cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens Isolates in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Area Soils and Home Kitchens

In the United States and Europe, food poisoning due to Clostridium perfringens type A is predominantly caused by C. perfringens isolates carrying a chromosomal enterotoxin gene (cpe). Neither the reservoir for these isolates nor the point in the food chain where these bacteria contaminate foods is currently understood. Therefore, the current study investigated whether type A isolates carrying a chromosomal cpe gene are present in two potential reservoirs, i.e., soil and home kitchen surfaces. No C. perfringens isolates were recovered from home kitchen surfaces, but most surveyed soil samples contained C. perfringens. The recovered soil isolates were predominantly type A, but some type C, D, and E soil isolates were also identified. All cpe-positive isolates recovered from soil were genotyped as type A, with their cpe genes on cpe plasmids rather than the chromosome. However, two cpe-positive soil isolates did not carry a classical cpe plasmid. Both of those atypical cpe-positive soil isolates were sporulation capable yet failed to produce C. perfringens enterotoxin, possibly because of differences in their upstream promoter regions. Collectively these results suggest that neither soil nor home kitchen surfaces represent major reservoirs for type A isolates with chromosomal cpe that cause food poisoning, although soil does appear to be a reservoir for cpe-positive isolates causing non-food-borne gastrointestinal diseases.
Average C-Unit Lengths in the Discourse of African American Children From Low-Income, Urban Homes

This investigation reports average length of communication units (C-nits) in words and in morphemes for 95 4- to 6 1/2-year-old African American boys and girls from lower-income homes in metropolit...
A sensitive radioenzymatic assay for the simultaneous determination of salsolinol and dopamine.

Abstract A sensitive radioenzymatic assay for the simultaneous quantitation of salsolinol and dopamine in tissues and fluids has been developed. Salsolinol and dopamine were radiolabeled by 0-methylation using the enzyme catechol-0-methyltransferase and its cosubstrate, [3H]-S-adenosylmethionine, as the methyl donor. Specificity was achieved by alumina adsorption, selective solvent extraction, thin layer chromatography, primary amine precipitation and ion pair solvent extraction. The assay was linear over a 1000 fold concentration range. Sensitivities of 2 and 3 picograms were obtained for dopamine and salsolinol, respectively. Separate assay of standard samples had a coefficient of variation of 5%. Salsolinol was formed in vitro in dopamine enriched plasma and whole brain homogenates following incubation with physiologic concentrations of acetaldehyde.
Improved peptide sequencing using isotope information inherent in tandem mass spectra.

We demonstrate here the use of natural isotopic 'labels' in peptides to aid in the identification of peptides with a de novo algorithm. Using data from ion trap tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis of 102 tryptic peptides, we have analyzed multiple series of peaks within LCQ MS/MS spectra that 'spell' peptide sequences. Isotopic peaks from naturally abundant isotopes are particularly prominent even after peak centroiding on y- and b-series ions and lead to increased confidence in the identification of the precursor peptides. Sequence analysis of the MS/MS data is accomplished by finding sequences and subsequences in a hierarchical manner within the spectra.
Stability of the Driving Bunch in the Plasma Wakefield Accelerator

We investigate the stability of the driving electron or positron beam in the plasma wakefield accelerator (PWFA). Although the beam is subject to self-focusing, filamentation, and two-stream instability, we find that all of these can be stabilized by introducing thermal energy and an axial magnetic field.
Effect of electrostatic interactions between glycosaminoglycans on the shear stiffness of cartilage : A molecular model and experiments

This study focuses on the contribution of repulsive electrostatic interaction between glycosaminoglycan (GAG) molecules in cartilage to the shear properties of the tissue. We first measured the equilibrium and dynamic shear moduli of cylindrical disks of cartilage at varying ionic concentrations (0.01−1.0 M NaCl). We then used a molecular model of GAG electrostatic interactions that would occur during macroscopic shear deformation to predict the dependence of the shear properties of cartilage on the ionic strength of the bath. The molecular model of GAG interaction was based on approximating GAG segments as charged rods, i.e., the unit cell model and then changing the shape of the unit cell in a manner consistent with the macroscopic shear deformation. The Poisson−Boltzmann equation was incorporated into the unit cell model (PB unit cell) to predict physical phenomena such as the change in electrical potential and mobile ion distribution caused by macroscopic shear deformation and changes in bath ionic co...
Organic carbon sequestration under chaparral and pine after four decades of soil development

Abstract Soils are the largest carbon reservoir of terrestrial ecosystems, and play a central role in the global carbon cycle. The large lysimeter installation at the San Dimas Experimental Forest in southern California allowed quantification of carbon storage in a biosequence of soils under chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum Hook. and Am.), hoaryleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius Torr.), scrub oak (Quercus dumosa Nutt.), and Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri B. Don). After four decades of soil development, carbon sequestration in the lysimeters ranged from 4552 to 17,561 g m−2. Carbon accretion in the mineral soils (0–1 m) under chaparral represented a larger percentage of total above-ground biomass (23–27%) as compared to the pine (13%). Also, contribution of the A horizon to whole soil (0–1 m) OC sequestration was higher under chaparral than under pine. Carbon accretion in the surface horizons was related to earthworm activity, which was intense under scrub oak, but absent under pine. Soils sampled in 1987 and corresponding archived fill materials were fractionated according to density and mineral particle size fractions, and analyzed for OC and N by dry combustion. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations in all mineral soil fractions can be ranked from highest to lowest by plant species: ceanothus > chamise > scrub oak > Coulter pine. Under chaparral, a greater proportion of total soil carbon was recovered in the sand fraction as compared to the pine. The C N ratio of this sand-sized organic matter was higher under chaparral than under pine. This is indicative of fresh plant residues that may not contribute to the long-term carbon storage in soils.
Expert Systems for Services Marketing – Prospects and Payoffs

Explores the application of expert systems in the field of services marketing. Describes the basics of the technology along with several hypothetical systems. Concludes with a brief examination of costs versus benefits, system design and implementation issues, together with the potential for other artificial intelligence technologies to contribute to the management of services marketing. Notes that advanced applications such as expert systems will dramatically change the competitive landscape of the future.
G359.87+0.18: A Young Supernova Remnant Candidate near the Galactic Center?

Subarcsecond radio continuum observations of the Galactic center region at λ = 6 and 2 cm reveal a 05 diameter source with a shell-like morphology. This source is linearly polarized at a level of 16% at 6 cm and has a steep nonthermal spectrum with a spectral index of 1.6 between 6 and 2 cm. The distance to this source is not known, but the large rotation measure value of 3000 rad m−2 suggests that G359.87+0.18 is likely to be located in the inner Galaxy or at an extragalactic distance. We discuss possible interpretations of this object as a recent supernova, a very young supernova remnant, a nova remnant, or an extragalactic source. All possibilities are highly problematic.
Identifying and Engineering Ion Pairs in Adenylate Kinases INSIGHTS FROM MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF THERMOPHILIC AND MESOPHILIC HOMOLOGUES

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study thermal stabilization of proteins via electrostatic interactions of ion pairs. Dynamic motions of four ion pairs previously proposed to be important in thermal stability of adenylate kinase from the thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus were monitored during the simulation. One of the four ion pairs identified in the crystal structure, Lys180-Asp114, was not maintained in close contact suggesting that the ion pair does not contribute to thermal stability. Among the other three ion pairs, the ion pair Arg116-Glu198 was proposed to be the most important for stability. To predict behaviors of the ion pairs when engineered into a mesophilic homologue to increase stability, in silico mutants of adenylate kinase from the mesophile Bacillus subtilis were generated, and their molecular dynamics simulations were carried out. The ion pairs in the mutant simulations displayed similar behaviors to those in the simulation of the thermophilic protein. To validate the results of the simulations experimentally, the same mutants were produced in vitro and their thermal stabilities were measured using differential scanning calorimetry. In agreement with the simulations, the Lys180-Asp114 did not result in any increase in stability by itself or additive effect with other ion pairs, whereas a mutant with the Arg116-Glu198 exhibited the highest stability among the mutants having one of the four ion pairs. These results provide specific knowledge about stability in adenylate kinases and more generally suggest that molecular dynamics simulations can provide valuable information for identifying and engineering ion pairs.
Growth of Metarhizium anisopliae on non-preferred carbon sources yields conidia with increased UV-B tolerance.

Abstract Conidia of the insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae produced on different growth substrates (culture media or insect cadavers) demonstrate reproducibly altered tolerance to UV-B radiation [Rangel, D.E.N., Braga, G.U.L., Flint, S.D., Anderson, A.J., Roberts, D.W., 2004. Variations in UV-B tolerance and germination speed of M. anisopliae conidia produced on artificial and natural substrates. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 87, 77–83]. In the current study, the fungus was grown on potato dextrose agar with yeast extract (PDAY), on minimal medium [(MM) = Czapek medium without saccharose], or on MM with one of 16 different carbon sources. The conidia produced on these media were exposed to UV-B radiation. Great amplitude in phenotypic plasticity for UV-B tolerance was demonstrated, viz., conidia produced under nutritive stress [MM or MM supplemented with non-preferred carbon sources (e.g., fructose, galactose, lactose etc.)] had at least two times higher tolerance than conidia produced on the rich medium (PDAY). Endogenous trehalose and mannitol accumulated at least two times more in conidia produced on MM (or MM with lactose, a non-preferred carbon source), as compared to conidia from MM plus glucose. High accumulations of these two carbohydrates in fungal spores are known to protect them against a wide range of stresses. Sporulation, however, was most profuse on PDAY, second best on MM plus d -mannose and least on MM or MM containing non-preferred carbon sources. Taken together, the results illustrate that nutritive stress generated by MM or MM plus a non-preferred carbon source greatly improved UV-B tolerance, but reduced conidial yield; while, on the other hand, preferred carbon sources improved conidial yield, but reduced UV-B tolerance.
Responses of Medullary Reticulospinal and Other Reticular Neurons to Somatosensory and Brainstem Stimulation in Anesthetized or Freely-Moving Ovariectomized Rats With or Without Estrogen Treatment*

The medical medullary reticular formation (mMRF) is probably involved in controlling lordosis, a feminine mating reflex which requires both estrogen priming and appropriate somatosensory input(s). We have recorded single-unit activity of antidromically identified reticulospinal (RS) and unidentified (UI) neurons in mMRF of ovariectomized rats with or without estrogen treatment to investigate neurohormonal mechanisms regulating lordosis. The units were recorded in both acute and chronic preparations, the latter involving implanted "floating" wire electrodes to allow the influence of estrogen on a particular unit to be followed for several days. A substantial number of RS and UI units in both acute and chronic preparations were either excited or inhibited by a lordosis-eliciting somatosensory stimulation, indicating that the lordosis-eliciting sensory inputs did reach mMRF. The majority of these units responded promptly to the stimulation, and could participate in triggering the short-latency lordosis reflex. Electrical stimulation of several brainstem locations revealed that there was an extensive and specific convergence on mMRF neurons between inputs from the lordosis-eliciting stimulation and mesencephalic central gray, which has been shown to relay lordosis-inducing estrogen influence from hypothalamus to lower brainstem. Therefore, mMRF neurons can receive both the estrogen influence and the lordosis-eliciting inputs and integrate them. Although no apparent estrogen influence was detected in chronic preparations, statistical comparisons of results from acute preparations with or without estrogen treatment suggest that estrogen can increase the proportion of the neurons excited by the lordosis-eliciting stimulation and facilitate neuronal excitability. Both effects are consistent with the prevailing notion that the net lordosis-inducing influence of estrogen is facilitatory, and they may be mechanisms for making lordosis elicitable.
Out-of-office dentistry: an alternative delivery system.

Access to care continues to be a barrier in meeting the dental needs of a growing elderly population as well as other special patient care groups. One nontraditional delivery system reported and used by some practitioners is the mobile dental clinic. A dual purpose written survey was designed to: collect descriptive information about the operation of mobile and portable dental clinics and examine the attitudes and beliefs of dentists practicing out-of-office dentistry. This survey showed out-of-office dental clinics deliver dental services to a variety of patient populations. Portable dental clinics appear to be suited for care delivery to nursing home patients. There also appears to be a significant correlation between portable clinics and the delivery of denture service (P less than .05).
Workshops and National Dissemination of Geographic Analysis in the Social Sciences: the CSISS Experience in the USA

Geographic tools for the analysis of spatially referenced information now serve the research needs for a broad range of academic disciplines and public purposes. Nonetheless, the diffusion of spatial technologies into the curricula of most disciplines remains limited. This article reviews initiatives of the Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science (CSISS) to address this problem through a programme of national dissemination in the United States. The experiences of its Spatial Perspectives on Analysis for Curriculum Enhancement (SPACE) programme are probed for guidelines on structuring workshops to serve undergraduate instructors in their efforts to advance spatial thinking in the social sciences.
Effect of diameter on critical weissenberg numbers for polyacrylamide solutions in turbulent pipe flow

Abstract The influence of pipe diameter on the critical Weissenberg numbers for friction and heat transfer for aqueous polyacrylamide solutions in turbulent pipe flow was investigated in three different size tubes: 0.98, 1.30 and 2.25cm I.D. New measurements taken with a 1000 wppm aqueous polyacrylamide solution in 0.98 and 1.30 cm I.D. tubes were compared with earlier measurements carried out using a 1500 wppm solution in a 2.25 cm I.D. tube. A comparison of these results indicate that the effect of diameter on the critical Weissenberg numbers for friction and heat transfer is not important. The current experimental results confirmed the earlier finding that the critical Weissenburg numbers based on the Powell-Eyring model are of the order of 5–10 for friction and 200–250 for heat transfer.
Ice-albedo feedback in a CO2-doubling simulation

We estimate the feedback of sea-ice change to the warming from CO2-doubling according to the simulation of Washington and Meehl (1984). Without ice-snow albedo feedback, their global warming of 3.5 °C would have been 2.2. °C according to our estimate of the ice-snow feedback. About 80% of the albedo change from ice and snow occurred in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether this change was an overestimate will require further study.
Oxygen Uptake During Repeated Exposure to Temperature Change: Physiological Divergence in Panamanian Cognate Pairs and Latitudinally Distant Populations of Decapod Crustacea

. The emergence of the Isthmus of Panama subdivided the amphi-American biota. In the present study, Pacific and Atlantic populations of four cognate pairs of crabs were used to discern whether exposure to different thermal regimes in habitats, in the putative absence of gene flow, has resulted in physiological divergence. Populations that potentially form a common genetic pool were also used; these were populations of the Atlantic Panama cognate that occur in Belize and Florida. Decreases in water temperature occur periodically in Pacific Panama and Florida, but not in Atlantic Panama or Belize. In this study, physiological divergence in oxygen uptake was assessed in response to repeated exposure to either control and decreased temperature or control and increased temperature. Results indicate that, in only some of the genera tested, exposure to decreases in habitat temperature has resulted in divergence. Partial support is found for the corollary that adaptation to an environment with periods of decreased temperature results in reduced compensation during exposure to elevated temperature.
The influence of soil moisture anomalies on variability of the North American Monsoon System

We examine the influence of land-atmosphere interactions, as moderated by soil moisture anomalies, on variability of the North American Monsoon System (NAMS). Sensitivity experiments, in which soil moisture was prescribed to field capacity, were completed with the MM5 mesoscale model linked to the OSU land surface scheme. Our results demonstrate that the NAMS precipitation response to soil moisture forcing depends critically on the location of anomalous surface conditions. Wet soil in the southern Rocky Mountains (SRM) during July, which could result from the melt of an above-normal snowpack, inhibits precipitation in the NAMS region. This is consistent with the observed negative correlation between SRM spring snowcover and NAMS summer precipitation [Gutzler and Preston, 1997]. In contrast, wet soil in the NAMS region enhances July precipitation within that area—a positive soil moisture-rainfall feedback exists. Our findings must be tested with experiments that incorporate anomalies constrained by regional-scale soil moisture observations.
ENDOR Study of a Interstitial Defect in LiF

Results of (electron-nuclear double-resonance) measurements and analysis of a 111g-oriented defect in pure LiF are presented. This paramagnetic defect is produced at low temperatures by x-ray or electron irradiation. The ENDOR hyperfine constants from 11 nonequivalent sets of lattice nuclei have been obtained by fitting the ENDOR spectrum to a spin Hamiltonian. Results of this ENDOR study show that this 111g defect is equivalent to an interstitial fluorine atom that has the form of a negatively charged diatomic molecule ${\mathrm{F}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, centered on a negative-ion site, with its molecular axis oriented along a 111g direction.
Cytometric validation of immunocytochemical observations in developing lung cancer

Video-enhanced optical microscopy objectively confirms that immunocytochemical biomarker supplementation of routine cytology permits separation of (1) "pre"-cancer epithelial cells from JHLP screened individuals who subsequently developed lung cancer from (2) similarly atypical epithelial cells from JHLP participants who did not. The establishment of a bank of sputum cytology specimens along with a data respository of 5-yr follow-up and clinical outcome had permitted banked specimens to be immunostained and scored against a gold standard of subsequent histologic lung cancer. A highly skilled cytopathologist, interpreting immunostained screening sputum specimens and blinded to the clinical outcome, originally was able to correctly predict clinical outcome with 88.7% accuracy compared to this "gold standard" (Tockman et al., J Clin Oncol 1988;6:1685-1693). This study presents an independent confirmation of that earlier immunocytochemical classification through feature extraction of digitally recorded, transmission optical microscope video images of immunostained, moderately atypical sputum cells from the original slides.
Prenatal smoking exposure and dopaminergic genotypes interact to cause a severe ADHD subtype.

Background In utero exposure to smoking and alcohol are common risk factors that have been associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in human beings and animal models. Furthermore, molecular studies have focused on the association between ADHD and DNA polymorphisms in dopamine pathway–related genes. We examined the joint effects of genetic and prenatal substance exposures on DSM-IV and population-defined subtypes of ADHD. Methods Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between ADHD subtypes, DAT1 and DRD4 polymorphisms, and prenatal substance exposures in a birth-record sample of male and female twin pairs, aged 7–19 years. Results Interactions between prenatal exposure to smoking and variations in the DAT1 and DRD4 loci were observed in children with either the DSM-IV or population-defined ADHD combined subtypes. The odds of a diagnosis of DSM-IV combined subtype was 2.9 times greater in twins who had inherited the DAT1 440 allele and who were exposed, than in unexposed twins without the risk allele. The OR was 2.6 in the population-defined subtype. Odds ratios for the DRD4 seven-repeat allele were 3.0 (2.8) in the population-defined (DSM-IV) combined ADHD subtypes. The OR for exposed children with both alleles was 9.0 (95% confidence interval = 2.0–41.5) for the population-defined combined subtypes. Conclusions Results indicate that smoking during pregnancy is associated with specific subtypes of ADHD in genetically susceptible children.
NEW (PRINTER) WORLDS TO CONQUER

Acquiring a major new piece of equipment is usually exciting. You have great expectations of all the new things you can accomplish. But the experienced computer person also expects some difficulties, especially when that new piece of equipment is a printer. In my experience — confirmed by articles in the computer press — perhaps 90 percent of the most common problems in microcomputing involve the printer. The problems range from poor ribbons to the incompatibility of your favorite piece of software with your new WhizBang 1300 Print Machine. Consequently, it's nice to be able to say that I've been delighted with my new Hewlett‐Packard LaserJet III printer. It was a cinch to install, the print quality is as good as its press notices, and it's quiet. Generally speaking, my software has even been able to make use of all its features.
Nearest neighbor classification from multiple feature subsets

Combining multiple classifiers is an effective technique for improving accuracy. There are many general combining algorithms, such as Bagging, Boosting, or Error Correcting Output Coding, that significantly improve classifiers like decision trees, rule learners, or neural networks. Unfortunately, these combining methods do not improve the nearest neighbor classifier. In this paper, we present MFS, a combining algorithm designed to improve the accuracy of the nearest neighbor NN classifier. MFS combines multiple NN classifiers each using only a random subset of features. The experimental results are encouraging: On 25 datasets from the UCI repository, MFS significantly outperformed several standard NN variants and was competitive with boosted decision trees. In additional experiments, we show that MFS is robust to irrelevant features, and is able to reduce both bias and variance components of error.
A Kinetic Study ofn-Heptane Catalytic Cracking over a Commercial Y-Type Zeolite under Supercritical and Subcritical Conditions

Heptane catalytic cracking over a commercial Y-type zeolite (Promoted Octacat) was studied at 475{degrees}C under subcritical and supercritical hydrocarbon conditions. Kinetic measurements showed that the activity of the catalyst was substantially higher during supercritical cracking, suggesting stabilization of the catalyst toward rapid deactivation. A mechanism based on kinetic and in situ cylindrical internal reflectance FTIR (CIR-FTIR) results was developed to explain the performance of the catalyst under supercritical conditions. The dense supercritical reaction medium, well known for its enhanced solubilization capabilities, continuously removes the newly formed coke through solubilization from the zeolite supercages, pore mouths, and the external surface. This results in a higher number of available active sites to perform catalytic cracking and in lower pore diffusion limitations due to the avoidance of pore blockage. The significantly higher yields of the olefinic and paraffinic reaction products and the higher paraffin/olefin ratios under supercritical cracking conditions are in agreement with the above mechanism. Finally, it was shown that a partial regeneration of a moderately deactivated cracking catalyst is possible by the supercritical reaction medium. Reactivation of a severely deactivated catalyst could not be achieved. 36 refs., 16 figs., 4 tabs.
Abstract 1574: The impact of human wild type EGFR on lung tumorigenesis and in vivo sensitivity to EGFR-targeted therapies

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Lung cancer is the leading cause of the cancer related death in the world. Non-small cell lung cancer is the major lung cancer type, of which more than 1.4 million new cases were diagnosed each year. Overexpression of wild type EGFR is common in NSCLC. However, it is not clear whether or not overexpression of wt EGFR is tumorigenic. We recently showed that overexpression of wt-hEGFR is capable of transforming cell lines. More importantly, inducible double transgenic mice overexpressing wt-hEGFR in lung epithelial compartment developed poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma and that the maintenance of the tumor is dependent on continuous functioning of wt-hEGFR. The tumor driven by overexpression of wt-hEGFR responds to cetuximab and erlotinib treatment. These data suggest that a subpopulation of the lung cancer may be caused by overexpression of wt-hEGFR and that these lung cancers can be treated with anti-EGFR antibodies and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1574.
Galilean satellite eclipse studies. I - Observations and satellite characteristics

Spectrophotometric light curves of 12 Galilean satellite eclipses are reported. The observations were made in 20 to 30 channels over the wavelength range 3240 to 10,500 A using the 200-in. telescope. The initial data processing is described. These data measure the Jovian aerosol content in the lower stratosphere and uppermost troposphere and the methane abundance in the lower stratosphere. The data are consistent with a lack of limb darkening on the Galilean satellites. The orbit of Callisto is shown to be inclined 0.08 + or - 0.02 deg to the equatorial plane of Jupiter.
Formation, spectral, electrochemical, and photochemical behavior of zinc N-confused porphyrin coordinated to imidazole functionalized fullerene dyads.

Donor−acceptor dyads were constructed using zinc N-confused porphyrin (ZnNCP), a structural isomer of zinc tetraphenylporphyrin, as a donor, and fullerene as an electron acceptor. Two derivatives, pyridine-coordinated zinc N-confused porphyrin (Py:ZnNCP) and the zinc N-confused porphyrin dimer (ZnNCP-dimer) were utilized to form the dyads with an imidazole-appended fulleropyrrolidine (C60Im). These porphyrin isomers formed well-defined 1:1 supramolecular dyads (C60Im:ZnNCP) via axial coordination. The dyads were characterized by optical absorption and emission, ESI-mass, 1H NMR, and electrochemical methods. The binding constant, K, was found to be 2.8 × 104 M-1 for C60Im:ZnNCP. The geometric and electronic structure of C60Im:ZnNCP were probed by using DFT B3LYP/3-21G(*) methods. The HOMO was found to be on the ZnNCP entity, while the LUMO was primarily on the fullerene entity. The electrochemical properties of C60Im:ZnNCP was probed using cyclic voltammetry in o-dichlorobenzene, 0.1 n-Bu4NClO4. The Py:ZnN...
Algorithm and architecture optimization for large size two dimensional discrete fourier transform (abstract only)

We present a poster showcasing our FPGA implementations of two-dimensional discrete Fourier transform (2D-DFT) on large datasets that must reside off-chip in DRAM. These memory-bound large 2D-DFT computations are at the heart of important scientific computing and image processing applications. The central challenge in creating high-performance implementations is in the carefully orchestrated use of the available off-chip memory bandwidth and on-chip temporary storage. Our implementations derive their efficiency from a combined attention to both the algorithm design to enable efficient DRAM access patterns and datapath design to extract the maximum compute throughput at a given level of memory bandwidth. The poster reports results including a 1024x1024 double-precision 2D-DFT implementation on an Altera DE4 platform (based on a Stratix IV EP4SGX530 with 12 GB/s DRAM bandwidth) that reached over 16 Gflop/s, achieving a much higher ratio of performance-to-memory-bandwidth than both state-of-the-art CPU and GPU implementations.
Rare variant mutations identified in pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in infants and children can be partially explained by genetic cause but the catalogue of known genes is limited. We reviewed our database of 41 cases diagnosed with DCM before 18 years of age who underwent detailed clinical and genetic evaluation, and summarize here the evidence for mutations causing DCM in these cases from 15 genes (PSEN1, PSEN2, CSRP3, LBD3, MYH7, SCN5A, TCAP, TNNT2, LMNA, MYBPC3, MYH6, TNNC1, TNNI3, TPM1, and RBM20). Thirty-five of the 41 pediatric cases had relatives with adult-onset DCM. More males (66%) were found among children diagnosed after 1 year of age with DCM. Nineteen mutations in 9 genes were identified among 15 out of 41 patients; 3 patients (diagnosed at ages 2 weeks, 9 and 13 years) had multiple mutations. Of the 19 mutations identified in 12 families, mutations in TPM1 (32%) and TNNT2 (21%) were the most commonly found. Of the 6 patients diagnosed before 1 year of age, 3 had mutations in TPM1 (including a set of identical twins), 1 in TNNT2, 1 in MYH7, and 1 with multiple mutations (MYH7 and TNNC1). Most DCM was accompanied by advanced heart failure and need for cardiac transplantation. We conclude that in some cases pediatric DCM has a genetic basis, which is complicated by allelic and locus heterogeneity as seen in adult-onset DCM. We suggest that future prospective comprehensive family-based genetic studies of pediatric DCM are indicated to further define mutation frequencies in known genes and to discover novel genetic cause.
‘What you see is [not always] what you get!’ Dispelling race and gender leadership assumptions

Race and gender affect the way in which African‐American female principals perceive and enact their roles in predominantly African‐American urban schools. Using empirical data drawn from a larger qualitative study, this article examines and challenges racial and gendered assumptions about African‐American leadership, and specifically American female leadership. This article suggests that the complex intersection between race, gender, and professional socialization may shape African‐American leaders’ perception of and orientation toward predominantly African‐American schools and communities in some unanticipated ways.
Bioassay guided identification of small chaperone proteins α-crystallin and Hsp27 inhibitors from Copaiba oil

Abstract Over-expression of small chaperone proteins in cancer tissue contributes to the resistance of chemotherapy. Targeting these small chaperones including α-crystallin and heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Hardwickiic acid (HA), a clerodane diterpenoid from Copaiba oil has been reported to inhibit Hsp27. We expect to identify new small chaperone inhibitors from Copaiba oil that is abundant of diterpenoids. In the current study, cytotoxicity and anti-chaperone assay guided isolation of Copaiba oil led to two major fractions (non-acidic and acidic components) and seven sub-fractions from the acidic components. The non-acidic components and one sub-fraction showed significant cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells. Four sub-fractions exhibited potent anti-chaperone activity. Three chemical components were identified from these sub-fractions including copalic acid, hardwickiic acid and 3-acetoxycopalic acid. All three compounds inhibited the chaperone activities of α-crystallin and Hsp27. In addition, these compounds enhanced the anti-proliferative activity of the chemotherapeutic agent carboplatin in LNCaP cells. 3-Acetoxycopalic acid slightly decreased the level of Hsp27 client protein signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in PC3 cells. Overall, several diterpenoids were identified to be small chaperone inhibitors and could be used as lead compounds for the development of more potent derivatives.
Fashion and Style in the Twenties: The Change

(1972). Fashion and Style in the Twenties: The Change. The Historian: Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 485-497.
Autocommutator Subgroups of Finite Groups

Abstract We present some new results about the absolute center and autocommutator subgroup of a group, concepts which were introduced in an earlier paper.
Putative Cryogenian ciliates from Mongolia

Major lineages of modern eukaryotes, represented primarily by microscopic taxa, are thought to have originated during the Neoproterozoic, but microfossils older than 635 Ma rarely have unambiguous relationships to modern microscopic eukaryotes. Here we report exceptionally preserved 715–635 m.y. old eukaryotic tests in limestone strata of Mongolia. The ∼100-μm-long organic-rich three-dimensional tests have flask-like shapes, constricted necks, distinct and often thickened collars, and flexible walls composed of densely packed alveolar structures. The combined morphological and ultrastructural characters of these Cryogenian tests are remarkably similar to the tests of tintinnids, modern planktonic ciliates. Eukaryotes forming recalcitrant organic or mineral-rich tests before 635 Ma may have increased export and burial fraction of organic carbon, driving an increase in atmospheric oxygen and the subsequent radiation of metazoans.
Seasonal oscillations in mesospheric temperatures at low-latitudes

Abstract Using 3 years of high-quality temperature measurements (2002–2004) recorded from Maui, HI (20.8°N), we have investigated the characteristics of mesospheric seasonal oscillations at low-latitudes. Measurements of the near-infrared OH (6,2) and O2 (0,1) nightglow emission layers (centered at ∼87 and ∼94 km) independently reveal a distinct semi-annual oscillation (SAO) and annual oscillation (AO) with amplitudes of ∼3.8 and ∼2.0 K, respectively. An observed asymmetry in the seasonal variation of the nocturnal mean, previously reported by Taylor et al. [2005. Characterization of the semi-annual-oscillation in mesospheric temperatures at low-latitudes. Advances in Space Research 35, doi:10.1016/j.asr.2005.05.111 ] from this site is shown to be due to a superposed AO of amplitude ∼50% of the SAO signature. Detailed investigations of the local-time variation of the SAO amplitude and phase combined with TIME-GCM simulations of the seasonal variation of the diurnal tide strongly suggest a large local-time dependence of the amplitude (but not phase) of the observed SAO. These data indicate that the true mean temperature SAO amplitude could be as high as ∼7 K at this latitude.
Immune modification to prevent nosocomial sepsis in hospitalized newborns

Preterm infants receiving intensive care have high rates of nosocomial infections. Developmental facets of host defense, medical interventions, and the hospital environment contribute to septicemia rates exceeding 40% in extremely low-birthweight infants. Septicemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in these fragile infants. This review focuses on the neonate9s relative deficiencies of innate and humoral immunity and describes strategies to modify the immune response to prevent nosocomial infection. Human milk feeding is an effective immune modifier and decreases infection rates in hospitalized preterm infants. Results of studies of pharmacologic agents such as polyclonal intravenous immune globulin and colony-stimulating factors to reduce nosocomial infections have been mixed. Specifically targeted immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies and probiotics are being investigated and may become effective tools to reduce nosocomial infections in the future.
An ace up the sleeve of the cholera bacterium

A bacteriophage mediates the horizontal transfer of virulence genes between Vibrio cholerae with broad implications for the emergence of pathogenic strains.
Mild acetal cleavage using B-chlorocatecholborane in the synthesis of rearrangement-sensitive 2-arachidonoylglycerol

Abstract A mild method for the cleavage of an acetal to afford a rearrangement sensitive diol using B-chlorocatecholborane was developed for the synthesis of the endogenous cannabinoid neurochemical messenger 2-arachidonoylglycerol. The tendency for rearrangement of 2-arachidonoylglycerol to the corresponding 1-arachidonoylglycerol was precluded with this reagent. Features of the partial recyclization to an isomeric acetal provide mechanistic detail.
Effects of n-alkanes on the morphology of lipid bilayers. A freeze-fracture and negative stain analysis.

Abstract The effect of n- alkanes on the ultrastructure of lipid bilayers has been investigated using freeze-fracture and negative stain electron microscopy. It has been found that the morphology of bilayers containing the long alkane tetradecane is quite different from bilayers containing the short alkane hexane. The smooth fracture faces of gel and liquid crystalline state bilayers are unmodified by tetradecane. However, hexane dramatically alters the hydrophobic bilayer interior, producing large (20 to 50 nm) mounds and depressions in the fracture faces. The fracture steps in these multilayer preparations containing hexane are variable in thickness and often considerably wider than the corresponding fracture steps in multilayers which contain tetradecane or are solvent-free. Alkanes also modify the structure of the P β′ or ‘banded’ phase of phosphatidylcholine bilayers. The incorporation of tetradecane removes the banded structure from both the bilayer's hydrophilic surface, as viewed by negative staining, and the bilayer's hydrophobic interior, as viewed by the freeze-fracture technique. These results are consistent with X-ray diffraction data which imply that long alkanes are primarily located between adjacent lipid hydrocarbon chains in each monolayer of the bilayer, while short alkanes can partition into the geometric center of the bilayer between apposing monolayers.
Moderator regression and the cusp catastrophe: Application of two‐stage personnel selection, training, therapy, and policy evaluation

This article demonstrates the applicability of the cusp catastrophe model to a two-stage validity study for personnel selection which can simultaneously assess the success of a training program. Personnel selection is of interest substantively since its literature spans psychology, education, economics, management science, political philosophy, statistics, and psychometric theory. The basic problem is, in turn, pertinent to the study of any individuals integrating into an organization, or a therapy or social program. In an empirical example regression coefficients for conventional and cusp-difference models were compared using partially real and partially simulated data. Subjects were 272 salespersons from a Midwestern firm, of which 17 were Spanish-speaking Americans. Group membership was the dummy coded bifurcation (moderator) factor. A composite of personality and ability test scores was the asymmetry factor. The cusp model was a more efficient predictor of performance (R2 = .39) than the moderator model (R2 = .04) or a control equation using a bimodal transformation (R2 = .04). It was also possible to obtain implicit discriminant functions (IDFS) to predict the top performing 16% of the sample (R2 = .71), and the low performing 16% (R2 = .95). The results were interpreted as supporting the usefulness of the statistical catastrophe models for two-stage personnel selection and training, and similar problems. Differential impact, moderator, and interaction effects in organizational literature were discussed vis-a-vis the bifurcation concept.
The effect of in vivo ethanol consumption on cyclic AMP and δ-opioid receptors in mouse striatum

In this study the effect of in vivo ethanol consumption on cyclic AMP (cAMP) and [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was examined in mouse striatum. Effects of ethanol on striatal delta-opioid receptor (DOR) density and mRNA were also examined. Mice had unlimited access to 7% (v/v) ethanol alone or water for 1 or 7 days and were then sacrificed and striatum removed for analysis. There was no difference in basal cAMP formation between water and ethanol-treated mouse striatum following 7 day treatment, and a small, but statistically significant increase in basal cAMP in the ethanol group following 1 day treatment. Both 1 day and 7 day ethanol treatment did not significantly alter the percentage increase in cAMP following treatment with 10 microM forskolin. There was a significant effect of ethanol treatment on the maximum inhibitory effect of DADLE on forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation following both 1 and 7 day ethanol treatment. The DADLE IC50 was unaffected by ethanol treatment. Saturation binding studies ([3H]Deltorphin II) indicated no effect of ethanol on Bmax or Kd in striatum. Similarly, no difference between water and ethanol-treated was observed for DOR mRNA in striatum. These data indicate that ethanol consumption can alter opioid regulation of cAMP formation. However, this effect is not related to changes in any delta-opioid receptor parameters that were examined.
Control of morphology and orientation of ZnO thin films grown on SiO2/Si substrates

ZnO is a wide bandgap semiconductor possessing unique electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. Piezoelectric ZnO film has a high electro-mechanical coupling coefficient, which makes it a promising material for high frequency and low loss surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices in RF/microwave applications. High quality piezoelectric ZnO films grown on Si substrates also pave the way for integration of SAW devices with Si IC technology. In this work ZnO films are grown on SiO2/Si substrates by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition. The growth process is optimized to obtain highly oriented ZnO films with a smooth surface morphology. The structural properties of the films are investigated using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and scanning probe microscopy. To obtain ZnO films with both good crystallinity and smooth surfaces, we have developed a two-step growth technique. A high temperature (450–500°C) buffer layer is initially deposited, which provides a highly crystalline template for the subsequent growth of a low temperature (300–330°C) layer. High quality ZnO thin films have been achieved, which are needed for fabrication of low-loss SAW devices.
Wavelet Analysis of Olfactory Nerve Response to Stimulus

Multiunit electrophysiological activity recorded by gross electrodes from the olfactory nerve was analyzed by wavelet decomposition, a relatively new method of signal processing. The analysis was run on data from the unstimulated olfactory system as well as on data evoked in response to six different odorant stimuli. Like Fourier analysis, wavelet analysis provides a spectral decomposition of the signal. Unlike Fourier, wavelet analysis also locates the dominant spectral features in time. The output of a wavelet analysis can be further processed to enhance selected features. The increased amplitude of the nerve response evoked by stimulation was the most obvious feature, but efforts to learn from it were unproductive. The temporal pattern of receptor cell activity was much more yielding. The analysis resolved the nerve activity into three classes of events based on duration. On wavelet maps these classes of events separate out into three shifting and overlapping but distinct bands, one of which was interpreted as being associated with individual receptor cell firings and the other two as short and somewhat longer duration bursts of activity that was attributed to the synchronized firing of a group of receptor cells. This interpretation is supported by experiments in which waveforms simulating action potentials and bursts of action potentials are added to recorded data. Stimulation of the olfactory system with odorant molecules evokes a significant increase in the number of short duration bursts, and an amplitude increase that can be related to the number of receptor cells responding. Changes in the patterns of wavelet events can be associated with synchrony of cell firing, reset times for bursts of firing, and possibly other physiological dynamics. A number of differences in activity patterns with different odorants were observed, but without sufficient repeatability to allow reliable discrimination among them. While this study is clearly preliminary in that regard, it shows the potential of the wavelet method for contributing to the understanding of olfaction.
Buoyant Convection During the Growth of Compound Semiconductors by the Liquid-Encapsulated Czochralski Process With an Axial Magnetic Field and With a Non-Axisymmetric Temperature

This paper treats the buoyant convection of a molten semiconductor in a cylindrical crucible with a vertical axis, with a uniform vertical magnetic field, and with a non-axisymmetric temperature. Most previous treatments of melt motions with vertical magnetic fields have assumed that the temperature and buoyant convection were axisymmetric. In reality, the temperature and resultant buoyant convection often deviate significantly from axisymmetry. For a given non-axisymmetric temperature, the electromagnetic suppression of the axisymmetric part of the buoyant convection is stronger than that of the non-axisymmetric part, so that the deviation from an axisymmetric melt motion increases as the magnetic field strength is increased. The non-axisymmetric part of the buoyant convection includes relatively strong azimuthal velocities adjacent to the electrically insulating vertical crucible wall, because this wall blocks the radial electric currents needed to suppress azimuthal velocities.