cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure-activity relationships in human Toll-like receptor 8-active 2,3-diamino-furo[2,3-c]pyridines.

In our ongoing search toward identifying novel and synthetically simpler candidate vaccine adjuvants, we hypothesized that the imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines, readily accessible via the Groebke–Blackburn–Bienayme multicomponent reaction, would possess sufficient structural similarity with TLR7/8-agonistic imidazoquinolines. With pyridoxal as the aldehyde component, furo[2,3-c]pyridines, rather than the expected imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, were obtained, which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and crystallography. Several analogues were found to activate TLR8-dependent NF-κB signaling. In a focused library of furo[2,3-c]pyridines, a distinct SAR was observed with varying substituents at C2. In human PBMCs, none of the furo[2,3-c]pyridines showed any proinflammatory cytokine induction but upregulated several chemokine ligand genes. In immunization studies in rabbits, the most active compound showed prominent adjuvantic effects. The complete lack of proinflammatory cytokine induction coupled with strong adjuvanti...
Residual concentration method for the problem of diffusion on the surface of a spherical cavity

Abstract The classical spherical diffusion equation is expressed in terms of a residual concentration. Thus, it becomes possible to eliminate the second derivative of the concentration with respect to the radial coordinate from the diffusion equation. This, in turn, leads to the advantage that diffusion on the surface of a spherical cavity can be studied by considering the cavity surface only. The case of a point source on the cavity surface is presented as an example for the application of the proposed Residual Concentration Method.
Adaptive reconstruction method for three-dimensional orientation imaging

An adaptive orientation reconstruction algorithm is developed for near-field high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy. When combined with a spatially adaptive extension the algorithm results in a factor of 10–1000 speed-up over the existing forward modeling reconstruction method while preserving most of the spatial and orientation resolution characteristics. Tests of the reconstruction code based on simulated structures and real data on a complex microstructure are presented. Simulated structures include intra-granular orientation gradients and noisy detector images. It is shown that resolution in both real space and orientation space degrades gracefully as complexity and detector noise increase.
Contribution to the discussion of exchange scattering in high-temperature superconductivity

High-temperature superconductivity originates in the charge-reservoirs of crystal structures, not in the cuprate-planes.
Diffractive physics at HERMES

Abstract The measured decay angle distributions of the ϱ0 are in agreement with the hypothesis that the reaction is dominated by helicity conserving amplitudes with natural parity exchange, and are used to extract a measure of R = σ l /σ t . Cross section measurements of exclusive ϱ0 production on 1 H and 3 He targets in the range 0.5 2 GeV2.
Calorimetric studies of organic solid-state reactions. The conversion of methyl p-dimethylaminobenzenesulfonate to p-(trimethylammonium)benzenesulfonate

Abstract The thermal conversion of methyl p -dimethylaminobenzenesulfonate to p -(trimethylammonium) benzenesulfonate in the solid state has been investigated using temperature-scanning and isothermal calorimetry. An enthalpy of −65.2kJ mole for the reaction at 50.2°C and an average of −62.6 kJ mole over the temperature range 27–109°C have been obtained. Unusual kinetics were observed. Evidence for a physical process partially coincident with the chemical transformation in the bulk material and for slow chemical reaction on the surface was also observed.
Tollison costs and technological innovation: The case of environmental regulation

This paper departs from the Tullock cost paradigm that views competition for monopoly privilege as a welfare-inimical process that wastefully dissipates preexisting producers' surplus and, occasionally, leads to inefficient increases in costs and counterproductive uses of scarce resources. The potential availability of rent-seeking may bring about the elimination of inefficient regulatory regimes that retard or prevent the introduction of cost-reducing innovations. Air quality management is but one area in which innovation rent-seeking holds promise for concrete welfare gains. Researchers may wish to focus on institutional mechanisms designed to overcome the “transactions costs” and “free rider” disincentives to the formation of a coalition to seek innovation rents. An example of such a mechanism might be a joint venture that requires all venture members to engage in lobbying and to contribute to collective research efforts. These unaddressed questions await future research.
Effects of rhG‐CSF, 5‐fluorouracil and extramedullary irradiation on murine megakaryocytopoiesis in vivo

The aim of this study was to systematically characterize possible rhG-CSF effects on the murine megakaryocyte-platelet system (untreated and recovering from chemotherapy or extramedullary irradiation). In untreated, splenectomized male B6D2F1 mice, rhG-CSF treatment (50 micrograms/kg/d for up to 8 d) markedly decreased femoral megakaryocytopoiesis. CFU-Meg, small acetylcholinesterase-positive (SAChE) cells, and megakaryocytes were significantly reduced to 35-70%; platelets, however, were not affected. Peripheral CFU-Meg and CFU-GM increased up to 200-fold. Following a single injection of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) on day 0, rhG-CSF (50 micrograms/kg/d) on days 1-8 suppressed the megakaryocytopoietic recovery as indicated by significantly lower platelet numbers on day 9. Granulopoietic recovery was accelerated by rhG-CSF. When rhG-CSF treatment was started on day 5, no beneficial effect on granulopoietic recovery was observed, but again platelet levels were significantly lower on day 9, indicating that within the first 4 d of rhG-CSF application, recruitment or lineage competition was not a critical event. To test for the effects of extramedullary irradiation on circulating progenitors, mice pretreated with 50 micrograms/kg/d of rhG-CSF for 8 d received irradiation to the chest with 500 cGy resulting in a substantial kill of circulating CFU-Meg and CFU-GM of up to 99%. However, this striking decrease of blood progenitors did not significantly affect their total body contents. This study indicates that rhG-CSF treatment can impair bone marrow megakaryocytopoiesis, which might be an important consideration for those clinical situations that carry a high potential for treatment-induced thrombocytopenia.
Ventricular Arrhythmia Following Alcohol Septal Ablation for Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

We sought to assess the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular arrhythmia after alcohol septal ablation (ASA) for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. ASA is a nonsurgical alternative to septal myectomy for treatment of symptomatic, drug-refractory, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The effect of ASA on ventricular arrhythmia risk is not well established. We examined the rates of SCD among 89 patients treated with ASA. The secondary end point was ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF), appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, or cardiac arrest after ASA among those with implanted ICDs or permanent pacemakers (n = 42). Patients were classified as either high-risk or low-risk on the basis of established clinical indications for ICD implantation. No mortality was attributable to SCD at a mean follow-up of 5.0 ± 2.3 years in the entire cohort. Among the 42 patients with an ICD or permanent pacemaker, 9 had documented VT/VF, cardiac arrest, or appropriate ICD therapy, resulting in an annual event rate of 4.9%/year. The annual event rate for VT/VF, cardiac arrest, or appropriate ICD therapy was 2.8%/year (4 of 29 patients) in low-risk patients and 13.4% in high-risk patients (5 of 13 patients). A 10-mm Hg increase in the immediate post-ASA gradient was associated with a hazard ratio of 2.66 for arrhythmic events (95% confidence interval 1.55 to 4.56, p
Interaction between central bank behaviour and fiscal policy: the US case

Federal Reserve behaviour is analysed using a model which incorporates an effect an effect of iscal pressure on monetary policy formulation. Incentive structures are hypothesized to be such that the central bank plans over a longer horizan than that relevant to the administration. With the cyclically adjusted deficit proxying for fiscal pressure from the administration, the response to the deficit then plays an interactive role in affecting the trade-off weights applied to the competing goals of monetary policy. The model performs well for the USA, and provides a pattern of policy that is stable over the full 1961ndash;83 period.
Prediction of resting metabolic rate in critically ill patients at the extremes of body mass index.

Background: Although estimation of energy needs by mathematical equation is common in practice, there is relatively little validation data for the equations. This is especially true at the upper and lower extremes of body size. The purpose of the current study was to provide validation data for several common equations in underweight and morbidly obese critically ill patients. Methods: In mechanically ventilated, critical care patients with body mass index ≤21.0 or ≥45.0 kg/m2, indirect calorimetry was used to measure resting metabolic rate. Several equation methods were then compared with these measurements, including the Penn State equation, Faisy equation, Ireton-Jones equation, Mifflin–St Jeor equation, Harris-Benedict equation, and American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) standard using ideal, actual, or metabolically active body weight. Results: Accuracy (percentage of estimates falling within 10% of measured) in the morbidly obese group was highest for the Penn State equation (76%) and lowest fo...
Combinatorial orthogonality in abstract configurations

In the linear space of real valued functions on the power set of a finite set, the orthogonal complement of the subspace spanned by the characteristic functions of the maximal chains is precisely the subspace spanned by the functions @m"i-@m"0, where @m"i denotes the characteristic function of the ith rank. In this paper it is shown that in more general abstract configurations than power sets, this orthogonality relation is equivalent to a certain connectedness property. As a corollary, the relations obtaining between pairs of maximum sized antichains are characterized.
A low-power system design for Lamb wave methods

The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of a Lamb wave system samples a response signal and converts it into a digital signal for further processing in the digital domain. A typical ADC used for a Lamb wave system consumes a large amount of power. It also increases the complexity of the signal processing for the processor, which, in turn, increases the power consumption of the processor. Elimination of the ADC can therefore significantly reduce the overall power dissipation of a Lamb wave system. In this paper, we propose a method to eliminate the ADC of a Lamb wave system, in which the ADC is replaced by two comparators. Our method quantizes the sampled signal into three levels rather than 2 n levels as with an n-bit ADC. The experimental results performed with our prototype indicate that the proposed method is effective at detecting simulated damage on aluminum plates.
The STEP system for collaborative case-based teacher education: design, evaluation & future directions

We report research and development work with STEP (Secondary Teacher Education Project) Web, an innovative and complex web site designed to support learning through facilitated video case discussions in secondary teacher education programs. The goal of instruction with STEP is to help pre-service teachers acquire useful scientific knowledge about cognitive psychology and other learning sciences. STEP Web is currently being used and evaluated in connection with psychological foundations courses taught for teacher education majors at UW-Madison and Rutgers University. We report user preference data on web site design and related instructional formats, and provide evidence that the STEP approach can produce transfer and flexible use of course concepts.
Nuclear corroboration of DNA-DNA hybridization in deep phylogenies of hummingbirds, swifts, and passerines: the phylogenetic utility of ZENK (ii)

This paper documents the phylogenetic utility of ZENK at the avian intra-ordinal level using hummingbirds, swifts, and passerines as case studies. ZENK sequences (1.7 kb) were used to reconstruct separate gene trees containing the major lineages of each group, and the three trees were examined for congruence with existing DNA-DNA hybridization trees. The results indicate both that ZENK is an appropriate nuclear marker for resolving relationships deep in the avian tree, and that many relationships within these three particular groups are congruent among the different datasets. Specifically, within hummingbirds there was topological agreement that the major hummingbird lineages diverged in a graded manner from the "hermits," to the "mangoes," to the "coquettes," to the "emeralds," and finally to a sister relationship between the "mountain-gems" and the "bees." Concerning swifts, the deepest divergences were congruent: treeswifts (Hemiprocnidae) were sister to the typical swifts (Apodidae), and the subfamily Apodinae was monophyletic relative to Cypseloidinae. Within Apodinae, however, were short, unresolved branches among the swiftlets, spinetails, and more typical swifts; a finding which coincides with other datasets. Within passerine birds, there was congruent support for monophyly of sub-oscines and oscines, and within sub-oscines, for monophyly of New World groups relative to the Old World lineages. New World sub-oscines split into superfamilies Furnaroidea and Tyrannoidea, with the Tyrannoid relationships completely congruent among ZENK and DNA-DNA hybridization trees. Within Furnaroidea, however, there was some incongruence regarding the positions of Thamnophilidae and Formicariidae. Concerning oscine passerines, both datasets showed a split between Corvida and Passerida and confirmed the traditional membership of passerid superfamilies Muscicapoidea and Passeroidea. Monophyly of Sylvioidea, however, remained uncertain, as did the relationships among the superfamiles themselves. These results are strikingly similar to other recent findings and indicative of continuing uncertainty about the higher level relationships of oscine passerines.
A Random Normal Number Generator for 32-Bit-Word Computers

Abstract Some random normal number generators that were satisfactory for 36-bit-word computers are inadequate for equipment such as the IBM System/360, using a 32-bit-word. A generator is presented and shown to be satisfactory relative to several criteria for testing normality and randomness.
Control of urease formation in certain aerobic bacteria

During nitrogen starvation, a 20- to 250-fold increase in specific urease activity was observed in extracts of P. aeruginosa, P. fluorescens, Hydrogenomonas, M. denitrificans, M. cerificans and B. megaterium. In contrast to these species, high levels of urease were observed in P. vulgaris strains and in S. ureae under all growth conditions. No urease was detectable in strains of E. coli, S. marcescens and B. polymyxa, regardless of growth conditions. Incubated in the absence of an exogenous nitrogen source, the specific urease activity increased during a period of 10 to 20 h in P. aeruginosa, Hydrogenomonas and M. denitrificans. Phosphate starvation did not significantly effect urease formation in these strains. The increase in specific urease activity was found to be repressed by exogenous nitrogen sources, including urea. Inhibition by chloramphenicol, other inhibitors, and by the lack of oxygen or fructose, indicated that a derepressive urease formation may occur in these strains. The involvement of traces of urea possibly released from endogenous sources during starvation is discussed.
A review on air cathodes for zinc–air fuel cells

Abstract This paper reviews the compositions, design and methods of fabrication of air cathodes for alkali zinc–air fuel cells (ZAFCs), one of the few successfully commercialized fuel cells. The more promising compositions for air cathodes are based on individual oxides, or mixtures of such, with a spinel, perovskite, or pyrochlore structure: MnO 2 , Ag, Co 3 O 4 , La 2 O 3 , LaNiO 3 , NiCo 2 O 4 , LaMnO 3 , LaNiO 3 , etc. These compositions provide the optimal balance of ORR activity and chemical stability in an alkali electrolyte. The sol–gel and reverse micelle methods supply the most uniform distribution of the catalyst on carbon and the highest catalyst BET surface area. It is shown that the design of the air cathode, including types of carbon black, binding agents, current collectors, Teflon membranes, thermal treatment of the GDL, and catalyst layers, has a strong effect on performance.
Growth of elongated nanostructures

Growth of elongated nanostructures from the gas phase on a masked substrate is modeled using the continuous time Monte Carlo method with the solid-on-solid approximation. We have found that the masked substrate imposes anisotropy on the growth of elongated nanostructures. Thus growth occurs either by nucleation of a single cluster in the short direction and wave propagation in the long direction or by formation of multiple nuclei followed by propagation of waves along the long direction. The growth rate of nanostructures depends significantly on their size. Narrow nanostructures grow about two orders of magnitude slower and there is a size-dependent critical supersaturation for growth to occur. This behavior is explained in terms of the thermal stability of nanostructures.
Low temperature properties of some RIn3 compounds

Abstract The low temperature heat capacity of ErIn 3 has been studied because of its potential as a regenerator material. Slight variations from stoichiometry and plastic deformation have been shown to affect the heat capacity of ErIn 3 . The (Ho x Er 1− x )In 3 system has been studied in detail revealing that the lattice parameter varies linearly as a function of x , while the Neel temperatures vary with a slight departure from linearity. An analysis of the concentration dependence of the Neel temperature in the (Ho x Er 1− x )In 3 system indicates that when the rare earth metal size is within 5.65% of the indium radius, a narrow solid solution region forms on the indium-rich side of the RIn 3 phase. A high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction study does not reveal a structural distortion in ErIn 3 , or (Ho 0.25 In 0.75 )In 3 , or HoIn 3 . Rare earth substitutions (R = Y, Ce, Pr, and Dy) for the Er in (R x Er 1− x )In 3 shift the Neel temperature and may have a significant effect on the heat capacity, depending on the rare earth metal.
Positive solutions of superlinear eigenvalue problems via a monotone iterative technique

The superlinear eigenvalue problems considered in this paper are of the form u′'(x) + λa(x) uv(x) = 0, 0 1. In this paper the existence of a positive solution (λ, u) of the problem is shown by constructing an iterative sequence {λk, uk} of solutions of a related linear eigenvalue problem. It is then shown that λk ↗ λ and uk ↘ u uniformly on [0, 1]. The assumptions are 1. 1. a(x) is positive and in C(0, 1) ∩ L1(0, 1), 2. 2. γβ + γα + αδ ≠ 0, 3. 3. 3.1. a. α, β, γ, δ ⩾ 0 or 3.2. b. α > 0, β ⩾ 0, δ < 0, 0 < γ < −αδ(α + β) or 3.3. c. β 0, δ ⩾ 0, 0 < α < −γβ(γ + δ).
Inferences on the difference between future observations for comparing two treatments

The comparison of two treatments with normally distributed data is considered. Inferences are considered based upon the difference between single potential future observations from each of the two treatments, which provides a useful and easily interpretable assessment of the difference between the two treatments. These methodologies combine information from a standard confidence interval analysis of the difference between the two treatment means, with information available from standard prediction intervals of future observations. Win-probabilities, which are the probabilities that a future observation from one treatment will be superior to a future observation from the other treatment, are a special case of these methodologies. The theoretical derivation of these methodologies is based upon inferences about the non-centrality parameter of a non-central t-distribution. Equal and unequal variance situations are addressed, and extensions to groups of future observations from the two treatments are also cons...
Fuzzy Systems, Control, and Connectionism

Considers and defends the realist understanding of the notion of fuzzy system, that is, the view that fuzzy functions are ontologically respectable for scientific explanations of fuzzy controllers. Looks at the arguments concerned with the revival of fuzzy set theories based on the idea of representation.
Improving Web Server Performance with Adaptive Proxy Caching in Soft Real-time Mobile Applications

This paper introduces an adaptive cache proxy to improve the performance of web access in soft real-time applications. It consists of client proxies and cooperative proxy servers with a server-side pushing schema. The large amount of heterogeneous data will be stored in the proxy servers and delivered to clients through computer networks to reduce the response time and network traffic. The adaptive proxy pre-fetches and replaces heterogeneous data dynamically in consideration of networks cost, data size, data change rate, etc. The simulation results show that the modified LUV algorithm has better performance in terms of hit rate, byte hit rate, and delay saving rate. With the cooperative proxy caching, it is shown that the performance of the proxy caching system is more predictable even if the proxies need to deal with a variety of data. The modified adaptive TTL algorithm has better performance in terms of the combination of temporal coherency and system overheads.
A sensitive radioreceptor assay for atropine in plasma.

Abstract The development of a sensitive, relatively simple radioreceptor assay for atropine in plasma is reported. It is based on the ability of anti-muscarinic compounds to compete with tritiated quinuclidinyl benzilate for muscarinic receptor binding sites. As little as 300fmol (3 × 10 −10 M) atropine could be reliably assayed, the extraction procedure permitting the estimation of 3 pmol (0.9 ng) atropine per ml of plasma. The method has been applied to the determination of plasma concentration-time profiles after i.m. administration of atropine to man, and could probably be extended to other anti-muscarinic drugs.
Dependence of tan 5 in unpoled TGS upon sample thickness

It is measured that tan S in unpoled triglycine sulfate varies as dγ where d is the device thickness and 7 is a constant slightly larger than 1/2. The observations can be interpreted by attributing the dielectric losses to domain wall motions.
Increase in laser RIN due to asymmetric nonlinear gain and fiber dispersion

The leve1 and control of the source laser’s relative intensity noise (RIN) is critica1 to the optimization of fiber optic distribution systems. It has been recently demonstrated1 that as a result of longitudinal-mode competition the low frequency (0-2 GHz) portion of the RIN spectral density can be greatly enhanced. While this noise is at relatively low frequency, it can be readily translated to higher frequencies by beating with the modulation signal.2 This effect is of particular importance in microwave and broadband subcarrier multiplexed systems.
High-performance computer architecture and algorithm simulator

This simulation tool allows the user to explore different computer architectures with hardware support at any or all of five levels of parallelism, from intrainstruction (pipeline) through distributed n-tier client/server systems. The tool supports the simulation of various user-configurable architectures and interconnection networks, running a user-configurable and variable workload. This allows the student and the instructor to observe how performance changes through the five levels of parallelism with changes in either the architecture or workload. The successful use of the simulation tool in a variety of undergraduate courses at the author's institution is presented, along with examples, and a set of experiments. The simulator is a Java applet, which can be used from a Web browser, allowing anyone with an Internet connection access to the tool, without concern about student licensing requirements. The simulator is hosted at the author's institution with funding provided by a recent grant. Its design as an applet also allows improvements and enhancements to the software to be implemented and instantly made available to all users of the product.
Three-Dimensional Ultrastructure of Micrometer Thick Cellular Subvolumes by STEM Tomography

Electron tomography (ET) is a powerful technique for determining 3D ultrastructure at the supramolecular scale in sections of rapidly frozen, freeze-substituted, stained, embedded and sectioned cells and tissues. The application of conventional ET is limited to sections of thickness less than about 400 nm due to image blurring of multiply scattered electrons that are affected by the chromatic aberration of the objective lens. Many important structures such as pre- and post-synaptic nerve terminals in brain have larger dimensions so cannot be imaged in their entirety by conventional ET methods. We have therefore developed and applied tomography based on the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) operating at a beam energy of 300 keV. In STEM, the absence of imaging lenses after the specimen enables ET to be performed on plastic sections up to 1.5 micrometers in thickness without the deleterious effect of chromatic aberration on electrons that have undergone multiple inelastic scattering. Furthermore, it was found that the spatial resolution of 3D reconstructions obtained with an axial bright-field STEM detector was greatly improved relative to that obtained with a standard annular dark-field STEM detector, for regions in the lower half of micrometer thick sections. This advantage is attributable to the exclusion of electrons that have undergone multiple elastic scattering from the collection angles subtended by the axial bright-field detector. We have applied STEM tomography to image entire postsynaptic densities (PSDs) in dissociated cultures of rat hippocampus, in which specific proteins had been knocked down by RNAi. The technique allows multiple PSDs to be reconstructed from contiguous regions of neurons. The 3D ultrastructure reveals the role of key scaffolding proteins in the organization of PSDs.This work was supported by the Intramural Research Programs of NIBIB and NINDS, NIH.
Electrophysiological properties of ependymal cells (radial glia) in dorsal cortex of the turtle, Pseudemys scripta.

1. We have investigated the electrophysiological properties of ependymal cells in the isolated dorsal cortex of the turtle, Pseudemys scripta. The cell bodies of these radial glia form an epithelium at the ventricular surface, and each cell sends one or more branching processes through the cortex to the pial surface. Very few non-ependymal glia exist in the dorsal cortex. 2. Ependymal cells had high resting membrane potentials (-90 mV), very fast time constants and a lack of intrinsic excitability or synaptic potentials. 3. Changes in the K+ concentration ([K+]) of the bathing solution caused near-Nernstian changes of ependymal membrane potentials. When local neuronal pathways were activated, ependymal cells slowly depolarized while extracellular voltage shifted negatively. Simultaneous measurements of extracellular [K+] ([K+]o) near the impaled ependymal cell body showed that these slow depolarizations were fully accounted for by activity-dependent increases in [K+]o. Similar measurements during focal pressure applications of solutions with high [K+] suggested that intrasomatic recordings reflect predominantly the [K+]o adjacent to the cell body, and not the intracortical process. 4. Intracellular injections of the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow CH, and simultaneous recordings from neighbouring cells, indicated that ependymal cells are chemically and electrically coupled to one another. Increasing the ambient CO2 level from 5 to 40% depolarized cells, increased their input resistance, and abolished interglial dye coupling. 5. The physiological properties of ependymal cells are very similar to those of a variety of glial cell types in a range of vertebrate and invertebrate species. In the absence of other types of glia, radial glia may function as the sole cellular mediators of K+ redistribution (i.e. K+ spatial buffering) following neural activity, as well as the generators of slow extracellular potentials.
Control of electron flow in chloroplasts by cations

Abstract Divalent cations have previously been shown to affect chloroplast electron transport and phosphorylation. Here, a new effect of divalent cations on high-energy states of chloroplasts is reported. It was found that when washed chloroplasts were suspended in sucrose, high (uncoupled) rates of electron flow were observed unless low concentrations of salts of monovalent (approximately 1 m m ) or divalent (approximately 20 μ m ) cations were added. The inhibition of the high rate of electron flow induced by divalent cations was reversed by uncouplers. Higher rates of ATP formation were observed when electron flow was controlled by cations than when it was not so controlled. Cations increased the intensity of delayed light and the extent of the 515-nm absorption change; two parameters which reflect in some way the efficiency of energy conservation. In contrast, cations had little effect on the rate of uptake or decay of H + ions or on the total extent of the proton gradient, suggesting that they act on an earlier intermediate. These results indicate that the presence of cations profoundly affects the coupling of the energy available in redox reactions to the energy-conserving mechanism in the chloroplast membrane.
Generalized Reflexive Matrices: Special Properties and Applications

The main purpose of this paper is to introduce and exploit special properties of two special classes of rectangular matrices A and B that have the relations A = PAQ {\rm and} B = -PBQ, \qquad A, B \in {\cal C}^{n \times m}, where P and Q are two generalized reflection matrices. The matrices A (B), a generalization of reflexive (antireflexive) matrices and centrosymmetric matrices, are referred to in this paper as generalized reflexive (antireflexive) matrices. After introducing these two classes of matrices and developing general theories associated with them, we then show how to use some of the important properties to decompose linear least-squares problems whose coefficient matrices are generalized reflexive into two smaller and independent subproblems. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate their usefulness.
Influence of boundary scattering on the metallic field effect

Abstract The variation with surface charge density of the effective conductivity of a thin metallic film is calculated. The Boltzmann transport equation is used with the Fuchs-Sondheimer boundary conditions. A general expression is derived for the effective conductivity in the case of partially diffuse boundary scattering. It is shown that the surface mobility of the added field-effect electrons is lower than the mobility of the initial distribution. For totally diffuse boundary scattering, the mobility of the added electrons is evaluated explicitly. The dependence of the mobility upon the relative size of the screening length, the mean free path, and the film thickness, is interpreted.
Comparison of lymphangiograms and gallium scans in the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

A total of 92 lymphangiograms (L.G.) and gallium scans (G.S.) done in 51 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were evaluated to assess their usefulness in detecting infradiaphragmatic disease. It was found that the correlation between both procedures was fairly good before treatment (85%) but decreased considerably after therapy. A significant number of patients persistently had positive L.G. after treatment, with a negative G.S. No histologic examination of tissues was performed, however, to confirm the radiographic findings. A higher number of equivocal G.S. were found both before and after treatment. No significant difference in correlation was found between the histiocytic and lymphocytic lymphomas but the former were found to have a striking frequency of negative L.G. and G.S. in the infradiaphragmatic area.
Management of asthma with zafirlukast. Clinical experience and tolerability profile.

This article reviews the literature on the use of zafirlukast in the treatment of asthma, with particular focus on its ability to attenuate the asthma-causing effects of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes produced by the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme pathway have various biological activities. These include the specific inflammatory effects associated with asthma, such as increased vascular permeability, enhanced mucus production and decreased mucociliary transport. Leukotriene receptors in the airways also mediate a potent bronchoconstriction and this is particularly important in asthma. Zafirlukast was developed with the goal of attenuating the inflammatory effects of leukotrienes in asthma. Zafirlukast attenuates the responses to inhaled leukotrienes and allergen challenges, and produces beneficial effects in cold air- and exercise-induced asthma. Zafirlukast has been compared with placebo and sodium cromoglycate in clinical trials involving asthma patients. Zafirlukast brings about a significant bronchodilation within 1 hour of administration that is additive to the effects of β2 agonists. These studies showed that zafirlukast improves pulmonary function and reduces the symptoms of asthma. Zafirlukast is well tolerated with an incidence of adverse events similar to that seen with the use of placebo. As an oral twice-daily formulation, zafirlukast may improve patient adherence to therapy. As an anti-inflammatory agent, zafirlukast may in the future find a role in the treatment of a variety of diverse inflammatory conditions.
Access conditions affect binge-type shortening consumption in rats

When non-food-deprived rats are given intermittent access to certain substances, consumption of those substances is greater than when more frequent access is provided. The present study examined the effects of three different shortening access conditions on subsequent shortening intake in rats. Each of the three different shortening conditions lasted five weeks and was followed by a five-week period in which shortening access was limited by time (1 h of availability) on either an Intermittent (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or Daily schedule of access. In Part 1, limiting the quantity of shortening provided during the 1-h period of availability attenuated subsequent 1-h shortening intake in the Intermittent access group, but had no statistically significant effect in the Daily access group. In Part 2, unrestricted availability of shortening (24 h/day-7 days/week) attenuated subsequent 1-h shortening intake in all groups. In Part 3, shortening non-availability for five weeks enhanced subsequent 1-h shortening intake in all groups. It was also shown that rats under an Intermittent, but not a Daily, schedule of access consumed as much shortening during a 1-h period of availability, as was consumed in 24 h when shortening availability was unrestricted. These results demonstrate that while intermittent access is necessary and sufficient to stimulate binge-type eating in rats, the behavioral history can modulate binge size.
Critical domain-wall properties in weakly anisotropic systems

The interfacial behavior of a system described by the $n=2$ Landau-Ginzburg Hamiltonian with crystal-field anisotropy $v{S}_{x}^{2}{S}_{y}^{2}$ is investigated using $\ensuremath{\epsilon} (=4\ensuremath{-}d)$ expansion techniques. The order parameter forms a Bloch wall which has a finite width characterized by the transverse correlation length ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{T}\ensuremath{\sim}{v}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}{|{T}_{c}\ensuremath{-}T|}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}(1\ensuremath{-}\frac{{y}_{v}}{2})}$, ${y}_{v}$ being the eigenvalue of $v$ under renormalization-group transformations. The excess free energy per unit area corresponds to surface tension which vanishes near the critical point as ${|{T}_{c}\ensuremath{-}T|}^{\ensuremath{\nu}(d\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{-}\frac{{y}_{v}}{2})}$. The surface tension, a related universal ratio of amplitudes, and the order-parameter profile are calculated up to leading fluctuation corrections. In an isotropic system, the Bloch wall encompasses the entire system and the surface tension is zero on the coexistence curve. The crossover to isotropic behavior is examined within renormalized mean-field theory and phenomenological scaling.
Vinyl sulfone bifunctional derivatives of DOTA allow sulfhydryl- or amino-directed coupling to antibodies. Conjugates retain immunoreactivity and have similar biodistributions.

We have synthesized a bifunctional vinyl sulfone−cysteineamido derivative of DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) that can be conjugated to the sulfhydryls of mildly reduced recombinant antibody (chimeric anti-CEA antibody cT84.66) at pH 7 or to the amino groups of lysine residues at pH 9. The conjugation is sulfhydryl specific at pH 7 (case 1), and amino specific at pH 9 (case 2) as long as the antibody has no free sulhydryl groups. At a molar ratio of 50 BCA (bifunctional chelating agent) to mAb, the number of chelates conjugated is 0.8 for case 1, and 4.6 for case 2. The resulting conjugates can be radiolabeled with 111In to high specific activity (5 mCi/mg) with high efficiency (>95%) at 43 °C in 60 min. The radiolabeled conjugates retained >95% immunoreactivity and are stable in serum containing 1mM DTPA over 3 d. When the radiolabeled conjugates were injected into nude mice bearing LS174T human colon tumor xenografts, over 40% ID/g accumulated in tumors during the period 2...
Functional analysis of mitochondrial protein import in yeast

In order to facilitate studies on protein localization to and sorting within yeast mitochondria, we have designed an experimental system that utilizes a new vector and a functional assay. The vector, which we call an LPS plasmid (for leader peptide substitution), employs a yeast COX5a gene (the structural gene for subunit Va of the inner membrane protein complex cytochrome c oxidase) as a convenient reporter for correct mitochondrial localization. Using in vitro mutagenesis, we have modified COX5a so that the DNA sequences encoding the wild-type subunit Va leader peptide can be precisely deleted and replaced with a given test sequence. The substituted leader peptide can then be analyzed for its ability to direct subunit Va to the inner mitochondrial membrane (to target and sort) by complementation or other in vivo assays. In this study we have tested the ability of several heterologous sequences to function in this system. The results of these experiments indicate that a functional leader peptide is required to target subunit Va to mitochondria. In addition, leader peptides, or portions thereof, derived from proteins located in other mitochondrial compartments can also be used to properly localize this polypeptide. The results presented here also indicate that the information necessary to sort subunit Va to the inner mitochondrial membrane does not reside in the leader peptide but rather in the mature subunit Va sequence.
Enhancing Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Using the Patient's Belief System

OBJECTIVE:To report a patient with bipolar disorder in whom elements of the patient's belief system were used to foster acceptance of medication treatment.CASE SUMMARY:A 21-year-old white man with bipolar disorder began refusing prescribed divalproex sodium treatment. On consultation, the psychiatric pharmacist identified key elements of the patient's belief system and used this information in developing a plan to foster patient acceptance of lithium carbonate treatment.DISCUSSION:Noncompliance with treatment for bipolar disorder is common, and reluctance to accept initial pharmacotherapeutic intervention often occurs. There are many possible reasons for this phenomenon. Patients may not believe in pharmacotherapy and/or in its benefit, fear adverse reactions, or deny that they are ill. We report a patient in denial of his illness and believing that divalproex sodium was causing adverse effects. A psychiatric pharmacist consultant identified certain patient beliefs that were ultimately important in develo...
Fast analog integrated circuits for particle physics

A review is presented of the International Conference on Fast Analog Integrated Circuits for Particle Physics which was held in Philadelphia, March 2-4, 1987. Papers on CMOS charge preamplifiers, bipolar circuits, time measurement systems, flash analog-to-digital converters, waveform sampling, gallium arsenide, system reliability, and radiation damage are discussed. >
Plasma and whole blood taurine in normal dogs of varying size fed commercially prepared food.

Summary The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of signalment, body size and diet on plasma taurine and whole blood taurine concentrations. A total of 131 normal dogs consuming commercially prepared dog food had blood drawn 3–5 h postprandially to be analysed for plasma amino acids and whole blood taurine. Body weight and morphometric measurements of each dog were taken. Plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations were 77 ± 2.1 nmol/ml (mean ± SEM) and 266 ± 5.1 nmol/ml (mean ± SEM), respectively. No effect of age, sex, body weight, body size, or diet was seen on plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations. Mean whole blood taurine concentrations were lower in dogs fed diets containing whole grain rice, rice bran or barley. The lowest whole blood concentrations were seen in dogs fed lamb or lamb meal and rice diets. Plasma methionine and cysteine concentrations were lower in dogs fed diets with animal meals or turkey, and whole grain rice, rice bran or barley. Fifteen of 131 dogs had plasma taurine concentrations lower than, or equal, to the previously reported lowest mean food-deprived plasma taurine concentration in normal dogs of 49 ± 5 nmol/ml (mean ± SEM) (Elliott et al., 2000). These findings support the theory that taurine deficiency in dogs may be related to the consumption of certain dietary ingredients. Scientific and clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with low blood taurine concentration in dogs; therefore, further work is indicated to determine the mechanism by which diet can affect taurine status in dogs.
Electronic cigarettes: product characterisation and design considerations.

Objective To review the available evidence regarding electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) product characterisation and design features in order to understand their potential impact on individual users and on public health. Methods Systematic literature searches in 10 reference databases were conducted through October 2013. A total of 14 articles and documents and 16 patents were included in this analysis. Results Numerous disposable and reusable e-cigarette product options exist, representing wide variation in product configuration and component functionality. Common e-cigarette components include an aerosol generator, a flow sensor, a battery and a nicotine-containing solution storage area. e-cigarettes currently include many interchangeable parts, enabling users to modify the character of the delivered aerosol and, therefore, the product9s ‘effectiveness’ as a nicotine delivery product. Materials in e-cigarettes may include metals, rubber and ceramics. Some materials may be aerosolised and have adverse health effects. Several studies have described significant performance variability across and within e-cigarette brands. Patent applications include novel product features designed to influence aerosol properties and e-cigarette efficiency at delivering nicotine. Conclusions Although e-cigarettes share a basic design, engineering variations and user modifications result in differences in nicotine delivery and potential product risks. e-cigarette aerosols may include harmful and potentially harmful constituents. Battery explosions and the risks of exposure to the e-liquid (especially for children) are also concerns. Additional research will enhance the current understanding of basic e-cigarette design and operation, aerosol production and processing, and functionality. A standardised e-cigarette testing regime should be developed to allow product comparisons.
Lumbar zygapophyseal pain during extension-based stabilization protocol following lumbar transdiscal biacuplasty.

Introduction Transdiscal biacuplasty (TDB) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of lumbar discogenic pain. Theoretically, TDB ablates the aberrant ingrowth of nerve fibers beyond the outer third of the annulus fibrosis of the lumbar intervertebral disk and treats annular tears via collagen reformation. Typically, recovery involves a robust rehabilitation protocol that emphasizes lumbar stabilization exercises, focusing on extension maneuvers while also strengthening the multifidi and transverse abdominus. New-onset postprocedural pain during recovery may occur; evaluation of nondiscogenic causes should be considered. We report 3 of 12 patients who developed zygapophyseal-mediated pain during the recovery period. Cases Three of 12 patients who underwent TDB over a 1-year period, developed zygapophyseal-mediated back pain at the level of the original discogenic pathology. All three underwent unilateral intra-articular zygapophyseal injections with resolution of their new-onset symptoms. Discussion Novel postprocedural low back pain should provoke re-evaluation of potential etiologies such as persistent discogenic pathology, zygapophyseal or sacroiliac joint involvement, and other mechanical sources of pain. We postulate that extension maneuvers during rehabilitation, combined with lumbar bracing in extension, inadvertently triggered and potentially exacerbated pre-existing zygapophyseal irritation. The clinical implication of this scenario is novel distracting pain, caused by an alternative etiology to the original discogenic pain, and may present a confounder to the assessment of the efficacy of TDB.
Sampling of closely‐spaced ordered set of uniformly distributed random variables

SUMMARY When the individual PDFs of closely-spaced random variables such as natural frequencies of a structure overlap, generation of sample sets by assuming the frequencies to be independent random variables can lead to incorrect sets of frequencies in the sense that the frequencies do not remain as ordered sets. Rejection of such disordered sample sets results in individual density functions that are significantly different from the distributions initially assumed for sampling each random variable. One way to overcome this constraint in the simulation of an ordered set of random variables is to consider them in an implicit manner using a joint PDF. In this paper, we present a formulation for a joint density function that is developed using fundamental probability approaches. The formulation ensures that the sampled random variables always remain as ordered sets and maintain the individual density functions for each variable. Application of the proposed formulation is illustrated for cases with not just two closely-spaced variables but also for a case with multiple closely-spaced variables such that the PDFs of more than two random variables overlap with each other. An expression is presented to determine the exact number of terms needed in the formulation. However, it is also illustrated that only two terms are sufficient in most applications even when the exact number of terms needed is very high. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.