cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of a Raman Microscopy Technique to Efficiently Detect Amorphous–Amorphous Phase Separation in Freeze-Dried Protein Formulations

A confocal Raman microscopic technique was optimized to more efficiently detect amorphous-amorphous phase separation in freeze-dried protein formulations. A Renishaw Raman inVia confocal microscope was used to collect 100-200 μm line maps (2 μm step size) of freeze-dried protein-excipient formulations. At each point across the line map, the composition was evaluated from the intensity of the nonoverlapping peaks representative of each component. Collection aperture, scan time, and line map length significantly contributed to the phase-separation analysis, whereas different sample preparation methods did not affect the analysis. Using the optimized parameters (i.e., large aperture 5 s scan time, 200 μm line map), phase separation was successfully detected in binary polymer formulations and was comparable to the previously developed Raman method. However, the previous method required 2.5 h/sample, whereas the optimized method only requires 0.5 h/sample. Phase separation was detected in the following protein-excipient formulations: lysozyme-trehalose (1:1), lysozyme-isomaltose (1:1), β-lactoglobulin-dextran (1:1), β-lactoglobulin-dextran (1:3), and β-lactoglobulin-trehalose (1:1). Phase separation was not detected in lysozyme-sucrose (1:1) and β-lactoglobulin-sucrose (1:1) formulations. The optimized method successfully detected phase separation in several protein formulations, where phase separation was previously suspected, and promised to be a useful tool for detection of phase separation in amorphous therapeutic formulations.
Approximation of continuous and quasi-continuous functions by monotone functions

Let Q denote the Banach space (sup norm) of quasi-continuous functions defined on the interval [0, 1]. Let C denote the subspace comprised of continuous functions. Met M denote the closed convex cone in Q comprised of nondecreasing functions. For f ϵ Q and 1 < p < ∞, let fp denote the best Lp-approximation to f by elements of M. It is shown that fp converges uniformly as p → ∞ to a best L∞-approximation to f by elements of M. If f ϵ C, then each fp ϵ C; so f∞ ϵ C.
Social regulation of plasma estradiol concentration in a female anuran.

The behavior of an individual within a social aggregation profoundly influences behavior and physiology of other animals within the aggregation in such a way that these social interactions can enhance reproductive success, survival and fitness. This phenomenon is particularly important during the breeding season when males and female must synchronize their reproductive efforts. We examined whether exposure to conspecific social cues can elevate sex steroid levels, specifically estradiol and androgens, in female tungara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus). We compared plasma estradiol and androgen concentrations in wild-caught females before and after exposure to either natural mate choruses or random tones. After exposure to mate choruses for 10 consecutive nights, estradiol concentrations were significantly elevated whereas there was no significant elevation in estradiol concentrations in the group of females exposed to random tones for 10 nights. Plasma androgen concentrations were not significantly changed after exposure to either natural mate choruses or random tones for 10 consecutive nights. Social modulation of estradiol concentrations may be important in maintaining a female's reproductive state while males are chorusing. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate social regulation of estradiol concentration in female anurans.
Heat Transfer in Living Systems: Current Opportunities

This paper presents an overview of the field of bioheat transfer. Topics covered include factors that distinguish heat transfer in living systems from inanimate systems, application areas in basic research and in clinical diagnosis and therapy, and our projection of where the field is headed and what are likely to be the most fertile opportunities for contributions by members of the heat transfer community.
Negative correlation between tone (S−) and water increases target biting during S− in rats

Eighteen Long-Evans rats were exposed to a MULT VT 30-sec EXT schedule of water presentations. The EXT schedule was signaled by a 2500-Hz, 70-dB tone. Mean number of bites of a plastic target during atone (S−) increased across sessions, whereas the mean number of target bites during the VT component signaled byno tone (S+) decreased across sessions. Changing the multiple schedule to MULT EXT EXT produced a decrease in target bites during the tone. Reinstating the original MULT VT 30-sec EXT schedule produced an increase in number of target bites during the tone (S−). Changing the multiple schedule to VT 30-sec VT 30-sec produced a decrease in target bites during the tone. The results indicate that target biting in rats increases in the presence of the exteroceptive tone (S−) of the MULT VT 30-sec EXT schedule, and that target biting during the tone varies directly with the negative correlation between tone and water presentations.
Adoptive Transfer of Immunity with Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Cryptosporidium parvum-Infected Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice

Background Intestinal infections with the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum are prevalent in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. Although C parvum is an important cause of outbreaks and opportunistic infections worldwide, little is known about protective mucosal immune responses. This is in part because animal models of infection are limited to those with genetic or induced immunodeficiencies.
Time-Dependent Order Parameters in Spin-Glasses

It is proposed that the spin-glass phase is described by two order parameters $q(x)={[〈{S}_{i}(0){S}_{i}({t}_{x})〉]}_{\mathrm{a}\mathrm{v}}$ and $\ensuremath{\chi}(x)=\ensuremath{\int}{0}^{{t}_{x}}\ensuremath{\chi}(t)\mathrm{dt}$, that measure the relaxations of the average autocorrelation and susceptibility along macroscopic time scales, ${t}_{x}$, which are parametrized in a decreasing order by $x\ensuremath{\in}[0,1]$. The function $q$ decays from a finite value at ${t}_{1}$ to zero at ${t}_{0}$, while $\ensuremath{\chi}$ increases from $\ensuremath{\chi}(1)$ to a value $\ensuremath{\chi}(0)$ which is independent of temperature in the mean-field limit. The equilibrium results agree with Parisi's replica solution.
Translocation of tRNA during protein synthesis

Coupled translocation of tRNA and mRNA in the ribosome during protein synthesis is one of the most challenging and intriguing problems in the field of translation. We highlight several key questions regarding the mechanism of translocation, and discuss possible mechanistic models in light of the recent crystal structures of the ribosome and its subunits.
Mechanism of intragastric tetramethylammonium protection against 40% ethanol injury in rat stomach

The effect of tetramethylammonium (TMA), a ganglionic stimulant, on gastric mucosal injury induced by 40% ethanol was examined. In studies I–III, rats were treated with intragastric vehicle or TMA (1 or 10 mg/kg). In study I, 1 hr after the treatment, 40% ethanol was given intragastrically. The length of the linear corpus mucosal lesions was measured unbiasedly with a caliper after another hour. In study II, mean blood pressure was assessed before and after the treatment. In study III, 1 hr after the treatment, gastric mucus and juice volumes, and titratable acid were measured. In study IV, 40% ethanol (10 ml/kg) was administered intragastrically immediately after 0.2 or 1.4 ml of intragastric vehicle treatment. One hour later, gastric lesion score was assessed as in study I. Results show that (1) intragastric TMA dose-dependently protected against 40% ethanol-induced gastric injury; (2) neither dose of intragastric TMA increased mean blood pressure; (3) there was a dose-related increase in gastric mucus secretion for TMA 1 and 10 mg/kg, and a significant increase in gastric juice volume only for TMA 10 mg/kg; and (4) the rats treated with 1.4. ml of vehicle plus 40% ethanol had significantly less injury than those treated with 0.2 ml of vehicle plus 40% ethanol. We conclude that the protective effect of intragastric TMA can be explained by its dose-related effect in enhancing gastric mucus secretion for TMA 1 and 10 mg/kg and the significantly greater increase in gastric juice volume for TMA 10 mg/kg. Even though parenteral TMA is a recognized ganglionic stimulant, the protective effect of intragastric TMA is unlikely to be due to its ganglionic stimulatory property, as neither 1 nor 10 mg/kg intragastric TMA increases mean blood pressure. However, the possibility that intragastric TMA acts as a local stimulant of intramural ganglia cannot be excluded.
Ship-in-a-bottle synthesis of methylphenols in HSAPO-34 cages from methanol and air

The conversion of methanol to olefins on the silico-aluminophosphate solid acid catalyst HSAPO-34 usually requires methylbenzenes that function as scaffolds (reaction centers) for carbon−carbon bond making and breaking steps. Here, we report the first high-yield synthesis of heteroatom-substituted methylbenzenes in HSAPO-34 cages. When we metered 20% air into the He carrier gas during methanol conversion at 350 °C the methylbenzenes initially formed were partially oxidized in the HSAPO-34 cages to methylphenols with very high selectivity. 100% N2O was less effective than 20% air. Methylphenols proved to be substantially less active than methylbenzenes as reaction centers for methanol to olefin (MTO) catalysis on HSAPO-34. Even pentamethylphenol resisted the loss of methyl groups as olefin products, and phenols showed little carbon label scrambling into the ring during methanol conversion. Whereas 1:10 (mol:mol) toluene in methanol was very reactive on zeolite HZSM-5, 1:10 (mol:mol) p-cresol in methanol wa...
Perceptual organization based computational model for robust segmentation of moving objects

The role of perceptual organization in motion analysis has heretofore been minimal. In this work we present a simple but powerful computational model and associated algorithms based on the use of perceptual organizational principles, such as temporal coherence (or common fate) and spatial proximity, for motion segmentation. The computational model does not use the traditional frame by frame motion analysis; rather it treats an image sequence as a single 3D spatio-temporal volume. It endeavors to find organizations in this volume of data over three levels-signal, primitive, and structural. The signal level is concerned with detecting individual image pixels that are probably part of a moving object. The primitive level groups these individual pixels into planar patches, which we call the temporal envelopes. Compositions of these temporal envelopes describe the spatio-temporal surfaces that result from object motion. At the structural level, we detect these compositions of temporal envelopes by utilizing the structure and organization among them. The algorithms employed to realize the computational model include 3D edge detection. Hough transformation, and graph based methods to group the temporal envelopes based on Gestalt principles. The significance of the Gestalt relationships between any two temporal envelopes is expressed in probabilistic terms. One of the attractive features of the adopted algorithm is that it does not require the detection of special 2D features or the tracking of these features across frames. We demonstrate that even with simple grouping strategies, we can easily handle drastic illumination changes, occlusion events, and multiple moving objects, without the use of training and specific object or illumination models. We present results on a large variety of motion sequences to demonstrate this robustness.
Holoprosencephaly/arbinencephaly: A case with no biochemical adnormalities

f e ren t i a ted enterocytes a n d to their increased t u r n o v e r as well as to the ce l lu lar inf i l t rat ion of the propr ia . We are indebted to Dr. K. Zinger and Dr. M. Sedl~i~kov~t (Pediatric Clinics, Charles University, Prague) who permitted us to study their patients. The generous gift of p-iodonitrotetrazolium from Dr. H. Necheles (Department of Gastrointestinal Research, Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago) is gratefully acknowledged.
Brief strategic family therapy : Lessons learned in efficacy research and challenges to blending research and practice

In this article, we present key lessons that we have learned from (1) a long program of research on an empirically supported treatment, brief strategic family therapy (BSFT), and (2) our ongoing research and training efforts related to transporting BSFT to the front lines of practice. After briefly presenting the rationale for working with the family when addressing behavior problems and substance abuse in adolescent populations, particularly among Hispanic adolescents, we summarize key findings from our 30-year program of research. The article closes by identifying barriers to the widespread adoption of empirically supported treatments and by presenting current work within the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Clinical Trials Network that attempts to address these barriers and obstacles.
Recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone in 2008: focus on thyroid cancer management

Radioiodine (RAI) ablation following thyroidectomy is standard of care treatment for patients with intermediate or high risk differentiated thyroid cancer. Traditionally, this has been achieved by forgoing thyroid hormone replacement postoperatively, allowing endogenous thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to rise. This rise in TSH provides the stimulus for RAI uptake by the thyroid remnant, but is associated with clinical hypothyroidism and its associated morbidities. Recombinant human TSH (rhTSH, thyrotropin alfa [Thyrogen(®)], Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA) was developed to provide TSH stimulation without withdrawal of thyroid hormone and clinical hypothyroidism. Phase III studies reported equivalent detection of recurrent or residual disease when rhTSH was used compared with thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW). These trials led to its approval as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for serum thyroglobulin (Tg) testing with or without RAI imaging in the surveillance of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Recently, rhTSH was given an indication for adjunctive preparation for thyroid remnant ablation after phase III studies demonstrated comparable outcomes for rhTSH preparation when compared with THW. Importantly, rhTSH stimulation has been found to be safe, well tolerated, and to result in improved quality of life. Here, we review the efficacy and tolerability studies leading to the approval for the use of rhTSH in well-differentiated thyroid cancer management.
THE TWO-NUCLEON STRIPPING REACTION

Abstract Expressions for the angular distribution of the (α, d) reaction are derived. Explicit coupling schemes for even, odd-mass and odd target nuclei in the j - j limit are used to define the nuclear structure factors.
Bubble dynamics in a viscoelastic medium with nonlinear elasticity

In a variety of recently developed medical procedures, bubbles are formed directly in soft tissue and may cause damage. While cavitation in Newtonian liquids has received significant attention, bubble dynamics in tissue, a viscoelastic medium, remains poorly understood. To model tissue, most previous studies have focused on Maxwell-based viscoelastic fluids. However, soft tissue generally possesses an original configuration to which it relaxes after deformation. Thus, a Kelvin–Voigt-based viscoelastic model is expected to be a more appropriate representation. Furthermore, large oscillations may occur, thus violating the infinitesimal strain assumption and requiring a nonlinear/finite-strain elasticity description. In this article, we develop a theoretical framework to simulate spherical bubble dynamics in a viscoelastic medium with nonlinear elasticity. Following modern continuum mechanics formalism, we derive the form of the elastic forces acting on a bubble for common strain-energy functions (e.g. neo-Hookean, Mooney–Rivlin) and incorporate them into Rayleigh–Plesset-like equations. The main effects of nonlinear elasticity are to reduce the violence of the collapse and rebound for large departures from the equilibrium radius, and increase the oscillation frequency. The present approach can readily be extended to other strain-energy functions and used to compute the stress/deformation fields in the surrounding medium.
Pictorial depth cues: a new slant.

Pictorial depth cues such as perspective projection, aspect ratio, and texture gradients can specify mathematically the slant of a planar surface. We performed experiments to measure the accuracy of human perception of surface slant from these cues. We calculated the perceived slant from judgments of the relative lengths of a pair of orthogonal lines embedded in the surface. Our results indicate that slant judgments are accurate to within 3 deg. This level of accuracy was achieved whether the cues were luminance differences or equiluminous color differences. We found no evidence of the recession to the frontal plane that has been reported by Gibson [ J. J. Gibson , The Perception of the Visual World ( Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Mass., 1950)] and others. We did find evidence suggesting that subjects do not make accurate depth estimates of disconnected surfaces. This may be the source of the discrepancy between our measures and those of Gibson and others. This research, combined with previous findings, supports a model of perception that involves at least two and possibly more representations of space: one local veridical representation of surface orientation derived primarily from pictorial cues and another global representation of observer-centered distance derived primarily from binocular disparity and motion parallax.
Changes in the rate of DNA replication fork movement during S phase in mammalian cells.

Abstract DNA fiber autoradiography was used to measure the rate of replication fork movement and the size of replication units as a function of time during the S phase of synchronized Chinese hamster ovary cells. The rate of fork movement increased by about threefold from early S to later S phase, with the most dramatic change occurring in the first hour of S phase. On the other hand, the size of replication units did not vary significantly during S phase.
“Fair and Balanced?” Justice Issues on Political Talk Shows

Like their news program predecessors, many political talk shows focus a considerable amount of their coverage on justice issues. Although numerous past studies have examined justice issue presentation in news programs, infotainment, and crime drama, to date only one forthcoming study has examined crime and justice coverage on political talk shows. Political talk shows often present issues in a debate format, as well as emphasize the balanced nature of the content in advertising, with one program even using the slogan “fair and balanced.” Building upon the format of previous media studies, we analyzed a composite month of videotaped footage of three popular political talk shows appearing on cable networks: CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight, MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Mathews, and The O’Reilly Factor from the Fox News Channel. Using content analysis techniques, this study examines balance in the form and content of these programs in terms of presentation of justice issues, political party identification of hosts and guests and realistic presentations of race and gender in the context of crime and justice. Results indicate that these programs tend to adopt an advocacy tone rather than an objectivist one. Furthermore, we demonstrate that racial and gender portrayals of crime and justice on these shows are significantly distorted from reality, with a priority afforded to white female victims of violent crime and minority male offenders.
Pirates of the Caudovirales

Molecular piracy is a biological phenomenon in which one replicon (the pirate) uses the structural proteins encoded by another replicon (the helper) to package its own genome and thus allow its propagation and spread. Such piracy is dependent on a complex web of interactions between the helper and the pirate that occur at several levels, from transcriptional control to macromolecular assembly. The best characterized examples of molecular piracy are from the E. coli P2/P4 system and the S. aureus SaPI pathogenicity island/helper system. In both of these cases, the pirate element is mobilized and packaged into phage-like transducing particles assembled from proteins supplied by a helper phage that belongs to the Caudovirales order of viruses (tailed, dsDNA bacteriophages). In this review we will summarize and compare the processes that are involved in molecular piracy in these two systems.
NEWLY IDENTIFIED LINES IN THE Ne I ISOELECTRONIC SEQUENCES.

Grazing-incidence spectrometer and low inductance spark source used to study lines of high degrees of ionization of Sc, Ti, and V
Constitutive and transport-related endocytotic pathways in turtle bladder epithelium

Proton secretion in the urinary bladder of the fresh-water turtle is mediated by a proton pump located in the apical membrane of a population of cells characteristically rich in carbonic anhydrase. Earlier studies have demonstrated that these cells exhibit apical-membrane endocytotic and exocytotic processes which are thought to be involved in the regulation of the rate of proton transport via alterations in the number of pumps within the apical membrane. In this study, we sought to characterize these processes using two different methods. Analysis of transepithelial impedance yielded estimates of membrane capacitance which could be related to membrane area, thereby allowing one to monitor net changes in apical-membrane area resulting from changes in the net rates of endo-and exocytosis. Uptake of the fluid-phase marker FITC-dextran provided a measure of net extracellular volume uptake which was related to net rates of endocytosis. Our major conclusions are summarized as follows. The bladder cells exhibit a high baseline rate of endocytosis which appears to be a constitutive process similar to pinocytosis. This process is completely inhibited when ambient temperature is reduced to 15°C. In addition, serosal application of 0.5mm acetazolamide causes a transient increase in the rate of endocytosis, concomitant with a decrease in the rate of transport. Reduction of ambient temperature to 15°C reduces the rate of acetazolamide-induced endocytosis, but does not abolish it. Addition of 1mm serosal azide not only prevents the acetazolamide-induced increase in endocytosis, but also prevents the decrease in transport caused by acetazolamide. Azide has no effect on the baseline rate of endocytosis, nor does it prevent inhibition of carbonic anhydrase by acetazolamide. The specificity of azide, coupled with the different temperature sensitivities, demonstrate that the constitutive and transport-dependent endocytotic pathways are distinct processes. The observation that azide prevents both the acetazolamide-induced increase in endocytosis and the decrease in transport strongly supports the notion that endocytosis of proton-pump-containing membrane is requisite for the inhibition of transport by acetazolamide. Finally, the results also demonstrate that acetazolamide does not inhibit proton secretion simply by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase.
NKAP is a transcriptional repressor of notch signaling and is required for T cell development.

Summary T cell development depends on the coordinated interplay between receptor signaling and transcriptional regulation. Through a genetic complementation screen a transcriptional repressor, NKAP, was identified. NKAP associated with the histone deacetylase HDAC3 and was shown to be part of a DNA-binding complex, as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. NKAP also associated with the Notch corepressor complex. The expression of NKAP during T cell development inversely correlated with the expression of Notch target genes, implying that NKAP may modulate Notch-mediated transcription. To examine the function of NKAP in T cell development, we ablated NKAP by Lck cre . Loss of NKAP blocked development of αβ but not γδ T cells, and Nkap fl/o Lck cre DP T cells expressed 8- to 20-fold higher amounts of Hes1, Deltex1, and CD25 mRNA. Thus, NKAP functions as a transcriptional repressor, acting on Notch target genes, and is required for αβ T cell development.
Creating a Holistic Methodology to Evaluate the Performance of State Parks

As US states face budgetary constraints, lawmakers are seeking justification for investment in state funded and operated entities such as state parks. The purpose of this paper is to develop a state park evaluation model that takes into account economic and noneconomic measures of performance for a portfolio of state administered parks. Utilizing Louisiana state parks, a survey questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of 6,299 visitors to 18 state parks in Louisiana with overnight facilities. The total number of usable surveys was 1,499 for a response rate of 23.8%. Economic measures of performance showed that 12 out of the 18 (66.67%) state parks were labeled as stars (high popularity and high profitability), five (27.78%) were labeled as question marks (low popularity and low profitability), and one park was labeled as a plow horse (high popularity and low profitability). Noneconomic measures indicated that Louisiana state parks were higher than national percentages for good value for money ...
Efficient multiaccess scheme for linear lightwave networks

In this paper we study the synchronization problem that exists in the linear lightwave network (LLN), a recently proposed fiber-optic architecture. The currently proposed solution prevents efficient implementation of time division multiple access (TDMA) schemes for sharing the common broadcast medium. The problem is typical of passive optical networks with a tree physical topology. In this paper we propose to overcome the synchronization problem in LLN by properly selecting the routing of the optical signals. The proposed scheme provides efficient utilization of the multiaccess channel with relatively low synchronization complexity.
International influence in science: Beyond center and periphery

Abstract The global network of scientific influence has been described earlier as approximating a center and periphery constellation in which national scientific communities are stratified vertically by centrality, influence upon others in general, and centrality of a community has been explained by its creativity. By controlling for centrality, this study goes beyond the center-periphery conception and describes a network of particular influence among communities, segmented horizontally in six geopolitical regions of structurally equivalent communities. Particular influence by one community upon another is explained partly by intelligibility of the community's publications and collegial and educational ties between the communities; ties that are shaped by political-economic affinity, cultural cooperation, geographical propinquity, and language commonality between the countries.
Four American Aesopic Parodists: Bierce, Thurber, Zimler, and Eichenberg

AbstractCarlson considers four Americans who took Aesopic texts and created others that somehow transform the originals. For each author he asks two questions: What does he do with Aesop's stories? And what is the effect. For the latter three, there is also a small sampling of images. Bierce the cynic gives fables a surprising switch. The effects of surprise are to challenge rethinking and to suggest that things are worse than we thought. Thurber disrupts, divides, and denies traditional fables in order to undermine the easy validity people give to tradition. Zimler adds new morals or surprising new phases to traditional fables and pokes fun at the psychology of characters in order to create a humorous new interpretation for each fable. Eichenberg the social critic combines strong woodcuts and playful textst to present his own mix of amusement and accusation.
False-positive results of genetic testing in cystic fibrosis

Abstract We describe a patient in whom newborn immunoreactive trypsin screening and mutation analysis suggested a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis; however, the clinical course and sweat test results were not consistent with the diagnosis. Direct sequencing of the patient's genomic DNA showed compound heterozygosity for ΔF508 and F508C, a polymorphism not associated with clinical disease. (J Pediatr 1997;130:658-60)
Synthesis and chain flexibility of poly(cyclohexylethyl methacrylate)

The synthesis and characterization of fractions of poly(cyclohexylethyl methacrylate) (PCHEM) are reported. A combination low-angle laser light scattering and intrinsic viscosity experiments was employed to estimate the characteristic ratio (C∞) of this polymer. The value of 10.7 obtained for PCHEM is similar to the value of 11.3 found previously for poly(phenylethyl methacrylate) but is smaller than values measured for poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) and poly(cyclohexylmethyl methacylate) (C∞=11.6 and 11.9, respectively).
Stability and fluctuation in chemical systems

Fluctuations around the steady state in chemical reactions are discussed. The connection between the two approaches in the literature, the Langevin equation approach and the master equation approach, is shown in terms of a path integral.
Modes of Therapeutic Engagement Part I: Diplomacy and Integrity

Our topic concerns strategies of therapeutic discourse, four relational modes of speaking and listening, adopted with and without awareness: diplomacy, integrity, sincerity, and authenticity. The four modes are offered as conceptual tools to help the therapist build therapeutic relationships, respond to challenges and impasses, and advance group process and insight. They are navigated to cement bonding, build trust, allow troubled relationships to evolve and resolve, and strengthen the abilities to think and relate. Presented in two separate articles, in Part I the topic and its relationship to truth and falsity is introduced, and the modes of diplomacy and integrity are described. The discussion continues, in Part II, where the focus is on sincerity and authenticity, and the interrelationship among the four modes and their differing functions in the totality of the clinical situation is illustrated.
Sound spectra of gas dispersion in an agitated tank

Abstract Sound spectra of gas dispersion phenomena were obtained using a hydrophone and a spectrum analyzer at three locations (the sparge ring, the impeller and a position in the bulk of the tank) in an agitated tank as a function of gassing rate and impeller rotational speed. For the sparge ring, the spectra made it possible to distinguish between gas sparging controlled by the sparge ring itself and the natural volume pulsation frequency of the bubbles and gas sparging controlled by the impeller flow. Sound pressure level spectra, obtained for an impeller under various flooding and non-flooding conditions, showed harmonies in the sound pressure levels only for non-flooding conditions. The number and amplitude of the harmonics diminished as the impeller approached flooding. The sound pressure level spectra for a position in the bulk of the tank resonated with the impeller rotational speed in some cases in which the impeller was not flooded. In other cases in which the impeller was flooded, the sound pressure level spectra of the bulk of the tank resembled the impeller spectra at frequencies below 500 Hz.
A conjugative macrolide resistance gene, mef(A), in environmental Clostridium perfringens carrying multiple macrolide and/or tetracycline resistance genes

Aims: To determine if environmental Clostridium perfringens carry antibiotic resistance genes and if the genes are mobile. Methods and Results: Clostridium perfringens from water, soil and sewage (2003‐2006) were screened for the tetracycline and macrolide resistance genes previously described in animal and human C. perfringens [erm(B), erm(Q), tetA(P), tetB(P) and tet(M) genes] and the macrolide resistance mef(A) gene. Of the 160 isolates, 108 (67AE5%) carried ‡1 of the six antibiotic resistance gene(s). The tetA(P), tetB(P) and tet(M) genes were in 53%, 22% and 8%, and the erm(B), erm(Q) and mef(A) genes in 26%, 1% and 18% of the isolates, respectively. The mef(A) gene and flanking regions were sequenced. The tet(M), erm(B), erm(Q) and mef(A) genes transfer independently from C. perfringens donors to the Enterococcus faecalis recipient. Conclusions: Six resistance genes were found in the environmental C. perfringens with the most common being the tetA(P) gene and the erm(Q) gene the least common. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first time conjugal transfer of macrolide resistance genes and ⁄or the tet(M) gene from C. perfringens has been demonstrated. The data presented supports the hypothesis that antibioticresistant environmental C. perfringens are capable of acting as reservoirs for these antibiotic resistance genes.
Recent developments in superhydrophobic surfaces and their relevance to marine fouling: a review

In this review, a brief synopsis of superhydrophobicity (i.e. extreme non-wettability) and its implications on marine fouling are presented. A short overview of wettability and recent experimental developments aimed at fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces by tailoring their chemical nature and physical appearance (i.e. substratum texture) are reviewed. The formation of responsive/"smart" surfaces, which adjust their physico-chemical properties to variations in some outside physical stimulus, including light, temperature, electric field, or solvent, is also described. Finally, implications of tailoring the surface chemistry, texture, and responsiveness of surfaces on the design of effective marine fouling coatings are considered and discussed.
TH-C-18A-10: The Influence of Tube Current On X-Ray Focal Spot Size for 70 KV CT Imaging

Purpose: Focal spot blooming is an increase in the focal spot size at increased tube current and/or decreased tube potential. In this work, we evaluated the influence of tube current on the focal spot size at low kV for two CT systems, one of which used a tube designed to reduce blooming effects. Methods: A slit camera (10 micron slit) was used to measure focal spot size on two CT scanners from the same manufacturer (Siemens Somatom Force and Definition Flash) at 70 kV and low, medium and maximum tube currents, according to the capabilities of each system (Force: 100, 800 and 1300 mA; Flash: 100, 200 and 500 mA). Exposures were made with a stationary tube in service mode using a raised stand without table movement or flying focal spot technique. Focal spot size, nominally 0.8 and 1.2 mm, respectively, was measured parallel and perpendicular to the cathode-anode axis by calculating the full-width-at-half-maximum of the slit profile recording using computed radiographic plates. Results: Focal spot sizes perpendicular to the anode-cathode axis increased at the maximum mA by 5.7% on the Force and 39.1% on the Flash relative to that at the minimal mA, even though the mA was increasedmore » 13-fold on the Force and only 5- fold on the Flash. Focal spot size increased parallel to the anode-cathode axis by 70.4% on Force and 40.9% on Flash. Conclusion: For CT protocols using low kV, high mA is typically required. These protocols are relevant in children and smaller adults, and for dual-energy scanning. Technical measures to limit focal spot blooming are important in these settings to avoid reduced spatial resolution. The x-ray tube on a recently-introduced scanner appears to greatly reduce blooming effects, even at very high mA values. CHM has research support from Siemens Healthcare.« less
3′-Fluoro substitution in the pyridine ring of epibatidine improves selectivity and efficacy for α4β2 versus α3β4 nAChRs

Abstract The analog of epibatidine having a fluoro substituent at the 3′ position of the pyridine ring has been recently developed and shown to possess binding affinity in the pM range to α4β2 nAChRs and in the nM range to α7 nAChRs and to exhibit potent agonist activity in nicotine-induced analgesia tests. Here we used patch-clamp technique in a whole-cell configuration to compare functional activity of 3′-fluoroepibatidine to that of epibatidine by itself on recombinant α4β2, α7 and α3β4 neuronal nAChRs. The agonist effect of (±)-epibatidine was partial and yielded comparable EC50s of 0.012 μM (72% efficacy) and 0.027 μM (81% efficacy) at α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs, respectively, but was full at α7 nAChRs with an EC50 of 4.8 μM. Testing of the analog at different concentrations revealed that it acts as a full agonist with an EC50 of 0.36 μM at α4β2 nAChRs and induces partial agonist effect (66% efficacy) at α7 nAChRs with an EC50 of 9.8 μM and an IC50 corresponding to 225 μM. In contrast, the analog caused only 24% maximal activation at the range of concentrations from 0.1 to 100 μM and, in addition, induced an inhibition of α3β4 nAChR function with an IC50 of 8.3 μM. Our functional data, which are in agreement with previous binding and behavioral findings, demonstrate that 3′-fluoro substitution in the pyridine ring of epibatidine results in an improved pharmacological profile as observed by an increased efficacy and selectivity for α4β2 versus α3β4 nAChRs.
Strong structural properties of unidirectional star graphs

Day and Tripathi [K. Day, A. Tripathi, Unidirectional star graphs, Inform. Process. Lett. 45 (1993) 123-129] proposed an assignment of directions on the star graphs and derived attractive properties for the resulting directed graphs: an important one is that they are strongly connected. In [E. Cheng, M.J. Lipman, On the Day-Tripathi orientation of the star graphs: Connectivity, Inform. Process. Lett. 73 (2000) 5-10] it is shown that the Day-Tripathi orientations are in fact maximally arc-connected when n is odd; when n is even, they can be augmented to maximally arc-connected digraphs by adding a minimum set of arcs. This gives strong evidence that the Day-Tripathi orientations are good orientations. In [E. Cheng, M.J. Lipman, Connectivity properties of unidirectional star graphs, Congr. Numer. 150 (2001) 33-42] it is shown that vertex-connectivity is maximal, and that if we delete as many vertices as the connectivity, we can create at most two strong connected components, at most one of which is not a singleton. In this paper we prove an asymptotically sharp upper bound for the number of vertices we can delete without creating two nonsingleton strong components, and we also give sharp upper bounds on the number of singletons that we might create.
Culture of two cell rabbit eggs in chemically defined media

Abstract A total of 1437 two-celled eggs were cultured for 48 h, then transferred to pseudopregnant recipients. When cultured in serum or modified F-10 medium, 87 and 83 per cent of the eggs, respectively, cleaved to 16 or more blastomeres. When these eggs were transferred to pseudopregnant recipients which were sacrificed 5 days p.c., 27 and 30 per cent, respectively, of the eggs recovered had blastulated and expanded to an average outer zonal diameter of 473 and 605 μ and an inner zonal diameter of 465 and 600 μ, respectively. When eggs were cultured in modified F-10 media lacking in glycine, l -serine, l -glutamine plus l -glutamic acid, l -tryptophan, or l -methionine, 88, 90, 91, 89, and 91 percent, respectively, cleaved to 16 or more blastomeres. Blastulation occurred in 41, 44, 38, 44, and 34 per cent, respectively, upon transfer to pseudopregnant recipients. Glycine, l -serine, l -glutamine plus l -glutamic acid, l -tryptophan, or l -methionine were not required in the culture medium for cleavage of two-celled rabbit eggs to the morula stage. There was no deleterious effect evident on the further development of these cultured eggs to the late blastocyst stage in vivo .
A review of lithium-ion battery properties of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in light of seminal assumptions on the viability of V2G

In 2005 Kempton and Tomic laid out a vision for V2G which presumed that use of V2G technology could provide a high revenue stream to early plug-in electric vehicles, enabling market penetration of relatively high cost, early-to-market electric drive vehicles. The descriptions of performance requirements of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) in support of grid services, as stated by Kempton and Tomic in 2005 are reviewed in light of what is presently known about lithium-ion battery technology. Stated differences in the timing and frequency of demand for power and/or storage in support of (1) peak power, (2) spinning reserves, and/or (3) regulation are reviewed in light of the U.S. Department of Energy goals for battery performance and the known properties of different lithium-ion battery chemistries. Lithium-ion batteries are discussed. Properties of different chemistries are noted.
Effects of various empennage parameters on the aerodynamic characteristics of a twin-engine afterbody model

An experimental investigation to determine the effects of various empennage parameters on aft-end drag and tail interference drag characteristics of a twin-engine, axisymmetric nozzle, afterbody model has been conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel. Model variables included: horizontal tail location; vertical tail location, toe angle, cant angle, configuration (single and twin) and airfoil (Symmetrical and cambered); and tail booms. Tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.6 to 1.2 and over an angle-of-attack range from -2 to 10 deg. Nozzle pressure ratio was varied from jet off to approximately 10.0.
A brief episode of hypotension increases mortality in critically ill trauma patients.

Objective: Hypotension is associated with increased mortality, however previous studies have failed to account for the depth and duration of hypotension. We evaluated the effect of the duration of hypotension on outcome in injured patients. Methods: Trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from 1999 to 2000 were prospectively evaluated. Patients transferred to a ward ≤ 48 hours after admission were excluded. The lowest systolic blood pressure and duration of all episodes of systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg were recorded along with the total ICU length of stay and discharge status. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson X 2 , and test for trend were used for analysis. Results: Patients with hypotension during the first 24 hours of ICU care had an increased mortality rate. A brief (≤ 10 minutes) episode of hypotension was associated with increased mortality that increased with duration of hypotension (p = 0.0001). ICU length of stay also increased with duration of hypotension (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Brief episodes of hypotension are associated with an increased risk of death in patients requiring admission to the ICU after injury and a longer ICU recovery for those who survive.
Phenotyping and Genetic Analysis of Root and Shoot Traits of Recombinant Inbred Lines of Bread Wheat Under Well-Watered Conditions

Phenotyping root traits and understanding their inheritance are critical for crop improvement, as the root system plays an important role in crop performance under well-watered and drought conditions. A set of 118 F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) derived from the cross Iran #49 (a landrace) × Yecora Rojo (a standard variety) plus the two parents was used to phenotype root traits at mid-tillering stage and at physiological maturity in sand-tube experiments under well-watered conditions. Iran #49 and Yecora Rojo were different for grain yield per plant (20.4 vs.13.8), shallow-root weight per plant (5.3 vs. 1.3 g, roots developed between 0 and 30 cm), deep-root weight per plant (4.5 vs. 0.5 g, roots developed below 30 cm), and root biomass per plant (9.8 vs. 1.8 g). Although there were significant differences among the RILs for number of roots longer than 30 cm, total length of roots longer than 30 cm, longest root, shallow-root weight, deep-root weight, and root bioma...
The properties of the disk system of globular clusters

A large refined data sample is used to study the properties and origin of the disk system of globular clusters. A scale height for the disk cluster system of 800-1500 pc is found which is consistent with scale-height determinations for samples of field stars identified with the Galactic thick disk. A rotational velocity of 193 + or - 29 km/s and a line-of-sight velocity dispersion of 59 + or - 14 km/s have been found for the metal-rich clusters.
Position and velocity sensitivities at the triangular libration points

The model of the circular restricted problem of three bodies is used to investigate the sensitivity of the third body motion when it is given a positional or velocity deviation away from the L4 triangular libration point. The x-axis is used as a criteria for defining the stability of the third body motion. Poincare's surfaces of section are used to compare the regions of periodic, quasi-periodic and stochastic motion to the trajectories found using the definition of stability (not crossing the x-axis) defined in this study. Values of the primary/secondary mass ratios (μ) ranging from 0 to the linear critical value 0.038521... are investigated. Using this new form of stability measure, it is determined that certain values of μ are more stable than others. The results of this study are compared, and found, to give agreeable results to other studies which investigate commensurabilities of the long and short period terms of periodic orbits.
An ab initio study of the geometry, energy, and selected force constants for the three planar conformers of carbonic acid, and the bicarbonate ion; and of the energy for the reaction H2O + CO2 → H2CO3

Ab initio calculations using the unscaled 4-31G basis set have been carried out on the cc, tc, and tt conformers of carbonic acid and the bicarbonate ion, with full geometry optimization assuming the structures to be planar. The complete harmonic force field is reported for the (most stable) tt conformer and for the bicarbonate ion, also selected quadratic force constants for the cc and tc conformers. The changes in certain bond lengths and stretching force constants in the cc → tc, tc → tt, and cc → tt conformer conversion reactions are indicative of intramolecular hydrogen bonding, CO…HO and HO…HO, which is examined in greater detail by partitioning the overall conformer conversion energy into distortion and bonding energy components. The fundamental vibration frequencies for the tt conformer and the bicarbonate ion are calculated from the force constant matrices, and hence, using a scaling factor based on a comparison of calculated and experimental values for the bicarbonate ion and trans-formic acid, a value is predicted for the zero-point energy of the tt conformer. A new estimate of ΔH˚ for the hydration reaction, H2O + CO2 → H2CO3, at 298 K in the gas phase; is made from thermochemical data, +20.2 ± 3.4 kJ mol−1, which, together with estimates of (H298˚ – H0˚) and the zero-point energy for H2CO3, gives +8.1 ± 7.0 kJ mol−1 for ΔET(expt). ΔET calculated from the 4-31G basis set data is -29.1 kJ mol−1. Comparison of the experimental value, the Hartree–Fock limit value, and values calculated with a variety of basis sets for the bond separation reaction, CO2 + CH4 → 2H2CO, suggests that the differences, ΔET(expt) minus ΔET(SCF), are due mainly to basis set limitations and not substantial correlation energy contributions.