cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Membrane fluidity regulates development of gonadotrope desensitization to GnRH.

Abstract Development of GnRH-mediated gonadotrope desensitization was examined under conditions in which membrane fluidity was altered by temperature and/or chemical means. Cultured pituitary cells were preincubated at temperatures ranging from 4°C to 37°C for 3 h with a desensitizing concentration of GnRH (10 −9 M) or with vehicle alone. Cells were then rinsed and responsiveness assessed by a second 3 h incubation with GnRH at 37°C. As preincubation temperatures decreased from 37°C to 23°C, development of desensitization in gonadotropes was progressively reduced. At 23°C and below, gonadotropes failed to become desensitized to GnRH. Decreases in membrane fluidity occurred over the same temperature range as measured directly by fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene incorporated into plasma membrane. When membrane fluidity was increased by incubating cells with the membrane mobilizing agent 2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethyl-8-( cis -2- n -octylcyclopropyl)-octanoate (A 2 C), low temperature blockade of GnRH-mediated gonadotrope desensitization was reversed. A 2 C had no measurable effects on either GnRH receptor binding or number and caused no cytotoxic effects. These studies suggest that development of gonadotropine desensitization to GnRH can be regulated by the state of membrane fluidity.
Report from the 2013 Electronic Resources and Libraries Conference, Austin, Texas, March 17–20, 2013

I attended the Electronic Resources and Libraries 2013 conference held in Austin, Texas. The sessions I attended were all geared toward e-resource management, trends, and other topics that involve ...
Some properties of disjointness preserving operators

A linear operator T:EaF between two Riesz spaces is called disjointness preserving if |f|A|g|=0 (f,gϵE) implies |Tf|A|Tg|=0. We show that every disjointness preserving operator can naturally be associated with an f-algebra homomorphism, and we investigate the relationship between the properties of these two operators. We then discuss bi-disjointness preserving operators, which under certain circumstances are exactly those disjointness preserving operators whose adjoint is also disjointness preserving. We show that a bi-disjointness preserving operator on a Dedekind complete Riesz space can be decomposed into a direct sum of four operators of a simple type.
Normal and antinormal ordering of boson operator functions

Abstract It is shown that the divergences associated with antinormally ordered forms of boson operators, as discovered computationally by Baltin, is due to an unjustifiable interchange of order of summation.
Demonstration of a glycoprotein which is associated with a purified myelin fraction from rat brain.

Abstract Rats were injected intracerebrally with radioactive fucose in order to label specifically the glycoproteins of brain. The radioactive glycoproteins were fractionated by polyacrylamide electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The purified myelin fraction contained a major radioactive glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of ∼110,000. The glycoprotein could also be stained with periodic acid-Schiff reagent.
Amino acid, iodine, selenium, and coat color status among hyperthyroid, Siamese, and age-matched control cats.

Background Hyperthyroidism is common among older cats, but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Siamese and Himalayan cats have a reduced risk of hyperthyroidism compared with domestic short-hair cat breeds. A mechanism of risk reduction in pointed-coat breeds is unknown. Objectives To determine if tyrosine, phenylalanine, iodine, or selenium blood concentrations are altered in hyperthyroid cats and to describe the plasma amino acid profiles of client-owned cats with naturally occurring hyperthyroidism. Animals Twenty-seven client-owned cats with (n = 12) and without (n = 15) hyperthyroidism were studied. Methods Cross-sectional study. Hyperthyroid cats were prospectively recruited among cats presenting for radioiodine therapy. Control cats were recruited among pets of hospital personnel. Blood was collected for total thyroxine, plasma amino acid, selenium, and iodine determination. Coat color (8 white or pointed; 19 dark), breed, and diet history were recorded. Results Tyrosine, phenylalanine, iodine, and selenium levels were not significantly different among light or dark cats or cats with or without hyperthyroidism (P > .05). Plasma amino acid profiles of hyperthyroid cats and control cats were similar, and neither group was deficient in any of the amino acids. l-glutamine was significantly lower in cats with hyperthyroidism (mean ± SD: 648 ± 193) compared with control cats (816 ± 134; P < .05). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Altered tyrosine, iodine, and selenium metabolism were not associated with coat color or hyperthyroidism in pointed or light coat–colored cats.
Instabilities Within Complex Plasmas

Summary form only given. Instabilities within plasmas have long been of interest to physicists working in the plasma field. In recent experiments both in microgravity and on Earth, it has been shown that under appropriate conditions such condensed states can form adjacent to regions containing liquid like dust phases. Under these circumstances, the complex plasma will often spontaneously form a stable, local, dust-free region having sharp boundaries called a void. Voids are typically small, relatively robust (stable) and can form in a variety of manners. For example, in the laboratory when dust grains are grown in situ, formation of the void is often preceded by the sudden onset of a filamentary mode while in microgravity, they often appear without any observable initial instability. In all cases, void size appears to be dependent upon RF power. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the underlying physics behind the formation of filamentary or void modes. The majority of these treat the dust system as either a one or two dimensional fluid with the ion drag, thermophoretic force, ionization instabilities or some other attractive potential between the dust grains proposed as a possible formation mechanism for the void. Recently within CASPER, an entirely new mechanism for creating instabilities has been discovered. This method allows the experimental generation of void-like structures within the sheath region above the lower electrode of a RF plasma discharge. This method will be discussed briefly along with recent experimental results. Theoretical results modeling the above will also be presented
Plasma protein adsorbed biomedical polymers: Activation of human monocytes and induction of interleukin 1

These studies involved the evaluation of human monocyte/macrophage activation by biomedical polymers coated with human blood proteins. The biomedical polymers were polyethylene, polydimethylsiloxane, woven Dacron fabric, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, Biomer, and tissue culture treated polystyrene as the control. They were adsorbed with human blood proteins: albumin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, hemoglobin, and gamma globulin. The protein adsorbed polymers were evaluated for their potential to activate the monocyte/macrophage cellular population in vitro as assessed by the induction of the monocyte/macrophage inflammatory mediator, Interleukin 1 (IL1). Suppression of IL1 was observed when protein adsorbed polymers were compared to the appropriate protein adsorbed control. Protein adsorbed polymers, when compared to polymers without protein adsorption, stimulated IL1 production. The data presented in this manuscript show the level of induction and secretion of IL1 was dependent on the biomedical polymer and the protein adsorbed, as well as the requirement of lipopolysaccharide. These results show differential interactions occur between the proteins, monocytes/macrophages, and biomedical polymers which alter activation and induction of IL1.
Writing about the benefits of an interpersonal transgression facilitates forgiveness.

The authors examined the effects of writing about the benefits of an interpersonal transgression on forgiveness. Participants (N 304) were randomly assigned to one of three 20-min writing tasks in which they wrote about either (a) traumatic features of the most recent interpersonal transgression they had suffered, (b) personal benefits resulting from the transgression, or (c) a control topic that was unrelated to the transgression. Participants in the benefit-finding condition became more forgiving toward their transgressors than did those in the other 2 conditions, who did not differ from each other. In part, the benefit-finding condition appeared to facilitate forgiveness by encouraging participants to engage in cognitive processing as they wrote their essays. Results suggest that benefit finding may be a unique and useful addition to efforts to help people forgive interpersonal transgressions through structured interventions. The Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory—18-Item Version (TRIM–18) is appended.
Emergency Department Visits by Adults for Psychiatric Medication Adverse Events

Importance In 2011, an estimated 26.8 million US adults used prescription medications for mental illness. Objective To estimate the numbers and rates of adverse drug event (ADE) emergency department (ED) visits involving psychiatric medications among US adults between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011. Design and Setting Descriptive analyses of active, nationally representative surveillance of ADE ED visits using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance system and of drug prescribing during outpatient visits using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Participants Medical records from national probability samples of ED and outpatient visits by adults 19 years or older were reviewed and analyzed. Exposures Antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium salts, sedatives and anxiolytics, and stimulants. Main Outcomes and Measures National estimates of ADE ED visits resulting from therapeutic psychiatric medication use and of psychiatric medication ADE ED visits per 10 000 outpatient visits at which psychiatric medications were prescribed. Results From 2009 through 2011, there were an estimated 89 094 (95% CI, 68 641-109 548) psychiatric medication ADE ED visits annually, with 19.3% (95% CI, 16.3%-22.2%) resulting in hospitalization and 49.4% (95% CI, 46.5%-52.4%) involving patients aged 19 to 44 years. Sedatives and anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium salts, and stimulants were implicated in an estimated 30 707 (95% CI, 23 406-38 008), 25 377 (95% CI, 19 051-31 704), 21 578 (95% CI, 16 599-26 557), 3620 (95% CI, 2311-4928), and 2779 (95% CI, 1764-3794) respective ADE ED visits annually. Antipsychotics and lithium salts were implicated in 11.7 (95% CI, 10.1-13.2) and 16.4 (95% CI, 13.0-19.9) ADE ED visits per 10 000 outpatient prescription visits, respectively, compared with 3.6 (95% CI, 3.2-4.1) for sedatives and anxiolytics, 2.9 (95% CI, 2.3-3.5) for stimulants, and 2.4 (95% CI, 2.1-2.7) for antidepressants. The commonly used sedative zolpidem tartrate was implicated in 11.5% (95% CI, 9.5%-13.4%) of all adult psychiatric medication ADE ED visits and in 21.0% (95% CI, 16.3%-25.7%) of visits involving adults 65 years or older, in both cases significantly more than any other psychiatric medication. Conclusions and Relevance Psychiatric medications are implicated in many ADEs treated in US EDs. Efforts to reduce ADEs should include adults of all ages but might prioritize medications causing high numbers and rates of ED visits.
Spectrum of Aspergillus Infection in Lung Transplant Recipients: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Study objectives: (1) To define the incidence andnatural history of Aspergillus colonization and infection in lungtransplant recipients, and (2) to assess the impact of prophylaxis, surveillance, and therapy on the incidence and outcome of thedisease. Design: Retrospective review of 133consecutive single or bilateral lung transplantations performed at asingle institution, and review of the published literature. Results: Airway colonization, isolated tracheobronchitis, and invasive pneumonia due to Aspergillus species occurred in 29%,5%, and 8% of our series, and in 26%, 4%, and 5% of the pooledpublished data (all series, including ours), respectively. Greater than50% of all diagnoses were made in the first 6 months aftertransplantation in both our series and the published literature. Incidence of progression from airway colonization to invasive diseasewas 1 in 38 in our series and 3 of 97 (3%) in the pooled publisheddata. In patients with isolated tracheobronchitis, all 6 patients inour series and 41 of 50 patients (82%) in all published series, including ours, responded to antifungal therapy and/or surgicaldebridement. Among patients with invasive pneumonia or disseminateddisease, however, 5 of 10 patients in our series and 26 of 64 patients(41%) in the pooled series survived their infection. Conclusions: The role of antifungal therapy in Aspergillusairway colonization in lung transplant recipients is unclear. Datasupport a strategy of scheduled screening bronchoscopy followed byaggressive treatment for isolated Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in lungtransplant recipients.
Photocounting Receiver Performance for Detection of Multimode Laser or Scattered Radiation

Photocounting distributions, the decision threshold, and the probability of error are obtained for a binary optical communication system in which both the signal and background radiation are Gaussian processes. This would be the case, for example, when the radiation source is a nonlocked multimode laser or when the received radiation is scattered from a satellite. Dark current is considered. The results indicate that when possible, counting times should be adjusted to be large in comparison with the background radiation coherence time, and optical amplification before detection should be employed.
Clathrin-mediated endocytosis in budding yeast

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves the ordered recruitment, activity and disassembly of nearly 60 proteins at distinct sites on the plasma membrane. Two-color live-cell fluorescence microscopy has proven to be invaluable for in vivo analysis of endocytic proteins: identifying new components, determining the order of protein arrival and dissociation, and revealing even very subtle mutant phenotypes. Yeast genetics and functional genomics facilitate identification of complex interaction networks between endocytic proteins and their regulators. Quantitative datasets produced by these various analyses have made theoretical modeling possible. Here, we discuss recent findings on budding yeast endocytosis that have advanced our knowledge of how ∼60 endocytic proteins are recruited, perform their functions, are regulated by lipid and protein modifications, and are disassembled, all with remarkable regularity.
On the mechanism and regioselectivity of alkane photocarbonylation catalyzed by Rh(PMe3)2(CO)Cl

Abstract Photochemical carbonylation of hexane catalyzed by Rh(PMe3)2(CO)Cl (1) is found to proceed via at least two different mechanisms. One requires a secondary photochemical reaction and gives primarily (ca. 98%) linear aldehyde, while the other is radical-based, much less regioselective, and apparently involves only one photochemical step. In accord with this mechanistic understanding, it has proven possible to find conditions leading simultaneously to high photoefficiency and regioselectivity, and greatly increased chemical yields. The presumed photointermediate in the two-photoprocess pathway has been photochemically generated at low temperature and characterized by NMR spectroscopy.
Content-based event selection from satellite images of the aurora

The DE-1 satellite has gathered over 500,000 images of the Earth's aurora. This data set provides a realistic testbed for developing algorithms for scientific image databases. Scientists studying the aurora currently need to browse through large numbers of images to find events suitable for further scientific studies. They select or reject an image based on a variety of visual queues, including shape, size, and intensity. This paper describes a system currently under development for selecting interesting events based on image content. We use boundaries from the images to outline the aurora, and then to extract features that relate to shape, size, and intensity. These features are then input into a supervised decision tree classifier. The system retrieves images of potential interest to the user. The user makes the final decision regarding the use of the images retrieved. The algorithm is applied to hundreds of DE-1 satellite images to find `quiet' versus `active' auroras, after being initially trained by the user. The system's advantage over neural networks is that the scientists may inspect the event selection process by studying the decision tree generated.
Historical Amnesia, or, the Logic of Capital Accumulation: Cotton Production in Colonial and Postcolonial Mozambique:

In this article, the very different cotton production schemes that the state introduced in colonial and post-colonial Mozambique are explored. Three distinct periods in the history of cotton produc...
The Incidence of Retrograde Conduction in Children

With the increasing use of "physiological" pacemakers in the pediatric age group, retrograde conduction in children has become of clinical importance. Pacemakers which sense atrial depolarization may sense "retrograde" P waves. The pacemaker may then act as the antegrade limb of a reciprocating tachycardia circuit, while the patient's own conduction system acts as the retrograde limb. We reviewed the data of 127 patients who underwent antegrade and retrograde electrophysiologic study at Texas Children's Hospital, with regard to retrograde conduction. Sixty percent of the patients had ventriculo-atrial conduction through the A-V node; the incidence of retrograde conduction in patients after surgical correction of a tetralogy of Fallot was significantly lower (33%). None of the patients with third-degree A-V block had retrograde conduction. The mean retrograde conduction time was 162 ms (range 70-335 ms) at the slowest pacing rate and 257 ms (range 80-475 ms) at the fastest pacing rate. This high incidence of retrograde conduction and the variability of conduction times must be taken into account when "physiological" pacemakers are to be implanted.
The DMCA and Researchers' First Amendment Rights

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA, was enacted by Congress in October of 1998.1 Section 1201(a)(1) of the Act, known as the "anti-circumvention" provision, states that "[n]o person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a [digital] work protected under this title.".2 Sections 1201(a)(2) and 1201(b) combine to form the "anti-trafficking" provisions, which provide that no one shall distribute technology that can accomplish this circumvention.3 Congress constructed a two-year delay in implementation of these provisions, thus, on October 28, 2000, circumvention of effective technological controls became punishable by both civil and criminal actions.4 Unfortunately, the presence of these provisions, along with courts refusal to recognize traditional copyright privileges and defenses in this area of "paracopyright,"5 chills programmers' speech.
A NUTRITIONAL SURVEY OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

29 non-institutionalized children under 6 years of age with cerebral palsy underwent nutritional assessment. Nutrient intake was estimated by both 3 day dietary records and 24 hour recall. Anthropomorphic measurements included height/length, weight, mid-arm circumference, and skinfold thickness (S.T.) of triceps and subscapular areas. 57% of children had caloric intakes <80% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for age; 40% had caloric intakes <80% of RDA for height age. Protein intake was generally adequate. 13% of children had protein intakes <80% of RDA for age. 9% had protein intakes <80% of RDA for height age. A significant number of children had subnormal height, weight, midarm circumference, and S.T. Mean values for hemoglobin and for serum iron, total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase were normal. Poor growth and undernutrition are common in children with cerebral palsy. Poor caloric intake may be a contributing factor.
An information theory-based approach to quantifying the contribution of a software metric

Abstract Competitive pressures are forcing many companies to aggressively pursue software quality improvement based on software complexity metrics. A metrics database is often the key to a successful ongoing software metrics program. Contel had a successful metrics program that involved project-level metrics databases and planned a corporate level database. The U.S. Army has established a minimum set of metrics for Army software development and maintenance covering the development process, software quality, and software complexity. This program involves a central Army-wide metrics database and a validation program. In light of the importance of corporate metrics databases and the prevalence of multicolliner metrics, we define the contribution of any proposed metric in terms of the measured variation, irrespective of the metric's usefulness in quality models. This is of interest when full validation is not practical. We review two approaches to assessing the contribution of a new software complexity metric to a metrics database and present a new method based on information theory. The method is general and does not presume any particular set of metrics. We illustrate this method with three case studies, using data from full-scale operational software systems. The new method is less subjective than competing assessment methods.
Deltaic Sedimentation, Salt Mobilization, and Growth Faulting in Gulf Coast Basin: ABSTRACT

Regional facies mapping and analysis of thick, terrigenous wedges, and mapping of principal structural features (salt intrusion and growth faulting) indicate a direct relation between sedimentation and tectonics in the western Gulf basin. Proximal parts of clastic wedges infilling the basin consist of paralic, mainly deltaic, depositional systems; distal parts are made up largely of deep-water, continental-slope deposits. Two kinds of delta systems are characteristic: (1) high-constructive deltas marked by rapid, large-volume deposition; and (2) high-destructive deltas with large sand content and slower rates of accumulation. Distribution of 4 major high-constructive delta systems and associated continental-slope systems is coincident with 4 major salt-diapir fields (including about 90% of the domal salt structures of the basin). Mobilization of deep seated, bedded salt occurred by lateral migration to interdeltaic areas and by distal migration, establishing diapir fields fronting major delta systems and coincident with slope systems. Salt mobilization related to strike-depositional (barrier bar and strandplain) systems was generally as broad salt ridges rather than domes. In high-constructive deltas, growth faulting is facies coincident, forming at the boundary of delta-front sands and thick prodelta muds. As with salt mobilization, the principal tectonic grain of growth faulting developed in connection with the 4 major episodes of high-constructive wedges in the offlap filling of the basin, rejuvenating growth faulting and salt mobilization initiated by the high constructive deltas. Accordingly, direct facies correlation in distribution of growth faulting and salt mobilization occurred. End_of_Article - Last_Page 779------------
Campylobacter jejuni contamination of eggs

Contamination of commercial table eggs with a fecal suspension containing 4.4×106 CFU/gCampylobacterjejuni resulted in shell penetration in 3/70 eggs and recovery of the organism from homogenized egg contents in 1/70 eggs. Viability ofC.jejuni on the shell surface was retained for only 16 hours, attributed to desiccation of the fecal suspension. A field survey of three commercial laying farms and their associated egg-packing plants showed that hens demonstrated to be fecal shedders ofC.jejuni (12% to 62% incidence) did not produce infected eggs. The organism could not be detected in the environment of the packing plant, including grading machinery and effluent.
2013 Maurice Wilkes Award Given to Parthasarathy (Partha) Ranganathan

This column discusses an award given in 2013: the Maurice Wilkes Award, given to Parthasarathy (Partha) Ranganathan.
Pyrethroid-hydrolyzing esterases in southern armyworm larvae: Tissue distribution, kinetic properties, and selective inhibition☆

Abstract Esterase activity hydrolyzing both [1 RS,trans ]- and [1 RS,cis ]-permethrin was detected in crude homogenates of the following southern armyworm ( Spodoptera eridania Cramer) larval tissues: cuticle, gut, fat body, head capsule, Malpighian tubules, and silk gland. Neither substrate was detectably hydrolyzed by hemolymph. The highest esterase activities per insect equivalent of tissue were found in cuticle, gut, and fat body for the trans isomer and in cuticle and gut for the cis isomer. Each preparation hydrolyzed the trans isomer more rapidly, but the degree of specificity varied greatly between tissues. Differences in apparent K m and V max values between the three most active tissues were threefold or less for trans isomer hydrolysis, but differences between tissues of up to 100-fold were found for K m and V max values for cis isomer hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of the trans isomer in cuticle, gut, and fat body homogenates was only partially inhibited by α-naphthyl N -propylcarbamate (NPC). Concentrations of NPC giving maximal inhibition of trans isomer hydrolysis had little effect on the hydrolysis of the cis isomer. These results demonstrate that pyrethroid-hydrolyzing activity is broadly distributed in insect tissues and results from the combined activity of several esterases with different properties. It is likely that the trans and cis isomers of permethrin are hydrolyzed by separate enzymes in this insect.
Biogenic silica dissolution in sediments of the Southern Ocean. I. Solubility

Abstract A stirred flow-through reactor technique was used to determine silica solubilities in sediments collected with a multicorer in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean (ANTARES I cruise). The results show that the apparent silica solubility in the cores may decrease, increase or remain constant with depth. The silica solubility profiles are best explained by the early diagenetic interactions between biogenic silica and soluble aluminum derived from detrital material. By combining the solubility data with measured dissolved silica profiles, it is shown that the variable asymptotic pore water silica levels in the cores cannot be explained solely by differences in silica solubility. In sediments that experience a significant detrital input, the simultaneous reprecipitation of dissolved aluminum and dissolved silica prevents water silicic acid from reaching saturation with the dissolving biogenic silica. The principal oceanographic control on pore water silica build-up in the cores studied is the ratio of the deposition fluxes of biogenic silica and detrital material. Solubility differences inherited from the biomineralization process in the surface waters do not appear to have a significant effect on the observed pore water silica levels.
Concept-context-design: a creative model for the development of interactivity

Existing CHI interaction models are focused on understanding the needs of users. They begin with user tasks and user feedback. While the involvement of users is critical for human computer interaction development, so is the imagination the artist-scientist-designer-developer. We constitute a legitimate source of impetus in the definition and development of interactive artifacts, as well as functioning as interpreters, measurers, and respondents. The development of interactivity is a fundamentally creative process. This paper distills a creative model for the development of interactivity as a residue of the CollageMachine development experience. Both the model and the artifact are components that contribute to the integrated approach of interface ecology.
Multivariate Statistical Process Monitoring Based on Statistics Pattern Analysis

In this work, a new multivariate method to monitor continuous processes is developed based on the statistics pattern analysis (SPA) framework. The SPA framework was proposed recently to address some challenges associated with batch process monitoring, such as unsynchronized batch trajectories and multimodal distribution. The major difference between the principal component analysis (PCA) based and SPA-based fault detection methods is that PCA monitors process variables while SPA monitors the statistics of process variables. In other words, PCA examines the variance−covariance of the process variables to perform fault detection while SPA examines the variance−covariance of the process variable statistics (e.g., mean, variance, autocorrelation, cross-correlation, etc.) to perform fault detection. In this paper, a window-based SPA method is proposed to address the challenges associated with continuous processes such as nonlinear process dynamics. First, the details of the window-based SPA method are presente...
The first spectroscopic model for the S1 state multiline signal of the OEC.

Abstract The parallel-mode electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of the S1 state of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) shows a multiline signal centered around g=12, indicating an integer spin system. The series of [Mn2(2-OHsalpn)2] complexes were structurally characterized in four oxidation levels (MnII2, MnIIMnIII, MnIII2, and MnIIIMnIV). By using bulk electrolysis, the [MnIIIMnIV(2-OHsalpn)2(OH)] is oxidized to a species that contains MnIV oxidation state as detected by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) and that can be formulated as MnIV4 tetramer. The parallel-mode EPR spectrum of this multinuclear MnIV4 complex shows 18 well-resolved hyperfine lines center around g=11 with an average hyperfine splitting of 36 G. This EPR spectrum is very similar to that found in the S1 state of the OEC. This is the first synthetic manganese model complex that shows an S1-like multiline spectrum in parallel-mode EPR.
Overview of high-brightness, high-average-current photoinjectors for FELs

We are now nearing the end of the second decade since the inaugural photoinjector experiments were carried out at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1985. The interim period has seen a dramatic increase in the number of photoinjectors in operation around the world, in our physical understanding of their operation, and, consequently, the brightness of their beams. For some time now, photoinjectors have been the solution of choice for electron beam applications requiring very high-quality electron beams, such as free-electron lasers (FELs). In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in high-average-power FELs and, as a result, high-average-current photoinjectors. Here, we present an overview of photoinjector development with particular emphasis on high-average-current devices in FEL applications.
Treating hypertension while protecting the vulnerable islet in the cardiometabolic syndrome

Hypertension, a multifactorial-polygenic disease, interacts with multiple environmental stressors and results in functional and structural changes in numerous end organs, including the cardiovascular system. This can result in coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, insulin resistance, and damage to the pancreatic islet. Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for major health problems encountered in clinical practice. Whereas hypertension was once thought to be a medical condition based on discrete blood pressure readings, a new concept has emerged defining hypertension as part of a complex and progressive metabolic and cardiovascular disease, an important part of a cardiometabolic syndrome. The central role of insulin resistance, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, metabolic signaling defects within tissues, and the role of enhanced tissue renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity as it relates to hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are emphasized. Additionally, this review focuses on the effect of hypertension on functional and structural changes associated with the vulnerable pancreatic islet. Various classes of antihypertensive drugs are reviewed, especially their roles in delaying or preventing damage to the vulnerable pancreatic islet, and thus delaying the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Breaking Homoclinic Connections for a Singularly Perturbed Differential Equation and the Stokes Phenomenon

Behavior of the separatrix solution y(t) = -(3/2)/cosh 2 (t/2) (homoclinic connection) of the second order equation y = y + y 2 that undergoes the singular perturbation e 2 y + y = y + y 2 , where e > 0 is a small parameter, is considered. This equation arises in the theory of traveling water waves in the presence of surface tension. It has been demonstrated both rigorously [1,2] and using formal asymptotic arguments [3,4] that the above-mentioned solution could not survive the perturbation. The latter papers were based on the Kruskal-Segur method (KS method), originally developed for the equation of crystal growth [5]. In fact, the key point of this method is the reduction of the original problem to the Stokes phenomenon of a certain parameterless leading-order equation. The main purpose of this article is further development of the KS method to study the breaking of homoclinic connections. In particular: (1) a rigorous basis for the KS method in the case of the above-mentioned perturbed problem is provided; and (2) it is demonstrated that breaking of a homoclinic connection is reducible to a monodromy problem for coalescing (as e → 0) regular singular points, where the Stokes phenomenon plays the role of the leading-order approximation.
Neuroendocrine predictors of response to intravenous clomipramine therapy for refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder

The current study examines the neuroendocrine response to intravenous clomipramine (IV CMI) in oral CMI-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients on day 1 and day 14 of treatment to identify predictors of response. Forty-four OCD patients with an inadequate response or poorly tolerant to oral CMI were begun at 25 mg IV CMI, increasing to 250 mg by day 10, and continuing on that dose to day 14. On day 1, plasma levels of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), and cortisol were obtained immediately before the 25 mg IV infusion, and at five 30-minute time points after the infusion. On day 14, hormonal samples were obtained in a similar fashion. Response was assessed by the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). Low PRLMAX to IV CMI and low cortisol levels overall on day 1 were both significantly associated with clinical response at day 14. An overall increase in growth hormone (GH) secretion during the day 14 testing was associated with positive response. A pronounced PRL response to IV CMI on day 14 was exhibited by the nonresponders, whereas a smaller and later but significant increase in PRL was noted in the responders. The findings suggest that in this sample of oral CMI-resistant patients with OCD, neuroendocrine measures derived from pharmacological challenge with IV CMI are capable of distinguishing IV CMI treatment responders from nonresponders. The limitations of IV CMI as a specific probe of serotonin function are discussed. Depression and Anxiety 14:199–208, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Detection of HD on Saturn and Uranus, and the D/H ratio

The HD 5-0 R(0) line on Saturn and Uranus has been observed. Values for the D/H abundance ratio computed from models for the atmospheres of these two planets are 5.5 + or - 2.9 times 10 to the minus fifth power for Saturn and 3.0 + or - 1.2 times 10 to the minus fifth power for Uranus. The D/H ratio for Jupiter of 5.1 + or - 0.7 times 10 to the minus fifth power found from a measurement of the HD 4-0 P(1) line is bracketed by the values found for Saturn and Uranus.
Phase stability and defect structure of the C15 laves phase Nb(Cr,V)2

Abstract Vanadium alloyed C15 Laves phase based on NbCr2 and phase equilibria in the Nb–Cr–V system have been studied, focusing on the physical metallurgy and defect structures of the C15 phase. Based on the Nb–Cr–V phase diagram established in this work, the defect structure/mechanism in the ternary C15 Laves phase is investigated using a combination of metallography, SEM/EDS, TEM/ALCHEMI, and X-ray powder diffraction. It is found that the C15 phase field of NbCr2 is extended by V alloying up to more than 30 at.% V and V substitutes exclusively on the Cr site instead of the Nb site, although the atomic sizes of the constituent elements indicate rCr
Subpicosecond Soliton Outputs from an Entirely Normal-Dispersion Fiber Laser

We experimentally demonstrate chirped solitary pulses from an entirely normal dispersion mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser. Using frequency-resolved optical gating, we study the pulse amplitude and phase before and after the mode-locker and after pulse compression.
Nd:YAG laser bronchoscopy: rigid or fiberoptic mode?

One hundred twenty four Nd:YAG laser procedures were performed on 79 patients (age range, 25 to 89 years) over a five-year period at our institution. Over 90 percent of patients had malignant tumors. The fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB group) was used exclusively during the first two years (61 cases, 32 patients). All except four of these cases utilized conscious sedation and local anesthesia. Subsequent to this, the rigid bronchoscope (RB group) was used as the primary instrument under general anesthesia (51 cases, 42 patients). Twelve cases combined both bronchoscopic modalities (combined group, 12 patients). The percentage improvement in proximal airway lumen diameter post-Nd:YAG laser therapy was significantly greater using the RB (p
The effects on alkane combustion of added sulfur compounds

Abstract Laboratory investigations were carried out of the effects of several sulfur compounds of different types on the combustion of two pure hydrocarbons, viz., 2-methylpentane and isooctane, in the absence and presence of lead compounds. The sulfur compounds tend to promote combustion, in the order sulfur dioxide
Infiltration Rate vs. Gas Composition and Pressure in Soil Columns

Infiltration is influenced by soil gases. Studies have found that CO 2 has a large impact on infiltration. Since CO 2 is highly soluble, soil flooded with it before infiltration has greater saturation and a greater infiltration rate. Our objective was to compare infiltration rates when soil pore gas consisted of (i) CO 2 at atmospheric pressure, (ii) air at atmospheric pressure, and (iii) air at various vacuum levels. A vacuum should, similar to CO 2 , reduce encapsulated gas and increase the infiltration rate. Results were that infiltration under 1- to 2-mm constant-head conditions tended to be more rapid at low air pressures. Falling-head infiltration, from 67.8- to 13.8-cm water head, was fastest with CO 2 , intermediate with a vacuum that removed all dry air gases, and slowest with air at atmospheric pressure. The final falling-head infiltration rates with CO 2 and vacuum were 1.9 and 1.6 times faster, respectively, than with atmospheric air.
The effect of long‐term calcineurin inhibitor therapy on renal function in children after liver transplantation

Calcineurin inhibitor drugs (CNI), cyclosporin and tacrolimus are potent immunosuppressants, which have improved survival after liver transplantation. We evaluated long-term renal function in children receiving calcineurin inhibitors after liver transplantation. A retrospective analysis of all children undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) from 1989 to 1999 who survived 1-yr post-transplantation was performed. All received prednisolone and either cyclosporin and azathioprine or tacrolimus. Steroids were withdrawn at 3 months and cyclosporin/tacrolimus monotherapy was initiated 12 months post-OLT. Calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR) was calculated using the modified Counahan-Barratt formula and measured pretransplant, 3, 6 and 12 months post-transplant and annually thereafter. Data were analysed in a serial manner to evaluate the trend of cGFR over time selectively using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired t-tests as appropriate. A total of 113 patients (65 males:48 females) were followed up for more than 1 yr (maximum 5 yr). Median (range) age at transplantation was 26 months (3-177). There was a significant fall of 35% in cGFR at 3 months compared with the pretransplant value (p = 0.001). By 12 months following the reduction in immunosuppression dosage, renal function stabilized with a slight improvement in cGFR which reached 76% of the pretransplant value at 5 yr (p < 0.001). Children who were <1 yr of age at the time of OLT had better recovery of renal function than older children (p = 0.02). No association was seen with sex, the type of immunosuppression or the underlying diagnosis. Renal dysfunction is a known complication of CNI therapy. Despite an initial reduction in cGFR, which was associated with maximal immunosuppression, long-term low dose CNI therapy was not associated with continued deterioration of renal function, particularly in children who were transplanted as infants.
Prevalence and risk factors for symptomatic thromboembolic events after shoulder arthroplasty

UNLABELLED: Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after shoulder arthroplasty are not well described. We sought to identify the frequency of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms in patients after shoulder arthroplasties to compare these rates with the frequency of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms among patients who had total hip and total knee arthroplasties, and to identify associated risk factors. The New York State Department of Health Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was used to identify hospital admissions of patients having shoulder, hip, or knee arthroplasties between 1985 and 2003 with or without an associated diagnostic code for deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. This resulted in a retrospective cohort of 328,301 procedures. The frequency of deep venous thrombosis was 5.0 per 1000 procedures for shoulder arthroplasties compared with 15.7 for hip arthroplasties and 26.9 for knee arthroplasties. The frequency of pulmonary embolisms was 2.3 for shoulder arthroplasties, 4.2 for hip arthroplasties, and 4.4 for knee arthroplasties. Increasing age, trauma, and cancer were risk factors for thromboembolic events after shoulder arthroplasties. Although the absolute rates of thromboembolic complications were less in patients who had shoulder arthroplasties compared with those of patients who had lower extremity procedures, a larger percentage of these complications were pulmonary embolisms. Perioperative antithrombotic prophylaxis may be beneficial to reduce the frequency of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms among patients having shoulder arthroplasties, particularly in higher-risk groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, Level II (retrospective study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Structural health monitoring of an aircraft fuselage lap joint

Fatigue crack growth in a lap joint specimen extracted from a retired aircraft fuselage was monitored using bonded continuous acoustic emission sensors. The specimen lasted nearly 350,000 cycles of tension-tension cyclic loading. During this period a large number of acoustic emission signals were collected. Two distinct classes of events were observed during this test. The first group of events consist of low amplitude, long rise time and long duration events which could be attributed to fretting between various surfaces. The second group of events had short rise time and short duration and is thought to be from fatigue cracks. This interpretation is based on the waveform characteristics observed during this test and patterns seen in acoustic emission signals from known fatigue cracks in previous studies. Based on this assumption the crack growth process appear to have initiated after 200,000 cycles of fatigue load and accelerated during the final 20,000 cycles. The final fracture of the specimen occurred in the grip area and indications of this impending failure were evident in the acoustic emission data. In addition, acoustic emission data also suggest fatigue crack growth in an area inaccessible for visual examination.
Pharmacology of nitroglycerin and long-acting nitrates.

Organic nitrates are available in a remarkably diverse variety of formulations, including sublingual, buccal and oral tablets, capsules, topical creams, ointments, patches, tapes, inhalable sprays and intravenous solutions. Although not all of these formulations are available in the United States, the array of drugs and dosages approved for use is extensive. It is only by weighing the pharmacologic properties of these agents against the patient's clinical status and needs that a concise and appropriate treatment regimen may be derived. Numerous recent studies have confirmed the protracted efficacy of the organic nitrates in the treatment of patients with angina pectoris and congestive heart failure (CHF) as evidenced by improvements in cardiac hemodynamics and desired clinical parameters. It is appropriate that the patient's dosage of nitrates be administered with a formulation most likely to be both clinically effective and well tolerated. The use of nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate in the acute and chronic treatment of CHF will be discussed in the context of their unique pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties. A rationale for the most efficacious use of these agents will be presented. Tolerance phenomena and adverse effects (i.e., headache) will also be discussed from the perspective of their significance in chronic nitrate therapy.
Design and Control of a "Skid-to-Turn" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly expanding and taking on new roles in the military. In the area of training and targeting vehicles, control systems are expanding the functionality of UAVs beyond their initially designed purpose. One such vehicle, built by Aeromech Engineering, is called the “NXT UAV,” a high-speed target drone intended to simulate a small aircraft threat. To promote functionality, “NXT UAV” accomplishes wings level skidding turns to simulate a threat from a missile. Research was conducted to investigate the aerodynamic and performance characteristics of this type of winged vehicle performing high acceleration skidding turns. A linear model was initially developed, and then further improved with a six degree-of-freedom simulation. Simultaneous rudder and aileron closed-loop controllers were designed and implemented so that heading commands could be integrated into the system. Simulations show this controller enables the “NXT UAV” to accomplish wings-level skidding turns up to a lateral load factor of three. The controller was able to tolerate significant turbulence, sensor noise, loop failures and changes within the plant dynamics. This research demonstrates the capability of a winged UAV to effectively maneuver using wings level skidding turns.
High-transconductance InAs/AlSb heterojunction field-effect transistors with delta -doped AlSb upper barriers

The authors report the fabrication and temperature-dependent characterization of InAs/AlSb quantum-well heterojunction field-effect transistors (HFETs). Devices with electron sheet concentrations of 3.8*10/sup 12/ cm/sup -2/ and low-field electron mobilities of 21000 cm/sup 2//V-s have been realized through the use of Te delta -doping sheets in the upper AlSb barrier. One device with a 2.0- mu m gate length showed a peak extrinsic transconductance of 473 mS/mm at room temperature. Gate leakage current, operating current density, and extrinsic transconductance were found to decrease with decreasing temperature. >