cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The evolution of initially turbulent bluff-body wakes at high internal Froude number

Coherent vortex structures are formed in the late wakes of towed spheres for all values of the internal Froude number, F≡2U/ND∈ [10, 240] (U is the body speed, D its diameter, and N is the buoyancy frequency). The eventual emergence of the long-lived and stable pattern of alternating-signed patches of vertical vorticity is characteristic of all towed-sphere wakes, from those dominated by internal lee waves at F=1, to initially fully turbulent early wakes at F[ges ]4. At late times, the local Froude number is always low, and a characteristic stratified wake structure and dynamics result. These wakes have high mean wake defect velocities compared with non-stratified wakes, but the decay rates of energy and enstrophy are similar. Experimental evidence is presented for the existence of an intermediate non-equilibrium (NEQ) regime with very low decay rates of kinetic energy, that precedes the late wake. The NEQ regime is the period when the initial turbulence reorganizes under the increasingly (relative to the decaying turbulent kinetic energy) powerful influence of the background density gradient, accompanied by conversion of potential to kinetic energy as the wake turbulence collapses. The stable long-lived late-wake structure that eventually emerges has a high degree of order and coherence that reflects the initial wake instability. A universal curve for the energy decay of all stratified drag wakes at high Froude and Reynolds numbers is proposed.
Inhibition of ethanol and acetate metabolism in mice by chlordimeform and related compounds.

Abstract 1. Since chlordimeform or N ′-(4-chloro- o -toly l )- N , N -dimethylformamidine and certain of its mammalian metabolites prolong ethanol induced sleep in mice, their effect on ethanol and acetate metabolism was examined. 2. Intraperitoneal treatment of mice with chlordimeform (50 mg/kg) and demethylchlordimeform or N ′-(4-chloro- o -tolyl)- N -methylformamidine (50 mg/kg), the two most potent sleep inducers, appreciably inhibited the metabolism of ethanol to 14 CO 2 . Another metabolite, 4-chloro- to -formotoluidide (100 mg/kg), a very weak sleep inducer, also markedly inhibited ethanol metabolism. 3. Chlordimeform, demethylchlordimeform, and 4-chloro- o -formotoluidide inhibited the conversion of ethanol to 14 CO 2 and the conversion of acetate to 14 CO 2 in vitro by mouse liver preparations. 4. The potency of 4-chloro- o -formotoluidide as an inhibitor of acetate metabolism in vitro compared favorably with that of SKF-525A, a known inhibitor of microsomal mixed function oxidases. 5. At a concentration of 1 × 10 −3 M, demethylchlordimeform yielded 27.4% inhibition of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase as compared to 46.3% for thiourea, a known inhibitor of this enzyme. The other compounds gave little, if any, inhibition of yeast alcohol or aldehyde dehydrogenase. 6. Although it is not possible to explain the mechanism for ethanol sleep enhancement in mice by chlordimeform and its metabolite demethylchlordimeform, inhibition of the alcohol dehydrogenase by demethylchlordimeform may be significant in this connection. 7. The decrease in ethanol metabolism apparently was due in large part to the activity of chlordimeform, demethylchlordimeform and especially 4-chloro- o -formotoluidide as inhibitors of microsomal mixed function oxidases.
Somatostatin analog treatment slows growth and the tempo of reproductive maturation in female rhesus monkeys

The present study tested the hypothesis that a reduction in serum GH during adolescence would result in slower growth and delayed puberty. Skeletal growth and maturation as well as indices of reproductive development were studied in juvenile female rhesus monkeys receiving a constant sc infusion of a somatostatin analog, Sandostatin, at a dose of approximately 4.50 micrograms/kg BW.day (Ssa; n = 6) and in untreated females (Con; n = 6) from 18 months of age through the luteal phase of the second ovulation. Although age at menarche was similar in Con and Ssa females, first ovulation was delayed significantly in Ssa females, such that the interval between menarche and first ovulation was significantly longer in Ssa females. Serum concentrations of GH, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and IGF-binding protein-3 were reduced in Ssa females, particularly after menarche. Although changes in body weight were similar between Ssa and Con females, growth in height was significantly greater in Con females. Furthermore, peak growth velocity in height occurred at a significantly later age in SSa females, but at a similar degree of skeletal maturity. Serum insulin and glucose levels in response to iv glucose were similar in the two groups; however, fasting levels of serum glucose decreased significantly in both groups with advancing age, but the decrease was greater in Con. During the luteal phase of the first 2 ovulatory cycles, there were diminished serum progesterone in 16.7% (2 of 12) of the Con and 41.7% (5 of 12) of the Ssa females. Serum estradiol was significantly lower throughout the first 2 ovulatory cycles in Ssa females, whereas serum LH and IGF-I were similar to those in Con females. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age at menarche was best predicted from the amount of growth in height before menarche, whereas those females who had higher serum IGF-binding protein-3 levels before menarche had an earlier growth spurt, and those who grew faster had a shorter interval between menarche and first ovulation. These data indicate that treatment with a long-acting somatostatin analog, which produces a relative deficiency in the GH axis, slows growth and delays the tempo of puberty. The data suggest that this delay may be due to a reduction in gonadal sensitivity to LH.
Silicone Adhesive Matrix of Verapamil Hydrochloride to Provide pH-Independent Sustained Release

Providing pH-independent oral release of weakly basic drugs with conventional matrix tablets can be challenging because of the pH-dependent solubility characteristics of the drugs and the changing pH environment along the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to use a hydrophobic polymer to overcome the issue of pH-dependent release of weakly basic model drug verapamil hydrochloride from matrix tablets without the use of organic buffers in the matrix formulations. Silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymer was evaluated because of its unique properties of low surface energy, hydrophobicity, low glass transition temperature, high electrical resistance, and barrier to hydrogen ion diffusion. Drug release, hydrogen ion diffusion, tablet contact angle, and internal tablet microenvironment pH with matrix tablets prepared using PSA were compared with those using water-insoluble ethyl cellulose (EC). Silicone PSA films showed higher resistance to hydrogen ion diffusion compared with EC films. Verapamil hydrochloride tablets prepared using silicone PSA showed higher hydrophobicity and lower water uptake than EC tablets. Silicone PSA tablets also showed pH-independent release of verapamil and decreased in dimensions during drug dissolution. By contrast, verapamil hydrochloride tablets prepared using EC did not achieve pH-independent release.
David Walker Receives 2010 Harry H. Hess Medal

[1] David Walker was awarded the 2010 Harry H. Hess Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 15 December 2010 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “outstanding achievements in research of the constitution and evolution of Earth and other planets.”
Design and Construction of a Magnetic Fault Current Limiter

A fault current limiter using permanent magnets has been designed and its performance simulated using a two-dimensional time-stepping finite-element method incorporating a model of hysteresis for hard magnetic materials.
THE X-Y-Z SCHEME OF IMMUNOCYTE MATURATION V. PARALYSIS OF MEMORY CELLS

A concentration of 5 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA) prevents the in vitro elicitation of a secondary response in primed rabbit popliteal lymph nodes, if it is left in contact with the node fragments for the first 6 days of culture. No antibody formation can be detected at any time during the culture period in most cases, although occasional fragments are resistant to inhibition. Reducing the exposure time to the first 3 days of culture delays the peak of the antibody response. The inhibition is antigen specific. Reconstruction experiments demonstrate that the inhibition is not due to antigen masking of the antibody. Even shortly after optimal stimulation, the addition of 5 mg/ml BSA to the fragments was not able to prevent a normal antibody response. The implications of these findings are that (a) a high antigen concentration suspends the memory cell in a reversibly paralyzed state, (b) memory cells have a heterogeneous susceptibility to inhibition, (c) once induced, the antibody response cannot be inhibited by antigen overloading, (d) unresponsiveness in a primed animal can be due to either exhaustion of the memory cell population or paralysis of the memory cell.
Synthesis of β-substituted porphyrin building blocks and conversion to diphenylethyne-linked porphyrin dimers

Abstract A recent hypothesis concerning effects of orbital ordering on electronic communication (excited-state energy transfer, ground-state hole-hopping) in covalently linked porphyrin arrays prompted the development and application of methodology for the synthesis of β-linked porphyrin dimers. Reaction of a β-substituted pyrrole with 2-hydroxymethylpyrrole led to the dipyrromethane bearing a single β-substituent and no meso- nor α-substituents. Condensation of the β-substituted dipyrromethane with an aldehyde and a meso-substituted dipyrromethane gave the desired β-substituted porphyrin building block, albeit in low yield. Four building blocks were prepared with a p-iodophenyl or p-ethynylphenyl group at one β-position, no substituent at the flanking meso-position, and mesityl or pentafluorophenyl groups at the three non-flanking meso-positions. The porphyrin building blocks were coupled via Pd-mediated reactions, affording diphenylethyne-linked dimers with the linker attached at β-positions. This approach provided access to zinc-free base porphyrin dimers and bis-zinc dimers bearing mesityl or pentafluorophenyl groups at the three non-linking meso-positions. The availability of these dimers and monomeric benchmarks enabled a critical test of the orbital ordering hypothesis. This methodology for preparing porphyrin building blocks bearing a lone, non-hindered β-substituent complements existing methods for preparing meso-substituted porphyrin building blocks. The ability to position the linker at the meso- or β-positions provides a desirable level of versatility for incorporating porphyrinic molecules with an a2u or a1u HOMO in various molecular devices.
Quadrature and Runge-Kutta formulas

Error estimation and step size adjustment procedures for many high order Runge-Kutta methods fail dramatically when applied to an equation of the form y'(x)=f(x). A practical remedy is proposed and its use exemplified with the Fehlberg [7,8] formulas. The management of storage for this important example is also discussed.
Comparsion of Hepatitis C Histological Recurrence Rates and Patient Survival Between Split and Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Abstract Introduction Controversy exists as to whether there is an increased severity or frequency of recurrent hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection in recipients of adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) grafts. We sought to examine the time to histological recurrence and survival in HCV (+) patients who underwent split liver transplantation (SLT), which is technically similar to what occurs in the LDLT procedure. Methods Twenty four HCV (+) adult recipients were identified through the UNOS database as having had SLT procedures at three centers: Mount Sinai Medical Center, University of Chicago, and University of California at Los Angeles. Of these, 17 patients with comprehensive data were matched to 32 HCV (+) patients who underwent whole deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) during the same time period. Outcome and time to initial HCV recurrence as documented by liver biopsy were assessed. Liver biopsy was performed when clinically indicated. Results Patients who had SLT were significantly older (P = .01). There was no difference in number of rejection episodes (P = .40). Fifteen of 17 SLT (88%) versus 24/32 DDLT (75%) patients had documented HCV recurrence by biopsy (P = .46). The time to median cumulative incidence of recurrence of HCV post–liver transplantation was 12.6 months (SLT) versus 39.8 months (DDLT) patients. There was no difference in survival between SLT and DDLT patients (47 vs 70 months, P = .62) nor in cumulative incidence of histological HCV recurrence at 1, 2, and 3 years (P = .198, .919, and .806, respectively). Conclusion There is no difference in the cumulative incidence of histological recurrence of HCV post–liver transplant or in survival between recipients of deceased donor and split liver transplants.
The synthesis of 3-deazaorotidine and related nucleoside derivatives of 4-hydroxy-2-pyridone †

Condensation of 6-earbethoxy-4-hydroxy-2-pyridone or a silyl derivative of 5-earbomethoxy-4-hydroxy-2-pyridone with 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl halide has provided the 3-deaza analogs of orotidine and uridine-5-carboxylic acid. The corresponding amides have also been prepared in view of their possible structural relationship to l-β-D-ribohiranosyl nicotinamide. Tri-O-benzoyl-3-deazauridine was treated with N-bromosuccinimide to give, after deblocking, 3-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-pyridone. The anomeric configuration of these nuclcosides was confirmed by pmr spectroscopy.
The murine pantothenate kinase (Pank1) gene encodes two differentially regulated pantothenate kinase isozymes.

Abstract Pantothenate kinase (PanK) is a rate-determining enzyme in coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis. The mouse murine pantothenate kinase ( Pank1 ) gene consists of seven introns and eight exons and is located on chromosome 19 (19C2–3). Two biochemically distinct PanK1 protein isoforms, PanK1α and PanK1β, are encoded by the Pank1 gene. Both proteins have the same 363 amino acid catalytic domain encoded by exons 2 through 7. The PanK1β transcript begins with exon 1β and translates into a ten-residue amino terminus plus the catalytic domain. The PanK1α transcript initiates at an alternate upstream site at exon 1α which is spliced with exon 2, excluding exon 1β. Exon 1α encodes a 184-residue regulatory domain at the amino terminus of the PanK1α protein that confers feedback inhibition by free CoA and long-chain acyl-CoA, and increases the regulation of PanK enzyme activity by acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA. Differential expression of the PanK1α and PanK1β transcripts would alter the amount of CoA produced in cells as a function of the ratio of free CoA to acetyl-CoA, a reflection of the metabolic status of the tissue.
The validity of subjective measures of body image disturbance.

Abstract Objective We examined weight dissatisfaction (actual weight minus self-stated ideal weight) and weight goal (normative weight minus self-stated ideal weight) subjective indices in a large clinical sample to determine how the indices discriminate between diagnostic categories and relate to other measures of body image disturbance. Method Approximately 200 anorexic, bulimic, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) participants reported their self-stated ideal weight and completed the Mizes Anorectic Cognitions (MAC) Questionnaire, Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), and Restraint Scale-Revised. Results Compared with bulimic and NOS participants, anorexics reported less weight dissatisfaction but had an ideal weight that is farthest from normative weight. The weight dissatisfaction measure correlates well with other measures of body image disturbance, and both measures show evidence of discriminant validity. Discussion These two measures highlight the substantial differences in the nature of body image disturbance between the eating disorder diagnostic groups. Theoretical, clinical, and practical implications are discussed.
The Chandrasekhar Theory of Stellar Collapse as the Limit of Quantum Mechanics

Starting with a “relativistic” Schrodinger Hamiltonian for neutral gravitating particles, we prove that as the particle number N → ∞ and the gravitation constant G → 0 we obtain the well known semiclassical theory for the ground state of stars. For fermions; the correct limit is to fix GN 2/3 and the Chandrasekhar formula is obtained. For bosons the correct limit is to fix GN and a Hartree type equation is obtained. In the fermion case we also prove that the semiclassical equation has a unique solution — a fact which had not been established previously.
Three-dimensional ultrasound of the fetal spine

Objective : To describe normal fetal spinal anatomy displayed by three-dimensional ultrasound and to determine whether three-dimensional ultrasound improves visualization of specific spinal defects. Methods : Fetuses ( n = 28) (16 normal and 12 abnormal) were examined on standard two- and three-dimensional sonographic equipment. Results : In 15 of 16 normal fetuses, the spine was visualized at least from the upper thoracic area to the lower sacrum in a single three-dimensional image, and in 14 normal fetuses continuity of the ribs and spine was depicted. Neural tube defects were identified on both two- and three-dimensional ultrasounds; however, three-dimensional ultrasound displayed the level of the defect more accurately in three of the five cases. Scoliosis was recognized easily on a single three-dimensional rendered image, whereas several two-dimensional images were needed for the examiner mentally to reconstruct the scoliosis. Conclusion : Three-dimensional ultrasound may become an important tool for imaging of the fetal spine. Additional studies are necessary to determine the efficacy and cost effectiveness of this technology. However, our preliminary data suggest that presentation of the spine as a continuous structure rather than in independent two-dimensional views makes visualization of the spatial relationship of the spinal anatomy and adjacent structures easier. The ability to review the volume data using techniques not available on two-dimensional ultrasound may enable physicians to determine the extent of neural tube defects with more accuracy.
Superfluid density measurements of Ba(Co x Fe 1-x ) 2 As 2 films near optimal doping

We report on direct measurements of superfluid density, ${n}_{s}(T)\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}(T)$, in films of Fe-pnictide superconductors. The magnetic penetration depth, \ensuremath{\lambda}(0), in our epitaxial, single-crystal $\mathrm{Ba}({\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}){}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ films near optimal doping ($x$ $=$ 0.08) is 350 \ensuremath{-} 430 nm, comparable to bulk single crystals. The $T$ dependence of ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ indicates a small $s$-wave gap, $2\ensuremath{\Delta}(0)/{k}_{B}{T}_{c}=2.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$. In detail, \ensuremath{\lambda} has power-law behavior at low $T:\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)/\ensuremath{\lambda}(0)\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\approx}0.{60}^{*}(T/{T}_{c}){}^{2.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1}$. The small gap, together with power-law behavior at low $T$, suggests strong intraband scattering on the larger-gap Fermi surface and significant interband scattering between large-gap and small-gap Fermi surfaces.
Molecular dynamics simulations of surfactant and nanoparticle self-assembly at liquid-liquid interfaces

We have performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate self-assembly at water?trichloroethylene (TCE) interfaces with the emphasis on systems containing modified hydrocarbon nanoparticles (1.2?nm in diameter) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants. The nanoparticles and surfactants were first distributed randomly in the water phase. The MD simulations have clearly shown the progress of migration and final equilibrium of the SDS molecules at the water?TCE interfaces with the nanoparticles either at or in the vicinity of the interfaces. One unique feature is the 'attachment' of surfactant molecules to the nanoparticle clusters in the water phase followed by the 'detachment' at the water?TCE interfaces. At low concentrations of surfactants, the surfactants and nanoparticles co-equilibrate at the interfaces. However, the surfactants, at high concentrations, competitively dominate the interfaces and deplete nanoparticles away from the interfaces. The interfacial properties, such as interfacial thickness and interfacial tension, are significantly influenced by the presence of the surfactants, but not the nanoparticles. The order of the surfactants at the interfaces increases with increasing surfactant concentration, but is independent of nanoparticle concentration. Finally, the simulation has shown that surfactants can aggregate along the water?TCE interfaces, with and without the presence of nanoparticles.
Formation of self-ordered nano-tubular structure of anodic oxide layer on titanium

Abstract Room temperature anodization of titanium foil specimens was carried out in 0.5 M phosphoric acid solution with addition of various halide ions. Addition of 0.138 M HF or NaF resulted in self-ordered nano-tubular oxide structure. Addition of bromide and chloride ions initiated only pitting and nano-pores were not observed during anodization. Acidified fluoride solution is found to be necessary to obtain ordered nano-structure as neutral fluoride solution did not form nano-pores. Instability of the oxide layer during anodization and formation of the self-ordered structure can be explained by the perturbation theory. Separation of individual nano-tubes of titanium oxide layer from the inter-connected nano-pores could be attributed to the possible repulsion forces of the cation vacancies.
Optical Counts and Space Distribution of Quasars

A substantial fraction of sources detected at radio wavelengths or in X-rays are quasars. Work at optical wavelengths is always needed to confirm the identification as a quasar and to determine the redshift. Some quasars show no radio emission and, possibly, no X-radiation. Hence, purely optical surveys for quasars yield the parent population from which radio and X-ray quasars derive.
Travelling waves of auto-catalytic chemical reaction of general order—An elliptic approach

Abstract In this paper we study the existence and non-existence of travelling wave to parabolic system of the form a t = a x x − a f ( b ) , b t = D b x x + a f ( b ) , with f a degenerate nonlinearity. In the context of an auto-catalytic chemical reaction, a is the density of a chemical species called reactant A, b that of another chemical species B called auto-catalyst, and D = D B / D A > 0 is the ratio of diffusion coefficients, D B of B and D A of A, respectively. Such a system also arises from isothermal combustion. The nonlinearity is called degenerate, since f ( 0 ) = f ′ ( 0 ) = 0 . One case of interest in this article is the propagating wave fronts in an isothermal auto-catalytic chemical reaction of order n : A + n B → ( n + 1 ) B with 1 n 2 , and D ≠ 1 due to different molecular weights and/or sizes of A and B. The resulting nonlinearity is f ( b ) = b n . Explicit bounds v ∗ and v ∗ that depend on D are derived such that there is a unique travelling wave of every speed v ⩾ v ∗ and there does not exist any travelling wave of speed v v ∗ . New to the literature, it is shown that v ∗ ∝ v ∗ ∝ D when D 1 . Furthermore, when D > 1 , it is shown rigorously that there exists a v min such that there is a travelling wave of speed v if and only if v ⩾ v min . Estimates on v min improve significantly that of early works. Another case in which two different orders of isothermal auto-catalytic chemical reactions are involved is also studied with interesting new results proved.
Model evolution methodology for adaptive object recognition under dynamic perceptual conditions

ABSTRACT The paper presents a model evolution methodology for object Recognition under dynamic perceptual conditions.The methodology consists of a Model Application, a Model Evolution, and a Reinforcement Learning. The modelapplication is an approach to the recognition of objects within a sequence of images, which have been acquiredunder dynamic perceptual conditions. In this approach, an RBF(Radial Basis Function)-based classifier is appliedto classify/segment objects within each image. The model evolution is concerned with the modification of models,which are created off-line or continue to be updated on-line. The purpose of the model evolution is that these modelscan adapt to next incoming images. The model evolution is achieved with the help of the reinforcement learning,which is activated to generate information for model evolution, when it is needed to modify models according toperceived disparities between the models and reality.The methodology has been achieved through the development of an adaptive vision system, which consists ofthree main subsystems: Model Application system, Reinforcement Learning system, and Model Evolution system.They have been developed and integrated in a close-loop so that object models can evolve to recognize objects undervariable perceptual conditions.Keywords: Adaptive Object Recognition, Dynamic Perceptual Condition, Model Evolution, Radial Basis Function,Reinforcement Learning
Marketing Heidegger: Entrepreneurship and corporate practices

Spinosa, Flores, and Dreyfus have made some valuable suggestions about the important but (in philosophy) much neglected concept of entrepreneurship. An entrepreneur, in the classical economists’ lexicon, is a person who founds, organizes, and manages a business. In more modern conversation, he or she is a business hero or heroine. Nowhere is the new emphasis on entrepreneurship more evident than in our largest corporations. The authors analyse the entrepreneur not as an eccentric or a maverick but in terms a specific way of operating within existing social practices. They reject the still prevalent caricature of the avaricious entrepreneur in the grip of greed as well as the too ‘genius'‐oriented conception of the inventor who cannot manage his own affairs, much less a corporation. An entrepreneur, on their account, is someone who knows how to notice and ‘hold on to’ an anomaly and creates a market, sometimes where there was no market at all. They argue that entrepreneurship essentially involves conversat...
Optimization of Microstructure and Dislocation Dynamics in InxGa1-xP Graded Buffers Grown on GaP by Movpe

To engineer high-quality InxGa1−xP graded buffers on GaP substrates (InxGa1−xP/GaP), we have explored the evolution of microstructure and dislocation dynamics in these materials. We show that the primarily limiting factor in obtaining high-quality InxGa1−xP/GaP is a new defect microstructure that we call branch defects. Branch defects pin dislocations and result in dislocation pileups that cause an escalation in threading dislocation density with continued grading. The morphology of branch defects is dominated by growth temperature, which can be used to suppress the strength or density of branch defects. In the absence of branch defects, we observe nearly ideal dislocation dynamics that are controlled by the kinetics of dislocation glide. This new understanding results in two primary design rules for achieving high-quality materials: 1) control branch defects, and 2) maximize dislocation glide kinetics. Combining these design rules into optimization strategies, we develop and demonstrate processes based on single and multiple growth temperatures. With optimization, threading dislocation densities below 5 × 106 cm−2 are achieved out to x = 0.39 and a nearly steady-state relaxation process is recovered.
Interactive Roles of Ets-1, Sp1, and Acetylated Histones in the Retinoic Acid-dependent Activation of Guanylyl Cyclase/Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-A Gene Transcription

Cardiac hormones atrial and brain natriuretic peptides activate guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA), which plays a critical role in reduction of blood pressure and blood volume. Currently, the mechanisms responsible for regulating the Npr1 gene (coding for GC-A/NPRA) transcription are not well understood. The present study was conducted to examine the interactive roles of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), Ets-1, Sp1, and histone acetylation on the transcriptional regulation and function of the Npr1 gene. Deletion analysis of the Npr1 promoter and luciferase assays showed that ATRA enhanced a 16-fold Npr1 promoter activity and greatly stimulated guanylyl cyclase (GC) activity of the receptor protein in both atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-dependent and -independent manner. As confirmed by gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, ATRA enhanced the binding of both Ets-1 and Sp1 to the Npr1 promoter. The retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) was recruited by Ets-1 and Sp1 to form a transcriptional activator complex with their binding sites in the Npr1 promoter. Interestingly, ATRA also increased the acetylation of histones H3 and H4 and enhanced their recruitment to Ets-1 and Sp1 binding sites within the Npr1 promoter. Collectively, the present results demonstrate that ATRA regulates Npr1 gene transcription and GC activity of the receptor by involving the interactive actions of Ets-1, Sp1, and histone acetylation.
The pars interna/media anatomy and histology in the human larynx.

The pars interna/media (PIM) is a small muscle found in the human larynx that has not been successfully described in contemporary literature on laryngeal structure. The objective of this study was to
M/G/1 Vacation Queueing Systems with Server Timeout

We consider a single-server vacation queueing system that operates in the following manner. When the server returns from a vacation, it observes the following rule. If there is at least one customer in the system, the server commences service and serves exhaustively before taking another vacation. If the server finds the system empty, it waits a fixed time c. At the expiration of this time, the server commences another vacation if no customer has arrived; otherwise, it serves exhaustively before commencing another vacation. Analytical results are derived for the mean waiting time in the system. The timeout scheme is shown to be a generalized scheme of which both the single vacation and multiple vacations schemes are special cases, with c=∞ and c=0, respectively. The model is extended to the N-policy vacation queueing system.
Using Neuronal Populations to Study the Mechanisms Underlying Spatial and Feature Attention

Visual attention affects both perception and neuronal responses. Whether the same neuronal mechanisms mediate spatial attention, which improves perception of attended locations, and nonspatial forms of attention has been a subject of considerable debate. Spatial and feature attention have similar effects on individual neurons. Because visual cortex is retinotopically organized, however, spatial attention can comodulate local neuronal populations, whereas feature attention generally requires more selective modulation. We compared the effects of feature and spatial attention on local and spatially separated populations by recording simultaneously from dozens of neurons in both hemispheres of V4. Feature and spatial attention affect the activity of local populations similarly, modulating both firing rates and correlations between pairs of nearby neurons. However, whereas spatial attention appears to act on local populations, feature attention is coordinated across hemispheres. Our results are consistent with a unified attentional mechanism that can modulate the responses of arbitrary subgroups of neurons.
A Quarter-Century of Metal-Metal Multiple Bonds

A lot can happen in twenty five years. Actually, the roots of my work on metal-metal multiple bonds go back even more than twenty five years. As early as the late 1950’s I wondered about how many instances of definite, confirmed M-M bonds (even single ones) were to be found in the literature. Very few, I quickly discovered. I then wondered whether it would make sense to seek out more. However, it was not until I had acquired the knowledge and equipment necessary for X-ray crystallography that I could actually embark on such a program. It also happened that chance favored a prepared mind. Although I undertook a structural study of “CsReCl4,” without anticipating that it would turn out to be Cs3[Re3Cl12], the interpretation of that structure in terms of metal-metal bonds, but particularly double bonds, was almost automatic to me.1
Order Parameter Symmetry for the β-γ Transition in Pb3(VO4)2

The 100 °C phase transition in Pb3(VO4)2 is theoretically described. The description is in terms of the Landau group theoretical formulation as extended by Birman and Jari°C. Representations from the F point are constructed from which the representation that induces the transition is identified. It is found that this representation satisfies the necessary conditions for a continuous transition. The free energy form consistent with the phase of higher symmetry is constructed as a function of the order parameter and elastic strain. Die Phasenumwandlung bei 100 °C von Pb3(VO4)2 wird theoretisch beschrieben. Die Beschreibung erfolgt nach dem Landauschen gruppentheoretischen Formalismus und seiner von Birman und Jari°C bearbeiteten Erweiterung. Aufgebaut werden Darstellungen, die von den F-Punkten entstammen und von denen die Darstellung, die die Umwandlung erzeugt, identifiziert wird. Es zeigt sich, das diese Darstellung die fur einen kontinuierlichen Ubergang notwendigen Bedingungen erfullt. Die mit der Phase hoherer Symmetrie verbundene Form der freien Energie wird als Funktion des Ordnungsparameters und der elastischen Spannung konstruiert.
Resultatives and Unaccusatives: a Parametric View

This paper capitalizes on two peculiar properties of Mandarin Chinese resultative constructions that pose problems for a general theory of argument structure and parametric theory: (a) the widespread existence of unergative objectless resultatives, and (b) the possibility for both unaccusatives and unergatives to be causativized. It is proposed that these properties are reduced to the single possibility in Chinese (but not in English) for an unergative verb to merge as a manner modifier of an inchoative eventuality predicate BECOME in event structure. This parametric property is in turn reduced to a property of Chinese as a language of high analyticity. In opposition to certain recent models, the paper argues for the existence of a syntax-lexicon macro-parameter.
Efficiency-enhancing technique: LDMOS power amplifier using dual-mode operation design approach

This paper presents an input power-dependent high-efficiency LDMOS power amplifier by employing a dual-mode operation design approach. The proposed amplifier scheme provides two different operating modes depending on the power level: low or high input power modes. By controlling the number of operating amplifiers in each mode, the efficiency of the amplifier at low power level is substantially improved. Four single stage LDMOS power amplifiers with Motorola MRF 21030 were incorporated with a dual-mode input power divider and output power combiner. In the proposed operation, either one or four amplifiers were activated. The measurement results show a 50 dBm saturated output power and 40% PAE in high input power mode, when four amplifiers are active. By switching the operation to the low input mode, when the input power was relatively low, a 5% increase in PAE was obtained.
Condition Monitoring of Power Electronic Circuits Using Artificial Neural Networks

This letter investigates the effectiveness of a static neural network (NN) for monitoring of power electronic circuits. The NN is trained to form a mapping between the inputs and outputs of a power electronic circuit, which in this study is considered to be a full-bridge diode rectifier. Dynamic models have been used for the rectifier diodes. The ultimate objective of the designed NN is to provide an indication when the performance properties of one or more components in the rectifier circuit have changed from their original conditions-long before a noticeable degradation in the performance of the circuit or even a failure happens. Such information can be invaluable for many sensitive power electronic applications. The ideas put forth in this letter are not dependent on the type of the circuit and can be readily applied to more complex power electronic circuits.
Postabsorption Concentration Peaks with Brand-Name and Generic Verapamil: A Double-Blind, Crossover Study in Elderly Hypertensive Patients

The pharmacokinetic actions, bioequivalence, and cardiovascular effects of two verapamil products were studied in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study in eight elderly hypertensive patients (median age, 69.5 years; range, 60–79 years) given brand-name or generic immediate-release verapamil in 120-mg twice-daily doses for 14 days. Blood pressures, heart rates, P—R intervals, and serum concentrations of R-/S-verapamil and norverapamil were measured multiple times in patients during the last day of each therapy. Median blood pressure decreased more with generic verapamil than with the brand-name drug, with the largest difference occurring at 0.5 hours (137/74 mmHg versus 144.5/80.5 mmHg; P = 0.05 and 0.091, respectively). Pharmacokinetic parameters were not different for the two products (P < 0.10). However, the generic product, compared with the brand-name drug, had mean area under the concentration—time curve (time 0 to 12 hours) ratios (90% CI) of 1.09 (0.78–1.52), 1.16 (0.87–1.55) and 1.11 (0.81–1.52) for R-, S-, and total verapamil. Seventy concentration peaks (31 with the brand-name drug, 39 with the generic drug) appeared between 8 and 24 hours. Median percentages of increase of these peaks, compared with those of previous concentrations, were 48.3% and 36.3% for brand-name and generic drugs, respectively. Fifty of the 70 peaks (71%) were associated with a stereospecific concentration peak of norverapamil and, temporally, with meals. Our findings suggest that whereas the two verapamil products may not be bioequivalent by Food and Drug Administration criteria, the observed differences in effects were not clinically significant in this elderly population. Multiple concentration peaks after absorption were observed in all patients with both verapamil products and were perhaps related to enterohepatic recirculation.
Comparative hydraulic architecture of tropical tree species representing a range of successional stages and wood density

Plant hydraulic architecture (PHA) has been linked to water transport sufficiency, photosynthetic rates, growth form and attendant carbon allocation. Despite its influence on traits central to conferring an overall competitive advantage in a given environment, few studies have examined whether key aspects of PHA are indicative of successional stage, especially within mature individuals. While it is well established that wood density (WD) tends to be lower in early versus late successional tree species, and that WD can influence other aspects of PHA, the interaction of WD, successional stage and the consequent implications for PHA have not been sufficiently explored. Here, we studied differences in PHA at the scales of wood anatomy to whole-tree hydraulic conductance in species in early versus late successional Panamanian tropical forests. Although the trunk WD was indistinguishable between the successional groups, the branch WD was lower in the early successional species. Across all species, WD correlated negatively with vessel diameter and positively with vessel packing density. The ratio of branch:trunk vessel diameter, branch sap flux and whole-tree leaf-specific conductance scaled negatively with branch WD across species. Pioneer species showed greater sap flux in branches than in trunks and a greater leaf-specific hydraulic conductance, suggesting that pioneer species can move greater quantities of water at a given tension gradient. In combination with the greater water storage capacitance associated with lower WD, these results suggest these pioneer species can save on the carbon expenditure needed to build safer xylem and instead allow more carbon to be allocated to rapid growth.
Recent results and open problems in filter banks and subband coding

A number of interesting problems in filter bank theory are discussed. The emphasis is on optimal subband coders, especially uniform DFT filter banks which are computationally attractive. A number of open problems are mentioned throughout the paper.
Effect of Osteoclast Co-culture on the Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Grown on Bone Graft Granules

Traditional approaches to bone repair are currently being integrated with innovative tissue-engineering techniques, as researchers and clinicians shift their treatment focus toward regenerating functional tissue rather than just filling a defect to provide structural support. Cells are expanded and incorporated into implantable systems in hopes of enhancing the bone-forming capabilities of traditional bone graft substitutes. The present study examined how osteoclasts might be used to stimulate the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into bone forming cells. The two cell types were co-cultured on a resorbable, three-dimensional bone graft substitute. Osteoclasts were seeded prior to the addition of hMSCs, as well as simultaneously, to determine if resorption of the scaffold would have any bearing on observed response by hMSCs. When seeded directly with hMSCs on the 3-D substrates, the osteoclasts had an increase in TRAP expression over time if seeded simultaneously. The co-culture setup had a positive influence on the proliferation of hMSCs. Late stage osteoblast differentiation markers (bone sialoprotein) were positively affected by direct co-culture with osteoclasts. The addition of RANKL to the culture medium for osteoclastogenesis appears to be a factor in the observed responses by hMSCS, but is not the only factor influencing the MSCs. Osteoclasts were shown to have an influence on the development of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts when cultured in vitro. Findings from this study, coupled with the knowledge obtained from our previous work, will aid in the development of a clinically viable mesenchymal stem cell based bone graft system.
Providing Incentives for Efficient Land Assembly

When urban renewal requires land assembly, owners who hold out may delay or prevent efficient redevelopment. Governments that use eminent domain to take such properties might cause socially inefficient redevelopment if they underestimate the values of these properties. None of the recent proposals for dealing with land assembly is fully efficient, and many fail to ensure that owners receive full compensation for their properties. We describe two mechanisms that yield efficient land assembly, and we assess their attractiveness relative to eminent domain and other, previously proposed solutions.
Hardware/software co-design via specification refinement

System-level design is an engineering discipline focused on producing methods, technologies, and tools that enable the specification, design, and implementation of complex, multi-discipline, and multi-domain systems. System-level specifications are as abstract as possible, defining required system behaviors while eliding implementation details. These implementation details must be added during the implementation process and the high effort associated with this locks system engineers onto the chosen implementation architecture. This work provides two contributions that ease the implementation process. The Rosetta synthesis capability generates hardware/software co-designed implementations from specifications that contain low level implementation details. The Rosetta refinement capability extends this by allowing a system’s functional behavior and its implementation details to be described separately. The Rosetta Refinement Tool combines the functional behavior and the implementation details to form a system specification that can be synthesized using the Rosetta synthesis capability. The Rosetta refinement capability is exposed using existing Rosetta language constructs that have, previous to this work, never been exploited. Together these two capabilities allow the refinement of high level, architecture independent specifications into low level, architecture specific hardware/software co-designed implementations. The result is an effective platform for rapid prototyping of hardware/software co-designs and provides system engineers with the novel ability to explore different system architectures with low effort.
Determination of 19 chlorophenols by packed-column gas chromatography.

The use of packed columns has been explored for the gas chromatographic separation and identification of all 19 chlorophenol congeners after acetylation, Numerous mixtures of polar or nonpolar packings with either of two commercial Bentone 34 mixtures were tested. A mixture of 5% OV-101, 1.75% Bentone 34 on Chrom W-HP (100/120) mixed with twice its weight of 3% OV-225 on 100/120 Supelcoport separated all 19 congeners.
A Selective ATP-Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 Efflux Inhibitor Revealed via High-Throughput Flow Cytometry

Chemotherapeutics tumor resistance is a principal reason for treatment failure, and clinical and experimental data indicate that multidrug transporters such as ATP-binding cassette (ABC) B1 and ABCG2 play a leading role by preventing cytotoxic intracellular drug concentrations. Functional efflux inhibition of existing chemotherapeutics by these pumps continues to present a promising approach for treatment. A contributing factor to the failure of existing inhibitors in clinical applications is limited understanding of specific substrate/inhibitor/pump interactions. We have identified selective efflux inhibitors by profiling multiple ABC transporters against a library of small molecules to find molecular probes to further explore such interactions. In our primary screening protocol using JC-1 as a dual-pump fluorescent reporter substrate, we identified a piperazine-substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine substructure with promise for selective efflux inhibition. As a result of a focused structure-activity relationship (SAR)-driven chemistry effort, we describe compound 1 (CID44640177), an efflux inhibitor with selectivity toward ABCG2 over ABCB1. Compound 1 is also shown to potentiate the activity of mitoxantrone in vitro as well as preliminarily in vivo in an ABCG2-overexpressing tumor model. At least two analogues significantly reduce tumor size in combination with the chemotherapeutic topotecan. To our knowledge, low nanomolar chemoreversal activity coupled with direct evidence of efflux inhibition for ABCG2 is unprecedented.
The Dynamics of Dutch Politics

R OUTINELY, IT SEEMS, the Netherlands is classified by students of comparative politics as "just another example of a European constitutional monarchy." In this category it is lumped with the neighboring kingdom of Belgium and the Scandinavian triumvirate as constituting an "and company" to these far more studied and publicized governmental systems.1 Yet for the student of comparative politics, particularly of party systems, few countries in any area of the world are more rewarding than the Netherlands. For here, except for Israel and possibly Indonesia,2 is a nation unique in possessing two separate but integrated party systems-secular and religious. Indeed within each of the two systems are aspects of the other. Religion has more than once posed problems of conscience for adherents of the secularly-based Labor Party,3 just as economic and class loyalties have caused uneasiness within the religiously-oriented Catholic Party.