cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure analysis and evaluation of two probes for the colorimetric detection of Hg2+ and turn-on fluorescence-based detection of Cd2+ ions in an aqueous solution

Abstract Synthetic molecular probes with fluorescent and colorimetric signals are valuable tools for the detection of toxic metal ions. Therefore, two synthetic molecular probes based on quinoline moiety were prepared by substituting it with a sulfonate group and piperidine or morpholine moieties. Quinoline integrated probes were characterized via 1H, 13C-NMR, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography techniques. The structures were further investigated using the crystal explorer program. The intermolecular interactions were quantitatively explored using Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2-D fingerprint plots. The strength of intermolecular interactions was further investigated using the TONTO program at the B3LYP/6-31(d,p) level of theory. The integrated receptors were capable of selectively detecting Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions in aqueous media using UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The structural design of the probe was such that it could selectively signal the presence of the metal ions. The receptors produced enhanced fluorescence intensity in the presence of Cd2+ ions, while no fluorescence emission was observed for Hg2+ ions. The computational study based on M062X/6-31+G(d)-LANL2TZ was used to further investigate the structure of the molecular probe and their complexes.
Pulmonary Function Tests in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Screened for Pulmonary Hypertension: A Pilot Study.

Objective To compare pulmonary function tests (PFTs), specifically respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Crs), in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with and without pulmonary hypertension. Study design Infants were included who underwent PFTs at 34-38 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) as part of our pulmonary hypertension screening guidelines for infants born at ≤1500 g requiring respiratory support at ≥34 weeks PMA. One pediatric cardiologist reviewed and estimated right ventricular or pulmonary arterial pressure and defined pulmonary hypertension as an estimated pulmonary arterial pressure or right ventricular pressure greater than one-half the systemic pressure. Rrs and Crs were measured with the single breath occlusion technique and functional residual capacity with the nitrogen washout method according to standardized criteria. Results Twelve VLBW infants with pulmonary hypertension and 39 without pulmonary hypertension were studied. Those with pulmonary hypertension had significantly lower birth weight and a trend toward a lower gestational age. There were no other demographic differences between the groups. The infants with pulmonary hypertension had significantly higher Rrs (119 vs 78 cmH2O/L/s; adjusted P = .012) and significantly lower Crs/kg (0.71 vs 0.92 mL/cmH2O/kg; P = .04). Conclusions In this pilot study of VLBW infants screened for pulmonary hypertension at 34-38 weeks PMA, those with pulmonary hypertension had significantly increased Rrs and decreased Crs compared with those without pulmonary hypertension. Additional studies are needed to further phenotype infants with evolving BPD and pulmonary hypertension.
Nitrite reductase activity within an antiparallel de novo scaffold

Copper nitrite reductase (CuNiR) is a copper enzyme that converts nitrite to nitric oxide and is an important part of the global nitrogen cycle in bacteria. The relatively simple CuHis3 binding site of the CuNiR active site has made it an enticing target for small molecule modeling and de novo protein design studies. We have previously reported symmetric CuNiR models within parallel three stranded coiled coil systems, with activities that span a range of three orders of magnitude. In this report, we investigate the same CuHis3 binding site within an antiparallel three helical bundle scaffold, which allows the design of asymmetric constructs. We determine that a simple CuHis3 binding site can be designed within this scaffold with enhanced activity relative to the comparable construct in parallel coiled coils. Incorporating more complex designs or repositioning this binding site can decrease this activity as much as 15 times. Comparing these constructs, we reaffirm a previous result in which a blue shift in the 1s to 4p transition energy determined by Cu(I) X-ray absorption spectroscopy is correlated with an enhanced activity within imidazole-based constructs. With this step and recent successful electron transfer site designs within this scaffold, we are one step closer to a fully functional de novo designed nitrite reductase.
Mitchell osteotomy with herbert bone screw fixation: A retrospective analysis of 35 procedures in 22 patients with hallux valgus

Abstract There is a plethora of options for surgical correction of moderate hallux abductovalgus deformity. The Mitchell osteotomy (1,2) is a classic procedure for hallux abductovalgus correction and has evolved through rounds of modifications since its inception and yet the optimal mode of fixation for this technique remains elusive. In this study, the utility of the Herbert bone screw fixation with a modified Mitchell osteotomy was examined. A retrospective chart review of patients that previously underwent this specific procedure at our institution between January 1, 1986 to December 31, 2002 was examined. Twenty-two patients (35 procedures) were followed for a minimum of one year and an average of three years post-operatively. Standard radiographic measurements were obtained from weightbearing AP films pre-operatively and during the immediate post-operative period at 6 weeks. The analysis revealed that the 1st intermetatarsal angle (P
On the structure of well-conditioned positive resistance networks

The unique structural composition of a (N+1)-terminal positive resistance network, including the network center, is illustrated by the parallel connection of the original network and of its associated terminal weight number network. The network is said to be well-conditioned if and only if all its associated terminal weight numbers are non-positive. Based on research, the author concludes that KCL (Kirchhoff's current law) and network topology (graph, matroid), which recognize only element incidence but not element values, do not suffice for the complete structural characterization and evaluation of electrical networks. In addition one must use terminal weight numbers, TWN (terminal weight numbers), which contain element value information, and their constraints and these must be established for every network class. When TWN and KCL are combined, necessary and sufficient conditions exist to solve every structural network problem. >
Studies on the mechanism of activation of adipose tissue pyruvate dehydrogenase by insulin.

Abstract Incubation of rat epididymal adipose tissue fragments with insulin led to increases of up to 2.4-fold in the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase subsequently assayed in tissue homogenates. The activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by insulin was greatest when tissue was incubated in the presence of bicarbonate ions and when 2 mg of glucose or fructose per ml was added to the incubation medium. Several other agents known to inhibit lipolysis and to decrease cyclic AMP levels in fat cells, including niacin, 5-methylpyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, and prostaglandin E1 were also effective in activating pyruvate dehydrogenase. Severe depletion of tissue ATP levels caused by the addition of oligomycin or dinitrophenol, by anaerobic incubation, or by prolonged incubation with epinephrine in the absence of albumin also activated pyruvate dehydrogenase. Incubation of adipose tissue with 1 mm oleate, 1.5 mm octanoate, 1.5 mm heptanoate, 1 mm butyrate, or 3 mm dl-β-hydroxybutyrate decreased pyruvate dehydrogenase activity 20 to 70%. The addition of 5 mm acetate, 5 mm propionate, or 3 mm 4-pentenoate led to 70 to 160% activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, whereas 1.5 mm pentanoate had no effect. High concentrations of glucose (20 mg per ml) or of pyruvate-lactate (5 and 30 mm, respectively) also increased tissue pyruvate dehydrogenase activity.
And We, Theater of Girls

I always called my best friend Tako, which means octopus. I don't remember its exact origin. It had something to do with one of the trendy TV commercials in Japan in the late eighties?a tanned lady with an expression of ennui, suddenly assaulted by miniature octopi showering down on her in the foamy bathtub. The cartoon ish body of each octopus glowed cherry-red to the very tip of its baby beak. These octopi had grown happily drunk on Japanese spirits distilled from sweet potatoes, called sh?ch?. Yes, it was the sh?ch? commercial we loved, and we hummed its tune twisting our hips the whole time we changed into our white shirts and brown bloomers for physical education. But really, it doesn't explain why every kid in our school had come to call her Tako or Tako-san, attaching an honorific in the latter case. She was neither bashful nor drunk. She was extremely popu lar though, the only daughter of a wealthy futon maker. In winter, I slept on the exquisite futon her father had made, with a pattern of cranes rising at dawn, embroidered in white and gold silk. Once, a girl in our class decided to call me Ifea-san, Miss Squid; she thought that Tako and I shared as close a kinship as that of an octopus and a squid under the ocean, however imaginary. Even though I wasn't keen on this particular girl, I was flattered. In those days, boys gave me multiple names to make fun of my light com plexion: Snow Zombie, Egg White, and Mayonnaise. They never ran out of names for me, because they found my pale skin nauseating. "Hey, Rotten Corpse, can I borrow a pen?" Ika was infinitely better for me. For the first time, I was given a name that suggested an oceanic tie to my popular friend, and it gave me a share of her glory, or so I felt. I regret that it only happened just that one time; no other kid ever called me Miss Squid again.
Strategies in Staff Development: An Ecological Approach

( debate in the social work lit erature over a generic definition of continuing education, few have argued against the need for continu ing education itself.1 Several phe nomena have contributed to the sig nificant expansion of continuing education in social work, not the least of which is the requirement for con tinuing education that is coupled with many state licensure and certifi cation programs. Another phenome non that may well contribute to the need for increased continuing educa tion efforts is the declassification of social service personnel taking place in public welfare systems in many states. State systems that have undergone declassification will have to increase their in-service training programs because of the lack of in coming personnel who have expertise on entering the system. Moreover, additional training will have to be done within the system to upgrade the skills of those already employed.
Academic Task Demand in the 21st-Century, High-Stakes-Accountability School: Mapping the Journey From Poor [to Fair to Good to Great] to Excellent?

Drawing on theoretical and empirical research concerning the relationship between academic work and student learning, this article explores the following questions: What skills are required to execute the academic tasks teachers assign on a daily basis? How do teachers and administrators interpret the task demands represented in instructional materials? How does task demand relate to a school’s improvement process? Our findings suggest that task demand focused largely on low-level skill development. However, having established baseline systems and practices, schools are working to institutionalize more sophisticated practices that foster 21st-century knowledge and skill acquisition.
Differentiation Between Infection and Rejection in the Management of Cardiac Transplant Patients.

Infections commonly complicate cardiac transplantation, and the clinical presentation of post-transplantation infection is usually readily distinguishable from that of rejection. Infection of the allograft may mimic rejection, however, and endomyocardial biopsies are required to distinguish these two entities. Cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of post-transplant cardiac infection. Although there are noninvasive studies that may suggest a diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection, the noninvasive diagnosis of infectionrelated myocarditis remains challenging.
Extreme-pressure research explores how Earth's mantle solidified

During the earliest stages of the Earth's formation, the planet's mantle may have taken the form of a giant magma ocean, being fully or partially molten all the way down to the core-mantle boundary. Though mantle material is predominantly solid today, some scientists suggest that regions of anomalously low seismic wave velocity deep within the mantle, known as ultralow velocity zones (ULVZs), may be indicative of a remnant magma ocean or of partial melting of minerals near the core-mantle boundary. To understand how the early mantle solidified or whether modern melt could be the source of ULVZs, scientists need to know how various minerals and melts behave under the extreme conditions found near the center of the Earth.
Detection of Y chromosome sequences in a 45,X/46,XXq– patient by Southern blot analysis of PCR‐amplified DNA and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)

In some cases of gonadal dysgenesis, cytogenetic analysis seems to be discordant with the phenotype of the patients. We have applied techniques such as Southern blot analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to resolve the phenotype/genotype discrepancy in a patient with ambiguous genitalia in whom the peripheral blood karyotype was 45,X. Gonadectomy at age 7 months showed the gonadal tissue to be prepubertal testis on the left side and a streak gonad on the right. The karyotype obtained from the left gonad was 45,X/46,XXq- and that from the right gonad was 45,X. Three different techniques, PCR amplification, FISH, and chromosome painting for X and Y chromosomes, confirmed the presence of Y chromosome sequences. Five different tissues were evaluated. The highest percentage of Y chromosome positive cells were detected in the left gonad, followed by the peripheral blood lymphocytes, skin fibroblasts, and buccal mucosa. No Y chromosomal material could be identified in the right gonad. Since the Xq- chromosome is present in the left gonad (testis), it is likely that the Xq- contains Y chromosomal material. Sophisticated analysis in this patient showed that she has at least 2 cell lines, one of which contains Y chromosomal material. These techniques elucidated the molecular basis of the genital ambiguity for this patient. When Y chromosome sequences are present in patients with Ullrich-Turner syndrome or gonadal dysgenesis, the risk for gonadal malignancy is significantly increased. Hence, molecular diagnostic methods to ascertain for the presence of Y chromosome sequences may expedite the evaluation of patients with ambiguous genitalia.
Detection of extracellular bound proteinase in EPS-producing lactic acid bacteria cultures on skim milk agar.

Aims: Skim milk agar was developed to investigate extracellular cell-bound proteinase in yogurt cultures, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Methods and Results: The Lact. bulgaricus cultures produced more extracellular cell-bound proteinase than did Strep. thermophilus cultures. Strong positive correlations between the size of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) layer and extracellular cell-bound proteinase were found for both Streptococcus and Lactobacillus cultures. Conclusions: Strong positive linear relationships existed between the EPS size and colony size and the diameter of clear zone and colony size for Streptococcus cultures, whereas weak positive linear relationships were observed for Lactobacillus cultures. Significance and Impact of the Study: These data are useful to validate the relationship between extracellular proteinase and the EPS size of LAB. Also, a convenient medium to detect the presence of extracelluar cell-bound proteinase of LAB is valuable for dairy industries.
Culturable Bacteria Present in the Fluid of the Hooded-Pitcher Plant Sarracenia Minor Based on 16S rDNA Gene Sequence Data

The culturable microbial community within the pitcher fluid of 93 Sarracenia minor carnivorous plants was examined over a 2-year study. Many aspects of the plant/bacterial/insect interaction within the pitcher fluid are minimally understood because the bacterial taxa present in these pitchers have not been identified. Thirteen isolates were characterized by 16S rDNA sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. The Proteobacteria were the most abundant taxa and included representatives from Serratia, Achromobacter, and Pantoea. The Actinobacteria Micrococcus was also abundant while Bacillus, Lactococcus, Chryseobacterium, and Rhodococcus were infrequently encountered. Several isolates conformed to species identifiers (>98% rDNA gene sequence similarity) including Serratia marcescens (isolates found in 27.5% of pitchers), Achromobacter xylosoxidans (37.6%), Micrococcus luteus (40.9%), Bacillus cereus (isolates found in 10.2%), Bacillus thuringiensis (5.4%), Lactococcus lactis (17.2%), and Rhodococcus equi (2.2%). Species–area curves suggest that sampling efforts were sufficient to recover a representative culturable bacterial community. The bacteria present represent a diverse community probably as a result of introduction by insect vectors, but the ecological significance remains under explored.
Microfluidic approach for rapid multicomponent interfacial tensiometry

We report a microfluidic instrument to rapidly measure the interfacial tension of multi-component immiscible liquids. The measurement principle rests upon the deformation and retraction dynamics of drops under extensional flow and was implemented for the first time in microfluidics (S. D. Hudson et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 2005, 87, 081905 (ref. )). Here we describe in detail the instrument design and physics and extend this principle to investigate multicomponent mixtures, specifically two-component drops of adjustable composition. This approach provides fast real-time σ measurements (on the order of 1 s), the possibility of rapidly adjusting drop composition and utilizes small sample volumes (approximately 10 µL). The tensiometer operation is illustrated with water drops and binary drops (water/ethylene glycol mixtures) in silicone oils. The technique should be particularly valuable for high-throughput characterization of complex fluids.
Institutional Advancement and Spectator Sports: The Importance of Television.

Encouraging identification with institutions is the purpose of external relations, and televised athletics presents a useful tool.
Rationale for a phase I/II radiation dose-escalation study with concurrent amifostine (ethyol) and infusional 5-FU chemotherapy for preoperative treatment of unresectable or locally recurrent rectal carcinoma

Rectal adenocarcinoma almost invariably requires extipative surgery to be cured. Although radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy often will elicit dramatic responses, the treatment morbidity limits the tolerable dose of radiation to about 45 to 50 Gy. Strategies to reduce procto/enteritis may permit higher doses of radiation to be delivered. This report reviews a recently activated radiation dose-escalation study that combines the radioprotector amifostine (Ethyol, WR-2721) with 3-dimensionally planned radiation therapy and concurrent infusional 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.
Failure of Daily Injections of Ketamine HCI to Adversely Alter Menstrual Cycle Length, Blood Estrogen, and Progesterone Levels in the Rhesus Monkey

Failure of daily injections of ketamine hydrogen chloride (HCL) to adversely alter menstrual cycle length blood estorgen and progesterone levels in the rhesus monkey is reported. The study was carried out with 30 adult female monkeys to determine the effects of daily administration of 8-10 mg ketamine HCL/kg. In physically restrained control monkeys there were 14 of 25 ovulatory cycles and inketamine-treated monkeys there were 28 of 32 ovulatory cycles. Menstrual cycle length was the same in both groups. The levels and time course of estrogen and progesterone levels were the same in the ovulatory cycles of both groups. In 30% of the control cycles and in 25% of the ketamine-treated there were luteal phases in which the preovulatory estrogen levels were normal and in which the luteal-phase progesterone levels were low and variable 6-8 days after the preovulatory surge. It is concluded that the daily use of ketamine HCL does not markedly alter menstrual cycle length or serum estrogen or progesterone levels throughout the menstrual cycle. The incidence of anovulatory cycles and premature menstrual induction was reduced probably by reducing the stress of restraining the monkey for the purpose of taking a blood sample.
Effects of Soy Proteins Containing Trypsin Inhibitors in Long Term Feeding Studies in Rats

Pancreatic hypertrophy that occurs in rats fed raw soy flour containing about 1200 mg tripsin inhibitor (TI)/100 g diet was reversed by switching the rats to control diets or to diets containing 30% toasted defatted soy flour. No pancreatic hypertrophy occurs in rats fed commercial, edible grade soy flours, concentrate or isolate from time of weaning to adulthood (ca. 300 days). TI content of the soy diets ranged from 178–420 mg/100 g. Except for pancreas enlargement in rats fed raw soy flour, gross and microscopic examination of pancreata revealed no abnormalities. The gross appearance of heart, kidney, spleen, and liver was normal. Soy flour, protein concentrate, and protein isolate in a formulated corn-soy diet provided optimum growth and maintained body weight only if supplemented with vitamin B-12 in long term feeding studies with rats. In the absence of such supplementation, rats fed soy diets initially grew at a rate equal to or greater than those fed a comparable corn-casein control diet; but, with continued feeding for ca. 300 days, body weight of rats fed the casein control was significantly greater than that of the soy flour-fed rats. Those fed soy isolate ceased to grow; and rats fed soy concentrate lost weight. No significant differences were found in organ weights between groups fed soy products and casein, except for increased kidney, liver, and testes weights relative to body weight with the group fed soy concentrate. Supplementation of the soy diets with vitamin B12 stimulated growth to the greatest extent, calcium pantothenate or riboflavin had an intermediate effect, other vitamins had little or no effect; whereas a complete mineral mix was detrimental. Supplementation of the soy diets with vitamin B12 stimulated growth to the greatest extent, calcium pantothenate or roboflavin had an intermediate effect, other vitamins had little or no effect; whereas a complete mineral mix was detrimental. Supplementation of the control diet was without effect. The dietary protein level in these diets was 20%, with casein or soy protein representing 75% of total protein. When fed continuously to rats from weaning to adulthood, properly processed soy protein products, when balanced with essential nutrients, can provide growth comparable to corn-casein diets.
Why does the majority party bother to have minority party members on committees

Why would a generic parliament have committees with minority party members? If the majority party considers minority party committee members a burden, then it could choose to exclude minority party members entirely from the committee system. This, however, has rarely happened in history. In this paper, I provide an informational rationale for the bipartisan committee system through a simple signaling model. I show that, in equilibrium, the majority party on the floor can extract better information and, therefore, enact more preferred policy outcomes by forming committees with members of both parties.
Information measures: Statistical confidence limits and inference

Abstract This paper presents tested statistical methods for reducing sampling bias in, for assigning approximate confidence bounds to, and for testing hypotheses about information-theoretic measures used in the study of animal communication and in behavioral sequence analysis. These procedures are also applicable in fields other than animal behavior, including psychology and ecology. Results of a Monte Carlo evaluation of the methods, including comparison of these techniques with possible alternative procedures, are presented.
Replacement of evaporites within the Permian Park City Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA

The Permian Park City Formation consists of cyclically bedded subtidal to supratidal carbonates, cherts and siltstones. Early diagenesis of Park City Formation carbonates occurred under the influence of waters ranging from evaporative brines to dilute meteoric solutions and resulted in evaporite emplacement (syndepositional nodules and cements), as well as dolomitization, silicification and leaching of carbonate grains. Major differences are seen, however, in the diagenetic patterns of subsurface and surface sections of Park City Formation rocks. Subsurface samples are characterized by extensively preserved evaporite crystals and nodules, and preserve evidence of significant silicification (chert, chalcedony and megaquartz) and minor calcitization of evaporites. In outcrop sections, the evaporites are more poorly preserved, and have been replaced by silica and calcite and also leached. The resultant mouldic porosity is filled with widespread, very coarse, blocky calcite spar. These replacements appear to be multistage phenomena. Field and petrographic evidence indicates that silicification involved direct replacement of evaporites and occurred during the early stages of burial prior to hydrocarbon migration. Siliceous sponge spicules provided a major source of silica, and the fluids involved in replacement were probably a mixture of marine and meteoric waters. A second period of replacement and minor calcitization is inferred to have occurred during deep burial (under the influence of thermochemical sulphate reduction), although the presence of hydrocarbons probably retarded most other diagenetic reactions during this time interval. The major period of evaporite diagenesis, however, occurred during late stage uplift. The late stage replacement and pore-filling calcites have δ13C values ranging from 0·5 to -25·3%, and δ18O values of -16·1 to -24·30 (PDB), reflecting extensive modification by meteoric water. Vigorous groundwater flow, associated with mid-Tertiary block faulting, led to migration of meteoric fluids through the porous carbonates to depths of several kilometres. These waters reacted with the in situ hydrocarbon-rich pore fluids and evaporite minerals, and precipitated calcite cements. The Tosi Chert appears to have been an even more open system to fluid migration during its burial and has undergone a much more complex diagenetic history, as evidenced by multiple episodes of silicification, calcitization (ferroan and non-ferroan), and hydrocarbon emplacement. The multistage replacement processes described here do not appear to be restricted to the Permian of Wyoming. Similarly complex patterns of alteration have been noted in the Permian of west Texas, New Mexico, Greenland and other areas, as well as in strata of other ages. Thus, multistage evaporite dissolution and replacement may well be the norm rather than the exception in the geological record.
Effects of light and chloroplast functional state on expression of nuclear genes encoding chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in long hypocotyl (hy) mutants and Wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana

In a previous study of Arabidopsis thaliana (J. Dewdney, T.R. Conley, M.-C. Shih, H.M. Goodman [1993] Plant Physiol 103: 1115–1121), it was postulated that both blue light receptor- and phytochrome-mediated pathways contribute to regulation of the nuclear genes encoding A and B subunits of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPA and GAPB). Here we report on the involvement of a nuclear gene encoding a putative blue-light receptor (HY4) and of a nuclear gene encoding phytochrome A apoprotein (PHYA) in regulation of the GAPA and GAPB genes in response to blue and far-red light. Continuous light irradiation experiments with the hy4 mutant demonstrate that the HY4 gene product is required for full expression of GAPA, GAPB, and one or more of the nuclear genes encoding small subunits of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Continuous light irradiation and fluence-response studies with the phyA-101 mutant show that phytochrome A functions in far-red light regulation of GAPA, GAPB, nuclear genes encoding small subunits of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, and CAB genes. Phytochromes A and B alone either do not participate in red light-mediated gene regulation or have redundant functions, as shown by analysis of phyA-101 and phyB-1 single mutants. In addition, the hypothesis that chloroplast-nucleus interactions affect GAPA and GAPB gene regulation was tested. Herbicide-mediated photooxidative damage to chloroplasts in A. thaliana seedlings strongly decreased the maximum amount of GAPA and GAPB steady-state mRNA detected in continuous-light irradiation experiments. Full expression of the GAPA and GAPB genes is dependent on the presence of functional chloroplasts.
Toxicity of the venoms of two scorpions (Androctonus australis and Centruroides sculpturatus) and a sea anemone (Condylactis gigantea): Acute and antifeeding actions in the cotton bollworm (Heliothis zea)

Abstract 1. Single injections of 12.5–100 μg/larva Androctonus australis and Centruroides sculpturatus scorpion venoms and Condylactis gigantea sea anemone powder decreased larval weight and fecal production of fourth instar Heliothis zea . 2. Although the venoms decreased overall feeding, diet consumption was proportional or increased compared to larval weight. 3. The three compounds increased digestive ability of treated larvae but inhibited conversion of the digested food to biomass; the resulting growth rate of envenomed larvae was significantly decreased.
Radiated Sound from a Circular Cylinder in a Turbulent Shear Layer

The effect of turbulent approach flow on the radiated sound from a circular cylinder was studied experimentally. The approach flow turbulence was provided by a single stream shear layer produced by an open jet anechoic tunnel facility. An instrumented cylinder was used to measure steady and unsteady surface pressure. The sound radiated from the cylinder placed in both an irrotational approach flow and the highly turbulent approach flow of the shear-layer was measured and compared. The cylinders located within the shear layer produced a less tonal sound with a higher broadband amplitude when compared to that of the free-stream approach flow. Secondly, the radiated sound from cylinders of different diameters was investigated to assess the effect of the ratio of cylinder diameter to approach flow length scale. It was found that as this ratio decreased, the broadband sound levels decreased as well. A simple theoretical model was then used to provide a prediction of the radiated sound for the cylinder within t...
Present status of glueball searches

Abstract The present status of experimental searches for glueballs is reviewed. A critical examination is made of the criteria used in the identification of glueballs. It is concluded that the mixing of glueball states with normal q q states deprives us so far of any ‘smoking guns’, and at least two states, f 0 (1500) and f 0 (1710) remain viable contenders for the scalar (0 ++ ) glueball. It is also shown that in the proton-antiproton annihilation experiments no evidence is found for the existence of ξ(2230), the much heralded candidate for the tensor glueball.
The effect of crossed fields on the velocity distribution of hollow electron beams

An analysis of the effect of radial electric and longitudinal magnetic fields on the axial velocity distribution of electrons in a hollow beam was carried out on a simplified model. Two results, both consistent with experimental observations, were obtained. First, the longitudinal velocity spread (or equivalent temperature) increases with distance from the axis. Second, the retarding potential at which all electrons are collected also increases with distance from the axis; this indicates that the energy of the slowest electrons at the beam edge is decreased as a result of the crossed fields. The radial electric field, which is greatest near the beam edge and zero on the axis, converts some of the longitudinal energy of the electrons into rotational energy. This kind of scattering is analyzed by a perturbation method whereby the transverse motion of the incident beam is considered harmonically bound by the magnetic field. The spectrum of the energy absorbed in the rotational mode is shown to be velocity dependent and thus to give rise to distortion in the Maxwellian distribution of the incident beam.
Reading race in a rural context

This is an ethnographic case study examining how discussions of multicultural young adult literature among a group of white, rural teachers and researchers were shaped by sociopolitical contexts and participants' constructions of racial identity. Focusing on the interactions of three teachers and ourselves, we used performance theory to help us understand how our ways of performing the self were shaped at the macro level by institutional and societal ideologies and the micro level by professional affiliations and identities. In analyzing data, we used qualitative coding procedures to arrive at key and illustrative events. These events were then analyzed using the tools of discourse analysis, which helped us to focus on the ideological underpinnings of the discourse. Our analyses revealed that as participants attempted to engage with the literature and bond with one another, we enacted personal, professional and group affiliations that served to sustain particular norms of whiteness even as we attempted to...
Recombinant adenovirus-mediated cytotoxic gene therapy of lymphoproliferative disorders: Is CAR important for the vector to ride?

The literature has seen an incredible booming of publications related to the use of recombinant adenoviruses as therapeutic tools for lymphoproliferative disorders over the last decade. Several approaches of adenovirus-mediated gene expression have been used to transfect cell lines that are derived from lymphoid tumors and would have otherwise been refractory to other transfection methods. The identification of high-affinity receptor for human adenoviruses serotype 2 and 5, the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR), has raised the question about its relevance for the efficacy of recombinant adenovirus-mediated gene therapy. We review published studies that have analyzed the use of recombinant adenovirus vectors expressing cytotoxic genes for gene therapy in lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma. For simplicity, we group all these diseases under the term lymphoproliferative disorders. We analyze the use of recombinant adenovirus-mediated cytotoxicity by assessing the importance of the biochemical and intrinsic signaling pathways interacting with the products of the exogenous viral-mediated expression. Ultimately, we discuss studies that have been finalized to by-pass the limitations of the biodistribution of CAR by modifying or targeting adenovirus to other membrane proteins in cells derived from lymphoproliferative disorders.
The effect of ontogenetic experience on variation in growth, maturation, and sexual behavior in the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

We investigated the potential effect of social interactions between juveniles on the adult body size and male sexual behavior of the live-bearing teleostPoecilia latipinna, the sailfin molly. Contrary to expectation, juveniles exhibited very low levels of aggression. Juvenile growth rates did not differ between fish raised alone and fish raised in pairs (although males reared alone were slightly larger at one point in time), and the variance between members of a pair did not exceed the variance displayed among isolated individuals. Similar results were found for age and size at sexual maturation in males. Females reared in isolation were slightly but significantly larger at maturity than females raised in pairs. There was some evidence that females raised in pairs displayed coordinated development. Male sexual behavior patterns displayed relationships with body size that matched previous descriptions: there was no effect of the rearing condition once body size effects were accounted for. These results differ dramatically from those described for other poeciliids.
Quantitative measurement of solids distribution in gas–solid riser flows using electrical impedance tomography and gamma densitometry tomography

Abstract An electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system has been developed to non-invasively measure particle distributions in the riser of a pilot-scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB). Although EIT systems have often been applied to yield qualitative information about gas–solid flows, the present EIT system yields quantitative information that is validated by comparison to a gamma densitometry tomography (GDT) system. EIT and GDT were applied to the CFB riser (14-cm inner diameter, 5.77-m height) containing fluid catalytic cracking particles in air. The flows examined were annular with a dilute core and had average and near-wall solids volume fractions up to 0.25 and 0.66, respectively. For all cases, the average and near-wall solids volume fractions from EIT and GDT agreed to within 0.03 and 0.07, respectively. This good agreement suggests that, where feasible, EIT can be used in place of GDT, which is advantageous since EIT systems are often safer, less expensive, and faster than GDT systems.
University/Agency IV-E Partnerships for Professional Education and Training: Perspectives From the States

Substantial professional education and training are delivered through partnerships between universities (typically schools of social work) and public child welfare agencies. These partnerships resulted from federal legislation that created funding opportunities for training. Most of what is known about these Title IV-E training partnerships is based on the experiences of the academic partners. This article focuses on the perspectives of training personnel for public child welfare agencies. Phone interviews were conducted with 60 participants representing training departments of state agencies. The data suggest strong support for these partnerships from the agencies' perspectives. Several benefits were noted as well as a few challenges, primarily related to funding uncertainty. Overall, the use of federal IV-E funding for partnerships is growing and evolving in many creative directions.
Suppressive Effect of Multimodal Surface Representation on Ocular Smooth Pursuit of Invisible Hand

A human observer can smoothly pursue her/his own voluntarily moved hand with the eyes in total darkness. The effects of a perceived stationary surface during ocular pursuit of the invisible hand were investigated. The task was to track the invisible hand smoothly with the eyes in a Ganzfeld (experiment 1), with a stationary visual surface in the light (experiment 2), or with a solid stationary surface in total darkness (experiment 3). It was found that smooth pursuit of the invisible hand occurred in the Ganzfeld as well as in total darkness, but was replaced by frequent saccades when a stationary surface was perceived through either the visual or the tactile sense. The results obtained with a Ganzfeld suggest that light alone does not prevent smooth pursuit of the invisible hand, and those obtained with a stationary surface suggest that perception of such a surface prevents smooth pursuit of the invisible hand and evokes saccades, regardless of the sense modality.
Effects of Knowledge of Performance: A Survey and Tentative Theoretical Formulation

(1956). Effects of Knowledge of Performance: A Survey and Tentative Theoretical Formulation. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 279-299.
Abstract PD04-05: Molecular predictors for type of recurrence following conservative treatment for DCIS

Background: The identification of molecular predictors of type of recurrence (non-invasive vs invasive) after local therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains a challenge. We hypothesized that gene expression profiling using a panel of 32 breast cancer-related genes could identify a signature predictive of type of recurrence. Methods: From a prospectively maintained database of 1873 pts treated with conservative surgery +/− radiation for DCIS (1991–2006), we identified 190 (10%) patients who recurred. Original DCIS archival blocks were available for 108 (57%) of these cases. Freshly cut sections were obtained for microdissection of pure DCIS lesions, RNA was extraction and mRNA transcript quantification was performed with the Nanostring™ nCounter® system. Data were normalized using the nCounter® digital analyzer software for analysis. Results: Among the 108 studied cases, 66 (61%) recurred as DCIS and 42 (39%) recurred as invasive cancer. Median time to recurrence was 40 months (range 7–156 mo) and did not differ by type of recurrence. Similarly, patient age, grade of DCIS, ER status, use of radiation or tamoxifen therapy did not differ. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering using all 32 genes demonstrated two predominant groups, one enriched for recurrent-as-invasive (RI) tumors, and the other enriched for recurrent-as-DCIS (RD) tumors. Refined analysis by selection of 14 genes with significant differential expression between the RI and the RD tumors identified four main groups. The first cluster was dominated by ERBB2 over-expression and is equally composed of RI and RD tumors. The second cluster was composed almost exclusively of RI tumors and showed high level of COX2 and CCND1 and low level of CDKN2A (p16). The clusters 3 and 4 were enriched for RD tumors, with the fourth cluster completely devoid of RI cases. This RD-only group showed the lowest level of CCND1, but highest level of AKT3, EGFR, CDKN2A, and MKI67, thus displaying molecular traits typical of basal-like tumors. Conclusion: In this cohort of patients who recurred following conservative treatment for DCIS, HER2 expression was not predictive, however gene expression analysis demonstrated that high COX2 and CCND1 and low CDKN2a (p16) levels were strongly associated with invasive recurrences (RI), whereas increased AKT3 and MKI67 were associated with non-invasive recurrences (RD). Although the optimal combination of predictive markers requires validation, these data suggest that molecular alterations associated with RI differ from those associated with RD and warrant further investigation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD04-05.
Review of R. Michael Feener, Islam in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives

Islam in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives, edited by R. Michael Feener, walks a careful line between a generalized study of world Islam and specific analysis of Islam in unique geopolitical settings. This is both its shortcoming and its success, and raises the thorny philosophical problem of how to conduct comparative religion, a question addressed by the editor in the introductory essay but largely ignored in subsequent chapters except to remark that Islam manifests itself differently from country to country. The challenges for such a text are twofold. First, how to account for the vast diversity of Islam as a faith tradition in the contemporary world; and second, if contemporary Islam is best understood through a comparative intrareligious analysis, what does this say about any effort to engage in interreligious comparison? The first challenge – of providing an adequate account of the complexities of world Islam – is gallantly if unevenly attempted. The chapters of the text are divided into geographical areas and written by various scholars expert in each region. The diversity of voices also contributes to a diversity of quality: the Central Asia chapter evocatively accounts for both the history and lived reality of Islam in the former Soviet states, while the chapter on South Asia blandly offers a list of important figures in Asian Muslim history while confining the ethnographic details of Muslim life to an account of political turmoil in Pakistan. More problematic is the selection of regions. The scope of the text is truly global, but its omissions are glaring: no account of Islam in Western or Eastern Europe; the SOPHIA (2007) 46:317–319 DOI 10.1007/s11841-007-0040-5
Hopf bifurcation formula for first order differential-delay equations

Abstract This work presents an explicit formula for determining the radius of a limit cycle which is born in a Hopf bifurcation in a class of first order constant coefficient differential-delay equations. The derivation is accomplished using Lindstedt’s perturbation method.
Minocycline increases phosphorylation and membrane insertion of neuronal GluR1 receptors

The tetracycline antibiotic minocycline beneficially affects neuronal functioning and also inhibits the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). We hypothesized that similar to 5-LOX inhibitors, minocycline may increase phosphorylation and membrane insertion of the glutamate receptor GluR1. The experiments were performed in primary cultures of mouse striatal neurons and in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of minocycline-treated mice. In vitro, low micromolar minocycline concentrations increased GluR1 phosphorylation at Ser845 and Ser831 and increased the surface content of GluR1. Minocycline also increased GluR1 phosphorylation in vivo. Increased GluR1 phosphorylation and minocycline treatment have been associated with antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities. Direct consequences of minocycline-increased GluR1 phosphorylation are yet to be established.
Myocardial Infarction and Patients’ Wives

When a patient has a myocardial infarction (MI), all aspects of marital function are affected. Soon after the MI, patients' wives experience psychological distress that decreases with time. Illness behaviors among the MI patients' wives increase, and aggressive and sexual impulses are often inhibited. Many families experience changes in members' work status after the husband has an MI, and wives are faced with increased chores. Marital interaction also changes. Dysfunctional marital relationships are associated with a poor psychosocial outcome. Additionally, spousal factors such as dependency are also likely to affect patients. Intervention strategies are best directed to wives at risk for problems.
The formation of the moon

Supporting evidence for the fission hypothesis for the origin of the Moon is offered. The maximum allowable amount of free iron now present in the Moon would not suffice to extract the siderophiles from the lunar silicates with the observed efficiency. Hence extraction must have been done with a larger amount of iron, as in the mantle of the Earth, of which the Moon was once a part, according to the fission hypothesis. The fission hypothesis gives a good resolution of the tektite paradox. Tektites are chemically much like products of the mantle of the Earth; but no physically possible way has been found to explain their production from the Earth itself. Perhaps they are a product of late, deep-seated lunar volcanism. If so, the Moon must have inside it some material with a strong resemblance to the Earth's mantle. Two dynamical objections to fission are shown to be surmountable under certain apparently plausible conditions.