cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1226 DEPRESSED CELLULAR ZINC UPTAKE IN ANENCEPHALY AND SPINA BIFIDA

Top of pageAbstract Zinc is essential for normal embryonic growth and differentiation. A high rate of fetal neural tube defects occurs in pregnancies of women with untreated acrodermatitis enteropathica and in experimental gestational zinc deficiency in rats; however, serum zinc is normal in children with spina bifida and in mothers of anencephalics during gestation. Confluent cultures of skin fibroblasts from two term newborns with anencephaly and lumbar meningomyelocele and three age-matched controls were studied in triplicate in six experiments. 65ZnC12 (2 μCi, 55 nM Zn++, 2 × 105 cells) was added in fresh media (10% horse serum) and counted in whole washed cell suspensions at 24 hours. 65Zn uptake was significantly (p < .001) lower in the infants with neural tube defects (281 ±9.5 cpm/μg DNA) compared to controls (382 ±50.7). The rate of zinc uptake was repeatable in each cell line. These results may reflect an abnormality of cellular zinc metabolism in infants with neural tube defects. We postulate that depressed embryonic uptake of zinc, perhaps due to heritable regulatory mechanisms, limits cellular differentiation during critical periods and thereby contributes to defective CNS formation.
TEM Characterization of Corrosion Products Formed on a Stainless Steel-Zirconium Alloy

The corrosion products formed on a stainless steel-15Zr (SS-15Zr) alloy have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Examination of alloy particles that were immersed in 90’C deionized water for two years revealed that different corrosion products were formed on the stainless steel and intermetallic phases. Two corrosion products were identified on an austenite particle: trevorite (NiFe2O4) in the layer close to the metal and maghemite (Fe2O3) in the outer layer. The corrosion layer formed on the intermetallic was uniform, adherent, and amorphous. The EDS analysis indicated that the layer was enriched in zirconium when compared with the intermetallic composition. High-resolution TEM images of the intermetallic-corrosion layer interface show an interlocking metal-oxide interface which may explain the relatively strong adherence of the corrosion layer to the intermetallic surface. These results will be used to evaluate corrosion mechanisms and predict long-term corrosion behavior of the alloy waste form.
Diffuse Phase Transitions: Specific-Heat Anomaly

A theory for diffuse phase transitions is developed. The isothermal-isobaric partition function is expressed in terms of molecular partition functions and related to the thermodynamic properties of the system. The theory has been applied in detail to the lambda-point anomaly found in ammonium hexafluosilicate at 38.6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and it is found that the specific-heat curve can be generated using only one numerical constant, which relates to the free energy of formation of a boundary phase. Results are also presented for five other systems. In the region of the lambda point, the theory predicts that both phases coexist, and that the lines characteristic of both phases would be visible on x-ray diagrams. A quantitative prediction is made of the broadening of the x-ray diffraction lines (for powder diagrams) at the lambda point.
Inquilinitermes johnchapmani, a New Termite (Isoptera: Termitidae: Termitinae) from the Llanos of North Central Bolivia

Inquilinitermes johnchapmani is described from soldiers and workers collected in the Llanos de Mojos of Bolivia. This is the fourth and the smallest species of the genus. Unlike its congeners, I. johnchapmani is not an inquiline of Constrictotermes spp. nests although an association with Cornitermes snyderi nests is likely.
Influence of Selected Weedy and Weed-free Sugarcane Habitats on Diet Composition and Foraging Activity of the Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Imported fire ant (IFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, diet composition and foraging activity investigations in selected weedy sugarcane habitats showed that the most frequent foraging occurred in grass habitats, which also had the greatest vegetation density and above-ground biomass. Predation observed on immature leafhoppers, adult dipterans, phytophagous insects (collectively), and on foliage-associated fauna was greater ( P < 0.05) in grass than in broadleaf or weed-free habitats. Sweep net counts of foliage-associated arthropods revealed highest relative abundance in grass ( n = 828) versus weed-free ( n = 141) habitats. Greatest species diversity (H' = 3.464) occurred in broadleaf habitats. IFA prey capture efficiency was lower in broadleaf than in weed-free habitats, possibly due to pollen and nectar foraging, and was lower in grass habitats, probably as a result of predator satiation. Based on the results obtained, broadleaf plants are expected to provide more prey per amount of dry biomass (g/m2) than grasses or sugarcane alone. These data show that IFA population levels can be enhanced through judicious vegetation management. This enhancement would result in increased ecological stability of the sugarcane crop protection system.
Spousal Vacation-Buying Decision Making Revisited across Time and Place

Understanding family/spousal vacation decision making is important to tourism marketers. Twenty-five years ago, Jenkins divided the process into multiple subdecisions, such as where to visit or how much to spend, and studied how a sample of U.S. families allocated their decision-making responsibility for these decisions between the spouses. The current research, based on Jenkins’s work, uses recent data extracted from two sample populations, one from the United States and the other composed of Singaporean couples, to revisit the question. Whereas Jenkins found a large percentage of decision making to have been “husband-dominant,” the current studies each found a significant trend toward joint decision making. The article discusses the apparent trend and suggests, a generation after Jenkins’ work, how these new findings may be of value to tourism marketers promoting the family vacation product.
A controller tool for transition airspace

This paper describes simulation and field test evaluation of an integrated decision support tool for trial planning and arrival metering in transition airspace, i.e., en route airspace near the terminal area. The challenge for this tool will be to solve tactical arrival-metering problems. The tool calculates fuelefficient descent trajectories, arrival sequencing and metering, and includes a trial-planning function for conflict resolution. Simulation evaluations were conducted at NASA Ames in April and July of 1998 and field-test evaluation was conducted at Fort Worth Center in November 1998. Results indicate the trialplaMing function provided benefits for strategic conflict resolution but controllers preferred not to use it in the more tactical arrival-metering environment. Controllers often used the trial planner to determine if a direct route to a downstream fix along the aircraft’s route of flight was feasible. The test also confirmed the high controller acceptance of the trial-planning capability.
Quantitative analysis of growth and volatile fatty acid production by the anaerobic ruminal bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii T81

Megasphaera elsdenii T81 grew on either DL-lactate or D-glucose at similar rates (0.85 h(-1)) but displayed major differences in the fermentation of these substrates. Lactate was fermented at up to 210-mM concentration to yield acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids. The bacterium was able to grow at much higher concentrations of D-glucose (500 mM), but never removed more than 80 mM of glucose from the medium, and nearly 60 % the glucose removed was sequestered as intracellular glycogen, with low yields of even-carbon acids (acetate, butyrate, caproate). In the presence of both substrates, glucose was not used until lactate was nearly exhausted, even by cells pregrown on glucose. Glucose-grown cultures maintained only low extracellular concentrations of acetate, and addition of exogenous acetate increased yields of butyrate, but not caproate. By contrast, exogenous acetate had little effect on lactate fermentation. At pH 6.6, growth rate was halved by exogenous addition of 60 mM propionate, 69 mM butyrate, 44 mM valerate, or 33 mM caproate; at pH 5.9, these values were reduced to 49, 49, 18, and 22 mM, respectively. The results are consistent with this species' role as an effective ruminal lactate consumer and suggest that this organism may be useful for industrial production of volatile fatty acids from lactate if product tolerance could be improved. The poor fermentation of glucose and sensitivity to caproate suggests that this strain is not practical for industrial caproate production.
MODULATION OF GLUCOSE TRANSPORT IN HUMAN RED BLOOD CELLS BY ATP

Depletion of energy stores of human red cells decreases the maximum transport capacity, Jm, for glucose transport to a value one-third or less of that found in red cells from freshly drawn blood. There is no change in Km. Hemolysis and resealing of red cells with ATP or ADP reverses the decrease in Jm. The maximum effect occurs at concentrations of ATP in the normal range for red cells, however, there is little effect from ADP concentrations in its normal range in freshly drawn red cells. Hemolysis and resealing with ATP gives an increase in Jm and an increase in differential labeling by photolytic labeling with tritiated cytochalasin B. Most of the activation is lost after a second hemolysis-reseal without ATP but about 25% of the activation remains.
Optics In Adverse Environments

With a steady growth in technology, we are confronted increasingly with adverse environments for both human and human-made systems. Such challenges can be met in two ways: 1) the environment can be changed or controlled so that it becomes or remains conducive to the proper functioning of the system, or 2) the system can be designed and built to withstand the hostile influences. In the case of the human system, design changes within a reasonable time frame are not possible; consequently, its proper functioning is dependent on the creation and maintenance of a suitable environment (e.g. the space suit). But for the human-made system, it is mostly the opposite. To a large extent, it would not be possible to achieve the technological advances (e.g. laser fusion) we now seek without the creation of systems which function properly in the midst of hostile environments. In certain cases, both alternatives are available, but the creation of a fully benign environment would not be cost effective (e.g. spaceborne fiber optic waveguide communication system).
A Software Based Implementation of an APCO Project 25 Compliant Packet Data Transmitter

This paper describes the effort within the Project54 program at the University of New Hampshire to develop a software based implementation of an APCO Project 25 (P25) compliant packet data base station, utilizing a standard PC interfaced to a commercial analog VHF FM transceiver. The goal is to develop an affordable system (under $10,000) to provide P25 compliant packet data for smaller public safety agencies requiring only a single data capable channel. The base station system is comprised of a standard PC interfaced to a commercial VHF FM transceiver. Software running on the PC implements the standard IP network interface, the P25 Common Air Interface packet assembly, forward error correction encoding, and finally the packet baseband modulation. The resulting analog baseband modulated signal is then input to the commercial VHF FM transceiver which performs the RF modulation. The process is reversed for data packet reception. This paper will focus on the overall design of the software based P25 packet data transmitter, the testing of the various stages for P25 compliance, and the testing of the final result for interoperability with commercial P25 compliant mobile radios.
Navigating the course of scholarly productivity: the protégé's role in mentoring.

Background: The importance of mentoring for professional success, including mentoring in writing, has become increasingly emphasized in academic nursing during the past decade. Although much has been published on how to write for publication, as well as the roles of mentors themselves, surprisingly little has been written
TU‐E‐T‐6E‐03: MDCB Perspective On “Teaching Physics to Dosimetrists”

Goal of the organization or project: The Medical Dosimetry Certification Board (MDCB) provides examination for competency in clinical and medical physics area for dosimetrist. The candidates who pass the examination are called Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD). Medical physics education and training curriculum is essential for a good patient care and qualifying the MDCB examination. Accomplishments: Since 1988, over 2200 dosimetrist are certified through MDCB examination. There are limited number of medical dosimetry programs that provide training and education. JRCERT accreditation is highly recommended for programs offering dosimetry training. The MDCB popularity has grown internationally. Last year Korea was added as MDCB examination site. Several other countries are being considered for MDCB test sites. Resources to help physicists know what to teach: There are nine categories in the examination; radiation physics, dose calculation methods, treatment planning, localization, brachytherapy, radiation protection, quality assurance, professional responsibility and computers with 20%, 25%, 30%, 8%, 5%, 2%, 3%, 2% and 5% questions, respectively. Proper medical physics education and training responsibility rests on medical physicists. A physicist who is planning to teach dosimetry course should visit www.MDCB.org and familiarize with the didactic and training requirements and other valuable information. Upcoming changes: The examinations are critically evaluated every year and at a regular interval through strategic planning that was conducted in 2003. The outcome is being implemented in 2005 examinations. Continuing education is being updated to maintain CMD certification. Formal training and accredited programs are given more importance.
Action Thresholds Based on Plant Defoliation for Management of Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Cbrysomelidae) in Potato

Small plot field experiments were conducted to assess the yield response of ‘Superior’ potatoes to various levels of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), defoliation during different potato plant growth stages. A pretransformed, weighted defoliation rating scheme was used to quantify leaf area loss from Colorado potato beetle feeding. Preliminary defoliation action or treatment thresholds were developed and evaluated in large plot experiments where the defoliation thresholds were compared with a conventional program in which insecticide was applied based on potato beetle numbers per plant. Use of the defoliation thresholds for timing of insecticide resulted in a reduction in the number of sprays with no significant reduction in tuber yield, compared with the conventional program. Action thresholds of 20% (plant emergence to early bloom), 30% (early bloom to late bloom), and 60% (late bloom to harvest) are proposed for use in eastern Virginia and are defined as the maximum level of potato beetle feeding damage (foliage loss) before yield loss occurs, given the usual, dry potato-growing conditions prevalent in eastern Virginia. Guidelines for use of the defoliation action thresholds in a Colorado potato beetle management program are presented.
Examination of supervisory satisfaction in traditional and nontraditional gender-based reporting relationships

Supervisory Satisfaction relates to satisfaction with supervision rather than other conditions or agents in the work place. The supervisor-subordinate relationship is becoming increasingly important given the shift from managing work to managing people. Six variables were theorized as influencing satisfaction. Developing a parsimonious model to predict the variance in supervisor satisfaction, this empirical study examined 202 traditional supervisory relationships (subordinate reporting to a male supervisor) and 48 nontraditional supervisory relationships (subordinates reporting to a female supervisor). The sample was predominantly whites. Four of the five variables theorized, predicted a high level of variance in supervisory satisfaction in both traditional and nontraditional relationships. However the predictors were not different for the two groups.
Introduction to the Special Issue, Commitment to Alterity and Its Disavowal: The Politics of Display of Belonging

ABSTRACTAs multiple ethnic/race affiliation is highlighted more and more, we lack analytical frameworks to examine diverse ways individuals navigate through them as they balance aspirations, fears, desires, pride, responsibility, and pragmatic necessities. Existing studies of identification practices offer little examination of practices of those who disavow identifying with certain ethnic/race categories except for the ones focused on a narrow field of social relations, such as the academic achievement and career success in ‘acting White.’ This introductory piece introduces the main theoretical ideas in the special issue, commitment to alterity and its disavowal, which expands the scope of analysis to a wider range of identification practices and fields of social relations. This piece also briefly describes each contributing article, which further develops these notions to analyse various contours and degrees of belonging and links to wider cultural politics and power relations.
Systemic sclerosis–associated pulmonary hypertension: Short‐ and long‐term effects of epoprostenol (prostacyclin)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short- and long-term effects of intravenous epoprostenol in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS Sixteen patients with SSc-associated PH and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV symptomatology underwent right heart catheterization for determination of baseline hemodynamic values. Vasoreactivity was assessed with either inhaled nitric oxide or intravenous adenosine. After a medication washout period, all patients received intravenous epoprostenol in incrementally increasing doses; tolerance was assessed according to symptoms and hemodynamic findings at each dose increment and at the conclusion of the medication trial. Once a stable medication regimen was established, patients were discharged and followed up as outpatients for assessment of symptoms and exercise tolerance as measured by change in the NYHA class. Repeat hemodynamic testing was performed in 4 patients at 1 year and in 2 patients at 2 years of treatment. RESULTS Therapeutic response to epoprostenol, defined by a reduction in the pulmonary vascular resistance of > or =25%, was achieved in the short-term treatment period in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%). Improvement in symptoms and exercise tolerance occurred in all patients, and a significant short-term hemodynamic response was observed. Followup hemodynamic tests revealed persistent favorable responses in all 4 of the patients studied. CONCLUSION Most patients with PH secondary to SSc manifest favorable hemodynamic responses to epoprostenol in the short term. Long-term epoprostenol was generally well tolerated and provides a potential therapeutic option for patients with PH secondary to SSc.
TCAD Modeling for next generation CMOS devices

The complexity of the physics involved in the fabrication of 3D advanced nano-devices, promotes the daily use of advanced simulation tools. TCAD will be needed not only to optimize the transistors and support the device and process integration teams, but also to understand the new materials impact on the transistor performance. To achieve such goal, new simulation paradigms are required, affecting the way TCAD is used. Actually, the 3D TCAD, already used for silicon nodes, faces a limitation of present continuum tools for process and device simulations. The constant reduction of the transistor dimensions and the point defects-dopants interaction with multiple interfaces make Kinetic Monte Carlo a suitable tool for predictive 3D process modeling. On the device side, the 3D confinement of the device and the discrete doping profiles require accurate modeling of the scattering mechanisms in the silicon channel which makes 3D Monte Carlo simulation attractive However, for the simulation of new materials in the channel and source/drain of the Finfet, 3D Monte Carlo simulation becomes mandatory for the transport modeling. In this paper, we will review these different aspects of the TCAD needed for the 3D Tri-gate devices.
Morphology and Kinematics of Langmuir−Blodgett Monolayers

With fluorescence microscopy, we have found that monolayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine with a small concentration of dye lipids at an air/water interface always contain a number of membrane defects and domains in the liquid expanded phase. These features range in sizes from several micrometers to several millimeters. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of these monolayers exhibits a maximum at the full transition from the liquid expanded phase to the liquid condensed phase. At very low surface pressures, monolayers of pure fluorescence dye lipids have a large number of circular defects. It was also found that lipid motion is a common phenomenon with average speeds much larger than the rate of diffusion.
Hospital hand hygiene compliance improves with increased monitoring and immediate feedback.

Background Health care–associated infections are serious complications impacting 2 million patients and accounting for approximately 100,000 deaths per year. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a new hand hygiene monitoring program (HHMP) and measured the sustainability of this effectiveness over a 1-year period. Methods The HHMP consisted of 4 key components: extensive education, conspicuous and visible monitors, immediate feedback concerning compliance to health care workers, and real-time data dissemination to leadership. The HHMP was implemented in 2 hospital care units. Two different, but similar, departments served as controls, and hand hygiene compliance was monitored via the “secret shopper” technique. All 4 departments were followed for 12 months. Results Both experimental departments showed statistically significant increases in hand hygiene compliance. Experimental department 1 increased compliance from 49% to an average of 90%, and experimental department 2 increased compliance from 60% to an average of 96%. Both experimental departments were able to sustain these results for at least 6 months. Compliance rates were significantly higher in the experimental departments compared with the control departments. No significant changes were seen in the control departments. Conclusions These finding suggest that continuous monitoring by salient observers and immediate feedback are critical to the success of hand hygiene programs.
Temperature dependences of fluorescence lifetimes in Cr3+-doped insulating crystals.

The temperature dependences of the fluorescence lifetimes of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ doped insulating crystals, which have been used as temperature-sensing elements or have such potential uses for different temperature regions, are reviewed in terms of the crystal-field strength. Two single configurational coordinate models are proposed to interpret the temperature dependence of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ fluorescence in materials with low and high crystal-field strength. The validities of the two models are demonstrated by their close fit to the lifetime data of the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ fluorescence in appropriate materials. As was shown in thermometric applications, the expressions obtained for the temperature dependence of the fluorescence lifetimes, deduced from the proposed models, are of use as empirical calibration formulae in the assessment of various ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ fluorescence lifetime-based thermometers.
Building a framework for recognition of activities of daily living from depth images using fuzzy logic

Complex activities such as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) can be identified by creating a hierarchical model of fuzzy rules. In this work, we present a framework to model a specific IADL - "making the bed". For this activity recognition, the need for a three level Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) model is shown. Simple features such as bounding box parameters were extracted from the foreground images and combined with 3D features extracted from the Kinect depth data. This was then fed as input to the three layered FIS for further analysis. Data collected from several participants were tested and evaluated. Such a framework can be used to model several other IADLS as well as basic activities of daily living (ADLs). Analysis of ADLs can be used to compare daily patterns in older adults to measure changes in behavior. This can then be used to predict health changes to assist older adults in leading independent lifestyles for longer time periods.
Palmitate and glucose metabolism in tumors induced by Rous sarcoma virus.

Abstract 1. 1. A study was made of the relationship between palmitate and glucose metabolism in tumors induced by Rous sarcoma virus in the chorioallantoic membranes of embryonated chicken eggs. A comparison also was made with the corresponding metabolism of the normal membranes. 2. 2. Glucose depressed palmitate oxidation in the tumors but had little effect in the normal membranes. At the same time the glucose increased palmitate uptake by the tumors and gave a smaller increase by the normal membranes. Incorporation of palmitate into the lipids of the tissues was increased by the addition of glucose. The increase was considerably greater in the tumors than in the normal tissue. 3. 3. Palmitate increased glucose uptake, oxidation and incorporation into lipids in both tissues. These effects of palmitate on glucose utilization were less marked than those of glucose on palmitate utilization. 4. 4. Hydrolysis of the tissue lipids revealed that palmitate increased glucose incorporation into the water-soluble portion of the hydrolyzate and glucose increased palmitate incorporation into the fatty acid portion.
Misunderstanding of prescription drug warning labels among patients with low literacy.

Purpose. The common causes for misunderstanding prescription drug warning labels (PWLs) among adults with low literacy were studied. Methods. A total of 74 patients reading at or below the sixth-grade level and receiving care at the primary care clinic at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport were recruited to participate in structured interviews. Patients were asked to interpret and comment on eight commonly used warning labels found on prescription medications. Correct interpretation was determined by expert panel review of patients’ verbatim responses. Qualitative methods were employed to code responses and generate themes regarding the misunderstanding of these PWLs. Results. Among this sample of patients with low literacy skills, rates of correct interpretation for the eight warning labels ranged from 0% to 78.7%. With the exception of the most basic label, less than half of all patients were able to provide adequate interpretations of the warning label messages. Five themes were derived to describe the common causes for misunderstanding the labels: single-step versus multiple-step instructions, reading difficulty of text, use of icons, use of color, and message clarity. Labels were at greater risk for being misunderstood if they included multiple instructions, had a greater reading difficulty, included unfamiliar terms, or used confusing icons that were discordant with text messages. Participants also frequently imposed an incorrect meaning on label colors, which led to further confusion. Conclusion. Patients with low literacy skills demonstrated a lower rate of correct interpretation of the eight most commonly used PWLs than did those with higher literacy skills. Multiple-step instructions, reading difficulty of text, the use of icons, the use of color, and message clarity were the common causes of label misinterpretation.
The risk of hematoma following extensive electromyography of the lumbar paraspinal muscles

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to pro- vide a controlled trial looking at the risk of paraspinal hematoma formation following extensive paraspinal muscle electromyogra- phy. Methods: 54 subjects ages 55-80 underwent MRI of the lumbar spine before or shortly after electromyography using the paraspinal mapping technique. A neuroradiologist, blinded to the temporal relationship between the EMG and MRI, reviewed the MRIs to look for hematomas in or around the paraspinal muscles. Results: Two MRIs demonstrated definite paraspinal hematomas, while 10 were found to have possible hematomas. All hematomas were < 15 mm, and none were close to any neural structures. There was no relationship between MRI evi- dence of hematoma and either the timing of the EMG or the use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusions: Paraspinal electromyography can be considered safe in the general population and those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Muscle Nerve 46: 26-30, 2012
Magneto-Optical Investigations on the Formation and Dissociation of Intermolecular Charge-Transfer Complexes at Donor−Acceptor Interfaces in Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

The electron−hole pairs can be formed in intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) states between two adjacent molecules due to Coulomb interaction in organic semiconducting materials. In general, the exciton dissociation can experience the intermediate states: intermolecular CT states at the donor−acceptor interfaces to generate a photocurrent in organic solar cells. This article reports the magneto-optical studies on intermolecular CT states in the generation of photocurrent by using magnetic field effects of photocurrent (MFEPC) and light-assisted dielectric response (LADR). The MFEPC and LADR studies reveal that internal electrical drifting and local Coulomb interaction can largely change the formation and dissociation of CT states by changing internal charge-transport channels and local Coulomb interaction through morphological development upon thermal annealing. Therefore, the MFEPC and LADR can be used as effective magneto-optical tools to investigate charge recombination, separation, and transport in or...
DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY AND AB INITIO STUDY OF OXYWATER ISOMERIZATION INTO HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) methods have been applied to study the stability of the oxywater molecule through its 1,2-hydrogen shift to hydrogen peroxide. All 12 DFT methods found oxywater molecules to be a minimum on the potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the isomerization reaction. The computed activation energies were between 1.5 and 4.8 kcal mol−1. The best estimation was the one obtained with G2 and hybrid DFT methods with a zero-point energy correction. It was estimated that the activation barrier was around 4 kcal mol−1 and that oxywater lies above hydrogen peroxide by 46 kcal mol−1. In this way, the existence of oxywater molecules was confirmed. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that hybrid DFT methods could accurately compute the PESs for low barrier, highly exothermic reactions. The energies obtained were in qualitative agreement with experimental results.
Topographic Effects on Soil Organic Carbon in Louisiana Watersheds

Terrestrial carbon storage is influenced by a number of environmental factors, among which topographic and geomorphological features are of special significance. This study was designed to examine the relationships of soil organic carbon (SOC) density to various terrain parameters and watershed characteristics across Louisiana, USA. A polygon data set of 484 watersheds and 12 river drainage basins for Louisiana was used to form the landscape units. SOC densities were calculated for each soil map unit using the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) database. Average drainage densities and average slopes at watershed and basin scales were quantified with the 1:24 K Digital Elevation Models (DEM) data, and the Louisiana hydrographic water features. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine relationships among drainage density, slope, elevation, and SOC. The study found an average watershed drainage density of 1.6 km/km2 and an average watershed slope of 2.9 degrees in Louisiana. The results revealed that SOC density at both watershed and basin scales was closely related to drainage density, slope, and elevation. SOC density was positively correlated with watershed drainage density, but negatively correlated with watershed slope gradient and elevation. Regression models were developed for predicting SOC density at watershed and basin scales, obtaining regression coefficients (r 2) ranging from 0.43 to 0.83. The study showed that estimation of SOC at watershed and drainage basin scales combining DEM data can be a feasible approach to improve the understanding of the relationships among SOC, topographic, and geomorphological features.
International library internships: An effective approach to co-operation

Des programmes de cooperation en science de l'information avec l'Asie du Sud-Est ont ete mis en place avec le concours de l'UNESCO a la bibliotheque de l'universite d'Ohio. Ils se sont concretises par l'accueil de 15 specialistes de l'information venus approfondir leurs connaissances et profiter des nouvelles realisations du domaine. Le deroulement de ce programme, dans tous ses aspects, est detaille
Characterization of sodium-calcium exchange in rabbit renal arterioles

Experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that renal arterioles exhibit Na-Ca exchange capability and that this process is regulated by protein kinase C (PKC). Glomeruli with attached arterioles were dissected from rabbit kidney and loaded with fura-2 for measurement of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) using microscope-based photometry. In tissue bathed in Ringer's solution containing 150 mM Na+ and 1.5 mM Ca2+, afferent and efferent arteriolar [Ca2+]i averaged 136 +/- 6 and 154 +/- 7 nM, respectively. Removal of extracellular Na+ increased afferent arteriolar [Ca2+]i by 70 +/- 7 mM, while efferent arteriolar [Ca2+]i only increased by 39 +/- 5 nM (P < 0.01 vs. afferent arteriole). These responses were inhibited by 6 nM Ni2+ and required extracellular Ca2+, but were unaffected by 10 microM diltiazem. After incubation in 500 microM ouabain, 5 microM monensin, and 5 microM nigericin, [Ca2+]i responses to removal of extracellular Na+ were exaggerated significantly, averaging 174 +/- 50 nM in afferent arterioles and 222 +/- 82 nM in efferent arterioles (NS vs. afferent arterioles). Moreover, responses to removal of extracellular Na+ were enhanced by 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an affect which was blocked by PKC inhibition (25 nM K252b). These data indicate that both afferent and efferent arterioles express the Na-Ca exchanger, and that PKC activity impacts on exchange capacity in these vessels.
Recognition and binding of the human selenocysteine insertion sequence by nucleolin.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells cotranslationally incorporate the unusual amino acid selenocysteine at a UGA codon, which conventionally serves as a termination signal. Translation of selenoprotein gene transcripts in eukaryotes depends upon a "selenocysteine insertion sequence" in the 3'-untranslated region. We have previously shown that DNA-binding protein B specifically binds this sequence element. We now report the identification of nucleolin as a partner in the selenoprotein translation complex. In RNA electromobility shift assays, nucleolin binds the selenocysteine insertion sequence from the human cellular glutathione peroxidase gene, competes with binding activity from COS cells, and shows diminished affinity for probes with mutations in functionally important, conserved sequence elements. Antibody to nucleolin interferes with the gel shift activity of COS cell extract. Antibody to DNA-binding protein B co-extracts nucleolin from HeLa cell cytosol, and the two proteins co-sediment in glycerol gradient fractions of ribosomal high salt extracts. Thus, nucleolin appears to join DNA-binding protein B and possibly other partners to form a large complex that links the selenocysteine insertion sequence in the 3'-untranslated region to other elements in the coding region and ribosome to translate the UGA "stop" codon as selenocysteine.
A novel cytoplasmic protein that interacts with the Ah receptor, contains tetratricopeptide repeat motifs, and augments the transcriptional response to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

To identify new proteins involved in dioxin-dependent signal transduction and transcriptional regulation, we used a yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with the Ah receptor (AhR). We cloned a mouse cDNA, which encodes a novel ∼37-kDa protein that binds to AhR; we have designated the protein as Ah receptor-interacting protein (AIP). The amino acid sequence of mouse AIP exhibits homology with members of the FK506-binding protein family. AIP also contains three tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs; the TPR sequence is present in proteins required for cell cycle control and RNA synthesis and in steroid receptor-binding immunophilins. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments in mouse hepatoma cells reveal that AIP is cytoplasmic and associates with unliganded Ah receptor and with hsp90; 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin treatment disrupts the AhR-AIP-hsp90 interaction. Overexpression of AIP augments the response of the CYP1A1 gene to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Our data suggest that AIP influences ligand receptivity and/or nuclear targeting of AhR.
Testing of a NORA CMOS serial-parallel multiplier

The NORA-CMOS (no-race complementary metal-oxide-silicon) serial-parallel multiplier presented here is testable. Error detection is achieved at two levels: online functional testing and offline structural testing. Functional testing uses low-cost residue codes to detect errors at the overall level. Modulus is adopted as the check base. For structural testing, a NORA CMOS circuit error detection technique proposed based on the structure, properties, and operations of NORA CMOS is used. The proposed technique can detect output stuck-at, stuck-open, and stuck-on faults. Such a two-level testing strategy reduces test time and chip area overhead, identifies faulty locations, and has the ability to detect both transient and permanent faults. >
Hepadnaviral X Protein:Review of Recent Progress.

In addition to coding for virion structural proteins and the reverse tanscriptase, all mammalian hepadnaviruses also contain an open-reading frame called X, because its function could not be fathomed from the deduced amino acid sequence. While it is now known that the woodchuck virus (and presumably the other hepadnaviruses, as well) cannot replicate in the animal host if the X gene is mutated, the exact function of the X protein in the viral life cycle is still unknown. In transient transfection studies, X protein has been shown to trans-activate a wide variety of promoters. The mechanism of this activation is also unclear, although there is accumulating evidence in favor of both a cytoplasmic effect involving signal transduction pathways, and a nuclear effect directly on the transcriptional machinery. It appears that the X protein is at least as complex as many of the other, better studied viral trans-activators, and may well yield new insights into mammalian cell functions in the future.
Minimal Dynamical Symmetry Breaking of the Electroweak Interactions and m top

We review the recent idea of a mechanism for dynamically breaking the symmetries of the electroweak interactions which relies upon the formation of condensates involving the conventional quarks and leptons, such as the top quark. In particular, such a scheme would indicate that the top quark is heavy, greater than or of order 200 GeV, and gives further predictions for the Higgs boson mass. It may be extended to a fourth generation with new strong TeV scale flavor-interactions.
Brood care by male bumble bees.

Abstract Male Bombus griseocollis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) share in the brood care of nestmates by incubating pupae (usually during the first few days after they emerge as adults). Male posture during incubation of a pupa is identical to that observed for females. Pupae incubated by males were 4°C-6°C above the temperature of unincubated pupae. Although this increase was not as great as that caused by workers or queens, it was an important factor in warming pupae. Incubating males may benefit nestmates incidentally without lowering their own individual fitness.
Recent Advancements in the Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Important advances in the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer have been made in recent years, with much of the knowledge emanating from clinical trials conducted by the Gynecological Oncology Group (GOG). This monograph reviews the trials that have defined current clinical practice and summarizes some innovative techniques and promising new drugs for the future
One College, One World: A Small Town Community College and the Impact of Globalization

Globalization is a highly contested notion of the rapid changes taking place through the movement of labor, capital, communications, and information transcending all previous notions of borders and similarly defined territories. Historically, community college missions have been limited by their district borders. This study presents findings from interviews at a small, midwestern community college that indicate how community colleges provide human resources and social development functions that support private industries. This indicates that the effects of globalization at the local level are being offset at public expense. The paper concludes with a reconsideration of the community college mission in the early 21st century.
Failure to identify a spermatogonial chalone in adult irradiated testes.

The adult irradiated rat testis was used as a model system to confirm the existence of a spermatogonial chalone. Rats were given 330 rad whole body 60Co irradiation, a dose which selectively destroys most of the spermatogonial population except for the radioresistant As stem cells. 11 days after irradiation, when spermatogonial numbers were minimal, the rats were injected with a testicular or liver extract prepared from normal adult rats, or with saline. Each group received a total of four injections given at 4 hr intervals. 2 hr before death, the animals were injected with [3H]TdR. Testicular DNA was isolated and the incorporation of [3H]TdR was determined. The mean ± s.e. ct/min per μg DNA in rats given testicular extract (9·38 ± 0·94) was no different than in those receiving liver extract (10·43 ± 2·01) or saline (7·23 ± 0·69). Autoradiographic studies indicated that variability in counts within or between groups could be attributed to variations in the number of pre-leptotene spermatocytes which incorporated [3H]TdR for the meiotic divisions. Quantitatively, there were no differences between groups in terms of the numbers of A spermatogonia, their labelling indices, or mitotic activity. Therefore, the presence of a spermatogonial chalone could not be demonstrated using crude extracts from normal testes in this irradiated model.
“Yes Means Yes”? Sexual Consent Policy and College Students

California's “Yes Means Yes” legislation—while a notable attempt to address the rape culture prevalent on many campuses—does not take into account how consent is actually negotiated in sexual relat...
Regulation and Identification of Na,K-ATPase α1 Subunit Phosphorylation in Rat Parotid Acinar Cells

The stimulation of fluid and electrolyte secretion in salivary cells results in ionic changes that promote rapid increases in the activity of the Na,K-ATPase. In many cell systems, there are conflicting findings concerning the regulation of the phosphorylation of the Na,K-ATPase α subunit, which is the catalytic moiety. Initially, we investigated the phosphorylation sites on the α1 subunit in native rat parotid acinar cells using tandem mass spectrometry and identified two new phosphorylation sites (Ser222, Ser407), three sites (Ser217, Tyr260, Ser47) previously found from large scale proteomic screens, and two sites (Ser23, Ser16) known to be phosphorylated by PKC. Subsequently, we used phospho-specific antibodies to examine the regulation of phosphorylation on Ser23 and Ser16 and measured changes in ERK phosphorylation in parallel. The G-protein-coupled muscarinic receptor mimetic carbachol, the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, and the serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A increased Ser23 α1 phosphorylation. Inhibition of classical PKC proteins blocked carbachol-stimulated Ser23 α1 subunit phosphorylation but not ERK phosphorylation, which was blocked by an inhibitor of novel PKC proteins. The carbachol-initiated phosphorylation of Ser23 α1 subunit was not modified by ERK or PKA activity. The Na,K-ATPase inhibitor ouabain reduced and enhanced the carbachol-promoted phosphorylation of Ser23 and Ser16, respectively, the latter because ouabain itself increased Ser16 phosphorylation; thus, both sites display conformational-dependent phosphorylation changes. Ouabain-initiated phosphorylation of Ser16 α1 was not blocked by PKC inhibitors, unlike carbachol- or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-initiated phosphorylations, suggesting that this site was also a substrate for a kinase other than PKC.
Robomechs: a new class of linkage arms for multi-task applications

Abstract A typical robot arm of serial or parallel chain structure has one end effector and the dimension of its links are not synthesized for a specific task. Meanwhile, a path or motion generator mechanism is designed to perform a specific task utilizing one point of its coupler link. In the present paper, a new class of linkage arms, called Robomechs, which are neither robots nor mechanisms is introduced. A robomech is characterized as being task specific in the sense that its links are sized for a desired task, has a parallel architecture, and has more than one end effector for simultaneous multi-functions task performance. Because the number of its actuated joints is less than the number of task variables, a robomech is an overconstrained linkage whose links have to be synthesized, after satisfying some constraints, for the desired task. Hence, a robomech can only traverse trajectories through a number of precision positions and is not suitable for continuous path operations. This paper presents Robomech-I. It has two endpoints, two actuated joints, and its structure is based on a five-bar linkage. The features of the robomech are introduced, the essential constraints to be imposed in determining its link demensions are established, and an application example is given.
Trauma and Violence Research Taking Stock in the 21st Century

Thirty years after the first national estimates of intimate partner violence were published, the field has reached such a level of maturity that complex questions can be posed and sophisticated research studies can be designed to answer them. Out of this body of research, one of the most important things that researchers have learned is that violence and trauma are experienced in different ways by different individuals and as a result, require different types of prevention and intervention approaches. With this greater understanding of the problems of violence and trauma, together with a commitment to inclusive and practical research, the field is poised to move forward toward the ultimate goal of violence prevention.