cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Normetanephrine and octopamine involvement in normacromerine biosynthesis in Coryphantha macromeris var. runyonii

Abstract Administration of [7- 3 H]normetanephrine to living Coryphantha macromeris var. runyonii resulted in the formation of labeled normacromerine
Organometallic derivatives of trithiones

Complexes of the type LM(CO)5 (M = Cr, Mo) were prepared from (diolefin)M(CO)4 and the 1,3-dithiolene-2-thione ligands, L = C3H2S3, C3H4S3 and C8H6S3. Infrared, 1H and 13C NMR data indicated C4υ symmetry about the metal centre. The reaction of 3-methylbenzo-1,3-dithiolene-2-thione with (C5H5)Co(C8H12) produced a cobalt(III) methylbenzothiete derivative (C7H6S2)-Co(C5H5).
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN CLINICALLY LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCERS OF BLACK AND WHITE MEN

AbstractPurpose: Tumor grade, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy, proliferation, p53 and bcl-2 expression were examined in clinically localized prostate cancers of black and white American men to learn whether these features showed racial differences.Materials and Methods: A total of 117 prostate cancers (43 black and 74 white patients) obtained at radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease were assigned Gleason scores by a single pathologist. Enzymatically dissociated nuclei from archival prostate cancers were examined by DNA flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining and the multicycle program to remove debris and sliced nuclei and to perform cell cycle analysis. For immunostaining after microwave antigen retrieval we used a DO-1/DO-7 monoclonal antibody cocktail for p53 and the clone 124 antibody for bcl-2.Results: Significantly more black than white men had Gleason score 7 tumors. The DNA ploidy distribution of Gleason 6 or less tumors was similar for both races. As anticipated, the pl...
Study of the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) aerosol optical property data over ocean in combination with the ocean color products

[1] The primary goals of the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) are to routinely provide the global ocean color and ocean bio-optical property data. In retrieving the ocean near-surface signals from SeaWiFS-measured radiances, however, the aerosol effects must be accurately estimated and removed. Therefore SeaWiFS also produces the aerosol optical property data (in particular, the aerosol optical thickness and Angstrom exponent) over global ocean. Since September of 1997, SeaWiFS has generated both global aerosol (over ocean) and ocean color data for more than 6.5 years and is still in producing these products with very good sensor performance. This makes SeaWiFS the longest in history for providing simultaneously the global aerosol and ocean color products. In this paper we describe the SeaWiFS aerosol products over ocean in combination with the ocean color data. We assert through various examples that, because SeaWiFS simultaneously retrieves both atmospheric and ocean color data, the SeaWiFS products are useful to study aerosol and ocean variations in climatic forcing, biogeochemical cycling, and radiative effects in the global and regional scales.
Full-scale vibrating pervaporation membrane unit: VOC removal from water and surfactant solutions

Abstract A commercial-scale vibrating membrane system was evaluated for the separation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from aqueous solutions by pervaporation. Experiments with surrogate solutions of up to five VOCs in the presence and absence of a surfactant were performed to compare performance of the full-scale vibrating system with that previously observed at the laboratory-scale as well as the performance of the same full-scale system during a recent field demonstration project. The primary process variables studied were amplitude of vibration, temperature, liquid flow rate, and permeate pressure. Data were obtained with two types of silicone rubber membranes—a thick (254 μm) fiberglass reinforced silicone membrane and a more typical pervaporation membrane consisting of a 10 μm silicone layer on a microporous support. The full-scale vibrating system delivered mass transfer coefficients comparable to those observed at the laboratory-scale and, under certain conditions, were comparable to those obtained with spiral wound pervaporation modules.
A stabilized respiratory syncytial virus reverse genetics system amenable to recombination-mediated mutagenesis

We describe the first example of combining bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) recombination-mediated mutagenesis with reverse genetics for a negative strand RNA virus. A BAC-based respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rescue system was established. An important advantage of this system is that RSV antigenomic cDNA was stabilized in the BAC vector. The RSV genotype chosen was A2-line19F, a chimeric strain previously shown to recapitulate in mice key features of RSV pathogenesis. We recovered two RSV reporter viruses, one expressing the red fluorescent protein monomeric Katushka 2 (A2-K-line19F) and one expressing Renilla luciferase (A2-RL-line19F). As proof of principle, we efficiently generated a RSV gene deletion mutant (A2-line19FΔNS1/NS2) and a point mutant (A2-K-line19F-I557V) by recombination-mediated BAC mutagenesis. Together with sequence-optimized helper expression plasmids, BAC-RSV is a stable, versatile, and efficient reverse genetics platform for generation of a recombinant Pneumovirus.
Investigation of parameters associated with activity of the Kirsten-ras, Harvey-ras, and myc oncogenes in normal rat liver.

Abstract Oncogenes have been implicated in the mechanism(s) involved in the different stages of carcinogenesis. Point mutations have been found to activate the ras family of oncogenes. However, these genes must also be expressed in order for phenotypic alterations to be seen. In addition, overproduction of the normal product of some oncogenes may be a factor in the development of cancer. This study was therefore designed to investigate the potential for activity that the Kirsten (Ki)- ras , Harvey (Ha)- ras , and myc oncogenes possess in normal rat liver; activation of these genes has previously been observed in hepatocellular carcinomas. The serum albumin gene was used as a positive control. Two possible control points of gene expression were examined: (1) gene methylation state, as there is an established positive correlation between hypomethylation and gene activity; and (2) DNase I sensitivity because transcriptionally active genes are preferentially sensitive to digestion by this enzyme. It was found that the serum albumin gene is hypomethylated and preferentially sensitive to DNase I, both states being consistent with gene activity. In contrast, Ki- ras is highly methylated and relatively resistant to DNase I digestion. The Ha- ras and myc oncogenes exhibit a degree of methylation and DNase I sensitivity intermediate between the serum albumin gene and the Ki- ras oncogene. It thus appears that Ki- ras is not expressed in normal rat liver, whereas Ha- ras and myc may have the potential for activity. In addition, a correlation was found between the methylation state of a gene and its sensitivity to DNase I. These findings are compatible with the view that carcinogenesis is a multistage process. Our results indicate that possible control points for oncogene expression, as well as mutation, should be considered in investigations of the role these genes play in carcinogenesis.
Corrected Late Triassic Latitudes for Continents Adjacent to the North Atlantic

We use a method based on a statistical geomagnetic field model to recognize and correct for inclination error in sedimentary rocks from early Mesozoic rift basins in North America, Greenland, and Europe. The congruence of the corrected sedimentary results and independent data from igneous rocks on a regional scale indicates that a geocentric axial dipole field operated in the Late Triassic. The corrected paleolatitudes indicate a faster poleward drift of ∼0.6 degrees per million years for this part of Pangea and suggest that the equatorial humid belt in the Late Triassic was about as wide as it is today.
On the structure of glassy polymers. VIII. Use of Z contrast to elucidate the microstructure of epoxy and polyimid resins

The technique of ultramicrotomy of polymers, followed by staining of the resulting thin sections with heavy metal ions and viewing with Z enhancement in the scanning transmission electron microscope is described. When applied to anhydride-cured epoxy resins, the structure is found to be heterogeneously crosslinked on a scale of a few hundred angstroms. When the technique is applied to amine-cured epoxy resins, the microstructure is found to change from homogeneous to inhomogeneously crosslinked, depending on stoichiometries and cure cycles. For amine-cured resins whose cure conditions are within the range of microstructural change, the bright field of the stained specimens alone does not detect heterogeneities, and the Z contrast becomes crucial to discern the kind of microstructure. A commercial polyimide film examined in the same way is found to exhibit systematic variations in structure through the thickness of the film.
Radiographic-endoscopic correlations in the examination of airway disease in children

The results of radiographic examinations and flexible fiberoptic endoscopy (FFE) of the airways were correlated in 100 pediatric patients. For the diagnosis of laryngomalacia, tracheal stenosis and tracheal granulomas. FFE proved to be more accurate than radiography. In epiglottitis and croup, the two methods were comparable. In bronchial and resulting parenchymal disease, the chest films served as the endoscopist's guide because the consequences of bronchial obstruction manifested rapidly on chest roentgenograms. FFE was particularly useful when the chest films did not reveal or lateralize a clinically suspected foreign body. FFE was not error-free; in a small number of cases, radiologic methods provided critical diagnoses, which were not arrived at by endoscopy.
Molecular symmetry and fluorine-containing supramolecular synthons as structure-differentiating agents in some “bridge-flipped” isomeric bis-benzylideneanilines

The crystal structures of three pairs of “bridge-flipped isomers” are compared here in the context of whether their similarity in molecular space-filling requirements in combination with the tendency of centrosymmetric molecules to occupy crystallographic inversion centers might lead to their isomorphism. The possibility that similar fluorine-based supramolecular synthons occurring in the crystal structures of both members of a pair might promote their isomorphism is also considered. The compounds are the bis-benzylideneanilines formed by reaction of 2-fluoroaniline, 3-fluoroaniline, and 4-fluoroaniline respectively with terephthaldehyde (1–3) and by reaction of 2-fluorobenzaldehyde, 3-fluorobenzaldehyde, and 4-fluorobenzaldehyde respectively with phenylenediamine (4–6). The crystal structure of 2 is disordered, with the fluorine atom occupying two sites (95 : 5 occupation) related by rotation about the bond between the bridge nitrogen atom and the 3-fluorophenyl group. The crystal structure of 6 (HEWHAU) has been reported by previous workers. The structures of the 1:4, 2:5, and 3:6 pairs are compared to each other and to those of fluorinated simple (one-bridge) benzylideneanilines and fluorinated bis-benzylideneanilines recently described in the literature. No isomorphism is found among the bridge-flipped isomeric pairs, and none is found between positional isomers within the 1–3 or 4–6 series. The supramolecular synthon defined by a 2-F⋯bridge H contact is found in several of the benzylideneaniline crystal structures, but it does not compel isomorphism, nor is it specific to one type (terephthaldehyde-based or phenylenediamine-based) of isomer. Conformational variability and supramolecular synthon variety apparently serve as structure differentiators, not as isomorphism facilitators, among these bis-benzylideneanilines.
Extralobar pulmonary sequestration: The importance of intraoperative vigilance

We describe a case of an extralobar pulmonary sequestration diagnosed prenatally via ultrasound. The lesion was followed serially during pregnancy and then thoracoscopically resected when the infant was 5 months old. A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast demonstrated a single arterial vessel from the aorta, yet intraoperatively, three separate systemic arteries were identified. Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation of the lung in which anatomic variants are the rule rather than the exception. This unique case is an example of such and emphasizes the importance of constant vigilance for aberrant anatomy during resection.
A method for the measurement of sulfur-34 abundance in bound cysteine and methionine.

Abstract A technique is described for determining the abundance of sulfur-34 in bound cysteine and methionine. Samples to be assayed are first boiled with water to remove any nonbound cysteine and methionine, reduced with mercaptoethanol, and alkylated with methyl iodide in order to convert the cystine and cysteine residues into S -methylcysteine. Following hydrolysis with 6 m hydrochloric acid, the released amino acids are desalted in a Dowex 50W-8X column and converted into their N -trifluoroacetyl n -butyl esters for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses. Analysis of the sulfur isotope abundances in ions from the S -methylcysteine and methionine derivatives allows the determination of the atom% abundance of sulfur-34 in these molecules with a standard deviation of less than 1 atom%. Data are presented on the incorporation of 34 S from sulfate by Escherichia coli under a variety of growth conditions.
Sex differences in absorption kinetics of sodium salicylate

Sodium salicylate in aqueous solution (9 mg/kg) was given by oral and intravenous routes to normal male and female subjects. Because the bio availability of salicylate was complete, salicylate was given orally in all subsequent experiments. There were sex differences in time required to attain peak salicylate concentration (tmax), but not in maximum plasma salicylate concentration (Cmax). There were no sex differences in apparent volume of distribution, plasma salicylate clearance, or area under the concentration-time curve. In female subjects, tmax tended to reach a nadir at the middle of the menstrual cycle, when gastric emptying time is shortest, whereas Cmax remained relatively unchanged throughout the menstrual cycle. Equilibrium dialysis studies on the binding of sodium salicylate and of 14C-racemic warfarin to plasma from 25 normal male and 25 normal female subjects of similar age disclosed no sex differences either in the extent of binding of these drugs or in serum albumin concentration. The possibility of sex differences in rates of gastrointestinal absorption of other drugs should be investigated. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1982) 31, 30–37; doi:10.1038/clpt.1982.5
Predicting habitat suitability for rare plants at local spatial scales using a species distribution model

If species distribution models (SDMs) can rank habitat suitability at a local scale, they may be a valuable conservation planning tool for rare, patchily distributed species. This study assessed the ability of Maxent, an SDM reported to be appropriate for modeling rare species, to rank habitat suitability at a local scale for four edaphic endemic rare plants of gabbroic soils in El Dorado County, California, and examined the effects of grain size, spatial extent, and fine-grain environmental predictors on local-scale model accuracy. Models were developed using species occurrence data mapped on public lands and were evaluated using an independent data set of presence and absence locations on surrounding lands, mimicking a typical conservation-planning scenario that prioritizes potential habitat on unsurveyed lands surrounding known occurrences. Maxent produced models that were successful at discriminating between suitable and unsuitable habitat at the local scale for all four species, and predicted habitat suitability values were proportional to likelihood of occurrence or population abundance for three of four species. Unfortunately, models with the best discrimination (i.e., AUC) were not always the most useful for ranking habitat suitability. The use of independent test data showed metrics that were valuable for evaluating which variables and model choices (e.g., grain, extent) to use in guiding habitat prioritization for conservation of these species. A goodness-of-fit test was used to determine whether habitat suitability values ranked habitat suitability on a continuous scale. If they did not, a minimum acceptable error predicted area criterion was used to determine the threshold for classifying habitat as suitable or unsuitable. I found a trade-off between model extent and the use of fine-grain environmental variables: goodness of fit was improved at larger extents, and fine-grain environmental variables improved local-scale accuracy, but fine-grain variables were not available at large extents. No single model met all habitat prioritization criteria, and the best models were overlaid to identify consensus areas of high suitability. Although the four species modeled here co-occur and are treated together for conservation planning, model accuracy and predicted suitable areas varied among species.
Dissecting the Within-Africa Ancestry of Populations of African Descent in the Americas

Background The ancestry of African-descended Americans is known to be drawn from three distinct populations: African, European, and Native American. While many studies consider this continental admixture, few account for the genetically distinct sources of ancestry within Africa – the continent with the highest genetic variation. Here, we dissect the within-Africa genetic ancestry of various populations of the Americas self-identified as having primarily African ancestry using uniparentally inherited mitochondrial DNA. Methods and Principal Findings We first confirmed that our results obtained using uniparentally-derived group admixture estimates are correlated with the average autosomal-derived individual admixture estimates (hence are relevant to genomic ancestry) by assessing continental admixture using both types of markers (mtDNA and Y-chromosome vs. ancestry informative markers). We then focused on the within-Africa maternal ancestry, mining our comprehensive database of published mtDNA variation (∼5800 individuals from 143 African populations) that helped us thoroughly dissect the African mtDNA pool. Using this well-defined African mtDNA variation, we quantified the relative contributions of maternal genetic ancestry from multiple W/WC/SW/SE (West to South East) African populations to the different pools of today's African-descended Americans of North and South America and the Caribbean. Conclusions Our analysis revealed that both continental admixture and within-Africa admixture may be critical to achieving an adequate understanding of the ancestry of African-descended Americans. While continental ancestry reflects gender-specific admixture processes influenced by different socio-historical practices in the Americas, the within-Africa maternal ancestry reflects the diverse colonial histories of the slave trade. We have confirmed that there is a genetic thread connecting Africa and the Americas, where each colonial system supplied their colonies in the Americas with slaves from African colonies they controlled or that were available for them at the time. This historical connection is reflected in different relative contributions from populations of W/WC/SW/SE Africa to geographically distinct Africa-derived populations of the Americas, adding to the complexity of genomic ancestry in groups ostensibly united by the same demographic label.
Neural dynamics of affect, gist, probability, and choice

Recent behavioral data show that the traditional reduction of all probabilistic choices to choices among monetary gambles is inaccurate. Specifically, while decision makers tend to overweight low probabilities of obtaining any resource, the overweighting is greater when the resource is more emotionally evocative. We present a shunting nonlinear neural network that simulates the biasing effect of emotion on probabilistic choice. The network includes analogs of parts of the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, ventral striatum, thalamus, and anterior cingulate as well as sensory and premotor cortices. The network classifies prospective probabilistic options by means of an adaptive resonance module with vigilance selective for those attributes that are deemed most significant for the option currently being processed. The categories into which these options are placed embody significant gists of the options in a manner consistent with fuzzy trace theory.
The synthesis and structural characterization of Os3(CO)8[Si(OMe)3][μ-PMe2(C6H4](μ-H)2: An unusual unsaturated triosmium cluster complex

The reaction of Os3(CO)10(NCMe)[Si(OMe)3](μ-H),1, with PMe2Ph yielded the new complex Os3(CO)10(PMe2Ph)[Si(OMe)3](μ-H),2 by substitution of the MeCn ligand with the phosphine ligand. When heated to 125°C compound2 was decarbonylated and transformed into the new unsaturated cluster complex Os3(CO)8[μ-PMe2(C6H4)][Si(OMe)3](μ-H)2,3 in 54% yield. Compound3 was characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, osmium bonds. The phenyl ring of the phosphine ligand has undergoneortho-metallation by a neighboring metal atom. A terminally coordinated Si(OMe)3 ligand is coordinated to the third osmium atom. The cluster is unsaturated by the amount of 2 electrons, and there is an open coordination site on the siloxyl substituted osmium atom that is partially filled by a weak interaction with one of the π-bonds of theortho-metalled phenyl ring. Complex3 reacts with CO at 1 atm to reform compound2 in 85% yield in 5 h at 40°C. Crystal Data: for3: space group = P21/n,a = 9.911(2) A,b = 18.451(6) A,c = 14.872(2) A,β = 95.64(2)°,Z = 4, 1994 reflections,R = 0.028.
Homology of certain algebras defined by graphs

Abstract Let K(G) for a finite graph G with vertices v1,...,vn denote the K-algebra with generators X1,...,Xn and defining relations XiXj=XjXi if and only if vi is not connected to vj by an edge in G. We describe centralizers of monomials, show that the centralizer of a monomial is again a graph algebra, prove a unique factorization theorem for factorizations of monomials into commuting factors, compute the homology of K(G), and show that K(G) is the homology ring of a certain loop space. We also construct a K(π, 1) explicitly where π is the group with generators X1,...,Xn and defining relations XiXj=XjXi if and only if vi is not connected to vj by an edge in G.
What determines limb selection for reaching

While motor dominance appears to drive limb selection for reaching movements at the midline and ipsilateral (dominant) side, this study examined the possible determinants associated with what drives the programming of movements in response to stimuli presented in contralateral space. Experiment 1 distinguished between object proximity and a hemispheric bias for using the hand on the same side as the stimulus by comparing imagined and actual reaching with arms uncrossed and crossed. Experiment 2 examined the role of comfort in limb selection via participants reaching for a cube under two conditions: 1- and multiple-df movements. The first experiment demonstrated a proximity effect; participants preferred to keep their arms crossed to reach with the hand closest to the stimulus rather than uncrossing their arms to support a bias. Comfort was eliminated when participants continued to prefer the nondominant hand, even though they were able to reach with the dominant hand at all positions using only a 1-df movement. In summary, we offer evidence suggesting that limb selection in response to stimuli presented in contralateral hemispace is determined primarily by information related to the proximity between the stimulus and the hand.
Activity of citrovorum factor for the chick.

Summary1. Crystalline citrovorum factor obtained from horse liver was approximately as active when injected as pteroylglutamic acid in counteracting folic acid deficiency in the chick. Under the same conditions citrovorum factor appeared to be somewhat more active than leucovorin. 2. Citrovorum factor leucovorin, and folinic acid-SF when given in the diet were substantially less active than pteroylglutamic acid.
Differential gender- and species-specific formation of aneurysms using a novel method of inducing abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background: The objective of this study was to test a novel model of inducing abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in different mouse strains and genders. Materials and methods: Male and female C57BL/6 and B6129 mice (n ¼ 5 per group) underwent periaortic dissection and porcine pancreatic elastase (30 mL) or inactivated elastase application (5 min) to the aorta. Aortic measurements were taken on days 0 and 14. Aortic samples were analyzed for histology and zymography for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Comparison statistics were performed using unpaired t-test. Results: AAA phenotype (50% aortic increase) occurred in external elastaseetreated males (100%) and females (90%). No control animals developed AAAs. The aortic diameter was larger in C57BL/6 and B6129 elastase-treated versus control males (P ¼ 0.0028 and P 6-fold higher than in controls (all groups significant). MMP9 activity was greater in elastase-treated males and females in C57BL/6 (P ¼ 0.0031, P ¼ 0.0004) and B6129 (P ¼ 0.025, P ¼ 0.2) mice; MMP2 activity was greater in C57BL/6 versus B6129 male elastasetreated mice. Conclusions: This rodent model produced AAAs in both genders and strains of mice. This model is simple, has little variability, and occurs in the infrarenal aorta, substantiating the external elastase model for future studies.
Molecular basis for the photosynthetic primary process.

Abstract In this paper, the molecular details for the primary reaction in photosynthesis are deduced from several recent critical experimental observations. A symmetrical structure is proposed for the basic unit of the reaction center in plant photosynthesis. A mathematical consequence of the symmetrical arrangement is the creation of an anomalously long-lived trap state, which makes possible the summation of a reaction-center triplet excitation and an antenna chlorophyll singlet excitation to bring the photoactive chlorophylls to a charge-transfer state prior to entering into a primary photochemical reaction.
Moral Orientation as a Component of Ethical Decision Making

Morals are foundational to professional and ethical counseling practice. Moral orientation may play an integral role in ethical decision making. The authors review the literature regarding moral orientation and discuss the connection to ethical decision making. Implications for counselor preparation and practice are addressed.
Designing Fixed Bed Column and Batch Studies of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Defluoridation of Drinking Water

The aim of present investigation was to prepare nanoparticles of chitosan and perform batch and column studies with them to study their defluoridation capacity. The nanoparticles of chitosan were characterized by techniques like FTIR, SEM, TEM, etc. Effect of initial fluoride concentration, adsorbent dose, pH and temperature were studied in the batch studies. Effect of bed height, flow rate, and inlet concentration on the column performance were studied. Performance of packed columns were described through the concept of breakthrough curves and column parameters were predicted as a function of bed heights. The breakthrough curves were defined by the Adams-Bohart and Wolborska models.
Bandwidth of Micro Twisted-Pair Cables and Fusion Spliced SIMM-GRIN Fibers and Radiation Hardness of PIN/VCSEL Arrays

We report on a feasibility study of fabricating an optical link for the SLHC ATLAS silicon tracker based on the current pixel optical link architecture. In the current design the electrical signals between the pixel modules and the opto-boards are transmitted via micro-twisted cables. The optical signals between the opto-boards and the data acquisition system are transmitted via rad-hard SIMM fibers spliced to rad-tolerant GRIN fibers. We have measured the bandwidth of the transmission lines and the results indicate that the micro twisted-pair cables can transmit signals up to ~ 1 Gb/s and the fusion spliced fiber ribbon can transmit signals up to ~ 2 Gb/s. We have irradiated PIN and VCSEL arrays with 24 GeV protons and find at least one candidate PIN and one VCSEL array that can survive the expected SLHC dosage.
Stannyl ester cyclizations

Abstract Alpha halo stannyl esters react with alkenes to afford lactones. The reaction is catalyzed by AIBN. The reaction proceeds best with electron rich alkenes. The mechanistic aspects of this novel reaction are discussed. This reaction can also be conducted intramolecularly to produce bicyclic lactones. An approach to the lignan system is presented.
Buoyancy characteristics of a fire heat source

Buoyancy production rates for a pure heat source and for a fire heat source of burning woody fuels show that fire may be regarded as a pure source yielding heated air rather than heated combustion products.
Understanding Consistent Condom Use Among Homeless Men Who Have Sex with Women and Engage in Multiple Sexual Partnerships: A Path Analysis.

Consistent condom use is the main strategy aimed at preventing individuals from acquiring HIV through sexual intercourse. The mechanism of consistent condom use among a high-risk homeless subpopulation—homeless men who have sex with women and also engage in multiple sexual partnerships—remains unclear. This study identified 182 homeless men who engaged in multiple sexual partnerships from a representative sample of homeless men, who self-identified as heterosexual, using meal line services in Downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row area. Information such as participants’ condom use psychosocial correlates, sexual risk behaviors, and social network characteristics were collected. Results suggested that condom efficacy is a potential intervening mechanism through which condom attitudes (β = −0.199; p = 0.005) and depression (β = −0.156; p = 0.029) are associated with an individual’s consistent condom use. Having more network members with whom participants talked about HIV prevention (β = 0.051; p = 0.006) was also found to be associated with an individual’s consistent condom use. HIV prevention programs should focus on increasing their condom efficacy to help reduce HIV risks among this vulnerable homeless subpopulation.
An example of long‐range forecasting of precipitation on a drainage‐area

Long-range prediction or precipitation and its value In hydraulic engineering Is exemplified by its application to the drainage-area of Telgitsch Creek in Styria, Austria. Its drainage-area at the Langmann Dam is 170 sq km (42,000 acres) and the yearly mean flow is 316 cu m/sec (127 cusecs).
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter expression and localization in sea urchin development

Background: ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are membrane proteins that regulate intracellular concentrations of myriad compounds and ions. There are >100 ABC transporter predictions in the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome, including 40 annotated ABCB, ABCC, and ABCG “multidrug efflux” transporters. Despite the importance of multidrug transporters for protection and signaling, their expression patterns have not been characterized in deuterostome embryos. Results: Sea urchin embryos expressed 20 ABCB, ABCC, and ABCG transporter genes in the first 58 hr of development, from unfertilized egg to early prism. We quantified transcripts of ABCB1a, ABCB4a, ABCC1, ABCC5a, ABCC9a, and ABCG2b, and found that ABCB1a mRNA was 10–100 times more abundant than other transporter mRNAs. In situ hybridization showed ABCB1a was expressed ubiquitously in embryos, while ABCC5a was restricted to secondary mesenchyme cells and their precursors. Fluorescent protein fusions showed localization of ABCB1a on apical cell surfaces, and ABCC5a on basolateral surfaces. Conclusions: Embryos use many ABC transporters with predicted functions in cell signaling, lysosomal and mitochondrial homeostasis, potassium channel regulation, pigmentation, and xenobiotic efflux. Detailed characterization of ABCB1a and ABCC5a revealed that they have different temporal and spatial gene expression profiles and protein localization patterns that correlate to their predicted functions in protection and development, respectively. Developmental Dynamics 241:1111–1124, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The frequency dependent conductivity of the electron glass

Abstract In a recent theory of the electron glass, the electrons near the Fermi level, EF, are perfectly ordered within domains of typical size r 0 = ρ 2 ekT , with ρ the electronic charge, e the host dielectric constant and kT the Boltzmann constant times the temperature. If the frequency is not too high, electrical conduction takes place along one-dimensional channels at the domain boundaries. A result for the ac conductivity in a pair approximation regime is derived and extended to the so-called multiple hopping regime. A critical frequency, ωc, proportional to the dc conductivity, marks the onset of sequentially correlated hopping. It is shown that the results for the low- and high-frequency conductivities join smoothly at ωc. Close correspondence to experiment is noted.
Extremal properties of strong quadrature weights and maximal mass results for truncated strong moment problems

Abstract A bisequence of complex numbers {μn}−∞∞ determines a strong moment functional L satisfying L[xn] = μn. If L is positive-definite on a bounded interval (a,b) ⊂ R{0}, then L has an integral representation L , n=0, ±1, ±2,…, and quadrature rules {wni,xni} exist such that μk = ∑i=innsnikwni. This paper is concerned with establishing certain extremal properties of the weights wni and using these properties to obtain maximal mass results satisfied by distributions ψ(x) representing L when only a finite bisequence of moments {μk}k=−nn−1 is given.
Synthesis and reactivity of acyclic (pentadienyl)iron(1+) cations: model studies for the preparation of the 8E,10Z,16E,18E-tetraene segment of macrolactin A

Abstract The dicarbonyl(1,2-dimethylpentadienyl)triphenylphosphineiron(1+) cation ( 11 ) has been prepared from methyl 4-methyl-2 E ,4 E -hexadienoate in four steps. The cation ( 11 ) reacts with hydride and carbon nucleophiles in a regiospecific fashion to afford (3-methyl-2 E ,4 Z -diene)iron complexes. Dicarbonyl(3-methyl-7-nitro-2 E ,4 Z -heptadiene)triphenylphosphineiron ( 15 ), the product from the reaction of 11 with nitromethane anion, has been utilized as a precursor for nitrile oxide–olefin cyclocondensations.
Differences in cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) between patients with atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma

It is widely accepted that type 2 helper T (Th2) lymphocytes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as bronchial asthma (BA). We measured the amounts of IL-5 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) produced by PBMC upon stimulation with house dust mite (HDM) or Candida albicans (CA) in 17 children (3-15 years) with AD, and compared these values with those of 16 children with BA. Although IL-5 production by PBMC upon stimulation with HDM in patients with AD was significantly higher than that in 13 non-atopic controls (geometric mean = 23.4 pg/ml versus 5.9 pg/ml, P < 0.05), it was significantly lower than that in patients with BA (177.8 pg/ml, P < 0.001). The amount of IL-5 produced by PBMC upon stimulation with CA was also significantly lower in patients with AD than in those with BA (7.2 pg/ml versus 100.0 pg/ml, P < 0.001). The production of IFN-gamma by PBMC stimulated with HDM or CA was also significantly lower in patients with AD than in those with BA (HDM 4. 3 pg/ml versus 12.6 pg/ml, P < 0.05; CA 6.5 pg/ml versus 60.3 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Consequently the ratio of IL-5 to IFN-gamma production was high not only in patients with BA but also in those with AD. These findings suggest that there are some differences in the regulation of in vivo cytokine production between patients with AD and those with BA, although a Th2-dominant profile is common to both.
Big Respiratory Cycles During Treadmill Exercise

Introduction Big respiratory cycles (BRCs) are a sporadic but normal occurrence during galloping exercise. Their relationship to performance capacity as reflected by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is unclear. Methods 7 Thoroughbreds completed multiple incremental exercise tests up to 13 m/s on a treadmill to determine their VO2max while wearing a mask that measured inspired and expired volumes (VI, VE) and VO2 on a breath-by-breath basis. Frequency and duration of BRCs were related to speed and VO2max using regression analysis. Numbers of BRCs for each test were counted and the duration, VI, VE and VO2 of each BRC determined and compared to the corresponding average values of the 5 breaths following the BRCs, and VO2max for the exercise bout. Significance was set at P<0.05. Results The frequency of BRCs was 64% when all speeds and runs were considered. The number and appearance of BRCs varied considerably between horses. BRC numbers were greatest at 6 and 13 m/s and least at 9 m/s, and significantly related by polynomial regression (r2 = 0.90). BRC duration was not related to breathing frequency when all BRCs were considered due to the existence of two distinct clusters of BRCs. The duration of those lasting 1.25 s in length (r2 = 0.55). BRC VI and VE were greater than normal VI and VE and the difference increased linearly (r2 = 0.89 and 0.87, respectively) as speed increased from 6 m/s (VI: 8.0 ± 0.6%; VE: 8.9 ± 0.7% greater) to 13 m/s (VI: 42 ± 2%; VE: 57 ± 3% greater). Individual VO2max was not related to the number, length or volume of BRCs. Conclusions The frequency, duration and size of BRCs do not affect VO2max and vary considerably within a given treadmill test and between horses. Ethical Animal Research Procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (protocol #3807). Sources of funding: Funding was provided by the home department. Competing interests: none.
The determinants of mediation activity: A two-country comparison

A recent study examined the relationship between fluctuations in the number of mediation cases in Great Britain and several macroeconomic variables. The results indicated a strong statistical relationship between the variables and the number of mediation cases. We are interested in determining whether a similar relationship exists in the United States. Our results indicate that such a relationship exists in the United States but it is not as strong as the one in Great Britain.
Total synthesis of 11-deoxydaunomycinone and analogs by a tandem Claisen-Diels-Alder strategy

Le compose de depart est l'[allyloxy-5' hydroxy-2' phenyl]-1 [methyl-2 dithiolanne-1,3yl-2]-5 pentadiene-2,4one-1
Model‐based measuring of syntactic change*

Abstract A new method for quantitative representation of syntactic change is introduced. The method is model‐based in the sense that a formal grammatical model is used to describe stages of syntactic change. Then, by measuring some relevant features of the model, syntactic change is represented as a sequence of numerical values. This can be used for establishing the rate of syntactic change and for further investigations and comparisons of various syntactic changes.
Cyclotrimerization of Corannulyne: Steric Hindrance Tunes the Inversion Barriers of Corannulene Bowls

Palladium-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of corannulyne generated from 2-trimethylsilylcorannulenyl triflate produced a C60H24 hydrocarbon that prefers a highly nonplanar “twist” conformation of C1 symmetry, as demonstrated by X-ray crystal structure determination and HDFT calculations. Its three corannulene subunits, identical in the idealized D3h symmetry, exhibit dramatically different inversion barriers (from 8.4 to 17.3 kcal mol–1), tuned by the steric congestion inside the highly dissymmetric structure. Bowl-to-bowl inversion of the corannulene unit with the lowest activation barrier results in pseudorotation of the molecule and gives rise to a 1H NMR spectrum exhibiting only 12 distinct proton signals. The line-shape analysis of selected NMR signals gave an estimation of the barrier at 8.5–8.6 kcal mol–1.
Effect of different additives on bacterial cellulose production by Acetobacter xylinum and analysis of material property

Bacterial cellulose (BC) demonstrates unique properties including high mechanical strength, high crystallinity, and high water retention ability, which make it an useful material in many industries, such as food, paper manufacturing, and pharmaceutical application. In this study, different additives including agar, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium alginate were added into fermentation medium in agitated culture to enhance BC production by Acetobacter xylinum. The optimal additive was chosen based on the amount of BC produced. The produced BC was analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Among the evaluated additives, CMC yielded highest BC production (8.2 g/L) compared to the control (1.3 g/L). The results also indicated that CMC-altered BC production increased with CMC addition and reached saturation around 1%. The variation between replicates for all analysis was <5%. From XRD analysis, however, the crystallinity and crystal size decreased as CMC addition increased. FESEM results showed CMC-altered BC produced from agitated culture retained its interweaving property. TGA results demonstrated that CMC-altered BC had about 98% water retention ability, which is higher than BC pellicle produced with static culture. CMC-altered BC also exhibited higher Tmax compared to control. Finally, DMA results showed that BC from agitated culture loses its mechanical strength in both stress at break and Young’s modulus when compared to BC pellicle. This study clearly demonstrated that addition of CMC enhanced BC production and slightly changed its structure.
Inspection of EUV reticles

This paper presents the results of patterned and unpatterned EUV mask inspections. We will show inspection results related to EUV patterned mask design factors that affect inspection tool sensitivity, in particular, EUV absorber material reflectivity, and EUV buffer layer thickness. We have used a DUV (257nm) inspection system to inspect patterned reticles, and have achieved defect size sensitivities on patterned reticles of approximately 80 nm. We have inspected EUV substrates and blanks with a UV (364nm) tool with a 90nm to a 120 nm PSL sensitivity, respectively, and found that defect density varies markedly, by factors of 10 and more, from sample to sample. We are using this information in an ongoing effort to reduce defect densities in substrates and blanks to the low levels that will be needed for EUV lithography. While DUV tools will likely meet the patterned inspection requirements of the 70 nm node in terms of reticle defect sensitivity, wavelengths shorter than 200 nm will be required to meet the 50 nm node requirements. This research was sponsored in part by NIST-ATP under KLA-Tencor Cooperative Agreement #70NANB8H44024.
Keratinocyte Growth Factor Down-regulates Expression of the Sucrase-Isomaltase Gene in Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cells

The molecular mechanisms that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells are not well understood. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is an epithelial cell-specific growth factor that may be involved in the maintenance of mucosal epithelial populations and in mediating epithelial repair after injury. The sucrase-isomaltase (SI) gene, which encodes an enterocyte brush border disaccharidase, has served as a model for study of intestinal-specific gene expression and differentiation. KGF down-regulated SI mRNA and protein expression in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells but not the expression of other brush border enzymes. The down-regulation was dose- and time-dependent and specifically blocked by anti-KGF antibodies. Transfection experiments using SI promoter constructs demonstrated that KGF decreased SI gene transcription. In contrast, the stability of SI mRNA was not affected by incubation of Caco-2 cells with KGF. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis demonstrated that binding of nuclear proteins to the SI footprint (SIF) 3 and SIF4 regulatory elements within the SI promoter region was increased in Caco-2 cells that had been incubated with KGF. In transfection experiments using a construct in which tandem copies of the SIF4-binding site were inserted upstream of the SV40 promoter and luciferase gene, incubation with KGF resulted in a significant decrease in luciferase activity. However, transfection with a similar construct containing tandem copies of SIF3 had no significant effect on SV40 promoter activity following KGF treatment. SIF4 may bind E4BP4, a previously identified transcriptional repressor protein. This factor may in part mediate the decrease in SI transcription by KGF in Caco-2 cells.
Comparison of urinary acidification and ammonium excretion in normal and gouty subjects.

Abstract The urinary acidification response to stimulation of the distal transtubular pH gradient and to the production of systemic acidosis was compared in ten gouty patients and ten normal subjects. Studies were performed at two levels of phosphate intake in order to influence titratable acid excretion. The data suggest that gouty patients do not establish a greater pH gradient across the distal tubule than normal subjects, that there is no restriction of ammonia diffusion in gouty patients, that gouty patients tend to handle an acid load by preferentially excreting titratable acid rather than ammonium, and that a modest defect in ammonia production which can best be elicited during dietary restriction of phosphate may exist in gouty patients.
Spline joints for multibody dynamics

Spline joints are a novel class of joints that can model general scleronomic constraints for multibody dynamics based on the minimal-coordinates formulation. The main idea is to introduce spline curves and surfaces in the modeling of joints: We model 1-DOF joints using splines on SE(3), and construct multi-DOF joints as the product of exponentials of splines in Euclidean space. We present efficient recursive algorithms to compute the derivatives of the spline joint, as well as geometric algorithms to determine optimal parameters in order to achieve the desired joint motion. Our spline joints can be used to create interesting new simulated mechanisms for computer animation and they can more accurately model complex biomechanical joints such as the knee and shoulder.
Quantum computing: a survey

Computers today become faster by becoming smaller. By reducing the size of transistors, engineers are able to fit more of them on a given size microprocessor, thus increasing the processor's computational power. This process cannot continue forever. It has been estimated that sometime within the next two decades, at the current rate, engineers will be faced with the problem of building something that is smaller than an atom. This is as far as our current "classical" computing paradigm will take us. Quantum computing is a potential solution to this problem. This paradigm of computing seeks to directly exploit quantum mechanical phenomena to perform calculations or in some way boost computational efficiency. Some problems can theoretically be solved on a quantum computer exponentially faster than on a classical computer. An overview of the subject is provided here with emphasis on quantum information processing and physical realizations of a quantum computer. Included is a brief history of the subject, a discussion of quantum computing notions such as parallelism and entanglement and their use in quantum algorithms, and conjecture on the prospects and pitfalls of this theory.