cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of herpes simplex virus gene transcription in vitro

We used partially purified RNA polymerase II from uninfected (Pol II) and from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infected HEp-2 cells (Pol II-H) to transcribe HSV-1 DNA in vitro. Gel electrophoretic analysis of the products produced from native HSV-1 DNA yielded weight average chain lengths of 4.0 and 3.5 kb for the Pol II and Pol II-H products, respectively. Blot hybridization analyses of the HSV DNA transcripts showed that both enzymes transcribed RNA from essentially all regions of the genome. However, Pol II preferentially transcribed regions coding for the immediate-early or alpha mRNAs, whereas Pol II-H preferentially copied regions coding for the early (β) and late (γ) gene products. Transcriptional analyses of the cloned HSV-1 Bam HI-Q fragment (containing the thymidine kinase (TK) gene) and its subfragments showed that (1) the major transcripts produced by Pol II-H were distinctly different from those produced by Pol II; (2) Pol II and Pol II-H utilized different promoters for the synthesis of major transcripts; (3) both enzymes produced three minor transcripts that were partially overlapping and in opposite direction to the TK gene; and (4) only Pol II-H initiated transcription from the TK promoter. In contrast, both Pol II and Pol II-H generated an identical set of transcripts from an adenovirus 2 early region DNA fragment. The sizes of the products suggest that RNA processing may be occurring in vitro. These results show that HSV-1 infection alters the in vitro transcriptional specificity of RNA polymerase II and demonstrate that this system should be useful for studying in vitro the regulation of gene transcription.
Identification of a Subgroup of Sprague-Dawley Rats Highly Sensitive to Drug-Induced Renal Toxicity

Abstract Laboratory rats available from breeding facilities are usually assumed to be homogeneous populations within each strain; however, previous studies in our laboratory suggested that there may be a subgroup of Sprague-Dawley rats which are highly sensitive to aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity. The present study clearly identifies a subpopulation of Sprague-Dawley rats which was highly sensitive to nephrotoxicity from supratherapeutic doses (75 mg kg −1 day −1 ) of the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin. Gentamicin was administered subcutaneously in a divided regimen, 25 mg/kg every 8 hr, for 7 days. Statistical analysis of post-treatment serum creatinine (SCR) and urea nitrogen (SUN) concentrations demonstrated two distinct populations: normally responding rats (SCR = 1.92 ± 0.54 mg/dl, SUN = 71.5 ± 18.4 mg/dl, N = 87) and highly sensitive rats (SCR = 4.10 ± 0.83 mg/dl, SUN = 146.4 ± 24.9 mg/dl, N = 12) (mean ± SD). Comparison of predosing blood and serum chemistries between these two populations revealed statistical differences only in initial serum osmolality, oxygen tension, and total protein. Since there is a subpopulation of humans which are at risk for developing aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity due to unknown host factors, these highly sensitive Sprague-Dawley rats may provide an animal model for investigating this human clinical problem.
A critical review of Henry's law constants for environmental applications

Abstract Henry's law constants (HLCs or air‐water partition coefficients) for organic compounds of environmental concern are reviewed. Frequently, the most significant factor influencing HLC values for a particular compound is temperature. Conditions are delineated where other parameters (pH, compound hydration, compound concentration, complex mixtures, dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved natural organic material [DOM], surfactants, and natural water sample composition) may also significantly affect HLC values. HLC estimation techniques utilizing (1) thermodynamically based quantitative property‐property relationships (QPPRs), including the vapor pressure/aqueous solubility ratio (VP/AS) method, and (2) various quantitative structure‐property relationships (QSPRs), including use of UNIFAC, are summarized. Major limitations noted were: (1) the VP/AS approach — lack of reliable/accurate vapor pressure and aqueous solubility data, (2) UNIFAC — errors emanating from required extrapolation of vapor‐li...
Methodologic variation in case-control studies of reserpine and breast cancer.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the methodologic variation in case-control studies of reserpine and breast cancer. Weak statistical association between reserpine use and subsequent breast cancer is a valid finding but is “unlikely to be one of cause and effect.” The case-control method is not uniform in practice when it is applied by several investigators in diverse settings, even when the problem under study is common to all. Multiple investigators have devised means of approaching the problem, in each case adopting certain features reflecting local opportunities and constraints, as well as differing viewpoints on aspects such as the appropriate choice of controls, or possible confounding factors to be taken into account. As a result of this variation, synthesis of the experience is difficult. There is room for investigators studying a problem in common to communicate in some detail on conceptual and methodologic approaches toward a closer replication of design from one setting to another, though such steps might be taken at the cost of losing the true independence in a series of studies with similar findings.
Reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with the introduction of an enteral feed protocol.

OBJECTIVE Neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome are prone to gastrointestinal complications, including necrotizing enterocolitis, during initiation or advancement of enteral feeds. A feeding protocol was developed to standardize practice across a multidisciplinary team. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a standardized feeding protocol on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and overall postoperative gastrointestinal morbidity. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. SETTING Cardiothoracic intensive care unit of a tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS Ninety-eight neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome admitted to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit after first-stage palliation. INTERVENTION A retrospective chart review was performed. Two groups were analyzed: the preprotocol group (n = 52) was examined from January 2000 through December 31, 2001, and the postprotocol group (n = 46) from February 2002 through December 31, 2003. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The incidence of suspected or diagnosed necrotizing enterocolitis as defined by the modified Bell staging criteria was recorded. Data were also collected regarding postoperative day of enteral feed initiation, postoperative day full feeds attained, and postoperative hospital length of stay. Necrotizing enterocolitis was detected in 14 preprotocol (27%) and three postprotocol (6.5%) patients (p < .01). Enteral feeds were initiated later in the postprotocol group (7.5 vs. 5.5 days, p < .001), and number of days to full feeds was also later in the postprotocol group (7 vs. 4 days, p = .02). Hospital length of stay tended to be shorter in the postprotocol group (21.5 vs. 28 days, p = .25). CONCLUSION Measures directed at reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis may reduce morbidity in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and reduce cost by decreasing hospital length of stay. A standardized feeding protocol instituted to address these problems likely contributed to reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in this high-risk population.
Radiogenic isotope composition of Carboniferous seawater from North American epicontinental seas

Abstract Abundant marine sedimentary deposits accumulated in the epeiric seas of North America during the Carboniferous Period (359–299 Ma) when the Earth's climate shifted from a global “greenhouse” to “icehouse”. Geochemical records extracted from these deposits are often assumed to reflect global ocean processes and are increasingly being used to infer relationships between tectonism, carbon cycling and climate change. We analyzed radiogenic isotopes (Sr, Nd) in biogenic apatite along a North American transect to constrain the degree of coupling between the epicontinental seas and the open ocean. In many samples the primary Sr signal is altered, however the original Nd isotopic composition of the biogenic apatite seems to be preserved. The eNd(t) values range from − 8.6 to − 4.5 in the US midcontinent basins and from − 11.4 to − 5.7 at Arrow Canyon (Nevada, USA), indicating the development of an east–west geochemical gradient throughout the Pennsylvanian. This apparent decoupling of the epicontinental seas from the open ocean was established by the latest Mississippian. Thus, circulation of waters between epicontinental seaways of western US and the basins to the east and south was periodically restricted. Shifts toward unradiogenic Nd at Arrow Canyon seem to correspond with glacio-eustatic changes across the mid-Carboniferous boundary. These eNd(t) variations may have been caused by changes in weathering rates/sources, marine circulation or a combination of both.
Unintended agency: Impression management support as a trigger of institutional change in corporate governance

Abstract In this paper we describe an emergent process of institutional change in which institutional entrepreneurs are unintentional contributors to the change process. Our theory suggests how change in the predominant institutional logic of corporate governance at public U.S. companies resulted not from deliberate attempts by corporate leaders to change the criteria by which governance is evaluated, but from the cumulative efforts of top executives to provide “impression management support” (IM support) for individual leaders of other firms. We first discuss how IM support has spread among corporate leaders through generalized social exchange. Then we suggest how individual leaders, in seeking to persuade journalists about the quality of corporate leadership at particular other firms, tend to invoke evaluative criteria that deviate from the prevailing institutional logic of governance. We further suggest how the rhetoric of IM support instigated a cascading social influence process that has contributed to changing perceptions about corporate governance among a broad range of other corporate stakeholders. We discuss the implications of our model for sociological perspectives on corporate governance and the corporate elite. Finally, we consider how the occasional negative commentary by corporate leaders about their peers, in combination with IM support, helps to sustain the credibility of the social system in which leaders, journalists, and other information intermediaries operate.
Estimation of ligament loading and anterior tibial translation in healthy and ACL-deficient knees during gait and the influence of increasing tibial slope using EMG-driven approach.

The purpose of this study was to develop a biomechanical model to estimate anterior tibial translation (ATT), anterior shear forces, and ligament loading in the healthy and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee joint during gait. This model used electromyography (EMG), joint position, and force plate data as inputs to calculate ligament loading during stance phase. First, an EMG-driven model was used to calculate forces for the major muscles crossing the knee joint. The calculated muscle forces were used as inputs to a knee model that incorporated a knee–ligament model in order to solve for ATT and ligament forces. The model took advantage of using EMGs as inputs, and could account for the abnormal muscle activation patterns of ACL-deficient gait. We validated our model by comparing the calculated results with previous in vitro, in vivo, and numerical studies of healthy and ACL-deficient knees, and this gave us confidence on the accuracy of our model calculations. Our model predicted that ATT increased throughout stance phase for the ACL-deficient knee compared with the healthy knee. The medial collateral ligament functioned as the main passive restraint to anterior shear force in the ACL-deficient knee. Although strong co-contraction of knee flexors was found to help restrain ATT in the ACL-deficient knee, it did not counteract the effect of ACL rupture. Posterior inclination angle of the tibial plateau was found to be a crucial parameter in determining knee mechanics, and increasing the tibial slope inclination in our model would increase the resulting ATT and ligament forces in both healthy and ACL-deficient knees.
South Sandwich tephra in deep-sea sediments☆

Abstract Eleven cores containing volcanic detritus, taken from the bottom of the South Atlantic between the South Sandwich Islands and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, have been examined. The mineralogical composition, texture, type of transportation and the source of the volcanic detritus are discussed. Black volcanic sand layers and olivine-rich basaltic sand occur interbedded and mixed with diatomaceous ooze which is the predominant sediment in the cores. Thick black sand layers composed of basaltic ash and deposited by turbidity currents occur in the cores in the South Sandwich Islands area. Several volcanic ash layers occur in the cores east of the South Sandwich Islands and can be traced a distance of 400 miles towards the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Three ash layers can be correlated on the basis of refractive index. The thickness and the grain size of the tephra decrease eastward from the South Sandwich Trench for 400 miles. Beyond this area tephra is dispersed in other sediment and does not form discrete layers. The tephra which consists of a mixture of brown volcanic glass, minerals, and rock fragments is most probably derived from andesite-basaltic and basaltic eruptions in the South Sandwich Islands. A study of the diatom floras indicates that the last tephra fall occurred subsequent to the last cold period, that the middle fall occurred during the penultimate warm period and that the lower tephra fell during the penultimate cold period.
Families Experiencing Divorce: Age at Onset of Overnight Stays, Conflict, and Emotional Availability as Predictors of Child Attachment

This study examined the qualities that contribute to postdivorce child attachment in a sample of 24 divorcing mothers and their children, ages 12 to 73 months, in the context of shared parenting time arrangements. Child attachment was assessed using Waters's Attachment Q-Set (AQS). Qualities such as age at onset of overnight stays, interparental conflict and communication, and emotional availability were examined for their importance in attachment security and dependency. Study hypotheses were partially supported. Although the study variables collectively did not predict attachment security and dependency outcomes, as hypothesized, the predictor variable of emotional availability (EA) child involvement proved significantly related with AQS security. Children who involved their mothers more in interaction were more secure with them. Further, EA child involvement contributed to attachment outcomes above and beyond age of onset of overnight stays and parent and partner contributions to interparental conflict.
Enhancement of adhesion to heterogeneously patterned substrates

Abstract Organofunctional silanes have long been used as promoters of adhesion between polymers and mineral oxide surfaces. The present work reports adhesion results obtained using binary combinations of adhesion-promoting and non-adhesion-promoting silanes patterned onto an oxide adherend surface. The effects of pattern shape, texture (feature size) and the fractional coverage of the adhesion promoter are explored for the bonding of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) to aluminum (oxide) surfaces using combinations of γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APS), an adhesion promoter and octadecyl trichlorosilane (ODTS), a non-adhesion promoter for this system. Climbing drum peel tests reveal that adhesion depends on feature size, shape and area ratio of the silanes, in many cases resulting in a reduction of adhesion compared with that for a pure APS film, but in other cases producing enhancements of as much as 80%. Among the conditions examined thus far, the greatest adhesion was achieved using square islands, 12 mm × 12 mm in size, surrounded by 1.5 mm wide borders of non-adhesive. Adhesion enhancement is attributed to arrest and confinement of crack propagation. As the crack propagates through a heterogeneous surface, it will blunt at the end of an adhesive patch, and must re-nucleate at the start of the next adhesive domain.
Survey of Short- and Medium-Span Bridge Damage Induced by Hurricane Katrina

This paper reports on a survey effort of damaged bridges conducted by the writers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina of August 2005. As with Hurricane Ivan in 2004, low-lying coastal bridges suffered severe damage due to hydrodynamic forces caused by storm surge. Consequently, transportation networks in the affected areas were disrupted. Since coastal bridges are considered lifelines for the communities they serve, their loss resulted in hindering rescue and recovery efforts. The purpose of this paper is to present related data as observed by the writers. Data collection and documentation of perishable data after natural disasters and before recovery and reconstruction efforts is of great importance. In the case of coastal bridges, they can help in improving future designs and rehabilitating existing ones. The majority of the surveyed bridges collapsed due to unseating. Hydrodynamic forces due to wave impact and water current on the superstructure proved to exceed the capacity of common connections between the superstructure and the substructure for short- and medium-span bridges.
An experimental system for providing data to test evaluated secondary neutron and gamma-ray-production cross sections over the incident neutron energy range from 1 to 20 MeV

Abstract A system is described which allows simultaneous measurement of secondary neutron and gamma-ray production cross sections. Measurements can be made rapidly over wide energy ranges. An electron linac is used as a neutron source. Annular scattering samples located 47 m from the neutron source are viewed by a NE-213 scintillation counter. Multiparameter data acquisition is done by on-line computer for incident neutron energies from 1 to 20 MeV.
Self-monitoring in the treatment of nose squeezing and daydreaming.

Stmrnma~y.-Self-monitoring was successfully used in modifying a patient's undesirable behaviors. The initial unwanted behavior, nose squeezing, was appreciably decreased over a 2-mo. period and gains were maintained for over 2 yr. While self-monitoring also reduced a second disruptive behavior, daydreaming while studying, the onset of abdominal pains forced che termination of this study. The present study, therefore, demonstrated a successful and unsuccessful application of self-monitoring. Several investigators have begun studying the effectiveness of self-monitoring in reducing problem behaviors. Tharp and Wetzel (1767), for example, found that clients' problems were successFully modified 7% of the time when patients simply collected baseline data. Other investigators employing selfmonitoring techniques have attained success in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked ( McFall, 1770; McFall & Harnmen, 177 1 ), improving academic grades (Johnson & White, 1971) and studying (Broden, Hall, & Mitts, 1971), eliminating auditory hallucinations (Rutner & Bugle, 1969), alleviating insomnia (Jason, in press), decreasing face touching (Lipinski & Nelson, 1974), changing rates of taUting (Gottman & McFall, 1772), eliminating repetitive scratching, fingernail biting, and inappropriate hand raising in a classroom (Maletdcy, 1974). These findings suggest self-monitoring can produce positive changes in a diverse group of behaviors. Most of the above studies have only assessed the short-term effectiveness of self-monitoring. Furthermore, the impact of such behavioral techniques on nontargeted areas of patient's functioning have rarely been evaluated. The present study investigated (1) the long-term efficacy of self-monitoring procedures and (2) the effects self-monitoring exerted on areas of functioning not specified for treatment.
Suppressor-cell functions in bullous pemphigoid.

T Cells from 14 patients in the active stage of bullous pemphigoid and 10 patients in the inactive stage of the disease were studied with Leu-1, Leu-2, and Leu-3 monoclonal antibodies. The proportions of total T cells and T cells expressing either helper or suppressor phenotype in the peripheral blood of patients were not significantly different to those observed in normal subjects. In 15 patients with active disease, immunoregulatory mechanisms were functionally studied using an assay measuring the amount of total IgG synthesized in vitro. Peripheral-blood leukocytes were seearated into T- and B-cell fractions, and cultured in various combinations. In ten experiments, prior to culturing with B cells, the T cells were irradiated to remove their suppressor function. No statistically significant differences were observed in the amount of total IgG synthesized by B cells obtained from patients and normal subjects when they were cultured with untreated T cells or irradiated T cells obtained from patients or normal controls. These results indicate that, in patients with bullous pemphigoid, there is no loss of suppressor-cell function or increased helper-cell function as assessed by measuring the total IgG synthesized. Therefore, the immunoregulatory defect, if present, is a highly specific one and can only be studied using antigen-specific assays.
A current review of fatty acid transport proteins (SLC27)

Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are not only important metabolites but contribute to many cellular functions including activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and nuclear transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAPs). To assert their diverse effects LCFAs have first to traverse the plasma membrane, a process that can occur either through diffusion or be mediated by proteins. Considerable evidence has accumulated to show that in addition to a diffusional component, the intestine, heart, adipose tissue, and the liver express a saturable and specific LCFA transport system. Identifying the postulated fatty acid transporters is of considerable importance, since both increased and decreased fatty acid uptake have been implicated in diseases such as type-2 diabetes and acute liver failure. Fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs/solute carrier family 27) are integral transmembrane proteins that enhance the uptake of long-chain and very long chain fatty acids into cells. In humans FATPs comprise a family of six highly homologous proteins, hsFATP1-6, which are found in all fatty acid-utilizing tissues of the body. This review will focus on a brief discussion of FATP expression patterns, regulation, structure, and mechanism of transport.
Sexual histories of adolescent girls: Comparison between interview and chart

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of sexual histories obtained from adolescents and the adequacy of chart documentation by providers of adolescent health care. Methods: Responses to an interview by a female research assistant about sexual activity were compared to chart-documented sexual histories taken by physicians and nurse practitioners. The setting was an urban, hospital-based adolescent clinic. The subjects were 106 females, 15–18 years old; 82% were African—American and 18% Caucasian. Results: Significant correlations between interview and chart were seen for information about menarche, age at first intercourse, number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and number of sexual partners. Accuracy of reporting sexually transmitted infections varied according to the organism; HPV infection was underreported more than other infections. Chart documentation of sexual histories was inadequate. Conclusions: Adolescents generally provide reliable sexual histories, but health care providers may not be documenting these histories adequately.
Oil dispersant field evaluation Ixtoc 1 blowout, bay of Campeche, Mexico

A chemical dispersant concentrate was aerially applied, at a rate of approximately 2 gal/acre (19 1 ha −2 ) to a crude oil slick emanating from the Ixtoc 1 well blowout. Chemical analyses of dispersant collected on pans at the sea surface beneath the swath of aerially-applied dispersant, showed no appreciable change in chemical composition from that of dispersant samples taken from holding tanks in the spray plane. Comparisons between oil concentrations in water at varying depths under the stick, determined before and approximately one hour after cispersant application, showed elevated concentrations of hydrocarbons in the water column. Photographs and visual observations from the research vessel and the two aircraft involved in the test indicated that application of dispersant did not cause ‘herding’ (lateral displacement) of the crude oil slick.
Polarization of Three Vacuum-Ultraviolet Monochromators Measured with a Biotite Polarizer*

Vacuum-UV monochromators polarization and effective transmittance measurements, comparing characteristics of parallel and pyramidal biotite polarizers
A New Argument for Evidentialism

In his “A new argument for evidentialism” (Shah, Philos Q 56(225): 481–498, 2006), Nishi Shah argues that the best explanation of a feature of deliberation whether to believe that p which he calls transparency entails that only evidence can be reason to believe that p. I show that his argument fails because a crucial lemma that his argument appeals to cannot be supported without assuming evidentialism to be true in the first place.
The effect of dexamethasone and prostaglandin F2α on production and release of surfactant in type II alveolar cells

Abstract Incubation of adult rat Type II alveolar pneumocytes with dexamethasone [μM] induced an increase of intracellular 3Hphosphatidyl choline (PC), a component of lung surfactant, from precursor 3Hcholine. Release of 3HPC into the media did not differ from control unless prostaglandin F2α-THAM [μM] was added to the dexamethasone-treated cells. This observation corresponds to the ontogenetically observed endogenous increases in cortisol during pregnancy followed by increases in prostaglandins associated with contractions. The model system will serve well to test whether various substances effect synthesis and/or release of pulmonary surfactants.
Reactivity to taste properties of solutions following amygdaloid lesions

Abstract Large amygdaloid lesions in rats decreased licking response for various concentrations of sucrose during brief daily tests in a drinkometer apparatus, and they attenuated reduction in daily fluid intake when quinine was added to the available water. These changes in consummatory reactivity, which contrast to those of septal lesions, point to some form of motivational dysfunction, but are nevertheless amenable to other interpretations.
The Permeability of Glass and Fused Quartz to Ether, Alcohol, and Water at High Pressure

The permeability of glass and fused quartz to water, alcohol and ether and its relation to pressure windows has been studied. These liquids are shown to penetrate to considerable depths if the pressure is maintained for as long as fifteen minutes, in which case the pieces of glass or quartz are shattered if the pressure is rapidly released. However, if the pressure is released over a period of several days little or no breakage occurs. It is, therefore, likely that much of the difference in the behavior of pressure windows as different liquids are used in contact with the windows is due to their ability to penetrate the glass or quartz.
Organelle composition in somatic hybrids between an atrazine resistant biotype of Solanum nigrum and Solanum melongena

Abstract Leaf protoplasts of Solanum melongena L., eggplant cv. Black Beauty, were chemically fused with leaf or suspension culture-derived protoplasts of an atrazine resistant biotype of S. nigrum L. The eggplant protoplasts were treated with 0.5 mM iodoacetate prior to fusion to increase the likelihood of transfer of S. nigrum chloroplasts to the somatic hybrid plants. In addition, 0.1 mM atrazine was added to the regeneration medium to aid in the selection of resistant somatic hybrid shoots. Two putative hybrids were confirmed by analysis of the nuclear encoded isozymes phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) and glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT). Southern DNA blot hybridization using a pea 45S ribosome probe also confirmed hybridity. An Oenothera cpDNA 32 P labelled probe hybridized to total DNA restricted with EcoRI or EcoRV indicated the presence of S. nigrum cpDNA in both hybrids; the plants were likewise found to be resistant to 0.1 mM atrazine. Analysis with a mtDNA specific probe, pmt SylSa8 from Nicotiana sylvestris , indicated the presence of a novel band, variation in hybridization intensities, and loss of parental fragments in the hybrid plants.
P-101: A Single-Cell-Gap Transflective LCD

We propose a novel design of the single cell gap transflective LCD. By using the photo-alignment technique, we fabricated a transflective LCD with the hybrid and homogeneous alignments in reflective and transmitting regions respectively. The higher aperture ratio and simpler process are the features of our design while compared to the design of dual cell gap. The experimental results showed good performances regarding to VHR, RDC and anchoring effects.
Soap films bounded by non-closed curves

This paper proves (i) every “geometrically knotted” non-closed curve bounds a soap-film, (ii) any non-closed curve bounding a soap-film must have total curvature greater than 2π, and (iii) for every k > 2π, there is a geometrically knotted non-closed curve with total curvature k.
Water-Soluble Ruthenium Alkylidenes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application to Olefin Metathesis in Protic Solvents

Ruthenium alkylidenes 6 and 7 bearing cationically functionalized phosphine ligands are soluble and stable in protic solvents and initiate olefin metathesis reactions in methanol, water, and aqueous emulsions. NMR spectroscopy data and X-ray diffraction analyses of alkylidene 6 suggested that these new alkylidenes were structurally similar to previously reported complexes of the type (PR3)2Cl2RuCHR, in which the alkylidene substituents lie in the Cl−Ru−Cl plane. The anionic chloride ligands of complexes 6 and 7 were found to undergo facile ligand exchange reactions with other anions in protic solution. Both alkylidenes initiate the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of strained, cyclic olefins in water. However, the propagating species in these reactions decompose prior to complete consumption of monomer. These complexes initiate the quantitative, living polymerization of functionalized monomers in water in the presence of a Bronsted acid. Both chain termination and chain transfer reactions wer...
Realtime Tracking System For The Wide-Field-Of-View Telescope Project

We are developing a wide-field-of-view (WFOV) telescope system for military, commercial and scientific purposes. The system will have smart focal plane processors to recognize and track moving objects. This paper describes candidate algorithms intended for these processors which are currently implemented on a commercial image processing system interfaced to our prototype WFOV telescope.
Rapid, transient synaptic plasticity in addiction.

Abstract Chronic use of addictive drugs produces enduring neuroadaptations in the corticostriatal glutamatergic brain circuitry. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), which integrates cortical information and regulates goal-directed behavior, undergoes long-term morphological and electrophysiological changes that may underlie the increased susceptibility for relapse in drug-experienced individuals even after long periods of withdrawal. Additionally, it has recently been shown that exposure to cues associated with drug use elicits rapid and transient morphological and electrophysiological changes in glutamatergic synapses in the NAc. This review highlights these dynamic drug-induced changes in this pathway that are specific to a drug seeking neuropathology, as well as how these changes impair normal information processing and thereby contribute to the uncontrollable motivation to relapse. Future directions for relapse prevention and pharmacotherapeutic targeting of the rapid, transient synaptic plasticity in relapse are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘NIDA 40th Anniversary Issue’.
Taste preferences: an apparatus for random and simultaneous presentation of several solids and solutions.

Abstract Description of a preference testing experimental chamber that permits random and simultaneous presentation of several solid and liquid samples. Some results obtained using this device are given.
Quantum dots for fiber laser sources (Invited Paper)

In this invited paper, we will discuss the use of quantum dots as nonlinear optical elements in fiber laser sources. Furthemore, a review of the fabrication of the first low-loss (< 0.5 dB/cm) ion-exchanged waveguides in a quantum-dot-doped glass will be presented. We will discuss the coupling, propagation, absorption, and scattering losses in these waveguides. The near-field mode profile along with the refractive index profile of these waveguides will be presented. This PbS quantum-dot-doped glass was chosen due to its attractive optical gain and bleaching characteristics at wavelengths throughout the near infrared. This bleaching of the ground-state optical transition has been utilized for passive modelocking of a variety of lasers in the near infrared. In addition, we will discuss some of the potential integrated and fiber optics applications of our quantum-dot-doped waveguides.
Mobility of a Loop of a B. subtilis Carboxylesterase and its Effect on Substrate Conversion

Carboxylesterases (CEs) are ubiquitous enzymes responsible for the detoxification of xenobiotics. CEs can metabolize and hydrolyze a variety of esterified drugs, including the anticancer agent CPT-11. The specificity of CEs for a particular substrate or inhibitor depends on the enzyme's molecular structure and the dynamics of conformational substructures when a substrate is bound. We have used a series of biophysical techniques to understand differences in substrate selectivity of CEs. First, we used molecular dynamics simulations (MD) and normal mode analysis (NMA) to identify the loop region of high fluctuation in a CE from B. subtilis. Second, we calculated the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) from both MD and NMA trajectory data. Then we used these RMSD data along with its secondary structure to make correlations with enzyme activity. Meanwhile, we generated a series of mutations at specific amino acid residues that are located near this flexible loop region in order to restrict its mobility. Then we measured enzyme activity of these mutant CEs and compared them with the wild type. Our hypothesis is that the molecular dynamics of this enzyme is correlated with substrate conversion efficiency for selected CEs. These experiments provide the first data toward testing this hypothesis.These studies were supported by NSF grant EPS-0556308 and ALSAC.
Statistical issues in the analysis of the array CGH data

The development of solid tumors is associated with acquisition of complex genetic alterations, indicating that failures in the mechanisms that maintain the integrity of the genome contribute to tumor evolution. Thus, one expects that the particular types of genomic derangement seen in tumors reflect underlying failures in maintenance of genetic stability, as well as selection for changes that provide growth advantage. In order to investigate genomic alterations we are using microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH). The computational task is to map and characterize the number and types of copy number alterations present in the tumors, and so define copy number phenotypes as well as to associate them with known biological markers. To utilize the spatial coherence between nearby clones, we use unsupervised Hidden Markov Models approach. The clones are partitioned into the states which represent underlying copy number of the group of clones. The method is demonstrated on the two cell line datasets with known copy number alterations for one of them. The biological conclusions drawn from the analyses are discussed.
Extracting Clusters of Specialist Terms from Unstructured Text

Automatically identifying related specialist terms is a difficult and important task required to understand the lexical structure of language. This paper develops a corpus-based method of extracting coherent clusters of satellite terminology — terms on the edge of the lexicon — using co-occurrence networks of unstructured text. Term clusters are identified by extracting communities in the cooccurrence graph, after which the largest is discarded and the remaining words are ranked by centrality within a community. The method is tractable on large corpora, requires no document structure and minimal normalization. The results suggest that the model is able to extract coherent groups of satellite terms in corpora with varying size, content and structure. The findings also confirm that language consists of a densely connected core (observed in dictionaries) and systematic, semantically coherent groups of terms at the edges of the lexicon.
Comparing Primary Care Physicians' Smoking Cessation Counseling Techniques to Motivational Interviewing

Objectives: This study examined the degree of similarity between motivational interviewing (MI) methods and smoking cessation techniques that are routinely used by primary care physicians. Its purpose was to inform the development of more effective MI-based health behavior change training programs for primary care physicians. Methods: Visits to primary care physicians were audio-recorded in northeast Ohio from 2005 to 2008. Doctor-patient talk about smoking cessation (n = 73) was analyzed for adherence to MI using the Motivational Interviewing Skills Code (MISC) version 2.1 behavioral coding system. Participating physicians were not provided with MI training as part of the study and were blinded as to the study’s purpose. Results: Physicians displayed MI adherent behaviors in 56% of discussions and MI nonadherent behaviors in 57%. The most common MI adherent statements involved affirming the patient; least common were requests for the patient’s permission before raising concerns. The most frequent MI nonadherent behaviors were directing, confronting, and warning the patient. Physicians made simple reflections and complex reflections in 36% and 25% of visits, respectively. Conclusions: Physicians used both MI adherent and MI nonadherent behaviors in approximately equal proportions, suggesting a base of MI adherent smoking cessation counseling skills upon which additional MI skills can be built. Efforts to improve smoking-cessation
Improvement of eumycetoma with itraconazole

Treatment of eumycetoma, both medical and surgical, is difficult and often unsuccessful. We describe a case of maduromycosis, 18 years in duration, with significant improvement after 6 months of itraconazole therapy.
Complex formation and reversibility in copolymerization

Barb's data4–6 on the copolymerization of styrene and sulfur dioxide are reviewed and shown to be in agreement with a scheme in which styrene-sulfur dioxide complexes are not involved, but in which attack of a growing chain on sulfur dioxide is a rapidly reversible process at all temperatures, while, at higher temperatures, addition of a chain ending in sulfur dioxide to styrene becomes reversible as well. Eact for the loss of SO2 is estimated as lying between 4 and 14 kcal., while a chain ending in a sequence of styrene units reacts with SO2 at least 100 times as readily as with styrene. A similar interpretation is made of the ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymerization,14 in which addition of CO appears to be a reversible process, since the amount of CO in the polymer increases with total pressure. Some other systems in which reversibility of chain propagation might be expected to affect copolymer compositions are pointed out.
Correlation between Heat Stability of Thylakoid Membranes and Loss of Chlorophyll in Winter Wheat under Heat Stress

Determining mechanisms associated with heat tolerance and identifying screening methods are vital for improvement of heat tolerance in plants. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between the heat stability of thylakoids and loss of chlorophyll in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under heat stress, and to examine whether chlorophyll loss can be used as an indicator of heat tolerance in wheat. We assessed heat tolerance and measured chlorophyll content in 12 cultivars of winter wheat at fl owering stage during exposure to 16-d-long heat stress. Heat tolerance was assessed using fl uorescence to determine the heat stability of thylakoids, and chlorophyll content was measured with a chlorophyll meter. Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions. Heat stress caused damage to thylakoids in all cultivars as indicated by the increase in the ratio of constant fl uorescence (O) and the peak of variable fl uorescence (P). Heat stress also caused a decline in chlorophyll content in most cultivars. A strong negative correlation between heat-induced increases in O/P and chlorophyll content was seen. The results suggest that heat-induced damage to thylakoids and chlorophyll loss are closely associated in winter wheat. Measurements of chlorophyll content with a chlorophyll meter could be useful for high throughput screening for heat tolerance in wheat.
‘Abdicate’ and ‘Contract’ in the Glorious Revolution

A revisionist explanation of the political events of the Glorious Revolution has crept into recent literature virtually unscathed. Briefly summarized, the argument contends that it is difficult to discover evidence of resistance to the Crown in the debates of either the House of Lords or the Convention parliament during 1689. According to J. P. Kenyon, a major advocate of this new interpretation, John Locke's Second treatise of government misled historians and even some contemporaries into believing that parliament deposed James II for breaking the original contract between sovereign and people. Actually, during the long debates in and between both houses ‘it was clear that the word “abdicated”, or the Lords’ preferred choice, “deserted” both implied a voluntary act, if not a rational choice, on James's part’. The Lords especially, Kenyon argues, were careful to dissociate themselves from contract theory. Whig ‘revolution principles’, then, built upon the ‘haste and confusion of the occasion’ were rooted in a misunderstanding of actual events, a mis-understanding fostered by the writings of Locke and Algernon Sydney and enshrined as doctrine by whig politicians and historians.
A reverse link power control algorithm based on game theory for multi-cell wireless data networks

We propose a new decentralized power control algorithm for multi-cell wireless data networks that can fully utilize and equally assign radio resources to all mobile stations (MSs). Our approach employs game theory as its basis with a utility function and pricing, but uses the network (base station) to assist mobile stations in performing power control. This is similar to a leader-followers strategy used in the literature of game theory. As a result, the proposed algorithm is implemented in the form of closed loop power control. This proposed power control scheme can maximize the throughput of each MS and can fully utilize the amount of radio resources allowed in a cell.
Embracing Aging: Infusing Aging into Seminary Training

Embracing Aging was an initiative of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). Given the unavoidable reality that aging individuals and their families will comprise a significant aspect of communities served by future rabbis, this project sought to create a fresh approach to aging education within the seminary setting. Inspired by the Gero-Rich social work education of the John Hartford Foundation and the Council for Social Work Education, Embracing Aging infused aging across the formal and informal learning settings at RRC so that all of our students would be equipped to teach, inspire, and accompany Jews in later life. Special effort was addressed to education and engagement of faculty members at the intersection of aging and the rabbinate, and aging content into their core courses. This article outlines the Embracing Aging approach, its successes and limitations, and offers suggestions for other seminaries that seek to prepare future clergy to creativel...
Getting more from the data in a multinomial selection problem

We consider the problem of determining which of k simulated systems is most likely to be the best per former based on some objective performance measure. The standard experiment is to generate v in dependent vector observations (replications) across the k- systems. A classical multinomial selection pro cedure, BEM (Bechhofer, Elmaghraby, and Morse), prescribes a minimum number of replications so that the probability of correctly selecting the true best system meets or exceeds a prespecified probability. Assuming that larger is better, BEM selects as best the system having the largest value of the performance measure in more replications than any other. We propose using these same v replications across k systems to form vk pseudoreplications (no longer in dependent) that contain one observation from each system, and again select as best the system having the largest value of the performance measure in more pseudoreplications than any other. We expect that this new procedure, AVC (all vector comparisons), dominates BEM in the sense that AVC will never require more independent replications than DEM to meet a prespecified probability of correct selection. We present analytical and simulation results to show how AVC fares versus BEM for different underly ing distribution families, different numbers of populations and various values of v. We also present results for the closely related problem of estimating the probability that a specific system is the best.
Diurnal behaviour of water on Mars

A numerical model of the diurnal transport of water across the Martian surface is developed. The atmospheric boundary layer is modeled in terms of local radiative-convective processes, and radiative effects of ice fogs near the surface are included. Diffusion of water in the ground is treated for the cases of adsorption and condensation. The model is applied to the diurnal variation of water vapor in the atmosphere as observed by Barker (1974). The morning rise in the amount of water vapor can be explained in terms of the evaporation of ground fogs. The evening decrease is compatible with the model if adsorption dominates in the soil. The average level of vapor concentration requires that the atmosphere above the boundary layer be relatively dry. The ground fogs persist until midmorning and should be observable. Some consequences of these conclusions are discussed.