cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coordination chemistry of pyrazolylbis((alkylthio)methyl)borates: Hybrid nitrogen and sulfur donor ligands

Abstract The synthesis of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes supported by chelating borate ligands containing one pyrazole and two thioethers, phenyl(pyrazolyl)bis((alkylthio)methyl)borates, [Ph(pz)BtR], is described. The six-coordinate complexes [Ph(pz)Bt]2M, M = Fe (1Fe), Co (1Co) and Ni (1Ni), form exclusively the cis isomers as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. Whereas 1Co and 1Ni are high spin, 1Fe exhibits a room temperature magnetic moment, μeff = 4.1 μB, consistent with spin-crossover behavior. Quantitative analysis of the electronic spectrum of 2Ni leads to a value of Dq = 1086 cm−1, reflective of a ligand field strength somewhat weaker than those imposed by the related tridentate borate ligands Tp or PhTt. Replacement of the methylthioether substituent with the sterically more demanding tert-butylthioether leads to the isolation of [Ph(pz)BttBu]MX, M = Co, X = Cl (2Co); M = Ni, X = Cl (2Ni) or acac (3). The solid state structures of 2Co and 2Ni are chloride-bridged dimers. Additional high-spin cobalt(II) complexes, accessible under distinct preparative conditions, [κ2-Ph(pzH)BttBu] CoCl2·THF (4) and [κ2-Ph(pz)BttBu]2Co (5), have been fully characterized.
A surface wave dispersion relation for non-local media

Abstract Conditions are obtained for the existence of surface waves at the interface of vacuum and a semi-infinite non-local medium whose inverse dielectric function is assumed to be symmetric in spatial coordinate in the direction perpendicular to the interface. It is shown that these conditions reduce to those obtained by Maradudin in the appropriate limits: for the isotropic case; and for no retardation.
Influence of Murchison or Allende minerals on hydrogen-deuterium exchange of amino acids

Deuterium-enriched amino acids occur in the Murchison carbonaceous chrondrite. This meteorite underwent a period of aqueous alteration with isotopically light water. With the objective of setting limits on the conditions of aqueous alteration, the exchange of the carbon-bonded hydrogen atoms of amino acids with D2O has been studied from 295 to 380 K as a function of time and meteorite/heavy water ratio. The amount of Murchison or Allende dust present has a significant effect on the rate and amount of hydrogen-deuterium exchange observed. At elevated temperatures, the alpha-hydrogens of all the amino acids studied were found to exchange with deuterium. In glycine and aspartic acid, this process resulted in total exchange of the carbon-bonded hydrogen. A completely deuterated isotopomer of alanine was produced in significant quantities only when the rock/water ratio was greater than 0.5. No exchange of carbon-bonded hydrogens was observed in the case of amino acids which do not possess an alpha-hydrogen atom. The rates of H/D exchange for amino acids observed here did not correspond to deuterium enrichment of the amino acids in the Murchison meteorite. These results suggest that H/D exchange with water had a negligible effect on the observed deuterium enrichment of amino acids found in Murchison and that the temperature at which the amino acids were exposed to liquid water was close to 273 K.
Multimodal image-guided enzyme/prodrug cancer therapy

The conjugate of bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD) and poly-l-lysine (PLL) that was functionalized with biotin, rhodamine, and Gd3+−DOTA was synthesized and characterized. It demonstrated high relaxivity, improved enzymatic specificity to prodrug 5-fluorocytosine, low cytotoxicity, efficient cell uptake, and high enzymatic stability in fresh mouse serum and human breast cancer cell culture.
Depressive Symptoms and Risks of Coronary Heart Disease and Mortality in Elderly Americans

Background—Several epidemiological studies have associated depressive symptoms with cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether depressive symptoms constituted a risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and total mortality among an apparently healthy elderly cohort. Methods and Results—In a prospective cohort of 5888 elderly Americans (≥65 years) who were enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 4493 participants who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline provided annual information on their depressive status, which was assessed using the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiological Studies. These 4493 subjects were followed for 6 years for the development of CHD and mortality. The cumulative mean depression score was assessed for each participant up to the time of event (maximum 6-year follow-up). Using time-dependent, proportional-hazards models, the unadjusted hazard ratio associated with every 5-unit increase in mean depression score for the development of CHD was 1.15 (P=0.006); t...
Reduced emotional and cardiovascular reactivity to emotionally evocative stimuli in major depressive disorder.

Abstract Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly debilitating mental health concern that affects a large number of adults in the United States. The emotional context insensitivity (ECI) hypothesis argues that individuals with MDD disengage from the environment to defend themselves from futile activity. In the current study, electrocardiogram and pupillometry were recorded from 50 participants (MDD n = 25, never depressed control n = 25) during the display of emotionally evocative images, sounds, and movie clips. Individuals with MDD reported reduced change in happiness to positively- and negatively-valenced images and sounds. Heart rate reactivity also was reduced in individuals with MDD when viewing images and watching movie clips. These results suggest that individuals with MDD may have some difficulty engaging with certain environmental stimuli.
Lymphocyte blastogenic responses of calves experimentally infected with Ostertagia ostertagi

Twelve 9-week-old calves were divided into four groups; two groups were maintained helminth-free as controls and the other groups were given Ostertagia ostertagi infective-stage larvae (L3) orally. One group received 100,000 L3 as a single inoculum and the other group received L3 in increasing dosages at weekly intervals for 8 consecutive weeks. The blastogenic responses to concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and a soluble larval antigen from O. ostertagi (SLA) of peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated using tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA as a measure of blastogenesis. The responses to Con A of all infected calves were significantly depressed while the responses to PHA were not. SLA, at concentrations of 4 micrograms ml-1 and above, caused blastogenic activity in lymphocytes from uninfected calves. Using SLA at 1 microgram ml-1 in lymphocyte cultures supplemented with autologous serum, an antigen-induced blastogenic response was detected in calves receiving serial inoculations of L3.
Superior mesotympanic sinus.

Objectives:This study of the posterior tympanum was performed to better define the anatomy of this complex area of the middle ear. A sinus previously not described was examined.Methods:The posterior tympanum of 49 temporal bones was studied by microscopic techniques. The sinus depth, the opening into the sinus, and the relationship of the facial nerve to the sinus were documented.Results:A sinus lying in the superior part of the posterior tympanum was discovered: The superior mesotympanic sinus. The depth of the sinus was from 0.5 to 2 mm, and it was present in 42 of the 49 specimens (86%). The superior border of the sinus is the facial nerve, which was dehiscent in 9 cases.Conclusions:The surgeon can remove disease with more confidence from the tympanum if he or she knows that disease may harbor in this sinus, and that injury to the facial nerve must be avoided.
The Momentum Distribution in Hydrogen-Like Atoms

The probability density that an electron have certain momenta is given by the square of the absolute magnitude of a momentum eigenfunction ${\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}_{\mathrm{nlm}}(P, \ensuremath{\Theta}, \ensuremath{\Phi})$, in which $P$, $\ensuremath{\Theta}$, and $\ensuremath{\Phi}$ are spatial polar coordinates of the total momentum vector referred to the same axes as the coordinates $r$, $\ensuremath{\theta}$, and $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ of the electron. The following general expression for these functions for a hydrogen-like atom is obtained: ${\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}_{\mathrm{nlm}}(P, \ensuremath{\Theta}, \ensuremath{\Phi})=\left\{\frac{1}{{(2\ensuremath{\pi})}^{\frac{1}{2}}}{e}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\mathrm{im}\ensuremath{\Phi}}\right\} \left\{{\left(\frac{(2l+1)(l\ensuremath{-}m)!}{2(l+m)!}\right)}^{\frac{1}{2}}{{P}_{l}}^{m}(cos\ensuremath{\Theta})\right\}$ $\left\{\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}{2}^{2l+4}l!}{{(\ensuremath{\gamma}h)}^{\frac{3}{2}}}{\left(\frac{n(n\ensuremath{-}l\ensuremath{-}1)!}{(n+l)!}\right)}^{\frac{1}{2}}\frac{{\ensuremath{\zeta}}^{l}}{{({\ensuremath{\zeta}}^{2}+1)}^{l+2}}{C}_{n\ensuremath{-}l\ensuremath{-}1}^{l+1}\left(\frac{{\ensuremath{\zeta}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}1}{{\ensuremath{\zeta}}^{2}+1}\right)\right\}$ in which $\ensuremath{\zeta}=(\frac{2\ensuremath{\pi}}{\ensuremath{\gamma}h})P$, with $\ensuremath{\gamma}=(\frac{4{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}\ensuremath{\mu}{e}^{2}Z}{n{h}^{2}})=(\frac{Z}{n{a}_{0}})$. The probability ${\ensuremath{\Xi}}_{\mathrm{nl}}(P)\mathrm{dP}$ that the electron have a total momentum lying within the limits $P$ and $P+dP$ is also evaluated, and it is shown that the root mean square of the total momentum is equal to the momentum of the electron in a circular Bohr orbit with the same total quantum number.
Structure and reactivity of the vinylcyclopropane radical cation

Abstract The [C 5 H 8 ] + potential energy hypersurface was investigated at the UCCSD(T)/DZP//UMP2(fc)/DZP+ZPE and B3LYP/DZP+ZPE levels of theory. The vinylcyclopropane radical cation 2 A″ electronic ground state, with two elongated cyclopropyl C–C bonds, is 14.8 and 17.4 kcal mol −1 less stable in its s-anti ( 2 ) and s-syn ( 1 ) conformation, respectively, than the cyclopentene radical cation, 5 . The 21.6 kcal mol −1 barrier for syn / anti -isomerization is due to a strong interaction of vinyl-π and cyclopropyl-σ MOs. The preferred rearrangement of the vinylcyclopropane radical cation is stepwise: ring opening to a distonic radical cation intermediate followed by a subsequent [1,2] H-shift to the open-chain 1,3-pentadiene radical cation (barrier of 21.0 kcal mol −1 vs. 2 ). Disfavored by only 2.8 kcal mol −1 is a concerted [1,3] alkyl shift rearrangement which preferentially proceeds with a suprafacial / inversion stereochemistry to ring expand to the cyclopentene radical cation, 5 . The neutral concerted reaction has a 30 kcal mol −1 higher barrier. Transition structure geometries are similar for the neutral and radical cation reaction. However, concerted and stepwise rearrangements to 5 have essentially the same activation barriers (21.3 and 21.2 kcal mol −1 , respectively). An activation of 23.2 kcal mol −1 allows one cyclopropyl methylene group to insert into the C–C bond linking vinyl and cyclopropyl units (leading to the 1,4-pentadiene radical cation). This process is competitive with the ring expansion reactions. A H-shift initiated cyclopropyl ring opening was found to require a higher activation (32.4 kcal mol −1 for 2 ). Experimentally, vinylcyclopropane radical cations, generated with an excess energy of 30.0 kcal mol −1 , have been reported to isomerize to 1,3-pentadiene radical cations.
Medical therapy of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common neurologic disorder that affects 1 – 3% of the population. The therapy of epilepsy is briefly reviewed in this article, focusing on new data on antiepileptic medications. In the last decade, several new antiepileptic medications, that is, lamotrigine, gabapentin, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, zonisamide, levetiracetam and pregabalin, are available in the US for partial epilepsy. These medications have been reviewed with focus on their clinical use, side effects and limitations. There have been new data on antiepileptic medications and their teratogenic effects, effects on bone health and effects on female health. New developments in the therapy of epilepsy have provided different options to treat this chronic disease. This has provided greater choice for patients and their physicians.
Intermolecular complementation achieves high-specificity tumor targeting by anthrax toxin

Anthrax toxin protective antigen (PrAg) forms a heptamer in which the binding site for lethal factor (LF) spans two adjacent monomers. This suggested that high cell-type specificity in tumor targeting could be obtained using monomers that generate functional LF-binding sites only through intermolecular complementation. We created PrAg mutants with mutations affecting different LF-binding subsites and containing either urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) cleavage sites. Individually, these PrAg mutants had low toxicity as a result of impaired LF binding, but when administered together to uPA- and MMP-expressing tumor cells, they assembled into functional LF-binding heteroheptamers. The mixture of two complementing PrAg variants had greatly reduced toxicity in mice and was highly effective in the treatment of aggressive transplanted tumors of diverse origin. These results show that anthrax toxin, and by implication other multimeric toxins, offer excellent opportunities to introduce multiple-specificity determinants and thereby achieve high therapeutic indices.
Simulations of DNA pol λ R517 mutants indicate 517's crucial role in ternary complex stability and suggest DNA slippage origin

Unlike some other DNA polymerases, DNA polymerase λ (pol λ) utilizes DNA motion and active-site protein residue rearrangements rather than large-scale protein subdomain changes to transition between its active and inactive states. Pol λ also has an unusual error tendency to generate single-base deletions (also known as frameshift mutations) resulting from DNA template-strand slippage. An understanding of these features requires an atomic-level link between the various structures and motions involved and observed in biochemical functions. Our simulations of pol λ ternary complexes of various 517 mutants (Lys, Glu, His, Met, and Gln) reveal discrete orientations of the 517 residue with respect to the DNA and associated interactions (mainly electrostatic) that explain the wide range (∼3−8 A) of mutant-dependent DNA motion observed (Figure 2 of manuscript): (wild-type < [R517K ∼ R517H ∼ R517Q] < [R517E ∼ R517A ∼ R517M]). This motion critically impacts stability of the ternary complex and hence drives/hampers...
Modulation of AP-1 by natural chemopreventive compounds in human colon HT-29 cancer cell line

Purpose. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) has been implicated as playing important roles in apoptosis and cancer development. In this work, we studied several natural chemopreventive compounds for their potential chemopreventive properties in the modulation of AP-1 signaling pathway in HT-29 colon cancer cells.
Investigation of the Relation between the Spectral Energy Distributions and the Emission Lines in Low-Redshift Quasars

We investigate the relations between the observed emission-line strengths, widths, and continuum properties of a sample of 41 low-redshift (z<1) quasars for which contemporaneous IR/soft X-ray spectral energy distributions are available. This includes investigating correlations between optical and UV lines with both the luminosity and the shape of the quasars' continuum, as well as correlations between the various lines. The sample is heterogeneous, primarily selected on the existence of good-quality Einstein X-ray data, and includes 18 radio-loud and 23 radio-quiet quasars. We find anticorrelations between the equivalent width and various UV luminosities (the Baldwin effect) for the Lyα and Hβ lines and a marginal anticorrelation for C III]. Exclusion of narrow-line, low-luminosity active galactic nuclei reveals a significant Baldwin effect for the C IV and C III] lines. A significant anticorrelation of EW(C IV) with αox is also present. We find no correlations between any lines and the X-ray luminosity or X-ray slope. The Fe II optical multiplet shows no simple relationship with luminosity or continuum slope; however, there is a tendency for objects with flat X-ray spectra and/or strong X-ray luminosities to have weak Fe II. Our data do not favor a model in which changes in continuum shape (due to, e.g., a decreasing ionization parameter) cause the Baldwin effect. The data can instead be explained by an accretion disk (AD) model in which limb darkening and the projected surface area of an optically thick, geometrically thin disk combine to cause a viewing-angle-dependent UV luminosity and a more isotropic X-ray luminosity. The scatter in our correlations is larger than that expected from this AD model, suggesting the presence of dust, which reddens both the continuum and the broad emission lines. The C IV and C III] lines show flatter slopes and larger scatter in the line-continuum relations than predicted by the AD+dusty torus model. This may be due to a significant contribution from collisional excitation that is not directly related to the ionizing continuum.
Impact of the Recent Reduction in Working Hours (The 80 Hour Work Week) on Surgical Resident Cancer Education

Background. Resident work hours were recently reduced to 80 hours per week by a mandate from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and subsequent Federal law (HR 3236). This mandate became effective July 1st, 2003. We sought to determine any impact this change had on perceived and real resident cancer education and knowledge. Methods. Of the total 85 residents in our large, university-based surgical training program, we focused on the 40 who had been in the clinical program (rather than research) before and after the work hour reduction. Perceived impact on cancer education was determined by survey, and real impact by before (2002) and after (2004) scores on the overall and cancer-specific portion of the annual American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). Results. All eligible residents responded to the survey. The majority (83% to 85%) indicated that exposure to cancer patients on wards and in clinics remained the same. Thirty percent felt that their exposure to cancer o...
Anomalous displacement of excitons in a quantum well.

1s excitons confined in a quantum well under a static electric field perpendicular to the well layers are studied. The exciton in the excited levels of the quantum well is shown to be displaced toward the direction opposite to the field for weak fields and as the field is increased further it moves toward the direction of the field, in striking contrast with the exciton in the ground level of the well, which is always pushed toward the direction of the field for these strengths of the field. The polarization of the exciton in the excited levels changes its sign during the course of this anomalous displacement.
Propene oxidation at low and intermediate temperatures: A detailed chemical kinetic study☆

A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism for propene oxidation is developed and used to model reactions in a static reactor at temperatures of 575-715 K, equivalence ratios of 0.8 - 2.0, and a pressure of 600 torr. Modeling of hydrocarbon oxidation in this temperature range is important for the validation of detailed models to be used for performing calculations related to automotive engine knock. The model predicted induction periods and species concentrations for all the species and all conditions measured experimentally in the static reactor. Overall, the calculated concentrations of carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and propane oxide agreed well with those measured. The calculated concentrations of ethane are low compared to the experimental measurements, and the calculated concentrations of formaldehyde are high. Agreement for concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and methanol is mixed. The characteristic s-shape of the fuel concentration history is well predicted. Modeling calculations identified some of the key reaction steps at the present conditions. Addition of OH to propene and H atom abstraction by OH from propene are important steps in determining the subsequent distributions of intermediate products, such as acetaldehyde, acrolein and formaldehyde. Allyl radicals are very abundant in propene oxidation, and the primary steps found tomore » be responsible for their consumption are reaction with CH/sub 3/O/sub 2/ and HO/sub 2/. 37 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.« less
A sensitive beam-bunch phase detector

Abstract A sensitive heavy-ion beam-bunch phase detector has been developed by first examining the relationship between the sensitivity of an rf resonant cavity as a particle bunch detector and the shunt impedance of the same cavity as an accelerating structure. Then the various high shunt impedance rf cavities previously developed for accelerating heavy ions were evaluated for use as bunch detectors. A spiral-loaded geometry was chosen, built, and tested with beam. The sensitivity obtained, 14 μV per electrical nA of beam, is a factor 3 higher than previously reported.
Novel genes derived from noncoding DNA in Drosophila melanogaster are frequently X-linked and exhibit testis-biased expression

Descriptions of recently evolved genes suggest several mechanisms of origin including exon shuffling, gene fission/fusion, retrotransposition, duplication-divergence, and lateral gene transfer, all of which involve recruitment of preexisting genes or genetic elements into new function. The importance of noncoding DNA in the origin of novel genes remains an open question. We used the well annotated genome of the genetic model system Drosophila melanogaster and genome sequences of related species to carry out a whole-genome search for new D. melanogaster genes that are derived from noncoding DNA. Here, we describe five such genes, four of which are X-linked. Our RT-PCR experiments show that all five putative novel genes are expressed predominantly in testes. These data support the idea that these novel genes are derived from ancestral noncoding sequence and that new, favored genes are likely to invade populations under selective pressures relating to male reproduction.
Compensation of an error-sampled system by a multirate controller

A special type of multirate sampled-data system, i.e., a system which contains switches operating with different sampling periods, is discussed in this paper. It is shown, after a brief outline of the multirate mathematics, how a multirate controller can be designed to compensate an error-sampled feedback system. Such a controller can be realized as a pulsed network which in response to input samples at time t = 0, T, 2T, ? produces output samples at time t = 0, T/n, 2T/n, ? (where n is an integer), any output sample being a linear combination of the past and present inputs and outputs. The multirate controller achieves a lower intersampling ripple and a faster settling time in comparison with its single-rate predecessor at no increase, in most cases, in the number of the required storage elements.
Moving multiple tethered robots between arbitrary configurations

We considered the problem of motion planning for a number of small, disc-like robots in a common planar workspace. Each robot is tethered to a point on the boundary of the workspace by a flexible cable of finite length. These cables may be pushed and bent by robots that come in contact with them but remain taut at all times. The robots are given a set of target points to which they must move. Upon arrival at these points, a new set of target points are given. Associated with each set of target points is a configuration of the cables that must be achieved when all robots are at these target points. The motion planning task addressed here is to produce relatively short paths for the robots from an initial (nontrivial) configuration of the cables to a configuration corresponding to the next set of target points. An O(n/sup 2/logn) algorithm is presented for achieving this task for n robots.
Angiotensin-(1–7)

In the last decade, a substantial change in our understanding of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) occurred.1,2 It is now clear that the circulating and tissue RAS are far more complex than previously anticipated. The modern concept of the RAS includes, in addition to the classical components (renin, angiotensin [Ang]-converting enzyme [ACE], Ang II, Ang III, and Ang type 1 and type 2 receptors [AT1R and AT2R]), novel enzymes, peptides, and receptors (ACE2,3,4 Ang-(1–7), (pro)renin receptor,5 and Mas).6 More recently, novel putative components of the RAS (Ang A,7 alamandine,8 and the Mas-related G-protein–coupled receptor D)8 were identified. These new discoveries bring into perspective new possibilities of interaction among RAS components. Figure 1 shows a simplified updated view of the RAS. Figure 1. Simplified updated view of the renin–angiotensin system. ACE indicates angiotensin-converting enzyme; AMP, aminopeptidase; Ang, angiotensin; AT1, angiotensin type 1 receptor; AT2, angiotensin type 2 receptor; D-Amp, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I–III; IRAP, insulin-regulated aminopeptidase; Mas, Mas receptor; MrgD, Mas-related G-protein–coupled receptor D; NEP, neutral endopeptidase; PCP, prolyl carboxypeptidase; and PEP, prolyl endopeptidase. Based on Lautner et al.8 The demonstration that Ang-(1–7) is a key component of the RAS represented one of the most significant conceptual changes of this important hormonal system. This review will focus on the cardiovascular actions of Ang-(1–7) and the potential of Ang-(1–7) and other Mas agonists as cardiometabolic therapeutic agents. Figure 2 shows most of known cardiovascular actions of Ang-(1–7). It should be pointed out that the actions of Ang-(1–7) are not restricted to the cardiovascular system. For example, Ang-(1–7) also impacts the renal system, which may play a role in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension. Because of space limitation, only a partial list of references was included in …
Eddy covariance fluxes and vertical concentration gradient measurements of NO and NO 2 over a ponderosa pine ecosystem: observational evidence for within-canopy chemical removal of NO x

Abstract. Exchange of NOx (NO+NO2) between the atmosphere and biosphere is important for air quality, climate change, and ecosystem nutrient dynamics. There are few direct ecosystem-scale measurements of the direction and rate of atmosphere–biosphere exchange of NOx. As a result, a complete description of the processes affecting NOx following emission from soils and/or plants as they transit from within the plant/forest canopy to the free atmosphere remains poorly constrained and debated. Here, we describe measurements of NO and NO2 fluxes and vertical concentration gradients made during the Biosphere Effects on AeRosols and Photochemistry EXperiment 2009. In general, during daytime we observe upward fluxes of NO and NO2 with counter-gradient fluxes of NO. We find that NOx fluxes from the forest canopy are smaller than calculated using observed flux–gradient relationships for conserved tracers and also smaller than measured soil NO emissions. We interpret these differences as primarily due to chemistry converting NOx to higher nitrogen oxides within the forest canopy, which might be part of a mechanistic explanation for the "canopy reduction factor" applied to soil NOx emissions in large-scale models.
Red sprite discharges in the atmosphere at high altitude: the molecular physics and the similarity with laboratory discharges

An overview of the general phenomenology and physical mechanism of large-scale electrical discharges termed 'sprites' observed at high altitude in the Earth's atmosphere above thunderstorms is presented. The primary emphasis is placed on summarizing available experimental data on various emissions documented to date from sprites and interpretation of these emissions in the context of similar data obtained from laboratory discharges, in particular the pulsed corona discharges, which are believed to be the closest pressure-scaled laboratory analogue of sprite discharges at high altitude. We also review some of the recent results on modelling of laboratory and sprite streamers emphasizing the importance of the photoionization effects for the understanding of the observed morphological features of streamers at different pressures in air and provide a comparison of emissions obtained from streamer models with results of recent satellite-based observations of sprites.
Hell and Hope for Salvation

This article supplements Ralph Martin's recent book, Will Many Be Saved? Our primary thesis is that those who hold double predestination or universalism cannot, if consistent, hope as Christians should for their own and others’ salvation, and therefore can neither live their own lives with a view to reaching the heavenly kingdom nor promote others’ salvation. We also contend that the same disabilities are likely to subvert those who hold certain views that approximate universalism. We go on to set out some positions regarding damnation and salvation that, we believe, all Christians ought to hold and hand on. God wills everyone to be saved, and those who are saved are saved by God's grace. Entirely through their own fault, more than a few people will end in hell. But no one still alive and able to repent need end in hell. While created persons cannot build God's kingdom, insofar as Christians do the Father's will in this world, they prepare materials, beginning with themselves and their interpersonal relationships, for that kingdom.
The E and E θ Curves from Pulse and Step Tracer Experiments

At t = 0 [s], inject an instantaneous pulse of tracer M [kg] into fluid as it flows at a rate v [m3/s] in and out of a vessel of volume V [m3].
The Impact of Varying Levels of Confidentiality on Disclosure of Suicidal Thoughts in a Sample of United States National Guard Personnel

OBJECTIVES: Increasing rates of suicide in the military indicate current assessment approaches are not yielding accurate determinations of risk. Concern that endorsement of suicidal ideation may result in obstacles to career advancement may be resulting in nondisclosure. METHOD: To test this, we recruited a sample of US National Guard personnel (n = 789; 81.7% male; 63.2% white) and administered two measures of current thoughts of suicide. One measure was integrated into our risk assessment protocol and soldiers were thus aware that answers could result in referral to on site military mental health professionals. The other measure was not integrated into the risk assessment protocol and soldiers were thus aware that results would not be reported to on site military mental health professionals. RESULTS: As hypothesized, a higher proportion of individuals reported current thoughts of suicide on the measure not integrated into the risk protocol (9.4%) than on the measure that was (6.0%). Also as hypothesized, a higher proportion of those willing to endorse current thoughts of suicide on the measure not integrated into the risk protocol denied current thoughts of suicide on the one that was (61.5%) than vice versa (39.0%). Limitations include cross-sectional self-report data and a lack of counter-balancing of measures. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that increasing the confidentiality of risk assessments within the National Guard increases the likelihood of reporting of current thoughts of suicide. Language: en
Differential Growth Characteristics and Streptomycin Susceptibility of Virulent and Avirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains in a Novel Fibroblast-Mycobacterium Microcolony Assay

The ability to spread from cell to cell may be an important virulence determinant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An in vitro assay was developed to characterize this ability among four strains of M. tuberculosis: the attenuated strain H37Ra, the virulent strains H37Rv and Erdman, and a virulent clinical isolate (Stew). Confluent monolayers of human skin fibroblasts were infected with these strains and overlaid with agar-medium. M. tuberculosis infection developed over 21 days as microcolonies originating within the plane of the fibroblasts. Microcolonies of the virulent strains had an elongated appearance and exhibited extensive cording. The cords appeared to invade adjacent cells within the plane of the monolayer. Microcolony diameter of the Erdman strain was significantly larger than that of the other virulent strains, indicating that virulent strains can have distinguishing phenotypes in this assay. In contrast, avirulent H37Ra microcolonies were rounded and noncorded. H37Ra microcolonies were significantly smaller than those of the virulent strains. Microcolony diameter of the virulent strains was not reduced by the extracellularly acting antibiotic streptomycin at concentrations of up to 5.0 μg/ml. In contrast, H37Ra microcolony size was reduced at concentrations as low as 0.5 μg/ml. Growth of all strains was similarly inhibited by 1.0 μg of streptomycin per ml in fibroblast-conditioned tissue culture medium alone. When fibroblasts were infected with the M. tuberculosis strains without an agar overlay, with and without streptomycin, numbers of CFU mirrored the changes observed in the microcolony assay. There was a statistically significant decrease in H37Ra CFU compared to virulent strains after treatment with streptomycin. These differences between H37Ra and virulent strains in human fibroblasts suggest that H37Ra may be lacking a virulence determinant involved in cell-to-cell spread of M. tuberculosis.
Effects of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus on Postprandial Mesenteric Perfusion in Premature Baboons

Background Superior mesenteric artery flow increases after a feeding to meet the intestines' increased metabolic demands. Although a patent ductus arteriosus can affect superior mesenteric artery perfusion in nonfeeding infants, there is no information about its effects on the hyperemic response that follows a feeding. Objective Our goal was to study the effects of a patent ductus arteriosus on superior mesenteric artery perfusion in preterm baboons. Design Preterm baboons were delivered at 67% gestation and ventilated for 14 days. Enteral feedings were begun and advanced per protocol. Feeding studies were performed between days 10 and 14. Thirty-one studies were performed in animals with a closed ductus; 21 studies in those with a moderate patent ductus arteriosus shunt (pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio>or=2:1). Two-dimensional echocardiographic and Doppler examinations were performed before and 10 and 30 minutes after a feeding. The groups were similar in birth weights, feeding volumes, and age at time of study. Results During the preprandial period, baboons with a moderate patent ductus arteriosus had significantly lower blood pressures and systemic blood flows than animals with a closed ductus. Preprandial superior mesenteric artery-blood flow velocities did not differ between the open and closed ductus groups. Animals with a closed ductus increased their superior mesenteric artery-velocities (diastolic and mean) and decreased their superior mesenteric artery relative-vascular-resistance (mean blood pressure/mean superior mesenteric artery-velocity) by 10 minutes after the feeding. By 30 minutes after the feeding, the values were returning to their preprandial values. In contrast, in baboons in the patent ductus arteriosus group, there were no significant changes in superior mesenteric artery-velocity or resistance after the feeding, and superior mesenteric artery-velocities were significantly lower than those in the closed ductus group. Conclusions A moderate patent ductus arteriosus shunt limits the ability of the preterm newborn baboon to increase its postprandial mesenteric blood flow velocity. We speculate that this may interfere with its ability to meet increased intestinal metabolic demands and may contribute to feeding difficulties.
Effects of Canola and Corn Oil Mimetic on Jurkat Cells

Background: The Western diet is high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3 fatty acids. Canola oil contains a healthier omega 3 to omega 6 ratio than corn oil. Jurkat T leukemia cells were treated with free fatty acids mixtures in ratios mimicking that found in commercially available canola oil (7% a-linolenic, 30% linoleic, 54% oleic) or corn oil (59% linoleic, 24% oleic) to determine the cell survival or cell death and changes in expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and receptors following oil treatment. Methods: Fatty acid uptake was assessed by gas chromatography. Cell survival and cell death were evaluated by cell cycle analyses, propidium-iodide staining, trypan blue exclusion and phosphatidylserine externalization. mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and receptors were assessed by RT-PCR. Results: There was a significant difference in the lipid profiles of the cells after treatment. Differential action of the oils on inflammatory molecules, following treatment at non-cytotoxic levels, indicated that canola oil mimetic was anti-inflammatory whereas corn oil mimetic was pro-inflammatory. Significance: These results indicate that use of canola oil in the diet instead of corn oil might be beneficial for diseases promoted by inflammation.
The biochemical basis of life history adaptation: Molecular and enzymological causes of NADP+-isocitrate dehydrogenase activity differences between morphs of Gryllus firmus that differ in lipid biosynthesis and life history

Although whole-organism aspects of life-history physiology are well studied and molecular information (e.g., transcript abundance) on life-history variation is accumulating rapidly, much less information is available on the biochemical (enzymological) basis of life-history adaptation. The present study investigated the biochemical and molecular causes of specific activity differences of the lipogenic enzyme, NADP(+)-isocitrate dehydrogenase, between genetic lines of the wing-polymorphic cricket, Gryllus firmus, which differ in lipid biosynthesis and life history. With one exception, variation among 21 Nadp(+)-Idh genomic sequences, which spanned the entire coding sequence of the gene, was restricted to a few synonymous substitutions within and among replicate flight-capable or flightless lines. No NADP(+)-IDH electromorph variation was observed among individuals within or among lines as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nor did any NADP(+)-IDH kinetic or stability parameter, such as K(M) for substrate or cofactor, k(cat), or thermal denaturation, differ between flight-capable and flightless lines. By contrast, line differences in NADP(+)-IDH-specific activity strongly covaried with transcript abundance and enzyme protein concentration. These results demonstrate that NADP(+)-IDH-specific activity differences between artificially selected lines of G. firmus are due primarily, if not exclusively, to genetic variation in regulators of NADP(+)-IDH gene expression, with no observed contribution from altered catalytic efficiency of the enzyme due to changes in amino acid sequence or posttranslational modification. Kinetic analyses indicate that in vitro differences in enzyme-specific activity between flight-capable and flightless lines likely occur in vivo. This study constitutes the most comprehensive analysis to date of the biochemical and molecular causes of naturally occurring genetic variation in enzyme activity that covaries strongly with life history.
Miniature fluorescent metabolometer

The authors describe a non-intrusive method for monitoring the fluorescent reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and the reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2) fluorescence intensities. The ratio of the fluorescence intensities gives a measure of the oxidation-reduction (redox) state of the tissue. A yeast model has been established to calibrate the instrument.
Effect of headlamp area on discomfort glare

This laboratory study evaluated the effect of the size of the glare source (a headlamp) on discomfort glare. The subject performed two simultaneous tasks: continuous compensatory tracking, and evaluation of discomfort from glare stimuli presented periodically in the near visual periphery. The glare stimuli were circles of two sizes (approximately 0.3 and 0.6 degrees in diameter), and produced five illuminance levels (from 0.03 to 3.1 lux) at the observer's eye. Subjects used a nine-point response scale to evaluate discomfort glare. The results indicate that there was a small but statistically significant effect of the size of glare source, with the smaller glare stimuli resulting in more discomfort glare. The mean difference over the range of glare illuminances tested was 0.2 points on the nine-point response scale. (A)
Lesions of the hippocampus or dorsolateral striatum disrupt distinct aspects of spatial navigation strategies based on proximal and distal information in a cued variant of the Morris water task

The hippocampus and dorsolateral striatum are critically involved in spatial navigation based on extra-maze and intra-maze cues, respectively. Previous reports from our laboratory suggest that behavior in the Morris water task may be guided by both cue types, and rats appear to switch from extra-pool to intra-pool cues to guide navigation in a sequential manner within a given trial. In two experiments, rats with hippocampal or dorsolateral striatal lesions were trained and tested in water task paradigms that involved translation and removal of a cued platform within the pool and translations of the pool itself with respect to the extra-pool cue reference frame. In the first experiment, moment-to-moment analyses of swim behavior indicate that hippocampal lesions disrupt initial trajectories based on extra-pool cues at the beginning of the trial, while dorsolateral striatal lesions disrupt subsequent swim trajectories based on the location of the cued platform at the end of the trial. In the second experiment, lesions of the hippocampus, but not the dorsolateral striatum, impaired directional responding in situations where the pool was shifted within the extra-pool cue array. These results are important for understanding the cooperative interactions between the hippocampus and dorsolateral striatum in spatial learning and memory and establish that these brain areas are continuously involved in goal-directed spatial navigation. These results also highlight the importance of the hippocampus in directional responding in addition to place navigation.
Self-stabilizing sliding window ARQ protocols

It is shown that implementing a practical self-stabilizing sliding window protocol requires a bound on the maximum delay or maximum memory of the communication channel involved. This motivates using communication channel models that incorporate a delay or memory bound. For such models, two new ARQ protocols are presented that self-stabilize by using 1 bit of overhead in each transmitted message. The protocols operate like selective repeat ARQ, except that when a fault places them in an incorrect (unsafe) state, the additional bit in the protocol messages allows automatic recovery. Following a transient fault, the bounded delay protocol stabilizes within four round-trip times. The bounded memory protocol stabilizes after sending at most 2(K+n) messages, where K the is maximum number of messages that can be stored in one direction on the channel, and n is the window size of the sender.
The Temporal Dynamics of the Fourteenth-Century Black Death: New Evidence from English Ecclesiastical Records

1 Abstract Recent research has questioned whether the European Black Death of 1347-1351 could possibly have been caused by the bubonic plague bacillus Yersinia pestis, as has been assumed for over a century. Central to the arguments both for and against involvement of Y. pestis has been a compari- son of the temporal dynamics observed in confirmed outbreaks of bubonic plague in early-20th-century India, versus those reconstructed for the Black Death from English church records—specifically, from lists of institutions (appointments) to vacated benefices contained in surviving bishops' registers. This comparison is, however, based on a statistical error arising from the fact that most of the bishops' registers give only the dates of institution and not the dates of death. Failure to correct for a distributed (as opposed to constant) lag time from death to institution has made it look as if the Black Death passed slowly through specific localities. This error is compounded by a fail- ure to disaggregate the information from the bishops' registers to a geograph- ical level that is genuinely comparable to the modern data. A sample of 235 deaths from the bishop's register of Coventry and Lichfield, the only English register to list both date of death and date of institution, shows that the Black Death swept through local areas much more rapidly than has previously been thought. This finding is consistent with those of earlier studies showing that the Black Death spread too rapidly between locales to have been a zoonosis such as bubonic plague. A further analysis of the determinants of the lag be- tween death and institution, designed to provide a basis for reexamining oth- er bishops' registers that do not provide information on date of death, shows that the distribution of lags could vary significantly by time and space even during a single epidemic outbreak.
A type III secretion system inhibitor targets YopD while revealing differential regulation of secretion in calcium blind mutants of Yersinia pestis.

Numerous Gram-negative pathogens rely upon type III secretion (T3S) systems to cause disease. Several small-molecule inhibitors of the type III secretion systems have been identified; however, few targets of these inhibitors have been elucidated. Here we report that 2,2'-thiobis-(4-methylphenol) (compound D), inhibits type III secretion in Yersinia pestis, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. YopD, a protein involved in the formation of the translocon and regulatory processes of the type III secretion system, appears to play a role in the inhibition of secretion by compound D. The use of compound D in T3S regulatory mutants demonstrated a difference in secretion inhibition in the presence and absence of calcium. Interestingly, compound D was effective only under conditions without calcium, indicating that a secretion-active needle structure may be necessary for compound D to inhibit secretion.
Scalable image transmission using rate-compatible irregular repeat accumulate (IRA) codes

This paper considers designing and applying rate-compatible irregular repeat accumulate (IRA) codes for scalable image transmission over binary symmetric channels. IRA codes of different rates are obtained by puncturing the parity bits of a mother IRA code which uses a systematic encoder. One of the main ideas presented here is the design of the mother code such that the entire set of higher rate codes obtained by puncturing are good. Using the Viterbi algorithm for finding the optimal unequal error protection of JPEG2000 bit streams, we present better results with IRA codes than those reported with turbo codes. The proposed IRA codes also have lower decoding complexity than the turbo codes.
Some features of superconducting dual bore lens

Design of dual bore superconducting quadrupole for CESR upgrade is represented. The lens has a gradient about 1 kG/cm, dual aperture of 54 mm each, length about 800 mm, The axes spacing about 80 mm allows a good separation of counter rotating beams. The harmonics content measured below 0.05%. Some concepts used in this dual bore lens could be used for design of any multi aperture lens, where high field quality is required.