cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous time random walks in closed and open single-molecule systems with microscopic reversibility

Continuous time random walk (CTRW) is studied with a new dynamic equation based on the age-structure of states. For a CTRW in a closed molecular system, two necessary conditions for microscopic reversibility are introduced: 1) independence of transition direction and waiting time for every state and 2) detailed balance among the transition probabilities. Together they are also sufficient condition. For a CTRW in an open system with explicit chemical energy input 1) still holds while 2) breaks down. Hence, CTRW models not satisfying 1) are either inconsistent with thermodynamics or cannot attain equilibrium due to hidden dissipation in non-Markovian states. Each CTRW defines a unique corresponding Markov process (cMP). The steady-state distribution of a CTRW equals that of the corresponding Markov process, and the two systems have the same steady-state flux, the same exit probabilities and the same mean trapping times. Mechanicity is discussed; a paradox observed by Kolomeisky and Fisher (J. Chem. Phys., 113 (2000) 10867) is resolved.
Anthropology and Goodenough: Cognitive and Cooperative Approaches to Educating the Adult Mentally Retarded

In this article I discuss the application of anthropology to address the problems facing a particular minority population, the adult mentally retarded. I focus on the education of the adult mentally retarded in urban northern California, one of the states that has expended a significant amount of public funding and effort towards educating the adult mentally retarded. The information and insights draw from four years of personal experience in working with this population in center-based settings. Of particular interest is an educational event at an art center at which I worked which involved cooperative learning between nonretarded teaching assistants (including myself) and mentally retarded students.
Efficiency comparison of SiC and Si-based bidirectional DC-DC converters

With the advancement of technology on wide bandgap materials such as silicon-carbide (SiC), there are now better choices of SiC power devices available than ever before. It is widely known that SiC-based switching devices provide significant performance improvements on many aspects including lower power dissipation, higher operating temperatures, and faster switching frequencies compared to conventional Si devices. However, the tremendous benefits of SiC devices have not yet been fully explored by researchers. In this paper, a popular topology of bidirectional DC-DC converter that is suitable for hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle applications is considered. Comparative analyses regarding the power loss reductions of power devices and efficiency improvements are carried out for the converter based on three sets of device combinations, e.g. all-silicon (conventional silicon IGBTs and diodes), hybrid (silicon IGBTs with SiC Schottky diodes), and all-SiC (SiC MOSFETs with SiC Schottky diodes).
Interaction between polyelectrolyte brushes in poor solvents

This study examines the structure of planar polyelectrolyte brushes and the disjoining pressure between such brushes in a poor solvent. The self-consistent field theory is used in this work in contrast with the earlier studies that used a step-density model. We predict that upon the reduction in solvent quality the brush collapses continuously whereas the step-density model predicts a first-order collapse. In a sufficiently poor solvent the brush shows a discontinuous density profile: (i) between the grafting surface and the discontinuity the density is dominated by the solvent translational entropy and (ii) beyond the discontinuity the density is determined by the counterion translational entropy. The force−distance profiles are also always continuous unlike the prediction of the step-density model, which predicts discontinuous collapse under constant external pressure.
Passivation of pyrite oxidation with metal cations

Under the influence of anodic potentials greater than 0.5V against SCE (saturated calomel electrode), pyrite slurried in acidic electrolytes is oxidized to water soluble ferric and sulphate ions. Experiments were conducted in a stirred Pyrex reactor provided with three electrodes, the anode being a platinum mesh. The rate of reaction of pyrite corrosion was observed to increase with electrolysis time. The autocatalytic reaction is brought about by the ferric ions produced during the course of the reaction. The rates of reaction, however, can be depressed by adding small quantities of copper and silver ions (both of these have lower redox potentials than that of the Fe2+/Fe3− couple) to the electrolyte. It is suggested that addition of these cations results in the formation of an electrochemically inactive sulphur layer on the surface of pyrite particles.[/p]
Caballero J, Clauson K, Benavides S. Get the Residency. ASHP’s Guide to Residency: Interviews and Preparation. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc; 2012, 128pp, $22.00 (softcover), ISBN 9781585283651.

Considering the increasingly competitive and highly selective residency and fellowship programs across the nation, seeking a residency or fellowship position has become a challenge among many doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates. Get the Residency provides the insights that pharmacist applicants, especially fresh graduates, need in order to stand out from other candidates. Because of the constantly increasing number of PharmD graduates vying for a relatively steady number of residency and fellowship positions, securing such positions has become a more difficult step that requires more effort from the applicant through intense preparation and careful planning. Thus, this text is a great asset for those seeking postgraduate training positions by acquainting them with details related to the application refining process, helping them finish the application process more efficiently, and ultimately boosting their chances of securing a position. This book provides a guide to applicants, enriching them with information that maximizes their chances for obtaining the sought positions. It teaches them the techniques that help them become more competent in order to navigate the matching process successfully.
Perfluorinated Compounds in the Cape Fear Drainage Basin in North Carolina

Concern over perfluorinated organic compounds (PFCs), e.g., perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is due to a number of recent studies which show that the PFCs are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic in animals. Despite sustained interest in this topic, little information is available concerning the environmental distributions of the compounds. In this study, a new method was developed for the analysis of 10 target PFCs and its performance was examined in a systematic evaluation of surface water in the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina. One hundred samples from 80 different locations were collected during the spring of 2006. Detectable levels of the target PFCs were found in all samples, and were comparable to values reported previously, with maximum PFOS at 132 ng/L, PFOA at 287 ng/L, perfluorononanoic acid (C9) at 194 ng/L, and perfluoroheptanoic acid (C7) at 329 ng/L. In general, the lowest concentrations of the PFCs were found in the smallest tributaries while the highest levels were found in middle reaches of the Drainage Basin. Variability of PFC concentrations suggests a series of source inputs throughout the Basin. Seventeen sample sites (22%) had PFOS concentrations greater than 43 ng/L, a conservative safe water concentration estimated to be protective of avian life. In addition, a total of 26 sites (32%) had PFOA concentrations above 40 ng/L.
Comparative Treatment Effectiveness: Effects of Program Modality and Client Drug Dependence History on Drug Use Reduction

This study examined treatment outcome as a function of program modality, clients' lifetime patterns of drug dependence, and their interaction, controlling for current level of drug use at treatment intake. Data were based on 2,966 clients who were interviewed at intake and at 1-year follow-up as part of the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS), which included programs of four major modalities. Subjects' lifetime patterns of drug dependence were classified into nine groups according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R; American Psychiatric Association; 1987) diagnostic criteria and time of onset of drug use career. Outcome measure was the reduction of heroin use or cocaine use at follow-up from levels at intake. The results showed that rates of lifetime drug dependence and current drug use at DATOS admission were highest among methadone maintenance clients and lowest among outpatient drug-free clients. Drug use reduction was observed for all modalities. The presence of dependence diagnosis was associated with less improvement when current use level at intake was controlled. Clients dependent on heroin but not currently daily users benefited most from inpatient and residential programs. Methadone programs were also relatively ineffective in reducing cocaine use. Characteristics of the client's drug dependence history, in addition to the current or presenting drug problem, should be assessed to guide treatment planning. The high rate of cocaine dependence among methadone clients, most of whom were dependent on heroin, poses considerable challenge to contemporary opiate substitution treatments.
Agricultural biomass for fuel

The U.S. energy problem. The united States imported about 8 million barrels of oil each day in 1979. At a cost approaching $30 per barrel, the annual cost amounted to about 80 billion dollars! Needless to say, excessive dependence on foreign oil imports has resulted in serious trade deficits. Inflation, fueled in part by energy problems, has been unacceptably high. Thus, the soundness of the U.S. dollar, our economic wellbeing and even our national security are all inextricably bound to the energy problem.
Nonidentifiability of competing risks

Frequently one is interested in examining the survival experience of a set of individuals exposed to k risks. If W is the time of failure for the individual and J is the indicator variable for cause of death, then the competing risk framework assumes that W = min Xi and J = j if Xj is the minimum, where the Xi's are the survival lifetimes when only risk Ri is operating on the population. To examine the underlying structure of the survival experience one has to know the joint distribution of the Xi (Fx). It is shown here that if only W and J are observed, the joint distribution of the Xi (Fx) is nonidentifiable.
Structural Validity of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire

Two studies investigate the latent structure of items taken from the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). In the first study, item-level confirmatory factor analyses establish the superiorit...
Shrinkage of coal matrix with release of gas and its impact on permeability of coal

Abstract Adsorption/desorption isotherms were established for powdered coal samples. Gas pressure-permeability relationships for cylindrical specimens of coal, under triaxial stress conditions, were also determined. Gas pressure-volumetric strain relationships were established using strain gauges on the same specimens. The results indicate that the permeability of coal to methane increases with decreasing gas pressure, in spite of increased effective stress. The primary reason for this increase in permeability is the shrinking of the coal matrix, which is associated with desorption, thus enlarging the gas flow paths. The volume of the coal matrix shrinks by ≈0.4% when the gas pressure falls from 6.9 MPa to atmospheric pressure. The results suggest that higher flow rates can be expected as a consequence of the shrinkage, and the associated enhanced permeability, over the life of methane-producing wells in coalbeds.
Transnational Families: Chinese-Canadian Youth between Worlds

This longitudinal study used a phenomenological approach to examine the experience of 16 Hong Kong Chinese youths who immigrated with their families to Canada in the 1990s. Despite being displaced from their established social networks in Hong Kong and experiencing intense loneliness while adapting to life in Canada, these young people were able to positively cope through recourse to transnational ties. Although these young people were not given much choice in the decision to migrate to Canada, they assumed the role as active builders of transnational ties once they landed on Canadian soil. Importantly, a decade after migration, these transnational ties were found to be instrumental in enhancing the problem-solving skills of these individuals against adversities. Furthermore, the transnational ties provided these young people with the building blocks of self-confidence and sense of agency, which facilitated positive development as they entered young adulthood.
Programmed Cell Death and Cell Transformation in Craniofacial Development

Fusion of branchial arch derivatives is an essential component in the development of craniofacial structures. Bilaterally symmetric branchial arch processes fuse in the midline to form the mandible, lips, and palate. The mechanism for fusion requires several different morphologic and molecular events prior to the completion of the mesenchymal continuity between opposing tissue processes. The ectodermal covering of the branchial arches is one of the cell types that has an important role during craniofacial development. The surface epithelia provide the initial adherence between the processes; however, this population of cells is ultimately absent from the fusion zone. The medial edge epithelium of the secondary palatal shelves is one example of such an epithelium that must disappear from the fusion zone of the secondary palate during development in order to complete palatal fusion. The mechanisms for removal of the epithelial cells from the fusion zone could include either programmed cell death, epithelial...
FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF A PAVEMENT FOUNDATION WITH RECYCLED AGGREGATE AND WASTE HDPE STRIPS

A laboratory investigation was conducted to evaluate the fatigue behavior of an alternative pavement foundation material containing cement stabilized reclaimed crushed aggregate. Class C fly ash, and waste-plastic strip [high density polyethylene (HDPE)] reinforcement. The primary motivation for this research was to evaluate a composite that contained more than 90% recycled materials for use as an alternative foundation layer underneath conventional flexible or rigid pavement. The specific objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the flexural fatigue behavior of the new composite, and (2) to evaluate the accumulation of fatigue damage in the material. The results indicate that the fatigue resistance of this material is similar to other traditional stabilized pavement materials. It was found that the dynamic elastic modulus remained approximately constant (degraded slowly) for most specimens up to the end of fatigue life. Fatigue damage computed using a dissipated energy approach showed that the damage accumulation in this material approximately follows Miner's rule for cumulative damage, which is often used in pavement engineering.
Persistent vegetative state, prospective thinking, and advance directives.

This article begins with a discussion of persistent vegetative state (PVS), focusing on concerns related to both diagnosis and prognosis and paying special attention to the 1994 Multi-Society Task Force report on the medical aspects of PVS. The article explores the impact of diagnostic and prognostic uncertainties on prospective thinking regarding the possibility of PVS and con- siders the closely related question of how prospective thinkers might craft ad- vance directives in order to deal most effectively with this possibility.
Improved xenograft targeting of tumor-specific anti-epidermal growth factor receptor variant III antibody labeled using N-succinimidyl 4-guanidinomethyl-3-iodobenzoate.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as the tumor-specific anti-epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) that are internalized and degraded after cell binding necessitate the use of radioiodination methods that minimize the loss of radioactivity from the tumor cell after intracellular processing. The purpose of the current study was to determine the suitability of N -succinimidyl 4-guanidinomethyl-3-iodobenzoate (SGMIB) for labeling this internalizing mAb. A series of paired-label biodistribution experiments were performed in athymic mice bearing subcutaneous, EGFRvIII-expressing, D-256 human glioma and U87ΔEGFR xenografts. The tissue distribution of radioiodine activity following injection of anti-EGFRvIII mAb L8A4 labeled using N -succinimidyl 4-guanidinomethyl-3-iodobenzoate (SGMIB) were compared to those for mAb labeled using Iodogen, N -succinimidyl 3-iodo-5-pyridinecarboxylate (SIPC) as well as the Boc-protected precursor of SGMIB. Tumor uptake of radioiodine activity for mAb labeled via SGMIB was significantly higher than co-administered L8A4 radioiodinated by other methods. For example, 3 days after injection, D-256 tumor uptake of L8A4 labeled via SGMIB was 20.4 ± 4.6% ID/g compared with 11.7 ± 5.5% ID/g when the SIPC method was used. Thyroid uptake for L8A4 (SGMIB) was up to 36 times lower than L8A4 (Iodogen) and less than 0.35% in all experiments, indicating a low degree of deiodination in vivo . These results suggest that SGMIB may be a useful reagent for the radioiodination of this internalizing anti-EGFRvIII mAb.
Molecular Basis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

The purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies that have led to a more complete understanding of the molecular basis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Somatic mutations of PIG-A arising in pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells are necessary for the development of PNH. PIG-A is an X-linked gene that is essential for synthesis of the glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety that serves as a membrane anchor for a functionally diverse group of cell surface proteins. Consequently, the progeny of stem cells with mutant PIG-A are deficient in all GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-AP). Among the GPI-AP that are expressed on hematopoietic cells are two important regulators of the complement system, decay-accelerating factor, (CD55) and membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis, (CD59). It is the deficiency of erythrocyte CD55 and CD59 that accounts for the intravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuria that are the clinical hallmarks of PNH. A remarkable feature of PNH is that the peripheral blood is a mosaic composed of variable proportions of GPI-AP+ and GPI-AP− cells and that, in an individual patient, the GPI-AP− cells can be derived from multiple mutant stem cells. Currently, however, there is no evidence that the PIG-A mutation per se provides a proliferative advantage. Thus, PNH is not a monoclonal disease with a malignant phenotype. Rather, the mutant stem cells appear to dominate hematopoiesis because under some pathological conditions, GPI-AP deficiency is advantageous. The close association of PNH with aplastic anemia suggests that the selection pressure arises as a consequence of a specific type of bone marrow injury.
Comparative study of the therapeutic effects of glibenclamide or the fixed combination of glibenclamide-phenformin with those of gliclazide or chlorpropamide

This study was designed to compare the therapeutic effects of glibenclamide or the fixed combination of glibenclamide-phenformin with those of gliclazide, chlorpropamide or biguanides in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is divided into two parts: a) in the retrospective study (473 subjects), glucose control of patients who were transferred from chlorpropamide, gliclazide, glibenclamide, glibenclamide + biguanide or metformin to the fixed combination glibenclamide-phenformin in the same tablet (2.5 mg and 25 mg, respectively) was monitored. A statistically significant decrease of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin values was found under the combination of glibenclamide-phenformin contained in the same tablet in contrast to the values obtained with the treatment with glibenclamide, gliclazide, chlorpropamide, combination of glibenclamide and biguanides, metformin, and insulin. b) In the prospective study (57 subjects), the patients were transferred from chlorpropamide or gliclazide to glibenclamide for 3 months and then reallocated to the previous treatment for 3 additional months. It was found that under glibenclamide, glucose control was significantly better than under chlorpropamide or gliclazide. In conclusion, glibenclamide, a second generation sulfonylurea, and the fixed combination glibenclamide-phenformin in the same tablet are more effective compared to the other antidiabetic agents here studied and lead to a better control of type II diabetic patients. There was no increase in plasma lactic acid concentration in all patients studied before and after having received the fixed combination of glibenclamide-phenformin in the single tablet form.
Organizational structure, demographic characteristics, and employee responses

Abstract The study tested an hypothesis about the sources of variance associated with employees' responses to their work environment. Objective profiles of employees' positions in the organizational structure and their demographic background were developed for 392 employees in a printing plant. Canonical analyses showed that profiles of organizational structure and demographic characteristics were related to employee responses. Part canonical analyses established that there was a substantial joint relationship between both demographic and organizational structure characteristics and responses due to the covariance between the two sets of characteristics. In addition, the organizational structure characteristics had an important unique relationship to employee responses. Results are discussed in terms of possible psychological explanations for the relationships between objective index variables and responses.
Isospin dependence of the nuclear level width in the compound nucleus 30P

Abstract The excitation functions of 29 Si(p, α 0 ) 26 Al, 29 Si(p, α 1 ) 26 Al and 29 Si(p, α 2 ) 26 Al were measured with high beam energy resolution in order to determine the isospin dependence of the nuclear level width of the composite nucleus, 30 P, at an average excitation energy of 19.6 MeV. From an auto-correlation analysis of these excitation functions, the level widths of the T = 0 and T > = 1 isospin states are determined as 81 ± 17 keV and 104 ± 35 keV, respectively. An analysis including isospin mixing is also performed. With the aid of the statistical theory of nuclear reactions, the coherence energies are used to deduce the relative densities of two isospin states. The predictions of the Fermi gas model of level densities including isospin are in good agreement with the obtained results.
A comparative study of fatty acid composition and CLA concentration in commercial cheeses

A total of 52 Italian and French commercial cheeses were analysed for fatty acid composition and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration. The cheeses were first grouped according to the ruminant species of the milk used in manufacturing, then according to the following criteria: (1) cheeses obtained from milk of the same ruminant species but using different production technologies; (2) cheeses produced from milk of different ruminant species but through similar cheesemaking processes. Comparative studies of fatty acid composition and CLA levels in the different cheese classes were carried out. In our study, the arrangement of the ruminant species according to the increasing CLA concentration in cheese was: goat = cow < sheep. Sheep cheeses had the highest levels of CLA (9.86 mg/g fat), α-linolenic acid (0.75%) and trans-vaccenic acid (1.63%), and the lowest contents of linoleic acid (1.80%) and oleic acid (16.83%). The comparison of cheeses obtained from milk of the same ruminant species but through different production technologies reported statistically significant differences in the fatty acid profiles that could be due to a different degree of lipolysis in the cheeses compared. Nevertheless, statistically significant differences in CLA concentration were not found; this suggests that the factors involved in the cheesemaking process generally do not affect the CLA content in milk fat.
Topoisomerase activity is associated with purified SV40 T antigen

Purified SV40 T antigen has been assayed for topoisomerase activity. The ability to relax negatively-supercoiled SV40 DNA was found in preparations of T antigen purified either from human 293 cells infected with Ad5-SVR111 virus or from insect Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus 941T. The T antigen-associated relaxing activity was stimulated by MgCl2 and was not dependent on ATP, suggesting that it is not due to cellular topoisomerase II. The topoisomerase activity was immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody specific for T antigen, but not by a control monoclonal antibody. In addition, immunoblotting of purified T antigen from human 293 cells with antihuman topoisomerase I and anti-human topoisomerase II antibodies failed to detect cellular topoisomerases I or II. Sedimentation analysis of purified T antigen revealed that the topoisomerase activity co-sedimented with the hexameric form of T antigen at 23S. The topoisomerase activity is, therefore, either inherent to T antigen or due to a cellular topoisomerase I tightly bound to, and co-purifying with, T antigen.
Improved mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of electrospun nanofiber membranes for filtration applications by dopamine modification

Abstract Electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) are an emerging platform for membrane filtration; however, widespread applications of ENMs are hindered by poor mechanical strength attributed to their high porosity, intrinsically low, random fiber orientations and weak interactions between fiber junctions. In addition to suitable mechanical properties, most water-based filtration processes require membranes to be hydrophilic in order to resist fouling and enhance water flow. In this study, we demonstrate a simple chemical modification capable of improving the mechanical properties of polyacylonitrile (PAN) and polysulfone (PSu) ENMs. The chemical modification involves the polydopamine (PDA), a hydrophilic polymer. PDA has the dual benefit of hydrophilization and strengthening of ENMs to improve their wettability and tolerance to operational and handling conditions. When deposited onto the fibers, PDA promotes bonding between fibers by coating junction points throughout the nonwoven. The coated nonwoven membranes showed a 100 to 300% increases in tensile strength and Young׳s Modulus with no decrease in flexibility while retaining their porous structure and high water permeability. For hydrophobic PSu ENMs, the hydrophilicity was also significantly improved after coating.
Effects of reactant ion kinetic energy on both endothermic and exothermic ion/molecule reactions in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

Abstract The effects of kinetic energy on the outcomes of exothermic and endothermic ion/molecule reactions in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer are examined. Endothermic proton-transfer and charge exchange reactions may be driven in a quadrupole ion trap by acceleration of selected reactant ions to higher kinetic energies, via resonant power absorption from a supplementary a.c. voltage, prior to collisions with neutral substrate molecules. Reactions as endothermic as 1.1 eV for either proton-transfer or charge exchange processes have been promoted, with maximum conversion efficiencies of reactant ions to product ions ranging from 5 to 15% under optimized conditions. Depending on the nature of the reactant ion and its possible reaction pathways, activation of a selected ion may lead to a combination of collisionally-activated dissociation, ion loss from the trap by impingement upon an electrode or ejection, and endothermic ion/molecule reaction. Activation of reactant ions prior to exothermic ion/molecule reactions in the quadrupole ion trap results in decreased reaction efficiency, a result expected for translationally hot ions.
Equation of state for mixtures of nonpolar fluids : prediction from experimental constants of the components

We present a simple procedure by which an analytical equations of state for a mixture of normal fluids can be predicted from the constantsTc (critical temperature),pc (critial pressure), and ω (Pitzer acentric factor) for each pure component. The equation covers the range from the dilute vapor or gas to the highly compressed liquid or supercritical fluid.
Conditioning of FRF measurements for use with frequency based substructuring

Abstract Frequency based substructuring approaches have been used for the generation of system models from component data. While numerical models show successful results, there have been many difficulties with actual measurements in many instances. Previous work has identified some of these typical problems using simulated data to incorporate specific measurement difficulties commonly observed along with approaches to overcome some of these difficulties. This paper presents the results using actual measured data for a laboratory structure subjected to both analytical and experimental studies. Various commonly used approaches are shown to illustrate some of the difficulties with measured data. A new approach to better condition the measured functions and purge commonly found data measurement contaminants is utilized to provide dramatically improved results. Several cases are explored to show the difficulties commonly observed as well as the improved conditioning of the measured data to obtain acceptable results.
Synthesis and characterization of silicon‐containing phenylated soluble aramids

New high molecular weight (inherent viscosities, 1.21–0.50 dL/g) aramids having silicon and pendant phenyl groups were synthesized by low temperature interfacial polycondensation technique involving the reaction of acid chlorides: bis(4-chlorocarbonylphenyl)dimethylsilane and bis(3-chlorocarbonylphenyl)dimethylsilane with diamines: 2,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)-3,4-diphenyl-thiophene and bis(4-aminophenyl)ether. Copolyamides were obtained by using different proportions of these diamines. All the polymers were completely soluble in organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and N,N-dimethylformamide. Thermal properties were evaluated by thermogravimetry which showed no weight loss below 325°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres.
Enrichment and characterization of ammonia-oxidizing archaea from the open ocean: phylogeny, physiology and stable isotope fractionation

Archaeal genes for ammonia oxidation are widespread in the marine environment, but direct physiological evidence for ammonia oxidation by marine archaea is limited. We report the enrichment and characterization of three strains of pelagic ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) from the North Pacific Ocean that have been maintained in laboratory culture for over 3 years. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the three strains belong to a previously identified clade of water column-associated AOA and possess 16S ribosomal RNA genes and ammonia monooxygenase subunit a (amoA) genes highly similar (98–99% identity) to those recovered in DNA and complementary DNA clone libraries from the open ocean. The strains grow in natural seawater-based liquid medium while stoichiometrically converting ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2−). Ammonia oxidation by the enrichments is only partially inhibited by allylthiourea at concentrations known to completely inhibit cultivated ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. The three strains were used to determine the nitrogen stable isotope effect (15ɛNH3) during archaeal ammonia oxidation, an important parameter for interpreting stable isotope ratios in the environment. Archaeal 15ɛNH3 ranged from 13‰ to 41‰, within the range of that previously reported for ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Despite low amino acid identity between the archaeal and bacterial Amo proteins, their functional diversity as captured by 15ɛNH3 is similar.
Polar convection patterns under quiet conditions

Convection electric field patterns at high latitudes appropriate to periods of low geomagnetic activity are presented. The postulate that the global Joule dissipation rate is a minimum is employed to derive characteristic field distributions for the situation when ring current ohmic losses are negligible and the auroral oval enhancement of height-integrated Hall conductivity is small. The fast Fourier transform is introduced to compute Fourier coefficients of discrete field-aligned current data, and the method is shown to be quite useful in this context as a least squares fitting routine. The model calculations demonstrate the approach of the high-latitude ionosphere toward the perfect shielding configuration predicted by the theory for quiet times.
Incentive effects: The case of belief elicitation from individuals in groups☆

Non-incentivized belief elicitation has a negative effect on the belief accuracy of experienced observers predicting choices in 2 × 2 matrix games. This negative impact extends to the accuracy of group beliefs and revised beliefs after forecasters know each other's initial beliefs.
Breath-held 3D coronary vessel wall imaging with dual-density spiral acquisition and parallel imaging

We have developed a single breath-hold 3D sequence with dual density spiral readout and parallel imaging for coronary vessel wall studies.
LIMITS VIA GRAPHING TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT This note concerns the use of graphing calculators as intermediary between an intuitive notion of limit and a formal definition.
Controlling error rates using prior information and marginal totals to select tumor sites

Abstract Carlin and Louis (1985) propose a selection procedure designed to control the problems of multiplicity associated with P-values reported from carcinogen bioassays. Instead of searching the data for statistically significant tumor site/type combinations, the procedure uses site/type specific prior information and conditioning statistics to select sites and types with potentially significant P-values. Any single P-value selected by this method retains its usual meaning, and the size of the test procedure is controlled. We apply the Carlin and Louis procedure to a random sample of bioassays using male and female mice and rats from the National Cancer Institute's data base. From these data we estimate priors for lifetime incidence and dose effect. Then, we compare the performance of the selection procedure to use of Bonferroni adjusted and unad- justed minimum observed P-values. Estimated priors for the occurrence of any malignancy show that overall prevalence in controls is about 25%, and that generally there is a positive association between dose and malignancy. Mice are far more sensitive than rats, with male rats the least sensitive. The association between dose and survival to terminal sacrifice shows a negative association with dose, so control rodents tend to live longer than others, suggesting that proper analysis should adjust for time until tumor. For all tumor sites, the prior standard deviation on the dose effect is high, allowing the bioassay to contribute important information on determining carcinogenicity. The liver, mammary gland, spleen, and skin show at least a moderate positive dose effect, while lymphosarcomas show a con- sistently negative association between dose and lifetime tumor incidence. Our investigation indicates that the conditional selection approach has a rejection rate for the 5% level test competitive with unadjusted minimum P-values, and generally greater than that for adjusted P-values. Certain sites are picked quite frequently. Generally these sites have high a priori power, but the conditional power frequently does change the a priori indications. Plots of the empirical cumulative distribution functions for the P-values selected by the various rules show that the conditional selection approach produces a distribution that is between that for unad- justed and the Bonferroni adjusted minimum observed P-values. Theoretical development sup- ports these observations.
The bulk modulus-volume relationship for oxide compounds and related geophysical problems

The relationship between the sound velocity and density in various oxide compounds at atmospheric pressure is relevant to problems of the earth's interior. Here, data on elastic constants of various compounds are collected and analyzed. It is shown that the bulk modulus-volume per ion pair relationship for oxide compounds differs in a remarkable degree from that found for alkali halides, fluorides, selenides, sulfides, and covalent compounds. It is shown that a change of volume has the same effect on the bulk modulus of oxide compounds, whether the volume change is produced by pressure, compositional variation, phase changes, temperature, or porosity. It thus appears that volume is the primary variable affecting the elastic moduli of oxide compounds, and all other variables affect the moduli only insofar as they affect the volume itself.
Differentiation of fiber types in aneural musculature of the prenatal rat hindlimb

Abstract The presynaptic neurotoxin, β-bungarotoxin, was injected into rat fetuses in utero to destroy the innervation of their hindlimb muscles. These injections were made prior to the invasion of motor axons into the muscles and, in some cases, prior to the cleavage of individual muscles. Examination of the lateral motor column of the spinal cord showed a dramatic reduction (>95%) in the number of motoneuron cell bodies. Staining of sections of the hindlimb with silver and with antibodies to neurofilament proteins and to a synaptic vesicle protein indicated that the muscles were aneural. Anti-myosin antibodies applied to sections of the hindlimb revealed that these aneural muscles by the 20th day of gestation had the same types of fibers as were present in normal muscles of the same age. Moreover, fiber types in most muscles showed their characteristic intramuscular distributions. These findings suggest that fiber types can differentiate in the absence of the nervous system. However, some fibers achieved their ultimate fiber type fate without passing through the normal sequence of myosin expressions. Moreover, some slow fibers lost their slow expression, suggesting that the maintenance of the slow differentiation may require innervation. Muscle growth was dramatically affected by the absence of motoneurons; some muscles were decreased in size and others disappeared completely. In muscles which had not degenerated by the time secondary myogenesis normally begins, secondary muscle fibers were generated indicating that the genesis of these fibers is not strictly nerve dependent. Because fiber types differentiate independently of the nervous system, this study suggests that motoneurons selectively innervate fiber types during normal development.
Racial differences in self-rated health diminishing from 1972 to 2008

In addition to higher morbidity and mortality, Black adults have reported lower self-rated health than White adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diminishing difference in self-rated health between races from 1972 to 2008. Data from 37,936 participants over a 36-year span of the General Social Survey were used to evaluate the effects of race and time on self-rated health. Results confirmed that Black adults reported significantly worse health than White adults. Overall health was rated slightly better across both groups as time went on ( $$ \hat{\beta } $$ = .002, P < .0005). However, this increase in health ratings has slowed, even reversing with a decline in health ratings as of late ( $$ \hat{\beta } $$ = −.014, P = .001). Significant interactions between race and time indicated that the racial difference on this self-rated health measure has changed over time. The rate of change in the difference has slowed over time ( $$ \hat{\beta } $$ = −.010, P = .021), suggesting that the reduction in the racial difference in self-rated health may be decelerating.
Cerebrospinal fluid volume depletion and its emerging clinical/imaging syndromes

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume depletion, due to CSF leakage or CSF shunt overdrainage, is typically indicated when patients present with orthostatic headaches, with or without several other symptoms: neck or interscapular pain, nausea, emesis, diplopia, changes in hearing, visual blurring, facial numbness or weakness, and radicular upper-limb symptoms. Cerebrospinal fluid pressures typically are quite low and head magnetic resonance images typically reveal diffuse pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement, with or without evidence of sagging of the brain and less frequently with subdural fluid collections, enlarged cerebral venous sinuses or pituitary gland or decreased ventricular size. Magnetic resonance imaging has revolutionized detection of spontaneous CSF leaks, leading to identification of far more cases and recognition of several clinical/imaging forms of presentation of the disorder. These forms, which are different from the "typical" presentation, include a group with consistently normal CSF pressures (normal pressure), another group without abnormal meningeal enhancement (normal meninges), and a group without headache (acephalic). Each of these forms can be seen in a setting of documented and ongoing CSF volume depletion. Awareness of CSF volume depletion is increasing, and its clinical and imaging spectrum is broadening.
Impaired defense mechanisms in bay mussels, Mytilus edulis, with hemic neoplasia.

Abstract Immunocompetence of bay mussels, Mytilus edulis, with hemic neoplasia was investigated with an in vitro yeast phagocytosis assay and by in vivo clearance from the blood of injected Cytophaga sp. bacteria. The yeast phagocytosis assay was conducted with hemocytes maintained in 90% plasma. Neoplastic hemocytes, characterized by enlarged nuclei and scant cytoplasm, failed to phagocytose yeast cells. In contrast, >90% of hemocytes from unaffected animals and morphologically normal hemocytes from mussels with the disease phagocytosed yeast. Substitution of normal plasma with that from a mussel with advanced disease (essentially 100% neoplastic hemocytes) did not affect the phagocytic capability of normal hemocytes. Conversely, normal plasma did not enhance the phagocytic capabilities of neoplastic cells. Mussels with advanced disease showed reduced bacterial clearance; control or lightly affected mussels ( 90% of injected bacteria in 4 hr, while mussels with advanced disease cleared 44–83%. These experiments indicate that mussels with advanced hemic neoplasia have compromised defense systems. This may account for the reported mortality in mussels and other bivalve molluscs with hemic neoplasia.
Cognitive and neurobehavioral functioning after mild versus moderate traumatic brain injury in older adults.

This study evaluated the early cognitive and neurobehavioral outcomes of older adults with mild versus moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thirty-five patients who were age 50 years and older and sustained mild or moderate TBI were prospectively recruited from acute care hospitals. Patients were administered cognitive and neurobehavioral measures up to 2 months post-injury. Demographically comparable control participants received the same measures. Patients and controls did not have previous histories of substance abuse, neuropsychiatric disturbance, dementia, or neurologic illness. Moderate TBI patients performed significantly poorer than mild TBI patients and controls on most cognitive measures, whereas the mild patients performed comparably to controls. In contrast, both mild and moderate patients exhibited significantly greater depression and anxiety/somatic concern than controls. The results indicate that the classification of TBI as mild versus moderate is prognostically meaningful as applied to older adults. The findings extend previous investigations in young adults by demonstrating a relatively good cognitive outcome on objective measures, but subjective complaints after a single, uncomplicated mild TBI in older persons. (JINS, 2001, 7, 373–383.)
Memory T cells protect chicks from acute infectious bronchitis virus infection

Infectious bronchitis has remained one of the most difficult to control diseases in poultry since it was first described in 1931. Previous studies demonstrated that primary CD8(+) T lymphocytes collected at 10 days post-infection (p.i.) are important in controlling acute infection. To further investigate the role of memory T cells in protection, T lymphocytes collected from B19/B19 chicken spleens at 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks p.i. were transferred to six-day-old syngeneic chicks one day prior to challenging with 10(6) EID(50) of the IBV Gray strain. Memory immune T cells collected at 3 to 6 weeks p.i. provided dose responsive protection from clinical illness. The greatest protection was observed after the transfer of 10(7) T cells collected at 6 weeks p.i., whereas T cells collected at 2 weeks p.i. did not protect. Annexin-V staining of the spleen cells demonstrated that the cells collected at 2 weeks p.i. were undergoing significantly more apoptosis than cells collected at 10 days p.i. Specific antibody production in sera collected at 7 days p.i. did not correlate with protection. T cell subtype depletion demonstrated that CD8(+), not CD4(+), T cells were critical. Memory T cells can be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells up to at least 10 weeks p.i. These results demonstrated that IBV specific CD8(+) memory T cells generated at 3 to 6 weeks p.i. can protect syngeneic chicks from acute IBV infection.
Nox2-Dependent Redox Regulation of Calcium Influx in Dystrophic Skeletal Muscle

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked, muscle-wasting disease caused by deletions in the gene that encodes dystrophin, an integral muscle membrane protein that links the contractile proteins to the muscle membrane. Recent studies have suggested that increased Ca2+ influx into the muscle and increased production of free radicals (or reactive oxygen species, ROS) are essential for increased susceptibility of mdx muscle to damage. However, the source of the ROS, the Ca2+ channels affected, and the mechanism(s) of how mechanical stress results in altered regulation of these signaling pathways have yet to be determined. We hypothesis that NADPH oxidase (Nox2) drives excessive ROS production, increased Ca2+ influx, and muscle damage. Manganes (Mn2+) quench was used to assess the role of Nox2 dependent ROS on sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx in response to a physiological stretch and depolarization. Our results show that stretch-activated Ca2+ entry in mdx is significantly increased 4.2-fold (p<0.001) compared to WT, while K+-induced depolarization results in 20-fold (p<0.001) increase in Mn2+ quench in mdx skeletal muscle. Administration of either gp91ds-TAT, an inhibitor of Nox2, or reduced glutathione ethyl ester, a glutathione analogue, in mdx muscle reduces the Mn2+ quench rates back to the WT levels for both passive stretch and K+depolarization. Addition of BTP2, a calcium release activated calcium channel inhibitor, also significantly attenuates Mn2+ quench rates in mdx compared to WT. Our data supports a model in which Nox2 dependent redox modifications of stretch and depolarization activated Ca2+ channels leads to exuberant Ca2+ influx. Our results identify Nox2 as a potential therapeutic approach to minimize or delay the progressive DMD disease.