A 32-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with dyspnea, tongue swelling, and a rash, which he attributed to amoxicillin he had taken shortly prior to onset of symptoms. He was hypotensive on arrival to the ED. To further evaluate the hypotension, point-of-care ultrasound of the heart, lungs, and abdomen were performed while treatment for anaphylaxis was initiated. Ultrasound examination did not identify a cause for hypotension, but the treating physician noted an anechoic structural abnormality posterior to the bladder, suggestive of megaureter. The patient responded well to treatment of anaphylaxis; further history and diagnostic imaging subsequently confirmed a diagnosis of congenital megaureter. Conclusion We report an unusual case of congenital megaureter, identified by point-of-care ultrasound performed to evaluate hypotension. Clinicians performing limited ultrasound examinations must be attentive to incidental findings that will require follow-up.
Myc—Is this the oncogene from Hell?

A new paper implicates the Myc oncoprotein in the direct induction of DNA damage and consequent genome instability in cultured cells. However, it is less clear whether Myc induces the same genetic pandemonium in vivo.
The Thin Theory of Community: The Communitarians and their Critics

Where communitarian theorists were once voices crying in the wilderness of political philosophy, now they camp near the centre of the discipline. This paper appraises the success of the new communal stirrings, particularly the work of Alasdair MacIntyre, Michael Sandel, Michael Walzer and Benjamin Barber. It also evaluates and finds wanting the liberal critics of the new communitarian turn, who defend the ‘thin’ theory of the self against the ‘thicker’, embedded theories of self advanced by the communitarians. The critics* contention that liberal tolerance and human rights depend on a ‘thin’ theory of the self is not persuasive. Yet the theories of community submitted as remedies for ‘thin’ theories of the self are themselves too thin. First, consideration of individual elements of community is too narrow. Character, for example, is mentioned by many of the communitarians but not explored in depth. Secondly, even those theorists who examine some essentials in depth neglect the range of requirements, particularly authority, loyalty and commitment. The communitarian line of argument, however, may very well help to move theoretical and political debate beyond the sterile confines of regnant ideologies.
Structure and properties of metallic SnZn alloy films prepared by plasma-enhanced metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract Thin (50–300 nm) metallic SnZn alloy films were prepared from tetramethyltin and diethylzinc by a plasma-enhanced metalorganic chemical vapor deposition process. The deposition temperature varied from 25 to 180°C. Compositions (Zn:Sn atomic ratio) of the resulting alloy films were controlled by carefully adjusting the monomer flow rate ratios. The structure and properties of the resulting SnZn films are found to be greatly influenced by the substrate temperature. The film deposition rate decreases with the temperature, whereas the grain size and the sheet conductivity of the films increase as the temperature increases. Zinc-rich films obtained at high flow rate and low temperatures, 25°C, are found to possess high internal stresses and are unstable when exposed to air. Incorporation of carbon impurities into the deposited films plays an important role in determining the grain structure and sheet conductivity of the plasma-formed SnZn films.
Fiber Optic Based Multidimensional Fluorcmete:R For Studies Of Marine Pollutants

Fiber optic remote sensing is a growing area of analytical chemistry. The application of such technology promises to augment much of today's process control, in-vivo medical diagnostics and environmental instrumentation. The use of optical fibers in chemical analysis is an attractive choice for many reasons. These include immunity to electromagnetic and RF interferences, low attenuation, ruggedness, and of course suitability for in-situ on line monitoring in hazardous and/or remote environments. Fluorescence spectroscopy is an inherently sensitive technique; however, single wavelength measurements can be limited for analysis of complicated multicomponent samples. In this regard, multidimensional fluorescence can be used to obtain additional information about the sample. In multidimensional fluorescence, the fluorescent measurement involves the use of multiple luminescence parameters to increase the specificity of the measurement. In this paper, the use of a newly designed fiber optic based multidimensional fluorometer to study the effects of various environmental pollutants on the spectral characteristics of marine phytoplankton is demonstrated.
Hippocampal muscarinic receptor function in spatial learning-impaired aged rats

Efficiency of coupling of hippocampal muscarinic receptors to phosphoinositide (PI) turnover was investigated in behaviorally characterized young and aged Long-Evans rats using hippocampal minces and the method of partial receptor alkylation of Furchgott. Densities of the m1, m2, and m3 receptor proteins were determined using specific antibodies and immunoprecipitation. Spatial learning ability was quantified using a water maze. There were no differences in the levels of muscarinic receptor proteins between young and aged (27 months) rats or in rats with impaired spatial learning. The dissociation constant (KD) for the agonist oxotremorine-M and and the KD/EC50 ratio, an indicator of receptor-effector coupling efficiency were similar in young and aged rats. However, the maximal PI turnover response to oxotremorine-M was decreased in impaired aged rats and this parameter was highly correlated with the spatial learning index (R = −0.825; p < 0.001). A reduction in effector stimulation in the absence of changes in receptor protein or coupling efficiency suggests that dysfunction in the hippocampal muscarinic receptor systems occurs at the level of phospholipase C or beyond.
Asymptotic structure and similarity solutions for three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers

The asymptotic structure of the three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer is investigated in the limit of large Reynolds numbers. A self-consistent, but relatively complex, two-layer structure exists and the simplest situation, corresponding to a plane of symmetry, is considered in this paper as a first step. The adjustment of the streamwise velocity to relative rest, through an outer defect layer and then an inner wall layer, is similar to that in two-dimensional flow. The adjustment of the cross-streamwise velocity is more complicated and it is shown that two terms in the expansion are required to obtain useful results, and in particular to obtain the velocity skew angle at the wall near the symmetry plane. The conditions under which self-similarity is achieved near a plane of symmetry are investigated. A set of ordinary differential equations is developed which describe the streamwise and cross-streamwise velocities near a plane of symmetry in a self-similar flow through two orders of magnitude. Calculated numerical solutions of these equations yield trends which are consistent with experimental observations.
Probing phenylalanine/adenine pi-stacking interactions in protein complexes with explicitly correlated and CCSD(T) computations.

To examine the effects of π-stacking interactions between aromatic amino acid side chains and adenine bearing ligands in crystalline protein structures, 26 toluene/(N9-methyl)adenine model configurations have been constructed from protein/ligand crystal structures. Full geometry optimizations with the MP2 method cause the 26 crystal structures to collapse to six unique structures. The complete basis set (CBS) limit of the CCSD(T) interaction energies has been determined for all 32 structures by combining explicitly correlated MP2-R12 computations with a correction for higher-order correlation effects from CCSD(T) calculations. The CCSD(T) CBS limit interaction energies of the 26 crystal structures range from −3.19 to −6.77 kcal mol−1 and average −5.01 kcal mol−1. The CCSD(T) CBS limit interaction energies of the optimized complexes increase by roughly 1.5 kcal mol−1 on average to −6.54 kcal mol−1 (ranging from −5.93 to −7.05 kcal mol−1). Corrections for higher-order correlation effects are extremely impor...
Genome Abnormalities Precede Prostate Cancer and Predict Clinical Relapse

The prediction of prostate cancer clinical outcome remains a major challenge after the diagnosis, even with improved early detection by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monitoring. To evaluate whether copy number variation (CNV) of the genomes in prostate cancer tumor, in benign prostate tissues adjacent to the tumor (AT), and in the blood of patients with prostate cancer predicts biochemical (PSA) relapse and the kinetics of relapse, 241 samples (104 tumor, 49 matched AT, 85 matched blood, and 3 cell lines) were analyzed using Affymetrix SNP 6.0 chips. By using gene-specific CNV from tumor, the genome model correctly predicted 73% (receiver operating characteristic P = 0.003) cases for relapse and 75% (P < 0.001) cases for short PSA doubling time (PSADT, <4 months). The gene-specific CNV model from AT correctly predicted 67% (P = 0.041) cases for relapse and 77% (P = 0.015) cases for short PSADT. By using median-sized CNV from blood, the genome model correctly predicted 81% (P < 0.001) cases for relapse and 69% (P = 0.001) cases for short PSADT. By using median-sized CNV from tumor, the genome model correctly predicted 75% (P < 0.001) cases for relapse and 80% (P < 0.001) cases for short PSADT. For the first time, our analysis indicates that genomic abnormalities in either benign or malignant tissues are predictive of the clinical outcome of a malignancy.
Competence in Bacillus subtilis Transformation System

Immediately after uptake of tritiated DNA into the bacterial cell, the label is located adjacent to the cell wall. Cell fractionation studies indicate that the newly acquired DNA is bound to the cytoplasmic membrane, not the cell wall.
Evidence for alpha-particle chain configurations in Mg 24

Many theoretical models have been employed to described the structure of the nucleus {sup 24}Mg. Among these are the Cranked Shell model (CSM), the Cranked Cluster Model (CCM), and calculations have also been performed using the Hartree-Fock formalism. One very striking prediction of these calculations is that in this nucleus there exist very unusual configurations, with structures reminiscent of linear chains of alpha particles. In the CSM, for instance, such a configuration is identified with a pronounced minimum in the potential energy energy at very large prolate deformation. In the CCM, several very different alpha-particle duster configurations are identified, many having rather large deformations. These cluster configurations can be associated with the different potential-energy minima obtained in the CSM results. In the case of the CCM, a 6{alpha} chain-like configuration is predicted to occur at excitation energies between 40 and 50 MeV, with predicted rotational spacing given by {Dirac h}{sup 2}/2I=22 keV. At this excitation energy, such a chain configuration would lie well above the threshold for the decay of {sup 24}Mg into 6 alpha particles, and its identification poses a difficult experimental challenge. This report discusses this challenge.
Effect of age on superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, inorganic peroxides, TBA-reactive material, GSH/GSSG, NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+ in Drosophila melanogaster

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible role of oxygen free radicals in the aging process by studying the pattern of age-related changes in a broad spectrum of antioxidant defenses and indicators of oxidative stress in adult male Drosophila melanogaster. There were selective, but not universal, changes in the antioxidant defenses and indicators of oxidative stress. Activities of catalase and glutathione reductase and concentration of reduced glutathione decreased during the latter part of life. Superoxide dismutase activity tended to increase with age whereas glutathione peroxidase activity was undetectable. The ratios of reduced/oxidized glutathione and NADPH/NADP+, which are widely regarded as indicators of oxidative stress, decreased in the terminal phase of life. NADH/NAD+ ratio increased in the latter part of life. Concentration of inorganic peroxides increased during the first trimester of life and remained unchanged thereafter while that of thiobarbituric acid-reactants tended to decrease during aging. The main conclusion of this study is that age-related changes in antioxidant defenses and in levels of oxygen free radical reaction products are selective in nature and are quite variable in different species and tissues; however, the level of oxidative stress tends to increase during aging.
'Synchronous' CDMA demonstration for fibre-optic networks with optical processing

‘Synchronous’ code-division multiple-access (S/CDMA) for fibre-optic networks with optical processing is investigated. A two-user experiment demonstrating the feasibility of such a network is performed at 10 Mbit/s (500 Mchip/s) using modified prime sequence codes and optical processing. Fibre-optic delay-lines are used for code sequence generation and correlation without using fast electronic components. An environment in which S/CDMA would be particularly suitable is discussed.
Effect of chronic oral moricizine and intravenous epinephrine on ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation thresholds

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic oral moricizine therapy and physiological doses of epinephrine on ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation thresholds using an implantable transvenous/subcutaneous defibrillation system in a pig model. Thirteen pigs completed the three phases of the study. After a baseline study on day 1, the animals were randomized to receive moricizine 10-15 mg/kg tid or placebo for seven doses, at which time the protocol was repeated on day 4. The same protocol was again repeated on the same day after infusion of physiological doses of epinephrine. Multiple ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation thresholds were measured during each study. Moricizine did not alter ventricular fibrillation nor defibrillation thresholds, whereas epinephrine increased the ventricular defibrillation threshold from 20.8 J to 23.7 J (P < 0.05). In addition, we observed an increase in both ventricular fibrillation (19.7 J vs 12.6 J; P < 0.05) and defibrillation (20.8 J vs 17.8 J; P 0.05) thresholds over the 4 days of the study. These findings suggest that moricizine may be a safe antiarrhythmic agent to use in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and that elevated endogenous epinephrine may render defibrillation more difficult.
Estimation of household preferences for long distance telecommunications carrier

The competitive environment in long-distance telecommunications markets changed considerably with the divestiture of AT&T in 1982. A variety of providers appeared, offering myriad services. In this environment, customer selection of preferred long-distance carrier became more complicated and more important. In this paper, we analyze and quantify the determinants of this choice. To our knowledge, this focus is distinct. By contrast, the literature to date has analyzed the behavioral determinants of calling volume (local and long-distance) and the selection of local service options. In our analysis, we allow the alternative carriers to differ in terms of tariffs, reputation, quality, access, and specialized customer services. We quantify the interactive effects of these carrier attributes and customer demographics upon the selection of carrier. Price and income elasticities are estimated. A distinguishing feature of our analysis is that it examines behavioral differences among households in equal-access and unequal-access areas. We find that households assured of the convenience of 1 + dialling for their chosen carrier in equal-access areas display more rational and sophisticated decision making. On the other hand, households in unequal-access areas display greater status quo effects in their decision making.
Ultrafast infrared spectroscopy of vibrational CO-stretch up-pumping and relaxation dynamics of W(CO) 6

Abstract The ultrafast infrared (IR) vibrational up-pumping and energy relaxation dynamics are reported of the T1u CO-stretching manifold of W(CO)6 in room temperature n-hexane solution. The frequency and energy content of the tunable 2 ps IR pump pulse strongly influences the distribution of vibrational level population. With broadband transient IR absorption spectroscopy, vibrational T1 lifetimes of the overtone states of W(CO)6 were directly determined to be 140 ± 20 (1σ) ps for ν = 1, 75 ± 20 ps for ν = 2 and 30 ± 15 ps for ν = 3. T1u to Eg intermode energy transfer occurs on the 10–20 ps timescale.
Epidemiology of Gastroenteritis on Cruise Ships, 2001–2004

Background The incidence of diarrheal disease among cruise ship passengers declined from 29.2 cases per 100,000 passenger days in 1990 to 16.3 per 100,000 passenger days in 2000. In 2002, the Vessel Sanitation Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 29 outbreaks (3% or more passengers ill) of acute gastroenteritis on cruise ships, an increase from 3 the previous year. This analysis of gastroenteritis on cruise ships, conducted in 2005, details the increase in outbreak incidence rates during 2001 through 2004. Methods Using Gastrointestinal Illness Surveillance System data, investigators evaluated incidence rates of gastroenteritis on cruise ships calling on U.S. ports, carrying 13 or more passengers, by cruise length and reporting region during the study period. The investigators also evaluated the association between inspection scores, and gastroenteritis incidence and the frequency of outbreaks in 2001 through 2004. Results During the study period, the background and outbreak-associated incidence rates of passengers with acute gastroenteritis per cruise were 25.6 and 85, respectively. Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks per 1000 cruises increased overall from 0.65 in 2001 to 5.46 in 2004; outbreaks increased from 2 in 2001 to a median of 15 per year in 2002-2004. Median ship inspection scores remained relatively constant during the study period (median 95 on a 100-point scale), and were not significantly associated with either gastroenteritis incidence rates (risk ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.02) or outbreak frequency (Spearman's coefficient, 0.01, p=0.84). Conclusions Despite good performance on environment health sanitation inspections by cruise ships, the expectation of passenger cases of gastroenteritis on an average 7-day cruise increased from two cases during 1990-2000 to three cases during the study period. This increase, likely attributable to noroviruses, highlights the inability of environmental programs to fully predict and prevent risk factors common to person-to-person and fomite spread of disease.
The Impact of Disputants’ Expectations on Mediation Testing an Interventionist Model

This investigation extends previous work in mediation by developing and testing an interventionist mediation model using 91 mediated roommate disputes. A key assumption of the interventionist model is that effective mediators assume active, highly participatory roles in the mediation process. This control based model for mediation presumes that a critical function of a mediator is to orchestrate the interaction by developing and extending the information resources, enforcing the rules for the session, and encouraging disputants to make constructive proposals to reach an agreement collabora lively. The theoretical model examined the impact of expectations for reaching agreement on the mediation process using both mediators’ and disputants assessments of their sessions. The data were not inconsistent with the hypothesized model. The level of participants expectations, however, added little predictive power to the model.
Arctic observing network social indicators project: Overview

The Arctic Observing Network Social Indicators Project (NSF OPP0638408) is intended to contribute to the development of the Arctic Observation Network and to the science goals of SEARCH in two ways: (1) develop and make available to the science community relevant datasets and (2) identify gaps in the existing observation system and recommend appropriate actions to fill those gaps. The SEARCH Implementation Plan identified the following arenas of human activity likely to involve climate–human interactions: (1) subsistence hunting; (2) tourism; (3) resource development and marine transportation; and (4) commercial fishing. This project seeks to develop and assess datasets in these four areas. Again drawing from the SEARCH Implementation Plan priorities, the project also seeks to develop and assess datasets measuring social outcomes. This special issue of Polar Geography contains articles on each of the four arenas of human activity likely to involve climate–human interactions, an article on demographic indi...
Settlement surveys and documentary evidence: regional variation and secular trend in Mesopotamian demography.

This paper applies 2 differing perspectives--that of the anthropological archeologist who approaches demography primarily through the study of settlement patterns and that of the documentary historian who relies on archival studies or the analysis of artifactual and architectural remains--to Mesopotamian demography. The archeological surface survey has represented the principal anthropological contribution to the study of Mesopotamian history. There is no means of calculating between and within periods diachronic shifts in poppulation density or other variables. However surface surveys offer a broad demographic picture of decrease in occupation and population withdrawal from vulverable areas and dispersal into smaller settlements. At the same time documentary analysis of economic texts can be used to measure upsurges in land sales for urban and agricultural real estate. Although there has been little interdisciplinary work survey evidence and textual evidence can be used to provide complementary and contrasting perspectives on a specific problem. Survey data offer evidence regarding longterm decreases in occupation/population levels and progessive ruralization; geographical patterns of abandonment continuity and new settlement; the shifting network of waterways with its implications for trade agriculture and communications; the waxing and waning of towns; and broad coverage of a wide area. In contrast the textual evidence presents data on precise dating for a limited range of ppolitical economic and social developments; descriptioms of the economic social and military activities of varied populations; and in-depth coverage of a small area. The combination of the broad longterm focus and the narrow short-term precision offers essential correctives for both sides.
Unraveling secrets of telomeres: one molecule at a time.

Abstract Telomeres play important roles in maintaining the stability of linear chromosomes. Telomere maintenance involves dynamic actions of multiple proteins interacting with long repetitive sequences and complex dynamic DNA structures, such as G-quadruplexes, T-loops and t-circles. Given the heterogeneity and complexity of telomeres, single-molecule approaches are essential to fully understand the structure–function relationships that govern telomere maintenance. In this review, we present a brief overview of the principles of single-molecule imaging and manipulation techniques. We then highlight results obtained from applying these single-molecule techniques for studying structure, dynamics and functions of G-quadruplexes, telomerase, and shelterin proteins.
Dinitroaniline activity in Toxoplasma gondii expressing wild-type or mutant α-tubulin

The human parasite Toxoplasma gondii is sensitive to dinitroaniline compounds which selectively disrupt microtubules in diverse protozoa but which have no detectable effect on vertebrate host cell microtubules or other functions. Replication of wild-type T. gondii is inhibited by 0.5 to 2.5 μM oryzalin, but mutant parasites harboring amino acid substitutions in the predicted dinitroaniline binding site confer resistance up to 40 μM oryzalin. However, the precise interaction between dinitroanilines and the binding site in α-tubulin remains unclear. We have investigated the activity of 12 dinitroanilines and the related compound amiprophos methyl on wild-type and dinitroaniline-resistant parasite lines that contain proposed binding site mutations. These data indicate that dinitramine is the most effective dinitroaniline to inhibit Toxoplasma growth in wild-type parasites and most resistant lines. Dinitramine has an amine group at the meta position not present in any of the other dinitroanilines tested here that is predicted to form hydrogen bonds with residues Arg2 and Gln133 according to docking data. Remarkably, although the binding site mutation Ile235Val confers increased resistance to most dinitroanilines, it confers increased sensitivity to GB-II-5, a compound optimized for activity against kinetoplastid tubulin. Kinetoplastid parasites have a valine at position 235 of α-tubulin, whereas apicomplexan parasites have an isoleucine at this site. We suggest that this heterogeneity in binding site environment influences relative dinitroaniline sensitivity in distinct protozoan lineages and hypothesize that a mutation that makes the apicomplexan dinitroaniline binding site more like the kinetoplastid site increases sensitivity to a dinitroaniline optimized for activity in the latter parasites.
Synchronous interlocked pipelines

Locality principles are becoming paramount in controlling advancement of data through pipelined systems. Achieving fine grained power down and progressive pipeline stalls at the local stage level is therefore becoming increasingly, important to enable lower dynamic power consumption while keeping introduced switching noise under control as well as avoiding global distribution of timing critical stall signals. It has long been known that the interlocking properties of as asynchronous pipelined systems have a potential to provide such benefits. However it has not been understood how such interlocking can be achieved in synchronous pipelines. This paper presents a novel technique based on local clock gating and synchronous handshake protocols that achieves stage level interlocking characteristics in synchronous pipelines similar to that of asynchronous pipelines. The presented technique is directly applicable to traditional synchronous pipelines and works equally well for two-phase clocked pipelines based on transparent latches, as well as one-phase clocked pipelines based on master-slave latches.
Temporal Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria Probiotic Culture on Salmonella in Neonatal Broilers

We evaluated the ability of a commercially available lactic acid bacteria-based probiotic culture (LAB) to reduce Salmonella Enteritidis or Salmonella Typhimurium in day-of-hatch broiler chicks. In these experiments, chicks were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis or Salmonella Typhimurium and treated with LAB 1-h postchallenge. Following treatment, cecal tonsils and ceca were aseptically collected for Salmonella Enteritidis or Salmonella Typhimurium enrichment or Salmonella Enteritidis enumeration, respectively. In experiments 1 to 3, LAB significantly reduced the incidence of Salmonella Enteritidis (60 to 70% reduction) or Salmonella Typhimurium (89 to 95% reduction) recovered from the cecal tonsils of day-old broiler chicks 24 h following treatment as compared with controls (P 2.9 log(10) reduction of total cecal Salmonella Enteritidis recovered 24 h following treatment as compared with controls (P < 0.05). In experiments 4 to 7, upon sample enrichment LAB significantly reduced the recovery of Salmonella Enteritidis from the cecal tonsils at 24 h, but not 6 or 12 h posttreatment (P < 0.05). However, in experiments 6 and 7, when total cecal Salmonella Enteritidis recovery was enumerated, a significant treatment-associated reduction was observed 12 h posttreatment, although in cecal tonsil samples there was no difference in Salmonella Enteritidis incidence at 12 h (P < 0.05). In these studies, LAB treatment significantly reduced recovery of Salmonella in day-of-hatch broilers.
Determination of surface roughness from reflected step edges

We suggest that a vision system may be able to determine surface roughness by measurement of the sharpness of the edges of an image reflected in a rough surface. We choose step edges because they are present in many environments and because the methods of edge detection and localization are mature. We show that the amount of blur of reflected images of step edges does indeed increase with respect to surface roughness. The method that we propose for estimating the roughness of a surface assumes a common surface-roughness model of simple form and requires a known shape for the reflective surface and a known position for the viewer. We show the results of experiments performed with planar milled surfaces in a controlled environment and calculate the roughness parameter. We also show that our method can rank order the surfaces by roughness. Next we compare our results with the values of the roughness as measured with a stylus profilometer to test the accuracy of our method and of the model. We find that the results of the two methods are quite different. We discuss the possibility that this difference is due to the non-Gaussian character of the surface height distribution and describe current research into possible models of the surfaces. We conclude by issuing a warning to computer vision researchers that the most common model of surface roughness might be inadequate for describing many real surfaces.
Lead isotopic compositions and paleohydrology of caldera-related epithermal veins, Lake City, Colorado

The Uncompahgre caldera, and the Lake City caldera nested within it, each have fossil hydrothermal systems and associated mineral deposits that formed during multiple episodes of mineralization during Oligocene and Miocene time. New lead isotopic analyses for 51 ore samples, mainly galena, combined with previously obtained data for ore minerals and rocks, suggest likely lead source rocks and fluid-migration paths. Most values of 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb in galena from veins match the respective lead isotopic ratios for their host rocks; for example, all have 206Pb/204Pb typically in the range 18.4-19.0. The source for most vein lead is therefore probably the host unit for the vein. Some mixing of lead from other sources also occurred. Ratios of 206Pb/204Pb > 19.0 probably indicate a component of more-radiogenic lead from a Middle Proterozoic source. Lower lead isotopic ratios, 206Pb/204Pb < 18.5, suggest mixing with less-radiogenic lead from either Miocene rhyolitic volcanic and intrusive rocks or early Oligocene intermediate-composition volcanic rocks. Hydrothermal flow in the Uncompahgre caldera was predominantly west to east down the topographic slope. Discharge was mainly in closed topographic lows marked by lacustrine deposits. Hydrothermal circulation in the Lake City caldera was controlled by local topography and post-caldera intrusions and was isolated from flow in the Uncompahgre caldera and Eureka graben. Richer ore deposits may be associated with ring fault-related conduits that extend through the volcanic cover to more-radiogenic Middle Proterozoic basement at depth. As in the rest of the San Juan Mountains, lead originally came from a predominantly ∼1450 Ma source. Enough variation in 207Pb/204Pb was produced by orogenic events at ca. 1450 Ma, ca. 1760 Ma, and earlier to explain most of the 207Pb/204Pb variation present today in Tertiary volcanic rocks and hydrothermal veins.
Ribosomes slide on lysine-encoding homopolymeric A stretches

Protein output from synonymous codons is thought to be equivalent if appropriate tRNAs are sufficiently abundant. Here we show that mRNAs encoding iterated lysine codons, AAA or AAG, differentially impact protein synthesis: insertion of iterated AAA codons into an ORF diminishes protein expression more than insertion of synonymous AAG codons. Kinetic studies in E. coli reveal that differential protein production results from pausing on consecutive AAA-lysines followed by ribosome sliding on homopolymeric A sequence. Translation in a cell-free expression system demonstrates that diminished output from AAA-codon-containing reporters results from premature translation termination on out of frame stop codons following ribosome sliding. In eukaryotes, these premature termination events target the mRNAs for Nonsense-Mediated-Decay (NMD). The finding that ribosomes slide on homopolymeric A sequences explains bioinformatic analyses indicating that consecutive AAA codons are under-represented in gene-coding sequences. Ribosome 'sliding' represents an unexpected type of ribosome movement possible during translation.
Linking Pregnancy Concerns to Pregnancy Risk Avoidant Action: The Role of Construct Accessibility

The construct accessibility perspective suggests that individuals are less likely to risk pregnancy when pregnancy concerns are highly accessible. Two studies were designed to assess the role of accessibility in pregnancy risk taking. Study 1 determined that subjects identified as likely (chronics) and unlikely (nonchronics) to have pregnancy concerns chronically accessible did not hold different beliefs about unplanned pregnancy. Study 2 examined (a) the joint effect of chronically and temporarily accessible pregnancy concerns on responses to a hypothetical intimate situation embedded in a story completion task and (b) the relation between chronically accessible pregnancy concerns and self-reported pregnancy risk taking. As predicted, chronics made fewer risk-taking responses in the story completion task and reported less risk taking than nonchronics. Temporarily accessible pregnancy concerns decreased risk-taking responses among chronics but had no effect on nonchronics. Gender differences did not quali...