cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limitations of the metabolic rate meter for measuring oxygen consumption and cardiac output

Over the past few years, a metabolic rate meter has been introduced for easy measurement of oxygen consumption. However, its accuracy is unproved. In 40 patients (26 men, 14 women, ages 34 to 73 years), cardiac output was measured simultaneously by thermodilution and the Fick method using the metabolic rate meter to quantitate oxygen consumption. In comparison with thermodilution, the results using the Fick method were low (5.26 +/- 1.18 vs 4.14 +/- 0.99 liters/min, respectively, p less than 0.01). In 18 patients cardiac output also was measured by the Fick method using a Douglas bag to quantitate oxygen consumption. In these patients, oxygen consumption measured with the metabolic rate meter was lower than that obtained using the Douglas bag (168 +/- 25 vs 216 +/- 42 ml/min, respectively, p less than 0.01). With the Douglas bag, the Fick and thermodilution cardiac output measurements were similar (4.68 +/- 1.08 vs 4.87 +/- 0.86 liters/min, respectively, difference not significant), and they differed by less than or equal to 10% in 15 patients. In contrast, with the metabolic rate meter, the results of thermodilution were higher than those with the Fick method (4.84 +/- 0.95 vs 3.60 +/- 0.71 liters/min, respectively, p less than 0.01), and differed by less than or equal to 10% in only 1 patient (p less than 0.01). Thus, the values for oxygen consumption and cardiac output obtained with the metabolic rate meter are lower than actual values. This device is less accurate than the Douglas bag.
The ophthalmic practice of the future

How will the ophthalmologist of the future practice? What will be the effect of government policy? How will this impact the mix of health care providers responsible for the delivery of eye care to patients? What part will health record technology play in clinical practice? These topics were discussed at the Knapp Symposium of the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Ophthalmological Society. The health care system within which ophthalmology will be practiced will be radically different, ruled by changes in collaboration, communication, and practice guidelines. Given the coming uncertainty of our professional lives, it is vital that we anticipate, contemplate, and plan for our futures.
Influence of Chronic Opioid Treatment on Low Km GTPase Activity in Rat Brain: Evidence for the Involvement of G-Proteins in Opioid Tolerance

Abstract To investigate G protein function during the initial state of opioid tolerance, low Km GTPase activity was measured following chronic treatment with morphine (μ agonist) and butorphanol (μ/δ/κ mixed agonist) in rats. Chronic opioid administration (20 mg/kg, IP) was performed once a day for 7 consecutive days. Under these conditions, antinociceptive tolerance to morphine but not butorphanol was developed. Chronic morphine treatment enhanced basal low Km GTPase activity in the pons/medulla, but not in the cortex and midbrain. On the other hand, chronic butorphanol treatment had no effect on basal low Km GTPase activity. These results suggest that chronic in vivo treatment of rats with μ agonists leads to an increase in the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP, by a basal low Km GTPase activity of G-proteins in the pons/medulla and that an enhancement of GTPase activity in this specific area may contribute to the development of antinociceptive tolerance to μ agonists.
Absolute Calibration of EMI Measurements and Application to Soil Magnetic Susceptibility Inference

This paper presents a method for determining a conversion factor for electromagnetic induction (EMI) survey measurements so that fields received in an instrument’s native units can be translated into standard (“absolute”) EM units. The method is non-invasive, requiring only a rudimentary characterization of the instrument, such as loop geometry and the basic nature of the output such as the magnetic field, differencing of magnetic field, or time derivative of magnetic field. It does not require knowledge of the device’s internal electrical engineering features, such as amplification, filtering, or transfer functions between components. The technique proceeds by comparing data from controlled measurements to model results, and thus allows one to do similar comparisons henceforth. As an example application and reasonableness check, we use a particular frequency domain (FD) instrument to infer soil magnetic susceptibility value in situ directly from survey data. The same methodology is applied to a new time ...
Toxicity of fatty acids in assays for mycotoxins using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina).

Abstract An investigation of potential mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus sydowi involved an established technique based on the toxicity of mycotoxins towards larvae of the brine shrimp (Artemia salina). Fractionation of toxic extracts from the fungus showed that a major part of the observed toxicity resided in the fatty acid fraction, of which linoleic acid was a major component. Further investigations showed that some common naturally occurring fatty acids possess toxicity towards the brine shrimp comparable with that of several known mycotoxins.
Negative differential resistance in a strained-layer quantum-well structure with a bound state

Strained‐layer resonant tunneling structures of pseudomorphic GaAs‐AlAs‐In0.09Ga0.91As‐AlAs‐GaAs are studied both experimentally and with a simple quantum mechanical model. The energy spectrum of the unbiased structure includes the usual resonant states and also bound states due to the narrow‐band gap InGaAs well. Strong tunneling (and negative differential resistance) are observed for the resonant states. We observe for the first time tunneling associated with a ‘‘bound‐state’’ energy level which result in a zero differential conductance feature. Qualitative agreement between the experimental and calculated results are shown.
Applications of improved stoichiometric model in medium design and fed-batch cultivation of animal cells in bioreactor

In our previous work (Xie and Wang, 1994a), a simplified stoichiometric model on energy metabolism for animal cell cultivation was developed. Fed-batch experiments were performed in T-flasks using this model in supplemental medium design (Xie and Wang, 1994b). In this work, the major pathways of glucose and glutamine metabolism were incorporated into the stoichiometric model. Fed-batch culture was conducted in a 2-liter bioreactor with appropriate process control strategies. Nutrient concentrations, especially glucose and glutamine, were maintained at constant but low levels through the automated feeding of a supplemental medium formulated using the improved stoichiometric model. The formation of toxic byproducts, such as ammonia and lactate (Hassell et al., 1991), was greatly reduced. The specific lactate production rate was decreased by 62-fold compared with batch culture in bioreactor and by 8-fold compared to fed-batch culture in T-flask using the previous stoichiometric model. Ammonia formation was also decreased compared with both the batch and fed-batch cultures. Most importantly, the monoclonal antibody concentration reached 900 mg l-1, an increase of 17- and 1.6-fold compared with the batch and fed-batch cultures respectively.
Iteration, not induction

The main purpose of this note is to present and justify proof via iteration as an intuitive, creative and empowering method that is often available and preferable as an alternative to proofs via either mathematical induction or the well-ordering principle. The method of iteration depends only on the fact that any strictly decreasing sequence of positive integers must terminate in finitely many steps. Four examples are presented using the method of iteration. These examples concern the factorization of integers or polynomials into products of primes, the calculation of quotients and remainders via the division algorithm (and, hence, of greatest common divisors via the Euclidean Algorithm) and the rank of matrices via elementary row and column operations. We also justify the method of proof by iteration by showing that its validity is a logical consequence of the method of mathematical induction. Various parts of this material would be suitable for courses on Precalculus, Discrete Mathematics, Abstract Alge...
Expression of Wild-type p53 Is Required for Efficient Global Genomic Nucleotide Excision Repair in UV-irradiated Human Fibroblasts

We have shown previously that Li-Fraumeni syndrome fibroblasts homozygous for p53 mutations are deficient in the removal of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers from genomic DNA, but still proficient in the transcription-coupled repair pathway (Ford, J. M., and Hanawalt, P. C. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 8876-8880). We have now utilized monoclonal antibodies specific for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers or 6-4 photoproducts, respectively, to measure their repair in UV-irradiated human fibroblasts. Cells homozygous for p53 mutations were deficient in the repair of both photoproducts, whereas cells heterozygous for mutant p53 exhibited normal repair of 6-4 photoproducts, but decreased initial rates of removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, compared with normal cells. The specificity of the effect of wild-type p53 on nucleotide excision repair was demonstrated in a p53 homozygous mutant cell line containing a tetracycline-regulated wild-type p53 gene. Wild-type p53 expression and activity were suppressed in the presence of tetracycline, whereas withdrawal of tetracycline resulted in the induction of p53 expression, cell cycle checkpoint activation, and DNA damage-induced apoptosis. The regulated expression of wild-type p53 resulted in the recovery of normal levels of repair of both cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts in genomic DNA, but did not alter the transcription-coupled repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Therefore, the wild-type p53 gene product is an important determinant of nucleotide excision repair activity in human cells.
Supporting Undergraduate Education with Realistic Laboratory Exercises and Research Experience

Abstract Higher education programs can offer hands-on experiences in the form of laboratory or field exercises, experiential learning, and undergraduate research opportunities to students, though at an increased cost in terms of financial, material, and personnel requirements. In a climate where institutions seek to streamline their dwindling budgets, it could be tempting to eliminate some of these programs to focus on more traditional classroom-based education. This outcome, if combined with the traits of the typical “millennial generation” student, raises the possibility that current and future student cohorts will lack practical experience in core areas. We argue that despite the challenges of garnering funding and institutional support, it is both possible and beneficial to provide undergraduates with the hands-on experiences, experiential learning, and exposure to research and management topics that enrich their education and better prepare them for entry-level positions or graduate school. We descri...
Photochemistry of triarylmethane dyes bound to proteins

Triarylmethanes represent a class of cationic dyes whose potential as photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy of neoplastic diseases has never been comprehensively evaluated. Here, the laser-induced photodecomposition of three triarylmethane dyes, crystal violet, ethyl violet, and malachite green, non-covalently bound to bovine serum albumin (a model biological target) was investigated. Upon laser excitation at 532 nm, the bleaching of the corresponding dye-protein molecular complexes follows spectroscopic patterns that suggest the formation of reduced forms of the dyes as major reaction photoproducts. That implies that an electron or hydrogen atom transfer from the protein to the dye's moiety within the guest-host complex is the first step of the photobleaching process. Since the availability of dissolved molecular oxygen was not identified as a limiting factor for the phototransformations to occur, these dyes can be seen as potential phototherapeutic agents for use in hypoxic areas of tumors. These triarylmethane dyes strongly absorb at relatively long wavelengths (absorption maximum around 600 nm; (epsilon) max approximately equals 105 M-1 cm-1), and only minor changes in their absorption characteristics are observed upon binding to the protein. However the binding event leads to a remarkable increase in their fluorescence quantum yield and photoreactivity.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Validation of in vivo myocardial strain measurement by Magnetic resonance tagging with sonomicrometry

AbstractOBJECTIVESThis study was designed to validate strain measurements obtained using magnetic resonance tagging with spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM). We compared circumferential seg...
Recurrent mitral regurgitation after repair: Should the mitral valve be re-repaired?

Objective We sought to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of reoperation for failed mitral valve repair. Methods One hundred forty-five patients with recurrent mitral regurgitation after primary mitral valve repair of degenerative leaflet prolapse underwent mitral valve reoperations between January 1, 1970, and January 1, 2005. The mean age was 66 years, and 102 (70%) were men. Results The mean duration from initial repair to reoperation was 4.1 years (standard deviation=± 5.1 years). Indications for reoperation were regurgitation alone (n = 109 [75%]), hemolysis (n = 27 [19%]), obstruction from systolic anterior motion (n = 3 [2%]), endocarditis (n = 3 [2%]) and stenosis-other (n = 3 [2%]). New pathology was found in 80 (55%) patients, and failure of the initial repair was found in 61 (42%) patients. The mitral valve was re-repaired in 64 (44%) patients and replaced in 81 (56%) patients. Early operative mortality was similar after re-repair and replacement (1.6% vs 4.9%, P = .38). Independent predictors of improved survival on multivariate analysis were mitral re-repair (hazard ratio=0.44, P = .03), younger age (hazard ratio=1.06, P = .001), and an operative indication of mitral regurgitation alone (hazard ratio=0.31, P = .005). Seven patients had a third mitral operation (all replacements), 6 after re-repair and 1 after replacement. At last follow-up echocardiogram (n = 96), ejection fraction was greater ( P P = .009) in patients undergoing re-repair compared with values in those undergoing valve replacement. Conclusion Recurrent mitral regurgitation after prior repair is frequently caused by new valve pathology. Mitral re-repair is performed in almost half of patients and is associated with superior survival, improved ejection fraction, and greater regression in ventricular dimension compared with valve replacement.
The effect of complex formation on the adsorption characteristics of heavy metals

In most aqueous environmental systems, inorganic and organic metal complexes represent a significant contribution to the total soluble metal. Metal adsorption is often a highly pH-dependent phenomena. Such behavior can generally be attributed to changes in metal speciation with solution acidity as well as variation in the extent of surface protonation. Thus, because adsorbability may vary drastically between different metal species, (e.g. Cu2+ (aq) compared to CuOH+) a knowledge of metal species distribution is essential to understanding and interpreting metal adsorption behavior. Organic complexation has been reported to enhance, suppress and have no perceptible effect on trace metal adsorption. Such differences arise because adsorption depends on factors such as the ligand/metal ratio, adsorbability of the free ligand, and various solution parameters (e.g. pH). Most important in determining the effect of complexation on adsorption is the adsorbability of the resulting complexes. Thus, it is difficult to make generalizations about the influence of organic complexation on metal adsorption. Adsorption of metal complexes is frequently reported to be predominantly coulombic in nature; that is, binding of an anionic or cationic complex to an oppositely charged colloidal particle. However, electrostatic forces can often represent an insignificant contribution to the total free energy of adsorption and can be overshadowed by chemical reactions with the surface, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic effects.
π ± and π 0 Production by Polarized Photons in the Resonance Region

We have measured the cross sections at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} c.m. for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ photoproduction with polarized photons. The photon energies ranged from 0.8 to 2.2 GeV. We compare the resonant "bumps" in the cross section with theoretical models. The measured asymmetry agrees with a quark-model calculation though the predicted cross sections are low.
Physiological causes of cotton fruit abscission under conditions of high temperature and enhanced ultraviolet-b radiation

An experiment was conducted in sunlit controlled environment growth chambers to determine the physiological mechanisms of fruit abscission of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. NuCOTN 33B) grown in high temperature and enhanced ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation. Six treatments included two levels of optimum (30/22°C) and high (36/28°C) day/night temperatures and three levels of biologically effective UV-B radiation (0, 7, and 14 kj m -2 per day). Both the temperature and UV-B treatments were imposed from seedling emergence through 79 days after emergence (DAE). High temperature did not negatively affect either leaf net photosynthetic rates (Pn) or abscission of cotton squares (floral buds with bracts) but significantly decreased boll retention. Plants exposed to 7 kj UV-B radiation retained 56% less bolls than the 0 kj UV-B control plants at 79 DAE, despite no significant differences in leaf Pn measured at squaring and flowering. At 53 DAE, leaf Pn of plants grown in high UV-B radiation (14 kj m -2 per day) decreased by 11%, whereas total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations in the leaves, floral buds, and young bolls decreased by 34, 32, and 20%, respectively, compared with the control plants. The high UV-B radiation significantly increased square abscission. Square abscission was not related to leaf TNC concentration but closely correlated with TNC in floral buds (r = -0.68, P < 0.001). Young boll abscission was highly correlated with TNC concentrations in both the leaves (r = -0.40, P < 0.01) and the bolls (r = -0.80, P < 0.001). Our results indicate that non-structural carbohydrate limitation in reproductive parts was a major factor associated with fruit abscission of cotton grown under high temperature and enhanced UV-B radiation conditions.
Solvation effects on photochemically-induced electron transfer from tris(bipyridyl)ruthenium to methylviologen

The effects of mixed solvent systems and anions on the rate of reaction of the title compounds were investigated. The results were shown to be best interpreted in terms of ion-pair formation and solvation-desolvation effects, in addition to the factors included in the outer-sphere electron transfer rate theory expounded by Marcus.
Experimental and modeling results of creep fatigue life of Inconel 617 and Haynes 230 at 850 C

Abstract Creep–fatigue testing of Ni-based superalloy Inconel 617 and Haynes 230 were conducted in the air at 850 °C. Tests were performed with fully reversed axial strain control at a total strain range of 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% and hold time at maximum tensile strain for 3, 10 or 30 min. In addition, two creep–fatigue life prediction methods, i.e. linear damage summation and frequency-modified tensile hysteresis energy modeling, were evaluated and compared with experimental results. Under all creep–fatigue tests, Haynes 230 performed better than Inconel 617. Compared to the low cycle fatigue life, the cycles to failure for both materials decreased under creep–fatigue test conditions. Longer hold time at maximum tensile strain would cause a further reduction in both material creep–fatigue life. The linear damage summation could predict the creep–fatigue life of Inconel 617 for limited test conditions, but considerably underestimated the creep–fatigue life of Haynes 230. In contrast, frequency-modified tensile hysteresis energy modeling showed promising creep–fatigue life prediction results for both materials.
Combining Item Response Theory and Diagnostic Classification Models: A Psychometric Model for Scaling Ability and Diagnosing Misconceptions

Traditional testing procedures typically utilize unidimensional item response theory (IRT) models to provide a single, continuous estimate of a student’s overall ability. Advances in psychometrics have focused on measuring multiple dimensions of ability to provide more detailed feedback for students, teachers, and other stakeholders. Diagnostic classification models (DCMs) provide multidimensional feedback by using categorical latent variables that represent distinct skills underlying a test that students may or may not have mastered. The Scaling Individuals and Classifying Misconceptions (SICM) model is presented as a combination of a unidimensional IRT model and a DCM where the categorical latent variables represent misconceptions instead of skills. In addition to an estimate of ability along a latent continuum, the SICM model provides multidimensional, diagnostic feedback in the form of statistical estimates of probabilities that students have certain misconceptions. Through an empirical data analysis, we show how this additional feedback can be used by stakeholders to tailor instruction for students’ needs. We also provide results from a simulation study that demonstrate that the SICM MCMC estimation algorithm yields reasonably accurate estimates under large-scale testing conditions.
Reasons of Love: Response to Wolf

According to Wolf’s fitting fulfillment view, meaningfulness depends on the person’s subjective attraction to an activity being grounded in ‘reasons of love’ that concern the objective value of those activities. In this short comment, I argue that ‘reasons of love’—and thus reasons for regarding as meaningful—are not limited to those having to do with the objective value of activities and relationships, but include also what I call ‘reasons for the initiated’ and ‘reasons for me’.
The Prozac Controversy

Listening to Prozac: A Psychiatrist Explores Antidepressant Drugs and the New Meaning of the Self, by PETER D. KRAMER. New York: Viking, 1993, $23.00 U.S.
Influence of high magnetic fields on exciton luminescence of Cd1−xMnxTe multiquantum wells

Abstract Photoluminescence from Cd1−xMnxTe multiquantum wells has been studied magnetic fields up to 21.8 Tesla. The spectra show large shifts to low energies with increasing fields. The major observations include apparent saturation of the shifts at higher fields, their anomalous temperature dependence, and a significant degree of anisotropy in the field directions parallel and perpendicular to the superlattice axis. The results support our arguments that the excitons are localized near the heterointerfaces and are substantially 2-dimensional.
Cloning, sequence and expression of a linear plasmid-based and a chromosomal homolog of chloroacetaldehyde dehydrogenase-encoding genes in Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10

The degradation of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) by Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10 proceeds via chloroacetaldehyde (CAA), a toxic intermediate in the cells if it is not metabolized further by the NAD(+)-dependent CAA dehydrogenases. Here, we describe the cloning, sequence and expression in Escherichia coli of aldA, a plasmid-located CAA dehydrogenase-encoding gene of GJ10 as well as a chromosomal homolog, designated aldB. The DNA-predicted amino acid (aa) sequences of the two proteins (505 aa in AldA and 506 aa in AldB) are 84% identical. The cloned aldA and aldB genes were verified by their expression in the E. coli T7 polymerase/promoter and the pUC lac promoter systems. The expression level of AldA and its enzymatic activity towards CAA were both higher than those of AldB. In a hybrid construct, the 3'end of aldB was able to complement, although not completely, the corresponding portion of aldA to produce a functional gene. Both AldA and AldB proteins of GJ10 share the highest degree of sequence identity with an acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) encoded by acoD of Alcaligenes eutrophus (77.3-78% identity). Together with at least three other ALDHs of prokaryotic origin, these proteins apparently form a special class of ALDHs whose expressions are dependent on RpoN factors. By pulsed-field gel electrophoresis the 225-kb pXAU1 plasmid encoding aldA was shown to be linear.
Action of acrylamide on selected enzymes of energy metabolism in denervated cat peripheral nerves.

Abstract The effect of acrylamide on selected glycolytic and citric acid cycle enzymes has been studied in denervated cat sciatic nerves in vitro and in vivo. The enzyme activity of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH), neuron specific enolase (NSE), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), has been examined in saline-perfused, desheathed and denervated peroneal (P) and tibial (T) nerves from cats treated with acrylamide (15 mg/kg/day, s.c.) or vehicle for 15 days. GAPDH activity in Schwann cells in denerevated P and T nerve stumps was 2.0- and 2.3-fold higher than normal P and T nerve values. GAPDH activity in Schwann cells in denervated P and T nerves of acrylamide-treated cats was markedly reduced (56% and 61% of untreated denervated nerves, respectively). LDH and SDH activities were unaffected by acrylamide and NSE activity was absent in denervated nerve stumps. Acrylamide (0.5 and 20 mM) inhibited GAPDH activity in denervated nerve homogenates by 67% and 29%, respectively. This study demonstrates that acrylamide inhibits GAPDH in Schwann cells. The significance of GAPDH inhibition by acrylamide in denervated nerves and its relation to distal axonopathy has been discussed.
Structural and kinetic studies on metallo-β-lactamase IMP-1.

In an effort to probe for metal binding to metallo-β-lactamase (MβL) IMP-1, the enzyme was overexpressed, purified, and characterized. The resulting enzyme was shown to bind 2 equiv of Zn(II), exhibit significant catalytic activity, and yield EXAFS results similar to crystallographic data previously reported. Rapid kinetic studies showed that IMP-1 does not stabilize a nitrocefin-derived reaction intermediate; rather, the enzyme follows a simple Michaelis mechanism to hydrolyze nitrocefin. Metal-substituted and metal-reconstituted analogues of IMP-1 were prepared by directly adding metal ion stocks to metal-free enzyme, which was generated by dialysis versus EDTA. UV–vis studies on IMP-1 containing 1 equiv of Co(II) showed a strong ligand-to-metal charge transition at 340 nm, and the intensity of this feature increased when the second equivalent of Co(II) was added to the enzyme. EXAFS fits on IMP-1 containing 1 equiv of Co(II) strongly suggest the presence of a metal–metal interaction, and EPR spectra of...
Why Does the Amazon Water Flow to the North after Its Discharge

Abstract Through a simple model, it is demonstrated that earth's sphericity (the beta effect) imposes a severe constraint on the discharge pattern near the equator. Using either bottom or lateral friction to counter the beta effect in the vorticity balance, the flow in the far field is confined to boundary layers either along the solid boundaries that are open on the anticyclonic side or along the equator to the west of the point source. Thus, for all possible orientation of the radial boundaries flanking the point source, there are either one or two branches receptive of the discharge in the far field depending on whether the open angle spanned by the two boundaries excludes the east direction. Even when the branching is permissible, it is further argued, based on symmetry of the governing equation, that the outflow is strongly favored toward the branch that deviates more from the east direction. Numerical solutions show that the bulk of the diversion of the discharge to this branch occurs within one fri...
A practical approach for the preparation of monofunctional azulenyl squaraine dye.

The synthesis of monofunctional azulenyl squaraine dye NIRQ700 is described. The essential azulene intermediate 3, 1-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-methylazulene, was achieved via [8+2] cycloaddition between lactone 2, 2H-3-methoxycarbonyl-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-one, and the in situ generated vinyl ethers under high temperature and pressure conditions. Methylation on the cycloheptatriene ring of 2-methyl azulene 6 via Meisenheimer-type intermediate following Schrott's method formed the carboxylic acid intermediate 9, 3-(2-methyl-azulen-4-yl)-propionic acid. Condensation of 9 with squaric acid provided the title compound NIRQ700 at moderate yields. The non-fluorescent squaraine dye NIRQ700 absorbed in a 600–700 nm range and potentially can be used to quench a number of available NIR fluorochromes in order to extend the spectrum of biological quenching assays.
Comment on “Communicating with uncertainty: A critical issue with probabilistic seismic hazard analysis”

Wang et al. (Eos, 18 November 2003, pp. 501, 506, 508) provide an interesting introduction to the heart of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). However, the criticisms of PSHA recited in the second half of the article do not tell the whole story. In particular, the limitations listed by Wang et al. apply equally to deterministic seismic hazard analysis, the only real alternative to PSHA. Deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard analyses employ earthquake hazard information in a somewhat different manner to estimate earthquake ground motion (shaking) hazard at a site [Reiter, 1990]. Both approaches model in the same manner the distribution of earthquake sources and the decay (attenuation) of earthquake ground motion with increasing distance from an earthquake. In a deterministic analysis, a particular damaging earthquake is chosen from among the possible damaging earthquakes that can affect a site (usually the earthquake expected to be the most damaging). Then the distribution of probable ground motions, represented as a median ground motion and its lognormal standard deviation, from one or several attenuation relations is used to select a ground motion hazard at the site.
Nutation sequences for magnetic resonance imaging in solids.

Novel radio-frequency NMR pulse sequences are presented and their application to imaging of solids with use of rf field gradients is discussed. The sequences cause a nuclear spin to precess about the static field direction at a rate proportional to the strength of certain of the pulses. This forced precession is independent of the resonance offset and of couplings to other spins. The pulse-sequence design is described by means of coherent averaging theory and is confirmed experimentally and numerically.
Energetics and neuron death: hibernating bears or starving refugees?

Abstract The argument is made that the evidence for “use it or lose it” in neuronal loss during aging is rather weak. The first half of the commentary focuses on the distinctly “wear and tear” flavor to the mechanism of action of excitotoxins, and the broad range of cases of neuron loss in which they play a role. The second half challenges the “use it or lose it” interpretation of the phenomenon of glucocorticoid-induced neuron death.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass alters tumor necrosis factor-α but not adiponectin signaling in immediate postoperative period in obese rats

Abstract Background Adiponectin has anti-inflammatory properties and is increased with weight loss. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that negatively regulates adiponectin. Previously, we have demonstrated that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) induces weight loss and improves steatosis in obese rats. We hypothesized that RYGB would alter the interplay of TNF-α and adiponectin signaling in the postoperative period. Methods Obese Sprague-Dawley male rats that had undergone RYGB (n = 5) or sham (n = 4) were euthanatized at 9 weeks postoperatively. The adiponectin levels from serial serum samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Adiponectin, adiponectin receptor 2, and TNF-α mRNA from adipose and liver samples were quantified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation; using a t test, P Results RYGB did not change the serum adiponectin, adipose tissue adiponectin mRNA, or hepatic adiponectin receptor 2 levels compared with the levels in the sham-operated rats ( P >.05). However, the TNF-α mRNA levels had decreased in the adipose tissue ( P >.05) but remained unchanged in the liver compared with the sham controls ( P >.05). Conclusion Surgically-induced weight loss in a rat model of RYGB did not increase adiponectin signaling in the immediate postoperative period but was associated with decreased pro-inflammatory signaling in the adipose tissue. During this period, pro-inflammatory signaling might play a more important role than adiponectin. Additional studies with longer follow-up are necessary to determine whether adiponectin plays a role in weight loss and improvement of steatosis after RYGB.
Pauli-Dirac matrix generators of Clifford Algebras

This article presents a Pauli-Dirac matrix approach to Clifford Algebras. It is shown that the algebra C2 is generated by two Pauli matrices iσ2 and iσ3; C3 is generated by the three Pauli matrices σ1, σ2, σ3; C4 is generated by four Dirac matrices γ0, γ1, γ2, γ3 and C5 is generated by five Dirac matrices iγ0, iγ1, iγ2, iγ3, iγ5. The higher dimensional anticommuting matrices which generate arbitrarily high order Clifford algebras are given in closed form. The results obtained with this Clifford algebra approach are compared with the vector product method which was described in a recent article [Found. Phys.10, 531–553 (1980) by Poole, Farach and Aharonov] and with the Dirac, Rashevskii and Ramakrishnan methods of matrix generation.
Automotive Applications of Sliding Mode Control

Abstract This paper reviews recent automotive applications of sliding mode control. The design methods discussed include sliding mode optimization, integral sliding mode and higher order sliding mode. Examples of applications of conventional sliding mode as well as advanced techniques in vehicle suspension control, engine throttle position control, parameter estimation and fault diagnosis are summarized.
Going Green: Phytohormone Mimetics for Drought Rescue

Plants must respond to environmental changes in order to thrive. Upon sensing drought, plants protect themselves from water loss by a cascade of events, including rapid closure of stomata on their leaf surfaces and gene expression ([Cutler et al., 2010][1]). Drought severity and duration may
Articulator modification for maxillofacial prosthesis

A modification has been described which will permit the use of a face-bow for maxillofacial prosthesis construction. Any inferior positioning of the maxillary cast can now be compensated for by increasing the condylar inclination to maintain the correct relationship to the occlusal plane. By modifying an existing articulator, versatility has been achieved and the extreme cost of a new instrument has been avoided. While this design does not solve the problems encountered with maxillofacial prostheses, it does serve to make fabrication of prostheses easier for both the dental laboratory technician and the dentist.
Numerical Study of a Wing-Tip Vortex Using the Euler Equations

Theissueofexcessivediffusionofwing-tipvortexcalculationsisaddressed.Inparticular,asecond-orderaccurate pressure-based e nite volume algorithm was employed to solve the Euler equations for the e ow over a NACA 0012 rectangular wing at an angle of attack of 5 deg. A computational mesh was constructed that allowed for very localized grid clustering about the wing tip and about the vortex centerline over arbitrary downstream distances. Comparisons with existing experimental data show that the vortex strength and core radius are well preserved at a distance of 10 chords downstream from the wing leading edge. It is concluded that by employing well-designed computationalgrids, second-orderaccuratenumerical algorithmsmay present aviablealternativeto higher-order schemes in the solution of the tip vortex problem.
Differential effect of first versus second concussive episodes on wavelet information quality of EEG.

Objective Recent reports have suggested that long-term residual brain dysfunctions from mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) that are often overlooked by clinical criteria may be detected using advanced research methods. The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of EEG wavelet information quality measures (EEG-IQ) in monitoring alterations of brain functions as well as to determine the differential rate of recovery between the first and second concussive episodes.
The Contributions of Applied Behavior Analysis to the Education of People With Autism

Among the numerous treatments available for helping to educate people with autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the best empirically evaluated, as many articles in this dual-volume special issue document. Unfortunately, the best supported treatments are not always the best disseminated or accepted. Recently, however, ABA has emerged with widespread recognition beyond the limited community of academic and behavioral psychologists and special educators. In fact, ABA has been recognized by the surgeon general of the United States as the treatment of choice for autism in his mental health report for children: “Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). Corroborating the surgeon general’s recommendation are state governments in New York (Department of Health, 1999) and California (Collaborative Work Group on Autistic Spectrum Disorders, 1997), as well as a collaborative group in Maine (MADSEC Autism Taskforce, 1999). New York and Maine reference the unparalleled quantity of outcome research supporting behavior analytic instruction and its best-practice features (see Jacobson, 2000). Beyond governmental organizations, the popular media has begun to recognize and educate the public about ABA treatment for autism. For example, ABC broadcast a Nightline episode endorsing ABA early intervention for children with autism
Parental Relationships, Socioeconomic Status, and Sex-Role Expectations.

The responses of university women to a scale composed of items reflective of traditional expectations for females are examined. Women who reject such stereotyped expectations had poor childhood relationships with their fathers, and the women who endorse the expectations had good paternal relationships. This is a class-specific pattern most characteristic of those of lower socioeconomic background. No similar effect was found when childhood relationships with mothers were considered. Implications of fathers' influence on daughters' sex-role orientations are considered.
On the representation of optimal fixed-lag smoothers for continuous-time random processes†

Dynamic representations in the form of stable partial differential equations are developed for continuous-time, optimal, fixed-lag smoothing for non-stationary random processes. Previous results for stationary random processes are extended, and suitable finite-dimensional approximations for both the stationary and non-stationary cases are considered. The need for a new device technology which will render continuous-time, fixed-lag smoothing a viable signal processing technique with wide ranging applications in control and communications is discussed.
Materials for ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant boilers

Abstract The efficiency of conventional fossil power plants is a strong function of the steam temperature and pressure. Research to increase both has been pursued worldwide, since the energy crisis in the 1970s. The need to reduce CO 2 emission has recently provided an additional incentive to increase efficiency. The main enabling technology in achieving the above goals has been the development of stronger high-temperature materials. Extensive R&D programs have resulted in numerous high strength alloys for heavy section piping, and tubing needed to build boilers. The study reported here is aimed at identifying, evaluating and qualifying the materials needed for the construction of the critical components of coal-fired boilers capable of operating with 760 °C (1400 °F)/35 MPa (5000 psi) steam. The economic viability of such a plant has been explored. Candidate alloys applicable to various ranges of temperature have been identified. Stress rupture tests have been completed on the base metal and on welds to a number of alloys. Steamside oxidation tests in an autoclave at 650 (1200 °F) and 800 °C (1475 °F) have been completed. Fireside corrosion tests have been conducted under conditions simulating those of waterwalls and superheater/reheater tubes. Weldability and fabricability of the alloys have been investigated. The capability of various overlay coatings and diffusion coatings have been examined. This paper provides a status report on the progress achieved to date on this project.
Predicting metabolic cost of level walking

Energy expenditure in walking is usually expressed as a function of walking speed. However, this relationship applies only to freely adopted step length-step rate patterns. Both the step length and the step rate must be used to predict the energy expenditure for any combination of step length and step rate. Evidence on seven subjects indicates that the energy demand for such a combination can be determined by conducting two experiments. In the first, the subject is allowed to freely choose his own walking pattern to achieve a set of prescribed speeds. In the second, the speed is kept constant but the subject is forced to adopt a range of prescribed step rates. The results of the two experiments combined yield enough data to make possible the determination of the energy equation of the pattern, encompassing both “free” and “forced” gaits. Results show that the freely chosen step rate requires the least oxygen consumption at any given speed. Any other forced step rate at the same speed increases the oxygen cost over that required for the “free” step rate.
Use of light-extinction method and inverse modeling to study aerosols in the Paso del Norte Airshed

A light-extinction technique for monitoring aerosols was used in conjunction with a robust inverse reconstruction model to retrieve aerosol size distribution. Results for the columnar aerosol size distribution for the Paso del Norte Airshed for two different pollution scenarios and at two different seasons were presented. These are well correlated with experimental surface aerosol data for this region. It was observed that, for the clean day scenario, the summer case showed a greater columnar concentration of smaller size aerosols than the winter case. Results for the columnar aerosol size distribution in the polluted day scenario demonstrated that the concentration of aerosols were greater in the summer than in the winter. In addition, HYSPLIT backward trajectories were used to identify pollution sources.
Survey of health-system pharmacy leadership pathways

Purpose. The results of a survey comparing the similarities and differences in health-system pharmacy leadership pathways are reported. Methods. The link to an online questionnaire was e-mailed to pharmacy leaders subscribing to ASHP’s Pharmacy Practice Manager listserver. All respondents were asked to provide their career pathway, their thoughts on the most valued skill sets to a health-system pharmacy leader, and the influence that their leadership pathway had on these skill sets. Pharmacy middle managers were asked if they desired to become a health-system pharmacy director, and pharmacy directors were asked to provide their hiring preferences for new health-system pharmacy leaders. Results. Two-hundred-five individuals responded to the survey. On-the-job experience (40%) was identified as the most common leadership pathway of current health-system pharmacy leaders. Respondents classified medication-use policy (26%), human resource management (20%), and interpersonal skills (18%) as the most valued skill sets to a health-system pharmacy leader. Residency and degree programs were most thought to prepare future health-system pharmacy leaders for interpersonal relations, ethical decision-making, and finance and budget management. Sixty percent of eligible respondents stated that they were interested in seeking health-system pharmacy director positions. The majority of director of pharmacy respondents stated that they preferred to hire leaders with previous on-the-job experience. Conclusion. On-the-job-experience was identified as the most common leadership pathway by survey respondents. Medication-use policy, human resource management, and interpersonal skills were identified by respondents as the most valued skill sets to a health-system pharmacy leader.
Developmental Change in Young Children's Use of Haptic Information in a Visual Task: The Role of Hand Movements.

Preschoolers who explore objects haptically often fail to recognize those objects in subsequent visual tests. This suggests that children may represent qualitatively different information in vision and haptics and/or that children's haptic perception may be poor. In this study, 72 children (2½-5 years of age) and 20 adults explored unfamiliar objects either haptically or visually and then chose a visual match from among three test objects, each matching the exemplar on one perceptual dimension. All age groups chose shape-based matches after visual exploration. Both 5-year-olds and adults also chose shape-based matches after haptic exploration, but younger children did not match consistently in this condition. Certain hand movements performed by children during haptic exploration reliably predicted shape-based matches but occurred at very low frequencies. Thus, younger children's difficulties with haptic-to-visual information transfer appeared to stem from their failure to use their hands to obtain reliable haptic information about objects.
Medication errors in pediatrics--the octopus evading defeat

Medication errors have come to the forefront in healthcare and oversight organizations as well as to the public over the past several years. There has been an increasing focus on this area of patient care requiring more intensive evaluation and intervention to prevent these errors. Although it is difficult to ascertain the true occurrence of medication errors, they may occur as frequently as once in every 20 orders. Children are at higher risk for medication errors and adverse drug events for numerous reasons. Not only is there great variability in weight and body surface area in this population, there is also significant differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many medications when compared to adults. In addition, our knowledge of pharmacogenetics and phenotypic ontogeny must be applied. Sources of medication errors are identified, and specific examples and solutions to improve medication use in children are provided. It is critical to have 1) personnel trained in pediatrics to prescribe, prepare, dispense and administer medications, 2) a quality review system in place to review drug use and medication errors, and 3) to implement computerized physician order entry with decision support and other tools in the next decade to improve pharmacologic therapy for pediatric patients.