cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examination of emotional response to apparel brand advertisements

This study examines whether a unique set of emotions may be generated by advertisements for apparel products and brands for a young female target audience. Also studied were the effects of emotions on evaluative perceptions of apparel brand advertisements (ad attitude). Test advertisements consisted of 90 advertisements representing 56 different brands. Using an aggregate‐level communication model, all analysis in the study was performed across advertisements, not across people, as sampling units of interest. Findings show a unique set of three emotional dimensions generated by the apparel brand advertisements. Two emotional dimensions, pleasure/activation (eg activation, bored, desired, social affection) and hypoactivation (drowsy, restful, soothed), had a positive influence on ad attitude. The third dimension, domination (anger, fear, irritation, tension), did not have a significant effect on ad attitude, having neither good nor bad effect on evaluations of advertisements.
The Herpes Simplex Virus Host Shutoff RNase Degrades Cellular and Viral mRNAs Made before Infection but Not Viral mRNA Made after Infection

A herpes simplex virus tegument protein brought into the cell during infection and designated the virion host shutoff protein (VHS) is an endoribonuclease that degrades mRNA. The prevailing view for many years has been that the VHS-RNase does not discriminate between cellular and viral RNAs and that the viruses prevail because the accumulation of viral transcripts outpaces their degradation. Here we report the following. (i) The degradation of viral mRNA made during infection of Vero or HEp-2 cells proceeds at a much-reduced rate compared to that of cellular mRNA. In effect, viral mRNAs are largely stable, whereas cellular mRNAs are rapidly degraded or, in the case of AU-rich mRNA, cleaved and rendered dysfunctional. (ii) In contrast to viral mRNAs made after infection, viral mRNAs expressed by plasmids transfected into cells prior to infection are degraded after infection at a rate comparable to that of cellular mRNAs. Moreover, the mRNA encoded by the transfected plasmid is hyperadenylated in the infected cell. Hyperadenylation but not degradation of mRNAs is blocked by actinomycin D. The results indicate that VHS-mRNA discriminates between viral and cellular mRNA but only in the context of infection and that discrimination is not based on the sequence of the mRNA but most likely on one or more viral factors expressed in the infected cell.
The general occurrence of intramitochondrial crystals in Hydra cells

Intramitochondrial crystals are found in normal Hydra as well as in animals undergoing various conditions (budding, regenerating, eserinetreated, and sexual). They appear in all regions of the animal, but seem to be more prevalent at or near the extremities: hypostome, tentacles and basal disk. They are found in all of the seven basic cell types: interstitial, cnidocyte, nerve, epithelio-muscular, gland, mucous and digestive cells. The chemical nature of the intramitochondrial crystals is unknown and their significance remains speculative.
Impact of estrogen receptor deficiency on disease expression in the NZM2410 lupus prone mouse

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs nine times more often in females than males. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of estrogen receptor (ER) null genotypes on disease in lupus prone NZM2410 (NZM) and MRL/lpr mice, as a method to define the role of estrogen receptor signaling in lupus. ERα deficient NZM females, but not males, had significantly prolonged survival, reduced proteinuria, renal pathology scores and serum urea nitrogen levels compared to wildtype mice, despite higher serum anti-dsDNA levels. ERα deficient MRL/lpr female, but not male, mice also had significantly less proteinuria and renal pathology scores with no effect on autoantibody levels. Deficiency of ERβ had no effect on disease in either strain or sex. Taken together, these data demonstrate a key role for ERα, but not ERβ, in the development of lupus like disease, but not autoimmunity, in female NZM and MRL/lpr mice.
Gradient composition sol-gel materials

The STARDUST Mission, which launched in February of 1999, plans to fly through the coma of Comet 81P/Wild2, capture some of the material ejected by the comet, and return the samples to Earth in 2006. The capture media for the encounter is silica aerogel. In the course of the capture media development the aerogel evolved from single density, to discontinuous density changes, to a continuous density change. Since various physical properties such as the index of refraction, the porosity, the dielectric constant, etc., are directly related to the density of these materials, they too vary in a gradient manner. Employing the method developed for the production of the STARDUST media, samples have been produced which exhibit order of magnitude density changes and refractive index gradients of up to 0.1. Other samples have been made which include compositional gradients such as varying dopant/s concentration and oxide composition. The method has been sued to form samples that display liner, planar, and cylindrical gradients. Sol-gel materials have been produced of not only gradient aerogel, but also gradient xerogel, as well as, gradient hybrid aerogel/xerogel materials.
Large scale isolation of pig muscle phosphoglucose isomerase.

Abstract large-scale purification procedure for phosphoglucose isomerase from pig skeletal muscle is described. It consists of two fractionations by selective precipitation and two ion exchange chromatography steps yielding an end product of approximately 900 units (micromoles of sub-strate converted to product per rain per mg of protein, at 30°) specific activity. The method separates three isoenzymic forms with an overall recovery of about 30% of the original total enzyme activity in the form of Isoenzyme III, the latter being the predominant enzyme species.
Analysis of the Signaling Pathway Involved in the Regulation of Hexokinase II Gene Transcription by Insulin

The hexokinases, by converting glucose to glucose 6-phosphate, help maintain the glucose concentration gradient that results in the movement of glucose into cells through the facilitative glucose transporters. Hexokinase II (HKII) is the major hexokinase isoform in skeletal muscle, heart, and adipose tissue. Insulin induces HKII gene transcription in L6 myotubes, and this, in turn, increases HKII mRNA and the rates of HKII protein synthesis and glucose phosphorylation in these cells. Inhibitors of distinct insulin signaling pathways were used to dissect the molecular mechanism by which HKII gene expression is induced by insulin in L6 myotubes. Treatment with wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), or with rapamycin, an inhibitor of the pathway from the insulin receptor to p70/p85 ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70s6k), prevented the induction of HKII mRNA by insulin. In contrast, treatment with PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, had no effect on insulin-induced HKII mRNA. In addition, rapamycin blocked the insulin-induced expression of an HKII promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene transiently transfected into L6 myotubes, whereas PD98059 had no such effect. These results suggest that a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/p70s6k-dependent pathway is required for regulation of HKII gene transcription by insulin and that the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway is probably not involved.
Bacteriophage T4-induced deoxycytidine triphosphate-deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase: its properties and its role during phage infection of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Infection of Escherichia coli by T4 bacteriophage results in the induction of nucleotidohydrolase activities for the degradation of deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTPase) and diphosphate (dCDPase) and of deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTPase) and diphosphate (dUDPase). A single phage-induced enzyme appears to catalyze all four hydrolytic reactions. The purified protein is highly acidic and is precipitated by streptomycin sulfate. Gel filtration indicated a molecular weight of approximately 59,000. The nucleotidohydrolases induced by T2 and T6 phages were partially purified, and these preparations were also active on dCTP, dCDP, dUTP, and dUDP. These enzymes behaved as much less acidic proteins, had lower apparent molecular weights (51,000) than the T4 enzyme, and were not precipitated by streptomycin sulfate. By use of T4 phage mutants specifically defective in the induction of the nucleotidohydrolase, the dCTPase and dCDPase activities have been shown to be essential not only to exclude cytosine from the phage DNA, but also to provide the major route for de novo synthesis of dCMP, an essential precursor of the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine-containing deoxyribonucleotides required for normal phage DNA synthesis. The E. coli dUTPase appears to be sufficiently active to exclude uracil from DNA, so that the dUTPase and dUDPase activities of the T4 nucleotidohydrolase are nonessential.
Delayed progression of murine AIDS in C57BL6 mice pre-immunized with a highly antigenic 10-mer peptide encoded by the murine AIDS defective virus gag p12 gene

C57BL6 (B6) mice were immunized with a highly antigenic 10-mer peptide (P12-10), which is encoded by the murine AIDS (MAIDS) defective virus gag p12 gene, emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (ICFA). One week later, the mice were inoculated with the MAIDS virus to see if the immunization affects progression of MAIDS. It was demonstrated that the immunization significantly delayed progression of MAIDS, although it failed to induce appreciable cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses against the P12-10 antigen. In constrast, immunization of B6 mice with the P12-10 coupled with liposome induced substantial CTL responses but failed to protect the mice against MAIDS development. This segregation between CTL activity and in vivo protection efficacy might be worth considering when we exploit vaccines for augmenting cellular immunity mediated by CD8+ T cells.
Abstract 3768: Evaluating the effects of bortezomib (Velcade®) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®, PLD)

Background: PLD is a pegylated liposomal formulation of doxorubicin approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer, Kaposi9s sarcoma, and multiple myeloma. We have reported that age, gender, and monocyte count may affect the clearance (CL) of PLD. In multiple myeloma, PLD is used with bortezomib, a proteosome inhibitor which can affect monocyte count. The purpose of this cross study comparison was to assess the effects of bortezomib on the CL of PLD. Methods: This was a cross trial comparison of patients with solid tumors who received PLD alone and PLD + bortezomib. The PLD alone group (n = 34) received PLD at 10 to 60 mg/m2 IV every 28 days. The PLD + bortezomib group (n = 25) received bortezomib at 0.90 to 1.50 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, and PLD at 30 mg/m2 IV on day 4, every 21 days. PK studies of PLD were performed for cycle 1, after administration of PLD alone and PLD + bortezomib. Serial blood samples were obtained from 0 to 96 h and from 7 to 28 days after administration of PLD. Plasma samples were processed to measure sum total (encapsulated + released) doxorubicin via HPLC and the clearance (CL) was calculated with WinNonlin using noncompartmental methods. Results: In patients = 60 years old, the PLD CL after administration of PLD alone and in combination with bortezomib was 39.1 (± 18.5) and 38.0 (± 15.5) mL/h, respectively (P>0.05). In male patients, the PLD CL after administration of PLD alone and in combination with bortezomib was 65.4 (± 33.4) and 38.4 (± 9.7) mL/h respectively (p>0.05). In female patients, the PLD CL after administration of PLD alone and in combination with bortezomib was 40.1 (± 33.4) and 24.6 (± 11.2) mL/h respectively (P>0.05). Conclusion: This cross study comparison suggests that bortezomib decreases PLD CL in younger patients and in male patients. Although the underlying mechanism for this effect on PLD CL is not known, it may be related to bortezomib inhibition of mononuclear phagocyte activity in certain patient populations, which is responsible for the CL of PLD. There is a need to further investigate this in a prospective drug interaction study. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3768. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3768
Education in the medical care setting: needs assessment for nursing services.

This case study is designed to demonstrate examples of various procedures necessary for the establishment, implementation, and evaluation of a formal patient education program that meets the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Standards on Patient Care Evaluation. Presented are some “real world” strategies necessary for task accomplishment.
The effect of pregnancy and of antuitrin-s on cinchophen ulcers in dogs

1. Pregnancy and injections of Antuitrin-S had only slight effect on cinchophen ulcers in dogs. 2. There was a definite difference in the rapidity with which ulcers were produced by two different commercial preparations of cinchophen. This may be due to a small admixture of phenylquinoline or the presence of the unknown impurity in one product and its absence in the other. 3. Mann-Williamson ulcers and cinchophen ulcers respond differently under treatment with Antuitrin-S.
Electron spin resonance spin label studies of intercalation of nitrobenzene in DNA

Abstract Nitrobenzene-DNA intercalation mechanisms have been studied by means of electron spin resonance spin label techniques. Of the seven derivatives prepared and examined, 2,4-dinitrobenzene analogs with amine linkage to the nitroxide reporter demonstrate the strongest binding with DNA by intercalation, and the reporter nitroxide is oriented 45 ° to the plane of the benzene ring and is due primarily to the steric hindrance of the 2-nitro substituent. This binding is found to be largely dependent upon the number of nitrosubstituents, their relative position on the benzene ring, and the type of linkage between the ligand and the nitroxide reporter, suggesting that polarization bonding is a major driving force in their complex formation with DNA.
Context, Cognition, and Common Method Variance: Psychometric and Verbal Protocol Evidence

Abstract Researchers continue to debate the importance of (item) context effects, which are often thought to produce inflated percept-percept correlations in organizational self-reports. Using Feldman and Lynch's (1988) theory of self-generated validity, we propose five conditions under which such context effects are most likely to occur and to have an impact on substantive conclusions. The proposed effects are tested with psychometric and verbal protocol data from 208 subjects responding to an organizational justice questionnaire, using a 3 (types of context) by 2 ("think aloud" versus "silent") experimental design. Psychometric results revealed context effects on scale means, reliabilities, and some of the relations between constructs. Respondents' concurrent verbal protocols from the "think aloud" condition provided evidence for the cognitive basis of these effects.
Policies for the Control of Hypertension in Populations—Joint Symposium of the Inter-American Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League

(1995). Policies for the Control of Hypertension in Populations—Joint Symposium of the Inter-American Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League. Clinical and Experimental Hypertension: Vol. 17, No. 7, pp. 1075-1077.
Combining Propensity Score Matching and Group-Based Trajectory Analysis in an Observational Study.

In a nonrandomized or observational study, propensity scores may be used to balance observed covariates and trajectory groups may be used to control baseline or pretreatment measures of outcome. The trajectory groups also aid in characterizing classes of subjects for whom no good matches are available and to define substantively interesting groups between which treatment effects may vary. These and related methods are illustrated using data from a Montreal-based study. The effects on subsequent violence of gang joining at age 14 are studied while controlling for measured characteristics of boys prior to age 14. The boys are divided into trajectory groups based on violence from ages 11 to 13. Within trajectory group, joiners are optimally matched to a variable number of controls using propensity scores, Mahalanobis distances, and a combinatorial optimization algorithm. Use of variable ratio matching results in greater efficiency than pair matching and also greater bias reduction than matching at a fixed ratio. The possible impact of failing to adjust for an important but unmeasured covariate is examined using sensitivity analysis.
Interacting quantum fields and the chronometric principle.

Abstract A form of interaction in quantum field theory is described that is physically intrinsic rather than superimposed via a postulated nonlinearity on a hypothetical free field. It derives from the extension to general symmetries of the distinction basic for the chronometric cosmology between the physical (driving) and the observed energies, together with general precepts of quantum field theory applicable to nonunitary representations. The resulting interacting field is covariant, causal, involves real particle production, and is devoid of nontrivial ultraviolet divergences. Possible physical applications are discussed.
Risk Measurement Performance of Alternative Distribution Functions

This paper evaluates the performance of three extreme value distributions, i.e., generalized Pareto distribution (GPD), generalized extreme value distri bution (GEV), and Box-Cox-GEV, and four skewed fat-tailed distributions, i.e., skewed generalized error distribution (SGED), skewed generalized t (SGT), exponential generalized beta of the second kind (EGB2), and inverse hyperbolic sign (IHS) in estimating conditional and unconditional value at risk (VaR) thresholds. The results provide strong evidence that the SGT, EGB2, and IHS distributions perform as well as the more specialized extreme value distributions in modeling the tail behavior of portfolio returns. All three dis tributions produce similar VaR thresholds and perform better than the SGED and the normal distribution in approximating the extreme tails of the return distribution. The conditional coverage and the out-of-sample performance tests show that the actual VaR thresholds are time varying to a degree not captured by unconditional VaR measures. In light of the fact that VaR type measures are employed in many different types of financial and insurance applications including the determination of capital requirements, capital re serves, the setting of insurance deductibles, the setting of reinsurance cedance
Interleukin-1β Secretion. A POSSIBLE MULTISTEP PROCESS THAT IS REGULATED IN A CELL TYPE-SPECIFIC MANNER

In a prior study, we found that the processed form of human interleukin-1 beta (mature IL-1 beta) is secreted to a significantly greater extent than the precursor form of the protein, indicating that the precursor domain acts in some manner to reduce the secretory potential of the protein. In view of this observation, we sought to define the sequence(s) in the IL-1 beta precursor that limit the secretion of the protein as well as the sequences in the mature protein that promote secretion. The P388D1 murine macrophage cell line and the Jurkat human T-cell line were transiently transfected with cDNA expression vectors encoding truncated forms of human precursor IL-1 beta proteins, lacking either the first 76, 94, 99, or 104 amino acids. The removal of increasing numbers of precursor amino acid residues resulted in a graded increase in the secretion of the truncated precursor IL-1 beta proteins from both cell lines. The minimal region of the precursor sequence required to inhibit the optimal secretion of IL-1 beta occurs between amino acids 100 and 104 for P388D1 cells and 95-99 for Jurkat cells. Deletion of the amino acids within these regions increased the secretion level of the truncated proteins to that of mature IL-1 beta. Mutagenesis of the mature IL-1 beta sequence revealed that a region of basic amino acids may play an important role in the optimal secretion of mature IL-1 beta in P388D1 cells, but not in Jurkat cells. Based on the differences in the structural requirements for IL-1 beta secretion in P388D1 and Jurkat cell lines, it is likely that the secretion of IL-1 beta may be subject to multiple levels of regulation that are differentially operative in different cell types.
Further Studies on Allopurinol Therapy and Human Cataractogenesis

We examined 11 cataractous lenses (or aspirated lens matter from extracapsular extractions) from patients ranging in age from 55 to 84 years who used allopurinol on a long-term basis (more than two years). Phosphorescence analyses demonstrated the characteristic allopurinol triplet in these lenses. When we analyzed normal lenses from patients taking allopurinol in a similar manner we found no evidence of allopurinol photobinding. These data indicated that allopurinol has a cataractogenic action only in patients in whom the drug has become photobound within the lens. Long-term allopurinol therapy does not necessarily cause or enhance cataracts in all patients. There may be a relationship between ultraviolet radiation exposure and circulating allopurinol levels (and perhaps renal function) in the genesis of photosensitized allopurinol cataracts.
Full-screen testing of interactive applications

This paper describes the dialog test functions of the Interactive System Productivity Facility/Program Development Facility program product, with emphasis on the full-screen design that makes it unique. Perspective is provided by a brief summary of the test facilities available in the predecessor System Productivity Facility program product (SPF) and the requirements that led to their enhancement.
Intestinal Immune Responses of Mammals to Nematode Parasites

In mammals, intestinal immunity to gastrointestinal nematode parasites can result in a dramatic expulsion of resident adult worm populations from the intestine and exclusion of subsequent infections. Although immunity requires specific parasite-antigen induction, the expression of host resistance can be a product of both specific and nonspecific effector elements. T lymphocytes, through the action of cytokines, regulate the differentiation of certain classes of B lymphocytes and antibody producing plasma cells, as well as cells of myeloid origin that are involved in inflammation. Because inflammatory processes can function non-specifically against parasites in the intestine, they can be involved not only in host resistance to a homologous parasite infection, but also in cross-resistance to immunologically unrelated parasites. Thus, knowledge of the events necessary to prime the intestinal immune system of a naive host to a particular parasite could result in an understanding of how resistance might be induced to a variety of parasitic infections. This article will show that generically distinct gastrointestinal parasites, with very different life cycles, can induce similar mammalian host responses. Yet the resolution of experimental infection with a particular parasite species can be quite different among various host species. In addition, the effect of T cell regulation of mast cells, eosinophils and immunoglobulin E on intestinal immunity and host cross-resistance to parasitic infection will be discussed.
Analysis of ammonia, ammonium aerosols and acid gases in the atmosphere at a commercial hog farm in eastern North Carolina, USA

Abstract Measurements of atmospheric ammonia, acid gases, and ammonium aerosols were made at a commercial hog farm in Eastern North Carolina, USA, during September through December of 1997. Annular denuder systems (ADS) were used to sample gaseous (hydrogen chloride, nitrous acid, nitric acid, sulfur dioxide and ammonia) and fine aerosol (ammonium, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate) species. Ammonia and ammonium concentrations were determined by colorimetric analysis of the sample extracts. The acid gases and remaining fine particle ionic species were determined by ion chromatographic analysis of the sample extracts. Mean concentrations of the gaseous hydrogen chloride, nitrous acid, nitric acid, sulfur dioxide and ammonia were 0.743 μg/m 3 , 0.255 μg/m 3 , 0.154 μg/m 3 , 2.968 μg/m 3 , and 10.48 μg/m 3 , respectively. Mean concentrations of the fine particle chloride, nitrate, sulfate and ammonium were 0.321 μg/m 3 , 0.548 μg/m 3 , 3.247 μg/m 3 , and 1.102 μg/m 3 , respectively. The fine aerosol fraction was dominated by ammonium sulfate particles. A linear regression of sulfate versus ammonium by equivalent concentration showed a slope of 0.715 and r 2 of 0.88. An emission factor for total ammonia nitrogen flux was estimated using a simple box model as approximately 5 to 10 kg animal −1 year −1 .
Commercial grades of alumina

In an investigation of the properties of alumina GO, GK, and GU of Soviet origin and of the Hungarian alumina GV it was shown that the chemical composition is similar in all these materials but the alkali content is highest in the Hungarian alumina.
Dynamic mechanical behavior of polymers containing carbon black

The dynamic mechanical behavior of carbon black filled polymers of styrene and butyl methacrylate was examined at low strain amplitude and frequency in order to minimize destruction of the composite structure and elucidate the basis of yield and plasticization observed in steady shear. For specific filled systems, both G′ and G″ became independent of frequency and temperature at low frequencies, consistent with a yield phenomenon and the formation of a carbon black network. On the other hand, although the high molecular weight polystyrene showed plasticization effects at higher shear rates in steady shear rheology, such, plasticization effects were never observed in dynamic mechanical analysts. Yield behavior was observed most readily for the low molecular weight polystyrene. Limiting moduli for filled polystyrenes were independent of temperature, whereas, for polybutyl methacrylate, were sensitive to temperature. It is suggested that an independent network of carbon black is strongest in the low molecular weight polystyrene and weakest in poly (butyl methacrylate).
The Efficacy of Intranasal Administration of Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine to Yellow-Bellied Sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and ketamine and reversal with atipamezole administered intranasally to Trachemys scripta scripta. Eight healthy adult turtles received 0.2 and 10 mg/kg of dexmedetomidine and ketamine, respectively. Heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and sedation (on a scale of 0–4) were measured. Blood was collected 45 min post induction for drug plasma levels from both the subcarapacial and tail veins, followed by intranasal atipamezole administration (0.5 mg/kg). The most frequent sedation scores (2 and 3) provided a level of sedation deep enough to perform a thorough physical exam and minor clinical procedures. All of the turtles became active in 18.9 ± 7 min after atipamezole administration. No adverse effects were observed and all measured cardiopulmonary parameters were within normal limits. Plasma levels of both dexmedetomidine and ketamine indicated adequate absorption and distribution with no difference in the levels obta...
A modified relativistic Hartree approximation to the nuclear matter equation of state

Abstract We reconsider the vacuum correction term for the Walecka σ - ω model in the relativistic Hartree approximation retaining explicit dependence on the renormalization scale. The usual Chin-Walecka prescription is recovered by setting the renormalization scale equal to the nucleon mass. We find that when the renormalization scale is set to the effective nucleon mass at nuclear saturation density the model gives a dramatically lower compression modulus. The behavior of the effective nucleon mass at saturation and the compression modulus are examined as a function of the renormalization scale.
Application of a counter-current gaseous diffusion model to the oxidation of hafnium carbide at 1200 to 1530°C

A counter-current gaseous diffusion model is presented to describe the oxidation of hafnium carbide between 1200 and 1530°C. The model separates the porous hafnia scale into two gas diffusion regions separated by a flame front, where O 2 and CO react to form CO 2.In the outer region, O 2 and CO 2 counter-diffuse; in the inner region, CO 2 and CO counter-diffuse. The concentration gradients of each gaseous specie in the pores of the hafnia are determined and the rate of oxidation is calculated. A porosity of 2% and a pore radius of 0.01 μm are representative of the values observed in hafnia during the early stages of HfC oxidation. These values lead to predictions of parabolic rate constants that are close to those measured by thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, the predicted and measured parabolic rate constants are shown to have the same dependence upon temperature and oxygen partial pressure.
Parvalbumin immunoreactivity is enhanced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in organotypic cultures of rat retina.

The rodent retina undergoes considerable postnatal neurogenesis and phenotypic differentiation, and it is likely that diffusible neurotrophic factors contribute to this development and to the subsequent formation of functional retinal circuitry. Accordingly, perturbation of specific neurotrophin ligand-receptor interactions has provided valuable information as to the fundamental processes underlying this development. In the present studies we have built upon our previous observation that suppression of expression of trk(B), the high-affinity receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in the postnatal rat retina results in the alteration of a specific interneuron in the rod pathway-the parvalbumin (PV)-immunoreactive AII amacrine cell. Here, we isolated retinas from newborn rats and maintained them in organotypic culture for up to 14 days (approximating the time of eye opening, in vivo) in the presence of individual neurotrophins [BDNF or nerve growth factor (NGF)]. We then examined histological sections of cultures for PV immunoreactivity. In control cultures, only sparse PV-immunostained cells were observed. In cultures supplemented with NGF, numerous lightly immunostained somata were present in the inner nuclear layer (INL) at the border of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Many of these cells had rudimentary dendritic arborizations in the IPL. Cultures supplemented with BDNF displayed numerous well-immunostained somata at the INL/IPL border that gave rise to elaborate dendritic arborizations that approximated the morphology of mature AII amacrine cells in vivo. These observations indicate that neurotrophins have specific effects upon the neurochemical and, perhaps, morphological differentiation of an important interneuron in a specific functional retinal circuit.
Vitamin B12S-promoted model rearrangement of methylmalonate to succinate is not a free radical reaction.

Abstract To probe for free radical intermediates in the model methylmalonate to succinate rearrangements promoted by vitamin B12s, a model series with a pentenyl side chain radical trap has been devised. The control free radical, generated by tri-n-butyltin hydride treatment of bromomethyl-pentenylmalonate thioester, undergoes rapid cyclization to the six-membered ring, and, as anticipated, no succinate rearrangement product is detected. By contrast when the bromide is treated with vitamin B12s, little cyclized product is observed; the major product is the pentenyl succinate. This result demonstrates that the latter rearrangement does not follow a free radical pathway.
Exploring Dynamic Events of Bacterial Microcompartment Shell Pores

Bacterial Microcompartments (BMCs) are proteinaceous organelles that sequester key metabolic reactions to increase enzymatic efficiency and prevent the loss of volatile or cytotoxic intermediates. 7 distinct BMC-type operons have been identified in 20-25% of bacteria, including BMCs involved in carbon fixation, propanediol catabolism, and ethanolamine catabolism. Ranging from 100 to 150 nm in width, BMCs are encapsulated in a protein shell consisting of hexagonal tiles of the conserved BMC-fold proteins. The BMC-fold proteins homo-oligomerize into hexameric or pseudo-hexameric assemblies with unique functionalities. High resolution X-ray determined structures have previously elucidated the organization and tiling interactions of several shell proteins from BMCs. However, it remains unknown how small molecule metabolites may enter or exit the BMC, passing through the protein shell; nor how intermediates may be trapped inside. Here, we present initial findings using current methods in Molecular Dynamics to investigate BMC shell pores, including: (1) Metadynamics and Umbrella Sampling to probe the free energy profile of small molecule metabolites at predicted routes through BMC shell protein hexamer pores; (2) Accelerated MD and Targeted MD to observe the conformational change between BMC shell protein pseudo-hexamers that have been solved in open and closed pore conformations. These experiments shed insight on BMC shell pore dynamics and function, furthering our understanding of BMC systems.
Microfluidic Generation of Adhesion Gradients Through 3D Collagen Gels: Implications for Neural Tissue Engineering

During development, neurites are directed by gradients of attractive and repulsive soluble (chemotactic) cues and substrate-bound adhesive (haptotactic) cues. Many of these cues have been extensively researched in vitro, and incorporated into strategies for nerve and spinal cord regeneration, primarily to improve the regenerative environment. To enhance and direct growth, we have developed a system to create 1D gradients of adhesion through a 3D collagen gel using microfluidics. We test our system using collagen grafted with bioactive peptide sequences, IKVAV and YIGSR, from laminin — an extra-cellular matrix (ECM) protein known to strongly influence neurite outgrowth [1, 2]. Gradients are established from 0.14 mg/ml–0, and 0.07 mg/ml–0 of each peptide and tested using chick dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Neurite growth is evaluated 5 days after gradient formation. Neurites show increased growth in the gradient system when compared to control and biased growth up the gradient of peptides. These results demonstrate that neurite growth can be enhanced and directed by controlled, immobilized, haptotactic gradients through 3D scaffolds, and suggest that including these gradients in regenerative therapies may accelerate nerve and spinal cord regeneration.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
An efficient, selective collisional ejection mechanism for inner-shell population inversion in laser-driven plasmas

A theoretical analysis of laser-driven collisional ejection of inner-shell electrons is presented to explain the previously observed anomalous kilovolt L-shell x-ray emission spectra from atomic Xe cluster targets excited by intense sub-picosecond 248nrn ultraviolet radiation. For incident ponderomotively-driven electrons photoionized by strong above threshold ionization, the collisional ejection mechanism is shown to be highly l-state and significantly n-state (i.e. radially) selective for time periods shorter than the collisional dephasing time of the photoionized electronic wavefunction. The resulting preference for the collisional ejection of 2p electrons by an ionized 4p state produces the measured anomalous Xe(L) emission which contains direct evidence for (i) the generation of Xe{sup 27+}(2p{sup 5}3d{sup 10}) and Xe{sup 28+}(2p{sup 5}3d{sup 9}) ions exhibiting inner-shell population inversion and (ii) a coherent correlated electron state collision responsible for the production of double 2p vacancies. For longer time periods, the selectivity of this coherent impact ionization mechanism is rapidly reduced by the combined effects of intrinsic quantum mechanical spreading and dephasing--in agreement with the experimentally observed and extremely strong {minus}{lambda}{sup {minus}6} pump-laser wavelength dependence of the efficiency of inner-shell (2p) vacancy production in Xe clusters excited in underdense plasmas.
Extremum Seeking for Model Reference Adaptive Control

Adaptive control with predictable parameter convergence has remained a challenge for several decades. In the special case of set point adaptation, extremum seeking permits predictable parameter convergence by design. This is because persistency of excitation requirements are met by the sinusoidal perturbation that is part of the basic control design. Here we present results of extremum seeking based adaptation of model reference control of a simple roll rate model of a flxed wing aircraft. We show simulation results where adaptive tracking is achieved, and the convergence of parameters conforms to predictions from the theory of extremum seeking. In the case of actuator failure, we show that the parameter convergence proofs of extremum seeking are directly applicable.
Metabolism and Biological Activity of Gibberellin A4 in Vegetative Shoots of Zea mays, Oryza sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana

[17–13C,3H]Gibberellin A4 (GA4) was injected into the shoots of tall (W23/L317), dwarf-1 (d1), and dwarf-5 (d5) Zea mays L. (maize); tall (cv Nipponbare), dwarf-x (dx), and dwarf-y (dy) Oryza sativa L. (rice); and tall (ecotype Landsberg erecta), ga4, and ga5 Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. [13C]GA4 and its metabolites were identified from the shoots by full-scan gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Kovats retention indices. GA4 was metabolized to GA1 in all nine genotypes. GA4 was also metabolized in some of the genotypes to 3-epi-GA1, GA2, 2[beta]-OH-GA2, 3-epi-GA2, endo-GA4, 16[alpha], 17-H2–16, 17-(OH)2-GA4, GA34, endo-GA34, GA58, 15-epi-GA63, GA71, and 16-epi-GA82. No evidence was found for the metabolism of GA4 to GA7 or of GA4 to GA3. The bioactivities of GA4 and GA1 were determined using the six dwarf mutants for assay. GA4 and GA1 had similar activities for the maize and rice mutants. For the Arabidopsis mutants, GA4 was more active than GA1 at low dosages; GA4 was less active than GA1 at higher dosages.
Relation Between the Compressive Strength and Porosity of Autoclaved Calcium Silicate Hydrates

Calcium silicate hydrates were produced by high-pressure steam curing of compacted mixtures of hydrated lime, ground quartz, and water using various lime/silica ratios, molding pressures, and times and temperatures of curing. Compressive strengths ranged from 825 to 32,000 psi and porosities from 0.25 to 0.45. The strengths depended chiefly on total porosity and pore size distribution; phase composition was of secondary importance with certain exceptions. In general, strength decreased as the proportion of larger pores increased. Compressive strengths were best fitted by the Bal'shin relation, S=S0(1-ɛ)m, or by the Ryshkewitch relation, S=S0e−be, where S=strength of porous material, S0=theoretical strength of similar nonporous material, ɛ=porosity, and b and m=empirical constants.
Correlation between heterozygosity and subunit molecular weight

GENIC heterozygosity at enzyme loci has been examined for correlation with parameters as diverse as substrate specificity1, physiological function2 and quaternary structure3. However, none of these has provided an adequate explanation for allozymic variation in general. One report4 suggested a positive relationship for Drosophila enzymes between heterozygosity and subunit molecular weight (MW), which can be equated to the size of the structural gene element. Various models, both neutral and selective, would predict a correlation between gene size and variability5–7. Recently, a similar correlation has been found within three classes of vertebrates8,31, and between the number of rare alleles and subunit size in human populations9,10. We report here that we have tested the relationship between heterozygosity and subunit size in Drosophila species with a new selection of enzymes. Our results indicate that the correlation is indeed general. The relationship is quasi-linear and does not differ significantly from several models. The results support the hypothesis that there are constraints on the number of sites available to charge substitution within an enzyme molecule.
An analysis of the shapes of sea ice ridges

Abstract An analysis has been made of the salient features of 112 first-year and 64 multi-year sea ice ridges. Based on this information, the important characteristics of the ridges have been related through simple equations. In particular, the ratio of the keel-depth to sail-height was found to be 4.4 for first-year ridges, and 3.3 for multi-year ridges; the ratio of the keel-area to sail-area was 8.0 for first-year ridges and 8.8 for multi-year ridges. Also, for first-year ridges, the ratio of the keel-width to sail-height was approximately 15, and the ratio of the keel-width to keel-depth was 3.9. An analysis of the sail and keel angles indicates a distribution of values with an average sail angle of 21° for temperate ridges, and 33° for ridges in the Beaufort Sea. In this paper, the results of this analysis are described, and the important ridge characteristics are discussed.
Finite Element Modeling of Space Charge Phenomena on the Nanoscale

The NernstPlanckPoisson (NPP) system of equations provides a continuum model for the behavior of interfacial charge in solid ionic conductors. Despite the obvious limitations in using such models to describe systems a few atomic diameters in extent, the success of the PoissonBoltzmann equation in modeling the electrostatic interactions of individual molecules with their ionic atmospheres suggests that continuum solutions have some value as a first approximation in describing charge distributions in nanoparticles and thin layers. Except for static charge distributions onedimensional geometries, solution of the NPP equations requires numerical approximation. Here we examine the applicability of the finite element method to the study of space charge phenomena in selected 1 and 2dimensional geometries, comparison to exactly soluble onedimensional cases to gauge the validity of the results.
Synthesizing partial component-level behavior models from system specifications

Initial system specifications, such as use-case scenarios and properties, only partially specify the future system. We posit that synthesizing partial component-level behavior models from these early specifications can improve software development practices. In this paper, we provide a novel algorithm for deriving a Modal Transition System (MTS) for individual system components from system-level scenario and property specifications. The generated MTSs capture the possible component implementations that (1) necessarily provide the behavior required by the scenarios, (2) restrict behavior forbidden by the properties, and (3) leave the behavior that is neither explicitly required nor forbidden as undefined. We also show how our algorithm helps to discover potential design flaws.
Differential Runway Performance Using Goal Box Placement and Running Trials as Discriminative Stimuli

Two experiments compared the effects of reinforced, partially reinforced and nonreinforced intertrial goal box placements (ITR, ITP, and ITN respectively) on runway performance. In Experiment I dif...
Failure Analysis of a Buried Pipeline Transporting Gas

The purposes of this study are to present a general analysis for the failure of a buried steel pipeline and to apply the results to a case study. Energy methods and classical beam theory are employed to model the pipeline behavior under simultaneous tension and transverse loading, loadings that arise from pipeline undermining. The mathematical model is used to explain a case study in which a pipeline conveying natural gas to an apartment building was undermined by the collapse of an adjacent, unshored trench wall. The fact that the ground in the vicinity was water soaked from a broken water supply line exacerbated the sinking of the pipeline into the trench, a movement that broke the pipeline at a T-joint downstream from the trench. This failure led to a substantial gas explosion and fire in the apartment building, which resulted in five injuries and three fatalities of the residents. In this case study, postaccident forensic data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were employed in a general analysis to explain the failure. These data include eye-witness accounts, an engineering survey map of the pipeline resting in the trench, photographs of the site and of the failed pipeline section, and tensile test and corrosion analysis reports for the pipeline steel. This study illustrates the importance of shoring the walls of trenches to avoid undermining and damaging adjacent buried pipelines.
Oncocytic and oncocyte-like lesions of the head and neck.

Abstract An oncocyte is a cell containing an abundant amount of deeply eosinophilic finely granular cytoplasm, rounded nuclei, and variable presence of nucleoli in conventional hematoxylin-eosin–stained sections. In the head and neck, a small number of lesions are constructed overwhelmingly of oncocytes; a larger number of nononcocytic lesions composed of cells that imitate this morphology are also encountered. Correlating the fine-needle aspiration cytology and histology of both oncocytic and oncocyte-like neoplasms can assist in avoiding interpretive pitfalls among these lesions.
Capturing the Naturally Occurring Superior Performance of Experts in the Laboratory Toward a Science of Expert and Exceptional Performance

Expertise researchers have traditionally shied away from studying the highest levels of achievement in favor of studying basic cognitive processes, such as memory and categorization. In this article, we present a different approach that is focused on capturing superior (expert) performance on representative tasks that reveal the essential characteristics of expertise in a given domain. In domains where expert performance is measurable, acquisition is gradual and the highest levels are only attained after 10 years of intense preparation—even for the most “talented.” Analyses of reproducibly superior performance show that it is mediated by physiological adaptations and cognitive skills acquired as a result of the cumulative effects of special practice activities (deliberate practice). It appears that the genes necessary to attain such adaptations and expert skills can be activated in healthy children—the only clear exceptions to date being genes that control body size and height. Our knowledge of how expert...
Applying a project management approach to survey research projects that use qualitative methods

A systematic approach to manage project processes is often a necessity on large and complex quantitative surveys (Weeks 2011; Piskurich 2012). However, the use of a project management approach is not well documented on survey research projects that use qualitative methods. This is possibly because qualitative research studies often do not involve a large sample and vary in the degree of structure. While less common than for quantitative studies, large and complex qualitative research studies are commissioned to provide an in-depth, ethnographic picture of topics that are not well understood by only looking at the “numbers.” Our efforts to apply and integrate a project management approach on a large qualitative research study (276 qualitative interviews; large team of interviewers and recruiters; complex recruitment and processes) offer an opportunity to estimate the impact of these efforts on the success of the study and on data quality. We also provide recommendations on project management for future qualitative research studies.