cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Old Chinese Phonology

(Translator's note: The following excerpt is taken from S. E. Yakhontov's short book Drevneki tajskij Jazyk (Moscow, 1965). This work of Yakhorrtov is a concise and quite general description of his reconstruction of Old Chinese, which he broadly de fines as the language from the first inscriptions down to that of the fourth century A.D. He subdi vides this rather long period in the following way: Pre-Classical period XIII-VI c. B.C. Classical period V c. B.C. II c. A.D. Late Old Chinese III-IV c. A.D.
Stress Analysis during Design to Eliminate Failures

This chapter contains sections titled: Principles of Stress Analysis Mechanical Stress Analysis or Durability Analysis Finite Element Analysis Probabilistic vs. Deterministic Methods and Failures How Stress Analysis Aids Design for Reliability Derating and Stress Analysis Stress vs. Strength Curves Software Stress Analysis and Testing Structural Reinforcement to Improve Structural Integrity References
Total Information Awareness for Worm Genetics

A comprehensive genetic interaction map of C. elegans can be derived from a database of information about C. elegans genes, proteins and their interactions, augmented with similar data from Drosophila and yeast.
The Development of the World Trade Organization and the International Criminal Court

In the context of the early stages of the International Criminal Court as a supranational institution, it may be instructive to look at an established multilateral juridical institution, particularly where a substantial body of history and jurisprudence is available for consideration, and above all where the other institution seems to have developed a supportive constituency in the international community. The World Trade Organization is such an institution.
Forward-backward multiplicity fluctuation and longitudinal harmonics in high-energy nuclear collisions

In this paper, an analysis method is proposed to study the forward-backward (FB) multiplicity fluctuation in high-energy nuclear collisions, built on the earlier work of Bzdak and Teaney [Phys. Rev. C 87, 024906 (2013)]. The method allows the decomposition of the centrality dependence of average multiplicity from the dynamical event-by-event (EbyE) fluctuation of multiplicity in pseudorapidity. Application of the method to AMPT (A Multi-Phase Transport model) and HIJING (Heavy Ion Jet INteraction Generator) models shows that the long-range component of the FB correlation is captured by a few longitudinal harmonics, with the first component driven by the asymmetry in the number of participating nucleons in the two colliding nuclei. The higher-order longitudinal harmonics are found to be strongly damped in AMPT compared to HIJING, due to weaker short-range correlations as well as the final-state effects present in the AMPT model. Two-particle pseudorapidity correlation reveals interesting charge-dependent short-range structures that are absent in HIJING model. Lastly, the proposed method opens an avenue to elucidate the particle production mechanism and early time dynamics in heavy-ion collisions. Future analysis directions and prospects of using the pseudorapidity correlation function to understand the centrality bias in p + p, p + A, and A +more » A collisions are discussed.« less
Cutting Edge: Codeletion of the Ras GTPase-Activating Proteins (RasGAPs) Neurofibromin 1 and p120 RasGAP in T Cells Results in the Development of T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Ras GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAPs) inhibit signal transduction initiated through the Ras small GTP-binding protein. However, which members of the RasGAP family act as negative regulators of T cell responses is not completely understood. In this study, we investigated potential roles for the RasGAPs RASA1 and neurofibromin 1 (NF1) in T cells through the generation and analysis of T cell-specific RASA1 and NF1 double-deficient mice. In contrast to mice lacking either RasGAP alone in T cells, double-deficient mice developed T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, which originated at an early point in T cell development and was dependent on activating mutations in the Notch1 gene. These findings highlight RASA1 and NF1 as cotumor suppressors in the T cell lineage.
Elevated Second-Trimester Maternal Serum hCG: A Marker of Inadequate Angiogenesis

Abstract Objective: To measure angiogenin, a potent inducer of neovascularization and interleukin-6, as an indicator of acute inflammation, in second-trimester amniotic fluid of patients with elevated maternal serum hCG. Methods: In this case-control study, 20 patients with elevated maternal serum hCG (at least 2.0 multiples of median) at triple screen were matched 2:1 with controls on the basis of year of amniocentesis, parity, and race. Inclusion criteria were 1) singleton gestation, 2) no evidence of anomalies, and 3) genetic amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid was immunoassayed for angiogenin and interleukin-6. The immunoassay sensitivity for angiogenin was 0.026 ng/mL, interassay coefficient of variation 4.6%, and intra-assay coefficient of variation 2.9%. For interleukin-6, the immunoassay sensitivity was 2.37 pg/mL, interassay coefficient of variation 2.7%, and intra-assay coefficient of variation 1.9%. Angiogenin and interleukin-6 values were normalized by using natural log transformation for statistical analysis. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and stepwise regression, with P Results: After correcting (by multivariate regression) for gestational age at sampling and nulliparity, amniotic fluid angiogenin levels were significantly lower in the study subjects than in controls (26% ± 11% lower, P = .004), whereas the interleukin-6 levels did not change significantly (34% ± 40% lower, P = .3). Conclusion: Amniotic fluid angiogenin levels are significantly lower in patients with elevated maternal serum hCG at triple screen, suggesting inadequate angiogenesis, but interleukin-6 values do not differ significantly.
Balloon defecation as a predictor of outcome in children with functional constipation and encopresis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the ability to defecate a rectal balloon might predict 12-month recovery in children with functional constipation and encopresis. METHODS: We evaluated the ability to defecate within 5 minutes a 100 ml water-filled rectal balloon by 20 healthy children and 139 children with functional constipation and encopresis. RESULTS: All healthy children and only 47% of the patients were able to defecate the balloon. Twelve months after the start of treatment, 51% of patients able to and 34% of patients unable to defecate the balloon had recovered (p <0.03). Logistic regression revealed that the ability to defecate the balloon and a history of secondary encopresis were related to recovery (p <0.04). Patients who were unable to defecate the balloon or who did not recover had significantly more impairment in anorectal functions than those who were able to defecate the balloon or who did recover. The ability of the balloon defecation test to predict recovery had a sensitivity of 57%, a specificity of 60%, a positive predictive value of 0.51, and a negative predictive value of 0.66. CONCLUSION: Children with functional constipation and encopresis who were able to defecate the rectal balloon were twice as likely to recover. Even though there was a clinically significant difference in the recovery rates between patients who could and those who could not defecate the balloon, calculation of predictive values showed that the balloon defecation test could not reliably predict recovery. (J PEDIATR 1996;128:336-40)
ZnO-modified high modulus glass fibers

Abstract It was found that zinc oxide is a modifier that effectively increases the modulus of aluminate and silicate glass fibers. Glass fibers having a higher fiber modulus than that of S-Glass were prepared by modifying aluminate and silicate composition with 5–25 mol% ZnO under conventional glass-forming conditions by melting the mixed oxide powders above the liquidus. The highest fiber modulus obtained in the ZnO-modified aluminate system (44CaO30Al2O310ZnO5MgO 5Li2O4SiO2) was 1.44 × that of S-Glass, but a new drawing process would be required. The highest modulus obtained in the silicate system (46.8SiO216.9ZnO12.1CaO11.8MgO5.3TiO25.3Li2O0.9ZrO20.9CeO 0.01Fe2O3) was 1.20 × that of S-Glass and no new process is required.
A gift: Presidential Address at the 2009 Western Trauma Association for the surgery of trauma.

Abstract: This Western Trauma Association Presidential Address is about my mentor program. It outlines some background material on mentorship and the results of an alumni mentee survey.
Using time-lapse seismic amplitude data to detect variations of pore pressure and fluid saturation due to oil displacement by water: a numerical study based on one-dimensional prestack inversion

We describe a numerical study performed to appraise the ability of seismic amplitude data to infer the time evolution of pore pressure and fluid saturation due to hydrocarbon production. To this end, we construct a synthetic, spatially heterogeneous hydrocarbon reservoir model that is subject to numerical simulation of multiphase fluid flow. Hydrocarbon production is assumed in the form of one water-injection well and four oil-producing wells. The synthetic reservoir model exhibits average porosities of 20% and poses significant vertical resolution constraints to the usage of seismic amplitude data to ascertain variations of pore pressure and fluid saturation. We assume the availability of migrated prestack seismic amplitude and use one-dimensional models to simulate trace by trace the seismic amplitude data before and after the onset of production. One-dimensional seismic amplitude data are simulated in time-lapse mode making use of a rock physics model that includes the effect of differential compaction between sands and shales as a function of depth of burial. The sensitivity study presented in this paper is based on one-dimensional inversion and hence sheds light on the vertical resolution properties of noisy seismic amplitude data. Multiphase fluid-flow parameters have a measurable impact on fluid saturation and pore pressure and hence on the spatial distribution and time evolution of elastic parameters. However, the inverted spatial distributions of elastic parameters at best correlate with smooth spatial averages of the actual distributions of pore pressure and fluid saturation. Because for the case under consideration time-lapse seismic amplitude variations are of the order of 5%, such a correlation would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain without the use of one-dimensional inversion. We show that the elastic parameters inverted from prestack seismic amplitude data provide more degrees of freedom to discriminate between time variations of pore pressure and fluid saturation in the reservoir compared to distributions of acoustic impedance inverted from poststack seismic amplitude data.
Environmental attitudes mediate the link between need for cognition and pro-environmental goal choice

Abstract Need for cognition is a form of cognitive motivation, which reflects the extent that one actively seeks information and enjoys critical thinking about information. Accordingly, those high in need for cognition seek out and acquire information, resulting in stronger and more stable attitudes. However, need for cognition has yet to be examined in the domain of goal pursuit. Toward that end, we examined how this form of cognitive motivation impacts goal related cognitions. Specifically, how need for cognition influences goal choice. Because need for cognition is a domain-general form of cognitive motivation, we hypothesized that domain-specific attitudes would mediate the relationship between need for cognition pro-environmental goals. This hypothesis was tested in two separate studies. Results demonstrate consistent evidence in support of our hypothesis that environmental attitudes mediate the relationship between need for cognition and pro-environmental goal choice. Results hold implications for goal pursuit research, such that need for cognition can be empirically studied in relation to goal related cognitions and behaviors to the same extent as other forms of cognitive motivation. Moreover, these results suggest that need for cognition can be considered along side previously investigated antecedents of pro-environmental behavior.
A Note on the Effect of Theelin, Theelol and the Luteinizing Substance on Reproduction

SummaryProlonged administration of either theelin or theelol to adult female rats does not destroy the reproductive function, as is evidenced by their ability to bear and rear normal litters. The treatment with the luteinizing substance from pregnancy urine produces complete inhibition of estrus together with profound ovarian luteinization but does not permanently impair the reproductive mechanism.
Organizational Learning in a Large-scale Complex Health IT Project

Implementing large-scale complex health IT projects poses significant challenges to organizations. This paper discusses one Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT Beacon project aimed at implementing an IT-mediated care coordination model across multiple care settings in multiple communities. We posit that using participatory ergonomic methods to collect and promptly report findings to the project management team provides significant impetus for organizational learning and increases the likelihood of success of this large-scale health IT implementation project. We describe how we involve management team members in the ongoing regular evaluation of the project through short monthly Web-based surveys and semi-annual individual interviews. The goal of this process is to promote organizational learning and impact the success of this and future complex large-scale projects.
Cross-lingual text classification with model translation and document translation

Text classification assumes that the documents are in the same language, so when a classifier tries to categorize these documents in different languages, the trained model in mono-language will not work. The most direct solution is to translate all the documents in other languages into one language with the machine translator. Another approach is to translate the features extracted from one language into a second language and use them to classify the second language. In this paper, the authors propose a new method that adopts both the model translation and the document translation methods. This new method can take advantage of the best of the functionality between both the document translation and model translation methods.
A Kirkwood-Buff force field for the aromatic amino acids.

In a continuation of our efforts to develop a united atom non-polarizable protein force field based upon the solution theory of Kirkwood and Buff i.e., the Kirkwood–Buff Force Field (KBFF) approach, we present KBFF models for the side chains of phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and histidine, including both tautomers of neutral histidine and doubly-protonated histidine. The force fields were specifically designed to reproduce the thermodynamic properties of mixtures over the full composition range in an attempt to provide an improved description of intermolecular interactions. The models were developed by careful parameterization of the solution phase partial charges to reproduce the experimental Kirkwood–Buff integrals for mixtures of solutes representative of the amino acid sidechains in solution. The KBFF parameters and simulated thermodynamic and structural properties are presented for the following eleven binary mixtures: benzene + methanol, benzene + toluene, toluene + methanol, toluene + phenol, toluene + p-cresol, pyrrole + methanol, indole + methanol, pyridine + methanol, pyridine + water, histidine + water, and histidine hydrochloride + water. It is argued that the present approach and models provide a reasonable description of intermolecular interactions which ensures that the required balance between solute–solute, solute–solvent, and solvent–solvent distributions is obtained.
Regional differences in the orbicularis oculi muscle: conservation between species.

Abstract The orbicularis oculi muscle is a complex facial muscle involved in eyelid closure. The central parts of pretarsal and preseptal regions of the palpebral part of the orbicularis oculi muscle in rabbit and cynomolgus monkey lower eyelids were examined histologically and were analyzed for muscle fiber number, muscle fiber cross-sectional area and fiber type composition. Distinct regional differences were seen in the muscle fiber composition in these two regions of the muscle. The pretarsal portion of the muscle, that closest to the eyelid margin, was quite homogeneous and almost completely composed of type 2 fibers. These fibers were the smallest in cross-sectional area. Type 2 fibers also predominated in the preseptal portion of the muscle, but this region contained between 10 and 20% type 1 fibers. There appeared to be a gradient in muscle fiber size, whereby the fiber size increased as a function of the distance from the eyelid margin. The same pattern of regional differences were found in both rabbit and monkey orbicularis oculi. Thus, there is a clear conservation of these regional differences in these two species. While the developmental significance is unknown, the identification of this pattern may facilitate the evaluation of chemomyectomy agents for treatment of eyelid spasms in humans and allow a more accurate analysis of biopsy material from this muscle.
Genetic variation and comparative analysis of thrips resistance in glandless and glanded cotton under field conditions

Glandless cotton can be grown for cottonseed free of toxic gossypol to be used as food and feed for non-ruminant animals. However, one of the most important limiting factors preventing its commercial production is its higher insect damage than conventional glanded cotton. Thrips is the one of the most important insect pests in the early growing season that may cause yield losses. In this study, 28, 29, 26, and 2 glandless cotton lines were compared with glanded control Acala 1517-08 and other glanded lines for resistance to the Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) in four replicated field tests each containing 32 genotypes. In the same field, 28 glanded commercial cultivars and 78 glanded breeding lines were compared with Acala 1517-08 and Acala 1517-99 in three other tests with 32 genotypes each. The experimental layouts allowed a comprehensive comparative analysis of thrips resistance within and between glandless and glanded cotton. Overall, glandless cotton had similar or lower thrips damages than glanded cotton, indicating that the glandless trait may serve as a genetic factor for suppressing thrips damage. As compared with Acala 1517-08 which represented one of the most thrips resistant genotypes among glanded cotton tested, glandless Acala GLS and many selections from glandless germplasm were more resistant, while some were similar to Acala 1517-08, indicating that genetic factors other than the glandless trait also affect thrips resistance in cotton. The estimates for broad-sense heritability for thrips resistance were moderate, indicating that thrips resistance is selectable. This is corroborated by the identification of many thrips resistant lines from a cross between Acala 1517-08 and Acala GLS. This study has laid a foundation for a more detailed study using most resistant lines with desirable agronomic traits in multiple environments.
"w00t! feeling great today!": chatter in Twitter: identification and prevalence

Microblogging services like Twitter are used for a wide variety of purposes and in different modes. Here, we focus on the usage of Twitter for "chatter" i.e., the production and consumption of tweets that are typically non-topical and contain personal status updates or conversational messages which are usually intended and are useful only to the immediate network of the producers of the tweets. The automatic identification of chatter tweets is critical for tasks such as ranking tweets by relevance, matching tweets to advertisements, creation of topical digests of tweets, etc. and generally improves the utility of tweets to people outside the producers' immediate network by enabling the filtering out of tweets that are not of wider interest. We study the prevalence of chatter tweets in Twitter and present techniques to detect them using machine learning techniques that require minimal supervision.
Induced Pacemaker Cells Created by In Vivo Somatic Reprogramming: Phenotypic Comparison with Native Sinoatrial Node Cells

Background: We report elsewhere in this meeting (N. Kapoor et al. abstract) that Tbx18, an embryonic T-box transcription factor, reprograms cultured cardiomyocytes to induced sinoatrial node (SAN) pacemaker cells. Here we sought to test the fidelity of reprogramming by expressing Tbx18 in adult ventricle and comparing the properties of Tbx18-transduced ventricular myocytes (Tbx-VMs) with those of GFP-transduced ventricular myocytes (as controls; control-VMs) and native SAN cells.Methods: Adenoviruses co-expressing Tbx18 and GFP, or GFP alone, were directly injected in the apex of the guinea pig heart (4×107cfu/heart). Five days later, the heart was harvested and cardiomyocytes were isolated from the site of virus injection.Results: Native SAN cells are smaller and leaner than nontransduced VMs: length-to-width (LtW) ratios equal 14.7±1.5 (n=28) and 7.6±0.7 (n=9), respectively. Freshly-isolated control-VMs maintained their native shape (LtW=7.4±0.9, n=4); in contrast, Tbx-VMs were leaner (LtW=16.0±1.0, n=12) than control-VMs and were often spindle-shaped, reproducing the morphological hallmark of SAN cells. Control-VMs had stable resting potentials at −76mV, with action potentials (APs) elicited only upon electrical stimulation. In contrast, spindle-shaped Tbx-VMs demonstrated diastolic depolarization (maximal diastolic potential=-59mV) and fired spontaneous APs at 26bpm.The whole-cell capacitance (a measure of cell size) of Tbx-VMs was smaller than that of control-VMs (40.8±3.6 vs. 119±16pF, respectively), but similar to that of native SAN cells (48.3±7.0pF). The electrophysiological and morphological features of Tbx-VMs generally resembled those of native SAN cells.Conclusion: Somatic gene transfer of Tbx18 in the ventricle in vivo yielded induced SAN (iSAN) cells which faithfully recapitulate the key phenotypic properties of genuine SAN cells. The in situ reprogramming was effective and swift (as little as five days), offering a novel approach to creating a biological pacemaker as an alternative to electronic devices.
1047 CYTOMEGALOVIRUS TRANSMISSION AMONG CHILDREW ATTENDING A DAY CARE CENTER

Sixty-seven children, with a mean age of 30 months, attending a day care center had urine samples cultured for cytomegalovirus (CMV) 3 times over 6 months. Twenty-one children had CMV viruria. Viruria did not correlate with the length of day care center attendence nor age. The prevalence of CMV viruria among these children (32%) was significantly higher then among a group of 926 age-matched hospitalized children. Of this group, 64 (6.9%) had CMV viruria. (X2=49, 1df, p<0.0001, when compared to day care center children). Restriction endonuclease digestion using EcoRI, of the DNAs of 14 of the CMV isolates, revealed only 7 different patterns, two sets of 4 children and one set of 2 children had identical patterns. In contrast, EcoRI digestion of the DNAs of 13 randomly selected CMV isolates from the hospitalized children revealed 13 different patterns. These results prove that CMV was frequently transmitted among children attending the day care center.
Utility of formaldehyde fixation for flow cytometry and inactivation of the AIDS associated retrovirus

Abstract To maximize safety in the setting of an increasing number of requests for flow cytometric analysis of specimens potentially contaminated with the AIDS retrovirus, we evaluated some commonly used fixatives for their ability to inactivate the infectious potential of the virus. We found that both formaldehyde (0.37% v/v) and peraformaldehyde (0.5% w/v) completely inactivated the infectious activity of both free and cell-associated lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV), the etiologic agent for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Based on encouraging preliminary results we formally evaluated the effect of formaldehyde fixation on flow cytometric parameters. In addition to inactivating LAV, 0.37% formaldehyde in phosphate buffered saline preserved light scatter and fluorescence properties of cells stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and beta-phycoerythrin (PE) conjugated monoclonal antibodies. These findings suggest that formalin fixation may be useful for laboratories performing flow cytometric analysis of specimens potentially contaminated with the AIDS virus.
From the Ashes Risen: Private Equity Secondary Funds Take Flight

In the midst of the global financial downturn, one area of private equity is growing. The private equity secondary market—i.e., buying and selling existing private investor commitments in private equity and other alternative funds—has been estimated to have grown from about U.S.$4.4 billion in 1997, to about U.S.$63 billion in 2007. The secondary market landscape has evolved significantly in the past two decades. Today, the secondary markets are increasingly viewed as a portfolio optimizing/management tool: sellers view it as a source of liquidity and exit (to an otherwise illiquid investment); and buyers see it as an opportunity to access selective funds or diversify portfolios—often at discounted prices, with a partially identified portfolio well into the investment process, and thus leading to quicker returns. This article discusses reasons for the rapid rise of this market, and salient issues to consider when buying/selling interests in the secondary markets.
Induced anxiety and pain

Abstract Although it is a commonly accepted notion that anxiety and pain are positively related, it is unclear whether this relation holds regardless of the source of anxiety. The present research examined the relation between source of anxiety and pain responsivity by comparing the pain thresholds and pain tolerances of male and female undergraduates exposed to laboratory induced general anxiety, laboratory induced pain specific anxiety, non-veridical exaggerated descriptions of the sensations produced by a pain stimulator, and a control procedure. The results revealed that only pain specific anxiety enhanced pain responsivity for both males and females. The non-veridical instructions increased pain tolerance only for males but lowered both pain thresholds and pain tolerances for females. The results were interpreted as suggesting that anxiety enhances pain responsivity only if the source of anxiety is related to painful stimuli.
Topoi and categories of fuzzy sets

Abstract Let H be a completely distributive lattice and hence a Heyting algebra. Goguen's category of fuzzy sets Set(H) Eytan's logos Fuz(H) and the topos of sheaves on H, Sh(H), are interconnected by pairs of adjoint functors between them. Each of the categories has a predicate calculus. These predicate calculi are related through the functors between the categories. Change of base lattice gives rise to several functors which preserve or reflect specific kinds of statements in the predicate calculi. This paper gives details of the categories, the predicate calculi attached to them, the functors between the categories, and the preservation properties of those functors.
Iron Sulfides and Sulfur Species Produced at Hematite Surfaces in the Presence of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

Abstract In the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria ( Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ) hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) dissolution is affected potentially by a combination of enzymatic (hydrogenase) reduction and hydrogen sulfide oxidation. As a consequence, ferrous ions are free to react with excess H 2 S to form insoluble ferrous sulfides. X-ray photoelectron spectra indicate binding energies similar to ferrous sulfides having pyrrhotite-like structures (Fe2 p 3/2 708.4 eV; S2 p 3/2 161.5 eV). Other sulfur species identified at the surface include sulfate, sulfite and polysulfides. Thin film X-ray diffraction identifies a limited number of peaks, the principal one of which may be assigned to the hexagonal pyrrhotite (102) peak (d = 2.09 A; 2θ = 43.22°), at the hematite surface within 3 months exposure to sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy identifies the presence of a hexagonal structure associated with observed crystallites. Although none of the analytical techniques employed provide unequivocal evidence as to the nature of the ferrous sulfide formed in the presence of SRB at hematite surfaces, we conclude from the available evidence that a pyrrhotite stiochiometry and structure is the best description of the sulfides we observe. Such ferrous sulfide production is inconsistent with previous reports in which mackinawite and greigite were products of biological sulfate reduction (Rickard 1969a; Herbert et al., 1998; Benning et al., 1999) . The apparent differences in stoichiometry may be related to sulfide activity at the mineral surface, controlled in part by H 2 S autooxidation in the presence of iron oxides. Due to the relative stability of pyrrhotite at low temperatures, ferrous sulfide dissolution is likely to be reduced compared to the more commonly observed products of SRB activity. Additionally, biogenic pyrrhotite formation will also have implications for geomagnetic field behavior of sediments.
On the capacitance of a cube

Abstract The capacitance of a metallic cube is analyzed using the method of subareas and modern computing tools. This calculation extends the work of Reitan and Higgins in order to obtain a more accurate value for the capacitance.
The Biosynthesis of Tropane Alkaloids in Datura stramonium: The Identity of the Intermediates between N-Methylpyrrolinium Salt and Tropinone

The biosynthesis of the tropane alkaloids in transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium has been studied using sodium [1,2-13C2]acetate, (R,S)-[2,3-13C2]-1-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)propan-2-one {(R,S)-[2‘,3‘-13C2]hygrine}, ethyl (R,S)-[1,2-13C2,2-14C]-2-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)acetate, and ethyl (R,S)-[2,3-13C2,3-14C]-4-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-3-oxobutanoate. The incorporation of (R,S)-[2‘,3‘-13C2]hygrine into cuscohygrine and several other condensation products was high (15−40% specific incorporation), but label was not recovered in either tropine or tropine esters (hyoscyamine; 0.0 ± 0.5% specific incorporation). None of the recovered alkaloids was labeled when ethyl (R,S)-[1,2-13C2,2-14C]-2-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)acetate was fed to the cultures. In contrast, sodium [1,2-13C2]acetate and ethyl (R,S)-[2,3-13C2,3-14C]-4-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-3-oxobutanoate were incorporated into hyoscyamine (9 and 2% specific incorporation, respectively) and a number of other tropane alkaloids (up to 12% spec...
The role of complement Factor H in age-related macular degeneration: a review.

Factor H is a 155 kDa sialic acid containing glycoprotein that plays an integral role in the regulation of the complement-mediated immune system that is involved in microbial defense, immune complex processing, and programmed cell death. These events take place primarily in fluid phase and on the cell surface and are particularly important in the context of distinguishing self from non-self. Activation of the complement system occurs within seconds and results in a proteolytic cascade eventually forming the membrane attack complex leading to cell lysis. Factor H protects host cells from injury resulting from unrestrained complement activation. Mutations and SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in Factor H have been implicated in a variety of human conditions including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and membranoproliferative glomuleronephritis type II or dense deposit disease. It should not be surprising that these seemingly unrelated diseases involving mutations in Factor H may share common features. Because the immune process involves, in part, an inflammatory response and common or similar surface antigens, it is also not unexpected to observe features of inflammation, including deposition of bioactive complement fragments such as C3a and C5a, a cellular influx of immune related cells such as lymphocytes, and the potential for multiple organ involvement. We review recent developments in molecular genetics; SNPs, including Y402H; the three-dimensional structure; and mass spectroscopy of Factor H as it relates to the pathogenesis of eye disease. In addition, we discuss the concepts of molecular mimicry, sequestered or hidden antigens, and antigenic cross reactivity, and propose that AMD should not simply be considered to be an eye disease, but rather a systemic vascular disease where the eye has the ability to self regulate a local immune response. Identification of the initial event or inciting antigen has yet to be determined and will significantly advance the understanding of the pathogenesis of AMD.
Integral rate constant measurements of the reaction H + D2 → HD (v′ = 1, j′) + D at high collision energies

Abstract The reaction H + D 2 → HD ( v ′ = 1, j ′) + D was studied using two different experimental geometries: (1) a probe-laser-induced reaction geometry and (2) an independent-photolysis laser geometry. High-energy H atoms were generated by photolysis of HI which resulted in center-of-mass collision energies of 2.2 and 2.5 eV for geometries 1 and 2, respectively. The HD product was detected using (2 + 1) REMPI and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The HD( v ′= 1, j ′) rotational distributions are presented; at this time no corresponding theoretical calculations are available for comparison.
Ein Beitrag zur Herstellung von Galliumarsenid‐Epitaxie‐Schichten im Hochvakuum

GaAs-Schichten wurden nach dem Verfahren von Howson (Verdampfung aus einer Quelle) hergestellt und untersucht. Als Substrate dienten in Luft gespaltene NaF-, NaCl- und NaBr-Kristalle. Die Methode zeigte bei dem verwendeten apparativen Aufbau keine gute Reproduzierbarkeit. Optimale Orientierungseffekte wurden fur NaBr als Substrat bei einer Aufdampfgeschwindigkeit von 15 A s−1 und bei einer Tragertemperatur von etwa 300 °C erzielt. U. a. wurde festgestellt, das die Ubergangstemperatur der amorphen in die kristallisierte Phase des GaAs fur NaCl und NaF nahezu ubereinstimmend bei etwa 250 °C liegt. Vor allem in den Systemen GaAs/NaCl und GaAs/NaBr konnten gute Dekorationseffekte beobachtet werden. GaAs-films have been vacuum deposited on air cleaved NaF-, NaCl-, NaBr- substrates by the technique of Howson (evaporation from one single source). It was stated that the results obtained with our apparatus were not sufficient reproducible. Optimum orientation effects were achieved with a deposition rate of 15 A sec−1 and with a substrate temperature of ∼300 °C. The temperature of structural change from amorphous to cristalline phase was evaluated to be nearly equal for NaCl and NaF at 250 °C. Particularly in the systems GaAs/NaCl and GaAs/NaBr remarkable orientation effects were observed.
Activation of chicken adipose tissue diglyceride lipase by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and its deactivation by purified protein phosphatase.

Abstract Diglyceride lipase of chicken adipose tissue was found to be activated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase to the same extent as hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (3-to 10-fold) when lipase assays were carried out in buffers of low ionic strength. Sodium phosphate (50 mM) or sodium chloride (100 mM) preferentially enhanced the basal (nonactivated) form of diglyceride lipase, which minimized the apparent activation by protein kinase. The activated diglyceride lipase was readily deactivated by a pure protein phosphatase from bovine heart (MW 35,000) and the deactivated enzyme was then reactivated by protein kinase.
A radiologic update on medical diseases of the newborn chest

This paper reviews the common spectrum of medical diseases of the neonatal chest. Emphasis is on radiographic changes that have been produced by the introduction of new therapeutic maneuvers, particularly the use of artificial surfactant in treating hyaline membrane disease and the survival of profoundly premature newborns (less than 650 g). A discussion of meconium aspiration syndrome, neonatal pneumonia, transient tachypnea of the newborn, congenital lymphangiectasia, and congenital heart disease is also included. The effects on the neonatal chest radiograph of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and high-frequency ventilation are also mentioned.
Work–Family Conflict and Turnover Intentions Among Scientists and Engineers Working in R&D

In this study we evaluate competing models of the direct and indirect effects of work interference with family (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW) on two turnover intentions relevant to scientists and engineers: (i) leaving R&D for non-R&D work within the same organization and (ii) leaving one’s organization for another one. A cross-sectional design was used. Our sample consists of almost 500 scientists and engineers in dual-earner families and with dependent care responsibilities. We find some support for the domain-specific predictors-to-outcomes model: FIW indirectly (but not directly) increases intentions to change organization through work dissatisfaction. Contrary to expectations from the stress management model we find neither direct nor indirect relationships between WIF and turnover intentions. Our findings suggest that organizations that help employees manage the effects of FIW on work dissatisfaction may be able to reduce the turnover among their technical workforce. The study examines an overlooked outcome of work-family conflict: turnover intentions. In addition, it provides much needed attention to the implications of workfamily conflict for scientists and engineers, who have received little attention in the work-family conflict literature despite longstanding efforts to understand the relationship between marriage, parenthood, and productivity in these fields.
Using ontology reasoning for reverse engineering design patterns

Capturing design knowledge in large software systems reduces the complexity of understanding and reusing these systems. Model Driven Engineering (MDE) is seen by many as the new trend to cope with software complexity. MDE promotes the notion of modeling and model transformations in model-driven development. In this paper, we propose an approach that utilizes ontological modeling and reasoning for recovering design pattern information from source code. We thus provide a formal representation of the conceptual knowledge found in source code and match it to similar representation of design patterns. This proper matching is the basis for applying semantic reasoning to infer design pattern instances. We have tested our approach on multiple open source application frameworks. The results we obtained are promising and show an improvement in terms of recall and precision.
The measured energy loss of high energy electrons in various metals

The energy distribution of electrons of about 53, 75 and 93 MeV has been measured before and after passing through Be, Sn and Gd absorbers of various thicknesses. Earlier data for Al, Cu and Pb absorbers are reviewed. The electrons were accelerated by the LINAC of the Naval Postgraduate School. The most probable energy loss and the half widths agree with the theory of Blunck and Westphal. An improved semi-empirical formula for the most probable energy loss is presented.
SimDB: a similarity-aware database system

The identification and processing of similarities in the data play a key role in multiple application scenarios. Several types of similarity-aware operations have been studied in the literature. However, in most of the previous work, similarity-aware operations are studied in isolation from other regular or similarity-aware operations. Furthermore, most of the previous research in the area considers a standalone implementation, i.e., without any integration with a database system. In this demonstration we present SimDB, a similarity-aware database management system. SimDB supports multiple similarity-aware operations as first-class database operators. We describe the architectural changes to implement the similarity-aware operators. In particular, we present the way conventional operators' implementation machinery is extended to support similarity-aware operators. We also show how these operators interact with other similarity-aware and regular operators. In particular, we show the effectiveness of multiple equivalence rules that can be used to extend cost-based query optimization to the case of similarity-ware operations.
Requirement of 2-mercaptoethanol for in vitro growth factor production by T cells and vulnerability of the response to age

The effects of 2-mercaptoethanol and age on spleen cells derived from young (3-4 months) and old (24-months) C57BL/6 mice were measured with respect to T cell growth factor or Interleukin 2 production. It was shown that: (A) 2-mercaptoethanol (or some homologue) is absolutely required for T cell growth factor production in vitro by murine cells (the optimum concentration is 5 X 10(-5) M for both young and old cells); (B) old cells are less responsive to suboptimum concentrations than young cells but their responses are not reduced to the same degree as young cells by supraoptimum toxic doses of 2-mercaptoethanol; and (C) at optimum 2-mercaptoethanol concentrations young and old cells have similar kinetic responses for T cell growth factor production and the accumulation of the T cell growth factor reaches a maximum between 18 and 24 hours. Considerations are presented of 2-mercaptoethanol (or some homologue) in its role as an important reactant in the production of T cell growth factor and in its susceptibility to aging.
Panel: hierarchical and incremental verification for system level design: challenges and accomplishments

This panel will focus on two problems in formal and semiformalverification of co-design models. First one can be categorizedas Hierarchical verification or compositional verification.The second one is Incremental verification. Advances and challengesin both of these are important for realization of verificationstrategies for reasonable sized models, including hardware models,as well as hardware/software co-design models. This short positionpaper explains the MEMOCODE committee's view of theseproblems, followed by short position statements by the panelists.
Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in the Rat by Intraluminal Suture Neurological and Pathological Evaluation of an Improved Model

Background and Purpose The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a modified method of intraluminal suture occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) on the volume of brain infarction and on neurobehavioral function in rats subjected to a temporary focal ischemic insult. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with halothane and subjected to 60 minutes or 2 hours of temporary MCA occlusion (MCAo) by an intraluminal thread. In one group of rats, the suture was coated with poly-l-lysine, while in a second group, a conventional uncoated suture was used. Behavioral function was evaluated at 50 to 60 minutes after occlusion and during a 3-day period after MCAo. Three days after MCAo, brains were perfusion-fixed and infarct volumes were measured. Results In rats with 60-minute MCAo, only 3 of 7 animals with uncoated sutures had infarcts, whereas in the group with poly-l-lysine–coated sutures, all rats (n=7) exhibited infarction (P=.009, Fisher's exact test). With 2 hours of MCAo, total infar...
Proliferation of goblet cells and vacuolated cells in the rabbit distal colon

Previous studies of colonic epithelial cell kinetics in mice and rats revealed a pattern similar to small intestine, where basally located stem cells proliferate, differentiating as they migrate towards the surface epithelium. Vacuolated and goblet cells are assumed to co-migrate at the same rate. The present study indicates that rabbit distal colon has more complicated epithelial cell kinetics. The zone of proliferation was detected immunohistochemically using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and confirmed with the use of colchicine to arrest dividing cells in metaphase. Migrating cells were tracked from the zero-hour position (PCNA labeling, mitosis) to positions 24, 48, 72 hrs by monitoring cell migration with the thymidine analog 5-Bromo-2-Deoxyuridine (BrdU). PCNA revealed a major proliferative zone in the upper third of the crypt column and the presence of mitotic figures after colchicine corroborated these results. Differentiated vacuolated cell proliferation was detected at three crypt sites: base, middle, and top of the crypt, while columnar cells arose from a population of dividing cells at the top of the crypt. Turnover of columnar and vacuolated cells occurred within 72 hrs. Goblet cells exhibited maximal proliferation at the crypt base and migrated at a much slower rate than the other cell types. In rabbit distal colon, populations of proliferating cells exist at multiple levels of the crypt column. Vacuolated and goblet cells differ in their labeling indices and migration rates, suggesting that the two cell types arise and migrate independently.
Ab Initio Based Classical Electrostatic Potentials for the Interaction between Molecules and Surfaces

Molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations based on interactions described by hybrid quantum-classical methods are a logical approach to the study of solvent−molecule and solvent−surface interfaces. These techniques exploit the classical nature of long-range interactions to provide a computationally tractable description of complex interfacial systems. The present work develops and tests the performance of a classical electrostatic potential for describing adsorbate/surface interactions. The electrostatic potential is constructed from a numerical representation of the electric potential, field, and field gradients of the bare surface, as a function of position above the surface, combined with the electric multipolar moments of the adsorbate molecules. The former is obtained from periodic Hartree-Fock calculations on the bare surface; the latter is from molecular Hartree−Fock calculations on the isolated molecules. An empirical, short-range repulsive term is added to the classical “long-ra...