cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and kinetic mechanism of human brain soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase.

: The soluble form of human brain catechol-O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.6, COMT) has been purified approximately 4,000-fold from a 250,000 ×g supernatant solution. The purified enzyme exhibits a molecular weight near 27,500 and a pI value equal to approximately pH 5.0. Initial velocity and product inhibition studies are consistent with an ordered reaction mechanism for soluble COMT. Tropolone, a dead-end inhibitor, exhibited a competitive pattern of inhibition when dopamine (DA) was the varied substrate and an uncompetitive pattern when S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) was the varied substrate. These observations strongly suggest that the soluble form of COMT from human brain catalyzes the O-methylation of cathecholamines via an ordered reaction mechanism in which SAM is the leading substrate. Since the membrane-bound form of COMT catalyzes the O-methylation of catecholamines through an identical reaction mechanism, these data provide further evidence that two forms of COMT, while being localized in distinct subcellular compartments, are quite similar in their molecular structure.
Modeling instruction placement on a spatial architecture

In response to current technology scaling trends, architects are developing a new style of processor, known as spatial computers. A spatial computer is composed of hundreds or even thousands of simple, replicated processing elements (or PEs), frequently organized into a grid. Several current spatial computers, such as TRIPS, RAW, SmartMemories, nanoFabrics and WaveScalar, explicitly place a program's instructions onto the grid. Designing instruction placement algorithms is an enormous challenge, as there are an exponential (in the size of the application) number of different mappings of instructions to PEs, and the choice of mapping greatly affects program performance. In this paper we develop an instruction placement performance model which can inform instruction placement. The model comprises three components, each of which captures a different aspect of spatial computing performance: inter-instruction operand latency, data cache coherence overhead, and contention for processing element resources. We evaluate the model on one spatial computer, WaveScalar, and find that predicted and actual performance correlate with a coefficient of -0.90. We demonstrate the model's utility by using it to design a new placement algorithm, which outperforms our previous algorithms. Although developed in the context of WaveScalar, the model can serve as a foundation for tuning code, compiling software, and understanding the microarchitectural trade-offs of spatial computers in general.
Occurrence of Amanita Toxins in American Collections of Deadly Amanitas

Chromatographic examination of Amanita phalloides carpophores collected in the Pacific Northwest revealed the presence of relatively large amounts (1.5–1.9 mg./ Gm. dry wt.) of β -amanitin but lesser concentrations (trace to 0.93 mg./Gm.) of α -amanitin. It was concluded that these represent a distinct chemical race of A. phalloides , apparently restricted in its occurrence to the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Other species investigated included Amnnita bisporigera , the most toxic yet found in the United States, containing 2.2 5–5.0 mg. of α - and β - amanitins per Gm. Amanita verna specimens contained variable amounts of the two toxins (0 to 1.7 mg./Gm.), but very small quantities (0 to α - amanitin only were detected in samples of Amanita virosa .
An Investigation of Nonresponse to Self-Assessments of Health by Older Persons

This study examined the association between mortality and nonresponse to questions about health status (both refusals and "don't know" responses) using a national sample of persons aged 70 and over. Data were drawn from the 1984-1990 Longitudinal Study of Aging. Three time points of vital status were used as the outcome indicators (1984-1986, 1984-1988, 1984-1990). Five self-assessment questions were examined; three of the five questions had bivariate odds ratios that indicated significant associations between a nonresponse and all three mortality indexes. Results of the study suggest that nonresponses by older persons can convey meaningful information. Research on self-assessments of health in later life should not routinely exclude nonresponses as missing data, even if they are an infrequent response.
Inter- and intra-hierarchical verbal relatedness

Summary Two measurement techniques have been used to assess associative strength between words, conventional word association, and the associative overlap. The former is a measure of the relative importance of individual meaning responses in their associative hierarchies and the latter measures similarity in the distribution of partial meaning responses. We have called these two kinds of associative strength Intra-hierarchical Relatedness and Inter-hierarchical Relatedness, respectively. A clustering and a retention experiment were performed to determine if these two kinds of associative strengths operate independently. The results indicate that, dependent upon the nature of the task, both may independently influence verbal behavior.
Effects of salicylamide and protein restriction on the skeletal development of the rat fetus.

Salicylamide has previously been shown to be teratogenic to the rat. Aims of the present study were to examine separate effects and interactions of salicylamide administration and protein restriction on development of the rat fetus. In experiments using Holtzman rats, the percentage of fetal resorptions was significantly increased by drug treatment and by protein restriction. Malformations were seen in fetuses from dams given the drug from the fifth to eleventh days of gestation; the incidence of these malformations being independent of the diet. Factors affecting appearance of ossification centers included drug dosage, placental and fetal weight and litter size. Protein restriction had no significant effect on the development of centers of ossification. It is concluded that salicylamide, as well as protein restriction, produces adverse effects on pregnancy outcome in the rat.
Role of a paracrine action of mesenchymal stem cells in the improvement of left ventricular function after coronary artery occlusion in rats.

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether soluble factors released by cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improved cardiac function in an experimental model of myocardial infarction. Methods: MSCs were cultured in fresh medium. The conditioned medium, which contained factors secreted by MSCs, was collected after 4 days of culture. Fischer rats with 1-week-old myocardial infarction were divided into four groups that received: saline (n = 12); fresh medium (n = 10); conditioned medium (n = 8); or 2 million MSCs in fresh medium (n = 10) by direct intramyocardial injection. A total of 4 weeks later, left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by LV angiogram and by LV catheterization. Hearts were processed for histology. Results: Before treatment, LV angiogram assessment demonstrated that the baseline LV function was comparable among the four groups. At 4 weeks after treatment, LV angiogram and LV catheterization showed that LV ejection fraction was better in the fresh medium (49.5 ± 1.0%), conditioned medium...
Economics of Children's Environmental Health

Economic analyses are increasingly appearing in the children's environmental-health literature. In this review, an illustrative selection of articles that represent cost analyses, cost-effectiveness analyses, and cost-benefit analyses is analyzed for the relative merits of each approach. Cost analyses remain the dominant approach due to lack of available data. Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses in this area face challenges presented by estimation of costs of environmental interventions, whose costs are likely to decrease with further technological innovation. Benefits are also more difficult to quantify economically and can only be partially alleviated through willingness-to-pay approaches. Nevertheless, economic analyses in children's environmental health are highly informative and important informants to public-health and policy practice. Further attention and training in their appropriate use are needed.
Computer design of a multipurpose minimum vibration face milling cutter

Abstract A weighted fractional usage design method is developed for obtaining the optimum blade spacings of a face milling cutter so as to reduce the noise and vibration levels. This method, which is executed on a digital computer, ensures low levels at every operating condition. Two illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the “multi-purpose” nature of the cutter.
Optical face recognition system (Invited Paper)

We describe a two-layer neural network using holographic optical disks as the interconnection weights. Such a system can be used to implement one two-layer with a large number of hidden units, or several two-layer networks with a smaller number of hidden units© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vision Tests For Medical Surveillance Or To Insure Job Fitness

The rationale for designing screening type eye examinations to document visual capabilities for specific jobs or changes in visual function following exposure to specific ocular hazards is discussed. Possible applications to clinical situations are also discussed. Specific tests meeting requirements of definite end point quantification, ease of administration, and reproducibility are given for contrast (glare) sensitivity, distortions in macular imaging (Amsler grid), and color vision. The selection is aetailed for tne individual test combinations of various populations such as automobile uriver license applicants, visual display operators, and persons exposed to lasers, including military as well as non-military installers and repairers of optical fibers for communications.
Amniotic Fluid Lecithin to Sphingomyelin Ratio of 3.5 and Fetal Pulmonary Maturity

Extract: The clinical outcome of 118 pregnancies assessed by amniotic fluid lecithin to sphingomyelin concentration (L/S) ratio within 2 days of delivery is presented. It has been observed that the critical L/S ratio for pulmonary function is 3.5 in that no infant born with an L/S ratio greater than 3.5 has had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Below an L/S ratio of 3.5, the risk and severity of RDS is inversely related to the L/S ratio. An L/S ratio < 3.5 has the same prognostic value in infants born between 30 and 34 weeks gestation as it has in infants born between 35 and 38 weeks gestation. Under these conditions the relation between L/S ratio and RDS is independent of gestational age. Speculation: It has not been demonstrated directly to what extent the developing fetal lungs actually contribute to the amniotic fluid phospholipids. We feel that the amniotic fluid L/S ratio indeed serves as an index of pulmonary maturation, but that there are significant misconceptions about the term “L/S ratio” which have contributed to errors in performing and interpreting this test.
Intracellular Distribution of Gravin, a PKA and PKC Binding Protein, in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Gravin, a high-molecular-weight protein expressed widely in tissues and cells, is upregulated in cultured endothelial cells under conditions which suggest that it may play a role in wound repair and v
First-principles calculation of the transition temperature Tc for HgBa2CuO4+ delta high-temperature superconductors via dipolon theory.

First numerical evaluations of {ital T}{sub {ital c}} for oxygenated and argon-reduced single-layered HgBa{sub 2}CuO{sub 4+{delta}} superconductors have been presented. Our calculations are based on the dipolon theory and are found to provide an explanation for the occurrence of superconductivity in single-layered high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} superconductors. Relevant expressions useful for the evaluation of {ital T}{sub {ital c}} have been given. Since the polarizabilities of the ions are not known exactly for the present systems we have performed calculations making use of Pauling`s as well as Tessman, Kahn, and Shockley`s polarizabilities in order to estimate the uncertainties in the calculated values of {ital T}{sub {ital c}} associated with uncertainties in the polarizabilities. The effective charges on the ions required for the evaluation of dipoles and dipolon frequencies have been obtained by means of the bond-valence sums. Without fitting with any parameters, our calculations yield {ital T}{sub {ital c}} values equal to 80{plus_minus}21 K for the oxygenated and 50{plus_minus}27 K for the argon-reduced HgBa{sub 2}CuO{sub 4+{delta}} superconductors, in agreement with the corresponding experimental values 95 and 59 K. The uncertainties in the calculated values of {ital T}{sub {ital c}} arise because of the uncertainties in various physical parameters (including polarizabilities) usedmore » and due to errors involved in the calculations. The present results are consistent with the observed electronic Raman-scattering intensities which show anomalously broad peaks extended up to several electron volts in cuprate high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} superconductors. Our calculated dipolon density of states predict four optical absorption peaks at about 77 cm{sup {minus}1}, 195 cm{sup {minus}1}, 1.6 eV, and 2.5 eV.« less
Defining the Interaction Between S100A13 and Annexin II Peptide: Insight into Non-Classical Secretion

S100A13 is a calcium binding chaperone protein that is known to be involved in the non-classical export of signal peptide-less proteins, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and interleukin-1α,. It has also been shown that the interaction of S100A13 with Annexin II, which exhibits an inducible flip-flop mechanism across the cell bilayer, helps the multiprotein release complex to traverse the membrane bilayer. The interaction of S100A13 and Annexin 2 has been characterized using various biophysical techniques including Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Results of the Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments show that holo-S100A13 exhibits preferential binding to Annexin II with high affinity in the low micro molar range compared to apo-S100A13. Equilibrium guanidine hydrochloride denaturation monitored by steady-state fluorescence and limited trypsin digestion analysis both reveal holo-S100A13 to be stabilized upon binding with the Annexin II peptide. ANS (8-anilino-1-napthalene sulfonate) binding experiments indicate that the presence of Annexin II peptide does not increase the solvent accessiblity of hydrophobic residues in holo-S100A13, which is a unique characteristic of S100A13. 1H-15N- HSQC NMR experiments reveal the binding site of the Annexin II peptide on holo-S100A13 to be distinctly different from other S100/Annexin interactions. In order to define the specificity of S100A13 for Annexin II specifically, the interaction of S100A13 with other Annexin peptides was characterized by ITC. The information gained from this study provides valuable information on the interaction between S100A13 and the Annexin II peptide and gives much needed insight into the mysterious pathway of non-classical release of the signal peptide-less proteins.
Performance, health, and postweaning growth on calves fed cold, acidified milk replacer ad libitum.

Abstract Holstein calves were assigned to one of three regimens from d 4 to 35 of age, then abruptly weaned (program 1): A) conventional, all-milk protein milk replacer fed individually twice daily; B) ad libitum feeding of cold, acidified milk replacer to calves housed and fed individually in pens, and C) same as B, except calves were housed and fed in group pens. From d 36 of age to 136kg of body weight calves were in group pens by treatment. Program 2 utilized the same treatments; however, acidified milk replacer calves were gradually weaned starting d 22 of age. For program 1, calves fed acidified milk replacer for ad libitum intake consumed more dry matter from liquid and less from grain than those fed conventionally. Calves fed acidified milk replacer showed improved gains of 8.7 and 8.4kg up to d 35 of age. For program 2, dry matter intake from liquid was higher, and grain was lower for calves fed acidified milk replacer; however, differences were not as large as in program 1. Body weight gains were 1.1 and 2.8kg higher for calves fed acidified milk replacer through d 35 of age. No mortality occurred with either program during preweaning. In both programs, fecal consistency was more fluid for calves fed acidified milk replacer; however, days calves were treated were less. Regardless of preweaning program, calves on all treatments reached 136kg of body weight in approximately the same number of days.
Black molybdenum photothermal converter layers deposited by pyrolytic hydrogen reduction of MoO2Cl2

Abstract Black molybdenum thin films, combining high infrared reflectance with significant solar absorptance, have been produced by pyrolytic hydrogen reduction of MoO 2 Cl 2 in the temperature range 550–710°C on quartz as well as metal substrates. A respectable selectivity and significant temperature durability at 500°C in vacuum are obtained.
Evolution of Type II Antifreeze Protein Genes in Teleost Fish: A Complex Scenario Involving Lateral Gene Transfers and Episodic Directional Selection

I examined hypotheses about lateral transfer of type II antifreeze protein (AFP) genes among “distantly” related teleost fish. The effects of episodic directional selection on amino acid evolution were also investigated. The strict consensus results showed that the type II AFP and type II antifreeze-like protein genes were transferred from Osmerus mordax to Clupea harengus, from the ancestral lineage of the Brachyopsis rostratus—Hemitripterus americanus clade to the ancestor of the Hypomesus nipponensis—Osmerus mordax group and from the ancestral lineage of Brachyopsis rostratus—Hemitripterus americanus—Siniperca chuatsi—Perca flavescens to Perca flavescens. At the present time, the available evidence is more consistent with the LGT hypothesis than with other alternative explanations. The overall results indicate that evolutionary history of the type II AFP gene is complex, and that episodic directional selection was instrumental in the evolution of this freeze-preventing protein from a C-type lectin precursor.
Valence Competition in the Spatial Stochastic Model

The mean voter theorem of the stochastic spatial electoral model provides no explanation as to why multi-party systems under proportional representation display such diversity. Here, we extend the spatial model to include valence. Valence may be either a stochastic variable describing the variation in popularity for each candidate in the electorate or, alternatively, it will be generated by activist coalitions responding to the willingness of the candidate to pursue the interests of the coalition. In a general model of multiple candidates (or political agents), the first- and second-order conditions for pure strategy Nash equilibria are developed.It is shown that rational candidates will balance the gradient of electoral pull against the gradients generated by contending activist coalitions. The resulting Nash equilibria will almost never be at the mean of the voter distribution.
Peeling Back the Layers: Territorial Identity and EU Support in Spain

How do regional and European identities fit together? Building on extant identity theory I formulate three expectations on how territorial identities may relate. I test these using Spanish survey data by constructing a new measure that distinguishes between nested, inclusive and exclusive regional identity, and also accounts for minority nationalism. Consistent with the literature, my findings indicate that nested and inclusive identities are associated with greater European attachment, while exclusive regionalism leads to less attachment. However, counter to the literature, exclusive regionalism dampens European attachment more than exclusive nationalism, and minority nationalism is also associated with less attachment to Europe.
Probing nucleation and growth behavior of twisted kebabs from shish scaffold in sheared polyethylene melts by in situ X-ray studies

Abstract By utilizing synchrotron rheo-WAXD (wide-angle X-ray diffraction) and rheo-SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) techniques, the nucleation and growth behavior of twisted kebabs from the shear-induced shish scaffold in entangled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) melts were investigated. The evolution of the (110) reflection intensity in WAXD at the early stages of crystallization could be described by a simplified Avrami equation, while the corresponding long period of kebabs determined by SAXS was found to decrease with time. The combined SAXS and WAXD results indicate that the kebab growth in sheared HDPE melts consists of two-dimensional geometry with thermal (sporadic) nucleation. The WAXD data clearly exhibited the transformations of (110) reflection from equatorial 2-arc to off-axis 4-arc and of (200) reflection from off-axis 4-arc to meridional 2-arc, which can be explained by the rotation of crystallographic a -axis around the b -axis during twisted kebab growth. This observation is also consistent with the orientation mode changes from ‘Keller/Machin II’ to ‘intermediate’ and then to ‘Keller/Machin I’.
Resultados del empleo del dispositivo oclusor Amplatzer en la arteria ilíaca interna en el tratamiento endovascular de los aneurismas aortoilíacos

Presentamos los resultados obtenidos con el dispositivo oclusor vascular Amplatzer (DOVA) para la oclusion de la arteria iliaca interna (AII) en el tratamiento endovascular de los aneurismas aortoiliacos y de los aneurismas aislados de la arteria iliaca comun. Revisamos de forma retrospectiva 10 pacientes tratados de forma concomitante mediante la implantacion de un unico DOVA en la AII y de una endoprotesis en el segmento aneurismatico degenerativo. El estudio por imagen se realizo mediante angiografia convencional, asi como por tomografia computerizada (TC) con contraste, antes y despues del implante. Adicionalmente, se evaluo la tolerancia subjetiva pre y postoperatoria al ejercicio, con especial atencion en la presencia de claudicacion glutea. En todos los casos se consiguio una colocacion precisa del DOVA en el tronco principal de la AII, mediante un abordaje estandar “up-and-over”, manteniendo la permeabilidad tanto del tronco distal de la AII como de sus ramas. No se identificaron endofugas de tipo II a traves del DOVA durante la intervencion ni en la TC realizada durante el seguimiento. Solamente un paciente presento claudicacion glutea, cuyos sintomas se resolvieron en 6 semanas. El dispositivo DOVA puede utilizarse como alternativa a los coils para ocluir la AII durante el tratamiento endovascular de los aneurismas aortoiliacos. La precision en la implantacion de este dispositivo permite preservar la bifurcacion de la AII y, por tanto, conservar el importante flujo colateral pelvico.
Coastline orientation, aeolian sediment transport and foredune and dunefield dynamics of MoçAmbique Beach, Southern Brazil.

Abstract This paper examines the role of coastline orientation on foredune and dunefield development at Mocambique Beach, Southern Brazil. The beach displays significant alongshore variations in exposure to the prevailing winds and waves, grain size, beach/surfzone morphodynamic type, foredune volume, and type and dimensions of the Holocene dune systems. Two wind analyses and calculation of aeolian drift potentials were carried out, one based on 1 year of wind record and another based on a record of 34 years. Monthly topographic surveys of beach and foredunes on 5 profiles along Mocambique beach were conducted over one year to obtain data on beach mobility and width, aeolian sediment transport and foredune development. Southerly winds dominate, and aeolian sediment supply is minimal in the south, moderate in the central portion and high in the northern portion of the embayment. The relationship between actual sediment supply, foredune building and potential sediment supply is relatively poor over one year due to factors such as beach type and mobility, beach moisture levels, rainfall, storm surge and wave scarping. The intermediate term (34 year) record indicates a strong relationship between foredune size and volume, winds and shoreline orientation: foredune volume is minimum in the southern part of the beach and greatest in the northern part of the beach. The Holocene barrier and dunefield development also reflects the long term control of shoreline orientation and increasing longshore gradient in exposure to southerly winds: for the last 6000–7000 years a small foredune developed in the southern portion, parabolics and small transgressive dunes in the central portion, and a large-scale transgressive dunefield in the northern portion.
Tetrahedrane cluster and phosphorus ligand activation in the reaction between PhCCo3(CO)9 and 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride. Molecular structure of Co3(Co)6(μ2-η2-η1-(O))(μ2-PPh2)

The reaction of the μ3-benzylidyne capped cluster PhCCo3(CO)9 (1) with 2, 3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride (L-L) has been examined at 75 °C in toluene solvent. The major product isolated was not the expected diphosphine complex PhCCo3(CO)7(L-L) but rather the new cluster Co3(CO)6(μ2-η2-η1(O))(μ2-PPh2) (2). It is shown that the μ3-benzylidyne ligand in 1 is transformed into a bridging benzylidene ligand as a result of the formal insertion into one of the PC bonds of the ancillary 2, 3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride ligand. Formation of a μ2-phosphido group accompanies this transformation. Cluster 2 has been characterized by IR and 31P1H NMR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis establishes the presence of the new six-electron μ2-benzylidene-η2-η1(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride ligand. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n, a=11.538(1), b=17.0754(8), c=19.506(1) A, β=92.108(7)°, Z=4, Dcalc=1.557 g cm−3, R=0.0392, Rw=0.0432 for 2012 observed reflections. Cluster 2 provides the experimental basis for enhanced μ3-CCo bond reactivity as opposed to CoCo bond reactivity. The significance of 2 is discussed in the context of cluster catalysis and ligand-modulated reactivity of the μ3-benzylidyne ligand in 1.
Metabolic response to simultaneous infusion of epinephrine and propranolol in obese adolescents.

Abstract Eighteen studies were performed in 5 grossly obese adolescents in order to determine whether or not epinephrine and/or Propranolol are capable of decreasing the hyperinsulinemia characteristic of obese subjects and to study the metabolic response during the administration of these drugs. When epinephrine (6 μg./min.) was infused during a protein-glucose meal, there was a 50 per cent (or greater) decrease in the release of immunoreactive insulin as compared with the response to protein-glucose alone. However, the basal level of immunoreactive insulin was unchanged. There were also a marked hyperglycemia as well as a concomitant rise in the plasma free fatty acids. Plasma level of immunoreactive human growth hormone were undetectable. Epinephrine (10 μg./min.) in combination with Propranolol (80 μg./min.) resulted in a marked decrease in both the basal level and the subsequent release of immunoreactive insulin. Hyperglycemia was present and the plasma free fatty acids showed a precipitous fall. One patient had a brisk immunoreactive growth hormone response of 7 mμg./ml. after cessation of the infusion. When epinephrine (2 μg./min.) was simultaneously infused with Propranolol (80 μg./min.) only a slight decrease in the basal level of immunoreactive insulin was observed. The inhibition of the subsequent insulin release was mild and transitory. Again hyperglycemia occurred and the plasma levels of immunoreactive growth hormone were almost undetectable. Propranolol alone (80 μg./min.) did not affect the basal level or the subsequent release of immunoreactive insulin. One subject had a peak plasma immunoreactive growth hormone value of 5.9 mμg./ml. shortly after the infusion began. It is concluded that Propranolol and epinephrine in specific dose combinations have a synergistic action on the inhibition of insulin release in obese adolescents.
What Makes Molecular Dynamics Work

The equations of motion for deterministic molecular dynamics (MD) are chaotic, creating problems for their numerical treatment due to the exponential growth of error with time. Indeed, modeling and computational errors overwhelm numerical trajectories in typical simulations. Consequently, accuracy is expected only in a statistical sense, based on random initial conditions. Of great interest then is the relationship between errors in the dynamics and their effects on the accuracy of statistical quantities, specifically, expectations. This article provides a formula for the effect of a perturbation on an ensemble average, which explains the accuracy of such calculations. It also provides a formula for the effect of a perturbation on a time correlation function, which, however, fails to explain accuracy for these calculations. Additionally, this article clarifies the relationships among various dynamical properties of MD and provides an extension to a theory of non-Hamiltonian MD.
Temperature dependence of the quenching of aromatic hydrocarbon triplets by tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide

Abstract The temperature dependence of the quenching of seven aromatic hydrocarbon triplets by tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide shows that the change in rate constants with triplet energies in the 1.28 to 2.90 eV range is largely due to entropic factors.
Hexose monophosphate shunt dehydrogenases in the developing frog.

Abstract 1. 1. Total activities and specific activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) were measured at various stages in the early development of the frog Rana pipiens , and in individual tissues of tadpoles and adult frogs. 2. 2. Total activities and specific activities of both enzymes were low in frog eggs and embryos, but increased markedly during larval development. The ratio of G6PD/6-PGD activities also increased from 1·0 to 3·5 during larval development. 3. 3. Differences were also found in the specific activities and the ratio of the two activities among individual tadpole tissues and between tissues of the tadpoles and adult frogs.
Contrasting steric effects of the ketones and aldehydes in the reactions of the diisopinocampheyl enolborinates of methyl ketones with aldehydes

Abstract Treatment of the diisopinocampheylborinates of a representative series of methyl ketones with a representative series of aldehydes, both of differing steric requirements provides aldols whose enantiomeric purities depend on the steric requirements of both the ketones and the aldehydes. This study has shown that increasing the steric requirements of the R group in the ketones has a pernicious effect on the ee, while increasing the steric requirements of the R group in the aldehydes exerts a beneficial effect on the ee.
Secretory and cytosolic phospholipases A2 are activated during TNF priming of human neutrophils.

Abstract Cytokines alter neutrophil (PMN) function during inflammation, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in vitro primes PMN such that receptor-mediated stimulation causes markedly enhanced release of arachidonic acid. We hypothesized that two Ca 2+ -dependent PLA 2 's in PMN might be activated during priming of the cell, thus affecting arachidonate release. A low molecular weight, secretory PLA 2 was identified by enzymatic activity in the cell free supernates of primed or stimulated PMN, and in PMN disrupted by nitrogen cavitation. The enzymatic activity was calcium-dependent, acid stable, destroyed by dithiothreitol, and blocked by anti-sPLA 2 antibodies. TNF caused secretion of sPLA 2 and also caused an increase in cell-associated sPLA 2 enzymatic activity. Activation and release were maximal with fMLP stimulation of TNF-primed PMN. Neutrophils also contained a cytosolic PLA 2 (cPLA 2 ) characterized by enzymatic activity which was calcium dependent, enhanced by dithiothreitol, and blocked by anti-cPLA 2 antibody. TNF caused a doubling of cPLA 2 enzymatic activity which was associated with phosphorylation of the enzyme as judged by a migration shift on Western blots. Thus, TNF priming of human PMN caused marked increase in fMLP stimulated AA release in parallel to enhanced activity of two different PLA 2 's.
Evaluation of intraocular lens power prediction methods using the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Post-Keratorefractive Intraocular Lens Power Calculator.

Purpose To evaluate the accuracy of methods of intraocular lens (IOL) power prediction after previous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery IOL power calculator. Setting Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, and private practice, Mesa, Arizona, USA. Methods The following methods were evaluated: methods using pre-LASIK/PRK keratometry (K) and surgically induced change in refraction, methods using surgically induced change in refraction, and methods using no previous data. The predicted IOL power was calculated with each method using the actual refraction after cataract surgery as the target. The IOL prediction error was calculated as the implanted IOL power minus the predicted IOL power. Arithmetic and absolute IOL prediction errors, variances in mean arithmetic IOL prediction error, and percentage of eyes within ±0.50 diopter (D) and ±1.00 D of refractive prediction errors were calculated. Results Methods using surgically induced change in refraction or no previous data had significantly smaller mean absolute IOL prediction errors, smaller variances, and a greater percentage of eyes within ±0.50 D and ±1.00 D of refractive prediction errors than methods using pre-LASIK/PRK keratometry (K) values and surgically induced change in refraction (all P Conclusion Methods using surgically induced change in refraction and methods using no previous data gave better results than methods using pre-LASIK/PRK K values and surgically induced change in refraction. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
A soft-decision scaling metric employing receiver statistics for direct-sequence spread-spectrum packet radio networks

Packet radios for tactical networks must be able to communicate over highly dynamic links that are susceptible to variations in propagation loss, jamming, and multiple-access interference. We describe and evaluate an adaptive scaling metric for soft-decision decoding in direct-sequence spread-spectrum receivers for tactical radio networks. The metric is derived from post-detection signal quality statistics that are developed in the demodulator, and it is applied to the demodulatorpsilas soft-decision outputs before they are sent to the decoder. To maintain efficient use of assigned channel and spectrum resources, our metric exploits the nature of the spread-spectrum signal to obtain demodulator statistics during the reception of the desired transmission and therefore requires no pilot symbols or channel measurements. We compare the performance of our proposed adaptive scaling metric with a fixed soft-decision metric and with the log-likelihood ratio metric.
13C NMR INVESTIGATION OF CVD DIAMOND : CORRELATION OF NMR AND RAMAN SPECTRAL LINEWIDTHS

Six CVD diamond thin films were examined by magic angle spinning (MAS) 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Raman, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The use of film samples cut to the diameter of the magic-angle spinning rotor provided ease of spinning and the opportunity to obtain good signal-to-noise spectra in 4 to 16 h. MAS NMR linewidths exhibit a linear correlation with Raman linewidths and reflect the optical quality of the material. Residual MAS NMR linewidths most likely arise from a combination of crystal defect sites and paramagnetic effects.
Understanding the Effect of Baseline Modeling Implementation Choices on Analysis of Demand Response Performance

Accurate evaluation of the performance of buildings participating in Demand Response (DR) programs is critical to the adoption and improvement of these programs. Typically, we calculate load sheds during DR events by comparing observed electric demand against counterfactual predictions made using statistical baseline models. Many baseline models exist and these models can produce different shed calculations. Moreover, modelers implementing the same baseline model can make different modeling implementation choices, which may affect shed estimates. In this work, using real data, we analyze the effect of different modeling implementation choices on shed predictions. We focused on five issues: weather data source, resolution of data, methods for determining when buildings are occupied, methods for aligning building data with temperature data, and methods for power outage filtering. Results indicate sensitivity to the weather data source and data filtration methods as well as an immediate potential for automation of methods to choose building occupied modes.
Understanding the Dependence of Satellite Rainfall Uncertainty on Topography and Climate for Hydrologic Model Simulation

A quantitative and physical understanding of satellite rainfall uncertainties provides meaningful guidance on improving algorithms to advance hydrologic prediction. The aim of this study is to characterize satellite rainfall errors and their impact on hydrologic fluxes based on fundamental governing factors that dictate the accuracy of passive remote sensing of precipitation. These governing factors are land features-comprising topography (elevation)-and climate type, representing the average ambient atmospheric conditions. First, the study examines satellite rainfall errors of three major products, 3B42RT, Climate prediction center MORHing technique (CMORPH), and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN), by breaking the errors down into independent components (hit, miss-rain, and false-rain biases) and investigating their contribution to runoff and soil moisture errors. The uncertainties of three satellite rainfall products are explored for five regions of the Mississippi River basin that are categorized grid cell by grid cell (at the native spatial resolution of satellite products) based on topography and climate. It is found that total and hit biases dictate the temporal trend of soil moisture and runoff errors, respectively. Miss-rain and hit biases are the leading errors in the 3B42RT and CMORPH products, respectively, whereas false-rain bias is a pervasive problem of the PERSIANN product. For 3B42RT and CMORPH, about 50%-60% of grid cells are influenced by the total bias during winter and 60%-70% of grid cells during summer. For PERSIANN, about 70%-80% of the grid cells are marked by total bias during the summer and winter seasons. False-rain bias gradually increases from lowland to highland regions universally for all three satellite rainfall products. Overall, the study reveals that satellite rainfall uncertainty is dependent more on topography than the climate of the region. This study's results indicate that it is now worthwhile to assimilate the static knowledge of topography in the satellite estimation of precipitation to minimize the uncertainty in anticipation of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission.
Estimating the Extent of Moral Hazard in Crop Insurance Using Administrative Data

This paper uses a rich data set comprised of all federally subsidized crop insurance contracts from 1989 to 2002 to estimate the incidence of moral hazard for maize, soyabeans and wheat in Iowa, Texas, and North Dakota, USA. The rich data set and a quasi-experimental approach provide new information about this policy issue. Results indicate some evidence of moral hazard in Texas, particularly for wheat and soyabeans. Otherwise, the study finds little evidence of moral hazard affecting average yield or yield variability.
Statistical analysis of curve fitting methods in errors-in-variables models

Regression models in which all variables are subject to errors are known as errors-in-variables (EIV) models. The respective parameter estimates have many unusual properties: their exact distributions are very hard to determine, and their absolute moments are often inflnite (so that their mean and variance do not exist). In our paper ‘Error analysis for circle fltting algorithms’ (see Electr. J. Stat. 3 (2009), pp. 886{911) we developed an unconventional statistical analysis that allowed us to efiectively assess EIV parameter estimates and design new methods with superior characteristics. In this paper we validate our approach in a series of numerical tests. We also prove that in the case of fltting circles, the estimates of the parameters are absolutely continuous (have densities).
Ideal Presence: How Kames Solved the Problem of Fiction and Emotion

The problem of fiction and emotion is the problem of how we can be moved by the contemplation of fictional events and the plight of fictional characters when we know that the former have not occurred and the latter do not exist. I will give a general sketch of the philosophical treatment of the issue in the present day, and then turn to the eighteenth century for a solution as effective as the best that are presently on offer. The solution is to be found in the account of ideal presence given by Henry Home, Lord Kames.
Role of thromboelastography and rapid thromboelastography to assess the pharmacodynamic effects of vitamin K antagonists

Thromboelastography (TEG) measures the effects of antithrombotic agents by assessing global functional clotting status by evaluating the viscoelastic properties of in vitro clot formation. Recently, rapid TEG (r-TEG), which uses tissue factor in addition to standard kaolin to accelerate activation of the clotting cascade, has been proposed to obtain more immediate results. The correlation between results of TEG or r-TEG with international normalized ratio (INR) in patients on vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy has not been explored and represents the aim of this study. Patients on chronic therapy with VKAs (n = 100) were included in an observational prospective pharmacodynamic study. The correlation between TEG parameters, in particular markers of thrombus generation [Reaction time (R), maximum rate of thrombus generation (MRTG), and time to maximum rate of thrombus generation (TMRTG)], and INR values as well as the concordance between these parameters and therapeutic INR ranges were evaluated. In addition, in a subgroup of subjects (n = 17), the correlation of r-TEG parameters with TEG parameters and INR values was also assessed. No correlation was found between INR and TEG parameters of thrombus generation, in particular between INR and R (r = 0.189, p = 0.06), MRTG (r = −0.027, p = 0.79), and TMRTG (r = 0.188, p = 0.06). Further, no concordance was found between these parameters and recommended INR ranges. Significant Spearman correlations were found between INR and activated clotting time (rS = 0.546, p < 0.001), r-R (rS = 0.572, p = 0.017), and r-TMRTG (rS = 0.510, p = 0.037), but not r-MRTG (rS = 0.131, p = 0.617). Results were obtained in 24 ± 6 versus 12 ± 4 min with TEG and r-TEG, respectively (p < 0.001). In patients on chronic VKA therapy, TEG is not a useful tool to evaluate VKA anticoagulant effect, compared with standard INR measurements. However, r-TEG parameters of thrombus generation correlate with INR levels, suggesting a possible role of this assay for measuring more expeditiously anticoagulant treatment effects.
Black oxide nanoparticles as durable solar absorbing material for high-temperature concentrating solar power system

Abstract Concentrating solar power is becoming an increasingly important part of the renewable energy portfolio. However, further cost reduction is desired to make CSP competitive with traditional energy technologies. Higher operating temperature is considered an attractive avenue leading to higher power conversion efficiency and lower cost, but tremendous technical challenges exist with higher temperature operation of CSP, with one of the main issues being the lack of a high-performance solar absorbing material that is durable at 750 °C or above. In this work, a black oxide material, made of cobalt oxide nanoparticles, is synthesized and utilized as a high-temperature solar absorbing material. The nanoparticles are embedded in a dielectric matrix through a scalable spray coating process. The top layer of the coating is further improved with light-trapping structures using sacrificial fillers introduced from the same coating process. After the surface modification of cobalt oxide coating, we achieved a high thermal efficiency of 88.2%. More importantly, the coating shows no degradation after 1000-h annealing at 750 °C in air, while the existing commercial light absorbing coating was reported to degrade by long-term exposure at high temperature. Our findings suggest that the materials and processes developed here are promising for solar absorbing coating for future high-temperature CSP systems.
Effect of Peer Pressure on Imitation of Humor Response in College Students

The effects of increasing the number of laughing or nonlaughing peer models were examined in college students. The students who observed laughing models laughed more than the students who observed ...
Benign imitation of malignancy: avoiding resection in immunoglobulin g4-related lung disease.

We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with cough, pleuritic pain, and a solitary lung mass. Computed tomography demonstrated a 3.7-cm spiculated right lower lobe mass, and 18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated significant hypermetabolism, both most suggestive of invasive adenocarcinoma. The results of fine needle aspirate biopsy favored a benign inflammatory process. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery right lower lobectomy was performed, and histopathologic examination of the mass was consistent with immunoglobulin G4–related disease (IgG4-RD). A definitive diagnosis of IgG4-RD often requires correlating several nonspecific findings with surgical lung biopsy. We discuss important diagnostic and treatment considerations for pulmonary IgG4-RD.
Learning from integrated assessment of climate change

The objective of integrated assessment of climate change is to put available knowledge together in order to evaluate what has been learned, policy implications, and research needs. This paper summarizes insights gained from five years of integrated assessment activity at Carnegie Mellon. After an introduction, in Section 2 we ask: who are the climate decision makers? We conclude that they are a diffuse and often divergent group spread all over the world whose decisions are primarily driven by local non-climate considerations. Insights are illustrated with results from the ICAM-2 model. In Section 3 we ask: what is the climate problem? In addition to the conventional answer, we note that in a democracy the problem is whatever voters and their elected representatives think it is. Results from studies of public understanding are reported. Several other specific issues that define the problem, including the treatment of aerosols and alternative indices for comparing greenhouse gases, are discussed. In Section 4 we discuss studies of climate impacts, focusing on coastal zones, the terrestrial biosphere and human health. Particular attention is placed on the roles of adaptation, value change, and technological innovation. In Section 5 selected policy issues are discussed. We conclude by noting that equity has received too little attention in past work. We argue that many conventional tools for policy analysis are not adequate to deal with climate problems. Values that change, and mixed levels of uncertainty, pose particularly important challenges for the future.