cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of breathing 100 per cent oxygen at 1 and 3 atmospheres absolute on the accumulation of 3 H-lysine into different brain regions, plasma, muscle and liver of ethanol-anesthetized and unanesthetized rats.

The effect of breathing 100 % oxygen at 1 and 3 atmospheres absolute was studied in relation to the accumulation of 3H-lysine into different brain regions, plasma, muscle and liver of ethanol-anesthetized and unanesthetized rats, as well as into the TCA-precipitable protein (PCF) of brain, plasma, muscle and liver. It was shown that hyperoxia at 1 and 3 ATA caused a depression of the 3H-lysine accumulation into the hypothalamus and cerebellum of unanesthetized rats two hours after the injection of the amino acid. Hyperoxia at 3 ATA also caused a depression of lysine accumulation into white matter 2 hours after injection. No changes were noted in the ethanol-anesthetized rats. By group analysis, there was also a depression of 3H-lysine accumulation in the cerebral grey matter in the 1 ATA animals at both levels of anesthesia. Hyperoxia at 1 and 3 ATA caused a depression in the 3H-lysine accumulation into plasma protein at two and three hours in unanesthetized rats and had somewhat more variable effects in the anesthetized animals. In the skeletal muscle, hyperoxia caused an increase in amino acid accumulation in animals breathing 100 % 02 at 3 ATA as compared to those breathing air or 100 % oxygen at 1 ATA when compared by group analysis of whole tissue. Analysis of the muscle PCF revealed a depression in lysine uptake associated with anesthesia (group analysis), and changes in all groups related to time elapsed since injection of labelled amino acid. Finally, 02 at 1 ATA was observed to depress amino acid accumulation while 02 at 3 ATA had no effect in the unanesthetized rats. In the liver, there was a significant depression of 3H-lysine accumulation in those animals breathing 100 % oxygen at 1 ATA as compared to controls in both the ethanol-anesthetized and unanesthetized rats. 3H-lysine accumulation
On the Intrinsic and Cosmological Signatures in Gamma-Ray Burst Time Profiles: Time Dilation

The time profiles of many gamma-ray bursts consist of distinct pulses, which offers the possibility of characterizing the temporal structure of these bursts using a relatively small set of pulse shape parameters. We have used a pulse decomposition procedure to analyze the time-to-spill (TTS) data for all bursts observed by BATSE up through trigger number 2000, in all energy channels for which TTS data is available. We obtain amplitude, rise and decay timescales, a pulse shape parameter, and the fluences of individual pulses in all of the bursts. We investigate the correlations between brightness measures (amplitude and fluence) and timescale measures (pulse width and separation), which may result from cosmological time dilation of bursts, or from intrinsic properties of burst sources, or from selection effects. The effects of selection biases are evaluated through simulations. The correlations between these parameters among pulses within individual bursts give a measure of the intrinsic effects, while the correlations among bursts could result from both intrinsic and cosmological effects. We find that timescales tend to be shorter in bursts with higher peak fluxes, as expected from cosmological time-dilation effects, but we also find that there are noncosmological effects contributing to this inverse correlation. We find that timescales tend to be longer in bursts with higher total fluences, contrary to what is expected from cosmological effects. We also find that peak fluxes and total fluences of bursts are uncorrelated, indicating that they cannot both be good distance indicators for bursts.
Building A Layered Database for Design Automation

A layered approach is presented for the database of a distributed, interactive design automation system. Levels of abstraction are described from the point of view of the bottom-up designer. The controversy between the relational and network database formats is explored in the central abstraction: an object-oriented layer which attempts to select the advantages of each of these two formats while avoiding their respective disadvantages. This object-oriented approach treats each of many logical views of the database in its own most optimal fashion and then allows the database system to evolve over time.
An application of Guignard's generalized Kuhn-Tucker conditions

Necessary conditions are given for a real-valued function to have a minimum subject to an inequality constraint. Under the appropriate hypotheses, the problem is demonstrated to be a special case of the type of problem to which Guignard's Kuhn-Tucker theorem can be applied.
Survival, Growth, and Prey of Esocidae in Experimental Systems

Abstract Survival (July to November) of young-of-the-year esocids stocked in 0.2-hectare experimental ponds in Missouri was: muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), 24%; northern pike (Esox lucius), 58%; and the F1 hybrid of these two species (commonly called the “tiger muskie”), 74%. Survival of yearlings from April to September was: muskellunge, 80%; northern pike, 90%; and hybrids, 85%. Growth rate of yearlings of all three forms was rapid in late spring, declined to a seasonal low in July, and then increased until the ponds were drained in September. Average weight gain of the hybrids (719 g) during their second year of life in ponds was significantly greater than that of northern pike (617 g) or muskellunge (615 g). Maintenance diets (grams of food per gram of fish) calculated for fish in tanks (1.2 × 4.8 × 1.1 m) for 28-day periods were as follows: northern pike, 0.23; muskellunge, 0.51; and hybrids, 0.62. Food conversion efficiencies in tanks were: northern pike, 29.0%; muskellunge, 25.0%; and hybrids, 22....
Effect of weight loss on cardiac chamber size, wall thickness and left ventricular function in morbid obesity

Abstract To determine cardiac chamber size, wall thickness and left ventricular (LV) systolic function in morbidly obese patients, M-mode and cross-sectional echocardiography was performed in 62 patients whose body weight was ≥ twice their ideal weight but who were free from underlying organic heart disease and systemic hypertension. The initial clinical protocol consisted of a medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram at rest, chest x-ray and echocardiogram. Thereafter, each patient underwent gastric restriction. Thirty-four patients returned for follow-up echocardiography 4.3 ± 0.3 months after substantial weight loss was achieved. For the whole group (n = 62) and LV internal dimension in diastole was enlarged in 24 (39%), the right ventricular internal dimension was enlarged in 20 (32%), the left atrial dimension was enlarged in 25 (40%) and the ventricular septal and LV posterior wall thickness was increased in 35 (56%). In the 34 patients who returned for follow-up, mean body weight decreased significantly, from 135 ± 8 to 79 ± 6 kg (73 ± 4% of the amount over ideal body weight). In the subgroup with low preoperative LV fractional shortening (n = 13), mean LV fractional shortening increased from 22 ± 2% to 31 ± 2% (p
Gershgorin Theory for Stiffness and Stability of Evolution Systems and Convection-Diffusion,

Abstract An analysis of stiffness and stability based on Gershgorin theorems for eigenvalues is developed for initial value systems. In particular, semidiscrete formulations for evolution problems are analysed. Common techniques such as semidiscrete finite difference and finite element methods are examined using eigenvalue bounds to characterize stiffness and stability of the associated systems. The analysis is applied to a prototype convection-diffusion problem to demonstrate the arguments and clarify several current questions concerning the qualitative nature of the solution and errors, including effects of: “lumped” versus “consistent” finite element formulations; high- or low-degree bases; mesh refinement, dimensionality and differing material properties. To study general initial value systems such as those arising in consistent finite element formulations, a generalized Gershgorin theory and computable bounds in the chordal metric are utilized.
Sexual Fantasies and Gender/Sex: A Multimethod Approach with Quantitative Content Analysis and Hormonal Responses

Research links explicit sexuality (e.g., physical attraction and pleasure) to high testosterone (T) and nurturance (loving contact) to low T. Engaging in sexual fantasy, which can include explicit sexual and nurturant elements, increases T in women but not in men. We examined whether individual differences in the explicit sexual and nurturant content of fantasy were linked with T or with estradiol (E2). In addition, we explored whether fantasy content differed or overlapped by gender/sex. Participants (26 women, 23 men) provided saliva samples for hormones before and after imagining a self-defined positive sexual encounter and responding to open-ended questions about the situation they imagined. We systematically content-coded responses for explicit sexual and nurturant content. In men, lower inclusion of nurturant content predicted larger T responses to fantasy. Fantasy content was not linked with T in women or with E2 in women or men. Women and men did not differ significantly in explicit sexual and nur...
SIMULTANEOUS ASSIMILATION OF AMMONIUM AND NITRATE BY GELIDIUM NUDIFRONS (GELIDIALES: RHODOPHYTA)1

SUMMARY Simultaneous assimilation of NH4 and NO3 by Gelidium nudifrons Gardner was observed in culture experiments of 4 possible combinations of NH4 and NO3. The combinations tested were those in which the concentration of both N sources were in the range of 3.0–4.0 μg-atN · l−1; both in the range of 0.5–1.0 μg-atN · l−1; one in the 3.0–4.0 μg-atN · l−1 range and the other in the 0.5–1.0 μg-atN · l−1 range; and, visa versa. The data suggest that the pools of both NH4 and NO3 are simultaneously available for algal assimilation.
Experimental Study of Boiling Heat Transfer From a Sphere Embedded in a Liquid-Saturated Porous Medium

Boiling heat transfer from a sphere embedded in a porous medium composed of nonheated glass particles was studied under steady-state and transient quenching conditions. In the experiments, the diameter of the nonheated glass particles forming the porous layers was varied parametrically. Freon-113 was used as the test liquid. Experimental results showed that the maximum heat flux increased monotonically with increasing glass particle diameter and approached an asymptotic value corresponding to the maximum heat flux obtained in a pool free of glass particles. It was also observed that the minimum heat flux was nearly insensitive to the particle size and the film boiling heat transfer coefficient increased slightly with decreasing particle size. In the nucleate boiling region, the heat transfer coefficient showed a much weaker dependence on wall superheat in the presence of particles. Transient data indicated that the surface temperature was not uniform during quenching. Therefore, different maximum heat fluxes were obtained depending on the location of the thermocouple whose temperature history was employed in recovering the transient boiling curve. However, for some applications, cooling rates predicted by imposing the steady-state boiling curve may not be in large error.
Sex differences in social interaction behaviors in rats are mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 expression in the medial prefrontal cortex

Considerable sex differences occur in the incidence and prevalence of anxiety disorders where women are more anxious than men, particularly in situations where social interaction is required. In preclinical studies, the social interaction test represents a valid animal model to study sex differences in social anxiety. Indeed, female rats engage less in conspecific interactions than their male counterparts, which are behaviors indicative of higher social anxiety in female rats. In this work, we implicated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in mediating social interaction. Indeed, female rats' had lower ERK2 expression compared to male rats, and overexpression of ERK2 in the mPFC increases their social interaction to the level seen in their male counterparts. These data indicate that the sexually dimorphic expression of ERK2 mediates social anxiety-like behaviors.
Patient advocacy in newborn screening: Continuities and discontinuities†

In the 1960s, patient advocacy groups were instrumental in efforts to mandate state testing of newborns for phenylketonuria (PKU), a recessively inherited disorder of phenylalanine metabolism. Advocacy groups have continued to actively lobby for the expansion of screening to other conditions detectable in newborns and, currently, for states' adoption of a uniform core screening panel. They have also been generally favorable to the offer of fee-based supplemental screening services. In the early years of newborn screening, groups such as the National Association for Retarded Children (NARC) were strongly imbued with a public-health ethic. This ethic has apparently eroded over time as the result of both broad social changes and the increasing entanglement of such groups with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. A history of newborn screening reveals both continuities and discontinuities in the agendas and funding of patient advocacy groups and in their rhetorical strategies. In particular, it demonstrates that there have always been tensions as well as partnerships with medical and other professionals, although the nature and intensity of the former have been affected by advocacy groups' increasing numbers, resources, and cultural authority. It also illuminates differences that have emerged as advocacy groups have informally allied with industry and adopted new rationales in support of access to testing.
Thin films of sulfides for high-density optical storage by photon-gated hole burning

In the form of micro-particles europium doped alkaline earth sulfides have been shown to exhibit high density of permanent spectral holes. The photon-gated spectral holeburning (PGHB) in these systems provided the most promising characteristics of any material known to date. These spectral holes can be used as optical memory. However, for any optical storage device either large size single crystals or thin films are required. Thin films of these materials are grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique. This fast and simple growth technique is superior the single crystal growth or the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) as far as the holeburning properties are concerned. Transparent glassy MgS:Eu and CaS:Eu films have been grown and tested for the spectral holeburning properties. Critical parameters such as the relative concentration of Eu2+ and Eu3+, and optical quality of thin films have been investigated. Int his paper we report on the growth and the high-density optical holeburning in these films. The density of spectral holes has been further increased by burning in multiple Eu-centers in a material and by depositing multiple layers of thin films of different materials in a stack.
DBD Plasma Actuators for Flow Control in Air Vehicles and Jet Engines - Simulation of Flight Conditions in Test Chambers by Density Matching

Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) Plasma actuators for active flow control in aircraft and jet engines need to be tested in the laboratory to characterize their performance at flight operating conditions. DBD plasma actuators generate a wall-jet electronically by creating weakly ionized plasma, therefore their performance is affected by gas discharge properties, which, in turn, depend on the pressure and temperature at the actuator placement location. Characterization of actuators is initially performed in a laboratory chamber without external flow. The pressure and temperature at the actuator flight operation conditions need to be simultaneously set in the chamber. A simplified approach is desired. It is assumed that the plasma discharge depends only on the gas density, while other temperature effects are assumed to be negligible. Therefore, tests can be performed at room temperature with chamber pressure set to yield the same density as in operating flight conditions. The needed chamber pressures are shown for altitude flight of an air vehicle and for jet engines at sea-level takeoff and altitude cruise conditions. Atmospheric flight conditions are calculated from standard atmosphere with and without shock waves. The engine data was obtained from four generic engine models; 300-, 150-, and 50-passenger (PAX) aircraft engines, and a military jet-fighter engine. The static and total pressure, temperature, and density distributions along the engine were calculated for sea-level takeoff and for altitude cruise conditions. The corresponding chamber pressures needed to test the actuators were calculated. The results show that, to simulate engine component flows at in-flight conditions, plasma actuator should be tested over a wide range of pressures. For the four model engines the range is from 12.4 to 0.03 atm, depending on the placement of the actuator in the engine. For example, if a DBD plasma actuator is to be placed at the compressor exit of a 300 PAX engine, it has to be tested at 12.4 atm for takeoff, and 6 atm for cruise conditions. If it is to be placed at the low-pressure turbine, it has to be tested at 0.5 and 0.2 atm, respectively. These results have implications for the feasibility and design of DBD plasma actuators for jet engine flow control applications. In addition, the distributions of unit Reynolds number, Mach number, and velocity along the engine are provided. The engine models are non-proprietary and this information can be used for evaluation of other types of actuators and for other purposes.
The Moderating Effects of Performance Ambiguity on the Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Performance

Recent research (e.g., Vancouver & Kendall, 2006; Vancouver, Thompson, Tischner, & Putka, 2002; Vancouver, Thompson, & Williams, 2001) has challenged the conventional view of self-efficacy as a positive influence on performance, finding a negative within-person relationship between self-efficacy and performance. In the current study, performance ambiguity is examined as a potential boundary condition for this negative self-efficacy effect. As hypothesized, self-efficacy was negatively related to subsequent performance under conditions of high ambiguity but was positively related to performance when performance ambiguity was low. Additionally, the study evaluates key mediating processes underlying the relationship between self-efficacy and performance, finding support for the role of performance perceptions and effort allocation. The results of this study help to establish the scope of the phenomenon and suggest potential means of inhibiting the negative self-efficacy effects.
Logical reasoning in natural language: It is all about knowledge

A formal, computational, semantically clean representation of natural language is presented. This representation captures the fact that logical inferences in natural language crucially depend on the semantic relation of entailment between sentential constituents such as determiner, noun, adjective, adverb, preposition, and verb phrases.
Identification of nuclear hormone receptor pathways causing insulin resistance by transcriptional and epigenomic analysis

Insulin resistance is a cardinal feature of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a frequent complication of multiple clinical conditions, including obesity, ageing and steroid use, among others. How such a panoply of insults can result in a common phenotype is incompletely understood. Furthermore, very little is known about the transcriptional and epigenetic basis of this disorder, despite evidence that such pathways are likely to play a fundamental role. Here, we compare cell autonomous models of insulin resistance induced by the cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α or by the steroid dexamethasone to construct detailed transcriptional and epigenomic maps associated with cellular insulin resistance. These data predict that the glucocorticoid receptor and vitamin D receptor are common mediators of insulin resistance, which we validate using gain- and loss-of-function studies. These studies define a common transcriptional and epigenomic signature in cellular insulin resistance enabling the identification of pathogenic mechanisms.
Effects of propranolol on anomalous pathway refractoriness and circus movement tachycardias in patients with preexcitation

Abstract Electrophysiologic effects of intravenous propranolol, 0.1 mg/kg, were evaluated in 18 patients with anomalous pathways utilizing intracardiac stimulation and recording. Fourteen patients had Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and four had concealed ventricular preexcitation. Anomalous pathway effective refractory period could be measured during the control period and after propranolol administration in nine patients and was 304 ± 7.5 (mean ± standard error of the mean) and 304 ± 8.3 msec, respectively (difference not significant). Ventricular paced 1:1 ventriculoatrial (V-A) conduction (reflecting retrograde anomalous pathway conduction) measured in 12 patients was intact during both the control period and after propranolol at rates of 170 to 200/min. Sustained paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia was induced in 14 patients during the control period and in 10 after propranolol (in 4 of whom the tachycardia could not be sustained because of atrioventricular [A-V] nodal refractoriness). Mean cycle length of tachycardia in these 10 patients was 328 ± 18 (control) and 352 ± 19 msec (propranolol) ( P In conclusion: (1) Propranolol has an insignificant effect on both anterograde and retrograde anomalous pathway properties. (2) In most cases, propranolol does not interfere with induction of sustained circus movement tachycardia. However, it does produce a statistically significant but slight slowing of the rate of tachycardia. (3) In a minority of cases, propranolol inhibits induction of sustained paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia by increasing A-V nodal refractoriness.
On existence theorems of periodic traveling wave solutions to the two-dimensional korteweg-devries equation

The two-dimensional generalized Korteweg-deVries equation is considered. We show the existence of nonconstant periodic traveling wave solutions. The equation is converted into a nonlinear integral equation using the Green's function method. We then employ the Schauder's fixed point theorem to establish the result. An example is given for the case of f(u) = 2u 3,i.e., the modified KdV equation
Identification and characterization of two mature isoforms of retinoschisin in murine retina

Retinoschisin (RS) is a 24 kDa secreted protein expressed in retina and is required for the structural and functional integrity of the retina. RS has been predicted to serve as an adhesive protein but the precise molecular mechanism by which it functions in retina is not yet known. During investigations on structural and functional aspects of RS in murine retina using proteomic tools, we identified two isoforms of RS that differed in mass by 200 Da with no apparent change in charge. Mass spectra and amino acid sequence analysis of the tryptic peptides revealed that these isoforms differed by two amino acids at the N-terminus which suggested processing of RS signal sequence at two cleavage sites by signal peptidase as the basic mechanism underlying the occurrence of two mature RS isoforms in retina. Bioinformatic analysis identified two potential cleavage sites (between amino acids 21-22 and 23-24) in RS signal sequence. The flexibility of the signal peptidase to cleave at two sites is correlated to the amino acid composition of the RS signal sequence. This finding represents a rare example of a naturally occurring signal sequence cleavage at more than one site in vivo.
Side-Slipping Locomotion of a Miniature, Reconfigurable Limb/Tread Hybrid Robot

Holonomic behavior is desirable in the tight confines of a rubbled, collapsed-structure environment. But arbitrary motion is difficult to achieve, mechanically, particularly since treads are the most common form of locomotive device in search and rescue robots. We are developing a reconfigurable suite of locomotive modules that permit side-slipping locomotion. Initially designed as add-on modules to the TerminatorBot limbed crawler to create limb/tread hybrid robots, the modules can also be assembled with one another to produce holonomic differential drive robots, as well. This paper describes the design of a transverse tread module with unique buckling grousers that creates a tread/limb hybrid robot capable of both forward locomotion and transverse locomotion. Also described is a two-dimensional tread module that provides motive force in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Two of these modules together in a differential drive configuration provides true holonomic capability. The addition of articulated linkages between modules provides holonomic serpentine behavior.
Contributions of glycogen to astrocytic energetics during brain activation

Glycogen is the major store of glucose in brain and is mainly in astrocytes. Brain glycogen levels in unstimulated, carefully-handled rats are 10–12 μmol/g, and assuming that astrocytes account for half the brain mass, astrocytic glycogen content is twice as high. Glycogen turnover is slow under basal conditions, but it is mobilized during activation. There is no net increase in incorporation of label from glucose during activation, whereas label release from pre-labeled glycogen exceeds net glycogen consumption, which increases during stronger stimuli. Because glycogen level is restored by non-oxidative metabolism, astrocytes can influence the global ratio of oxygen to glucose utilization. Compensatory increases in utilization of blood glucose during inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase are large and approximate glycogenolysis rates during sensory stimulation. In contrast, glycogenolysis rates during hypoglycemia are low due to continued glucose delivery and oxidation of endogenous substrates; rates that preserve neuronal function in the absence of glucose are also low, probably due to metabolite oxidation. Modeling studies predict that glycogenolysis maintains a high level of glucose-6-phosphate in astrocytes to maintain feedback inhibition of hexokinase, thereby diverting glucose for use by neurons. The fate of glycogen carbon in vivo is not known, but lactate efflux from brain best accounts for the major metabolic characteristics during activation of living brain. Substantial shuttling coupled with oxidation of glycogen-derived lactate is inconsistent with available evidence. Glycogen has important roles in astrocytic energetics, including glucose sparing, control of extracellular K+ level, oxidative stress management, and memory consolidation; it is a multi-functional compound.
Evaluation of memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Increasing evidence suggests that disturbances in glutamatergic activity play an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Excessive glutamate-mediated activation of NMDA receptors, for example, may contribute to the neuronal death that characterises AD. On the other hand, physiological activation of the NMDA receptor appears necessary for normal cognitive function. Therefore, compounds that finely modulate NMDA receptor activity hold promise as treatments for AD. Memantine (Namenda, Axura, Ebixa; Forest Laboratories, Inc., Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, H. Lundbeck A/S) is a low-moderate affinity, uncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonist that appears to block pathological, but not physiological, activation of the NMDA receptor. Consequently, therapeutic doses of the drug are well-tolerated and do not seem to interfere with the acquisition or processing of cognitive information. Memantine has been shown to improve symptoms and reduce the rate of clinical deterioration among patients with moderate-to-severe AD and was approved in the US for this indication in October 2003. This review provides a brief rationale for the development of memantine as a therapy for AD, as well as an overview of the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of this novel therapeutic agent.
Genetic Assessment of Species Ranges in Fundulus heteroclitus and F. grandis in Northeastern Florida Salt Marshes

Abstract The limits of species ranges can be determined by a number of biotic and abiotic interactions, and in areas where closely related species overlap, some degree of reproductive isolation must exist in order for them to remain distinct. Understanding these interactions is essential for understanding what limits species distributions or causes hybridization. Fundulus heteroclitus (Mummichog) and Fundulus grandis (Gulf Killifish) are two closely related species with similar morphologies and ecological niches. Both species have widespread distributions that overlap in northeastern Florida. In the present study, two highly divergent loci (one nuclear and one mitochondrial) were utilized to distinguish these fundulid species in order to identify their ranges and to detect hybrids. Analysis of specimens collected along a north to south gradient in northeastern Florida salt marshes established that a relatively sharp transition (≈38 km) from relatively pure Mummichog populations to relatively pure F. grand...
Privacy preservation services: challenges and solutions

The current Internet architecture was designed at a time when many of the current network applications did not even exist. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to deploy new and secure services on the Internet. Hence, a new Internet architecture is required to address the security and usability issues that affect the current Internet. In this paper, we examine the current Internet architecture from various security and user perspectives using two privacy services and propose some architectural guidelines and principles for the future Internet Architecture. The two aforementioned privacy services that we chose are: i) anonymous communication services and ii) identity management systems. We examine the challenges in implementing anonymous communication services, and identity management systems and identify the problems with existing solutions for these challenges. Based on the problems identified in the current Internet architecture, we propose a virtualization-motivated set of architectural principles and design rules for the future Internet.
Decomposition of P(CH3)3 on Ru(0001): comparison with PH3 and PCl3

Abstract The decomposition of P(CH3)3 adsorbed on Ru(0001) at 80 K is studied by soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. Using the chemical shifts in the P 2p core levels, we are able to identify various phosphorus-containing surface reaction products and follow their reactions on Ru(0001). It is found that P(CH3)3 undergoes a step-wise demethylation on Ru(0001), P(CH3)3 → P(CH3)2 → P(CH3) → P, which is complete around ∼450 K. These results are compared with the decomposition of isostructural PH3 and PCl3 on Ru(0001). The decomposition of PH3 involves a stable intermediate, labeled as PHx, and follows a reaction of: PH3 → PHx → P, which is complete around ∼190 K. The conversion of chemisorbed phosphorus to ruthenium phosphide is observed and is complete around ∼700 K on Ru(0001). PCl3 also follows a step-wise decomposition reaction, PCl3 → PCl2 → PCl → P, which is complete around ∼300 K. The energetics of the adsorption and the step-wise decomposition reactions of PH3, PCl3 and P(CH3)3 are estimated using the bond order conservation Morse potential (BOCMP) method. The energetics calculated using the BOCMP method agree qualitatively with the experimental data.
The dual-drive concept of product innovation

Neither technology nor markets can drive product innovation by themselves. They need each other for optimum performance. T raditional wisdom on new products says that a firm should be either market driven or technology d r iventhat is, give the market either what it wants or what technologists believe it will want. Quaker gave us cinnamonflavored instant oatmeal. Edwin Land gave us the Polaroid Camera and Polavision. This view is simplistic, and in yesterday's world it worked pretty well. But research shows that top players know the push-pull approach is wrong today. These people want push and pu l l -a market drive and a technology dr ive--a t the same time. For example, pharmaceutical firms are said to be technology driven; but their research centers are staffed with MDs (customers), and they have the world's best set of market data on disease incidence and needs. In the same vein, "consumer-driven" Procter & Gamble (PG service firms often become technology driven because of their fixed base of service facilities.
Renal Infection Due to Adenovirus in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Opportunistic viral infections in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are well described, but reports of morbidity or mortality caused by adenoviruses among this patient population are uncommon despite the frequent isolation of adenoviruses from patients with HIV infection. At autopsy we found necrotizing adenovirus infection of renal tubules in a patient with cytomegalovirus infection of the colon and adrenal glands. The tissue damage we describe in this report adds to the spectrum of findings for patients with asymptomatic adenovirus infection of the urinary tract.
Is contact lens “T” still important?

We studied oxygen supply to the contact lens covered cornea by means of a complex calculation method. We measured lens thicknesses, both centrally and at a 3mm peripheral location, of a range of optical powers of two different spherical silicone hydrogel contact lens designs (manufactured by Ciba Vision and Bausch & Lomb) and one "traditional" hydrogel. Using the measured values of lens thickness and the nominal oxygen permeabilities of these three plastics, we calculated the oxygen tension level in the tear layer posterior to the contact lens and anterior to the cornea and the oxygen flux through these contact lenses, under both open- and closed-eye conditions. We conclude that variable thicknesses of the silicone hydrogel contact lenses does not significantly affect the oxygen tension in the entrapped tear layer, given their high oxygen diffusion coefficients, under open-eye conditions, and probably only minimally under closed-eye conditions as well.
Dimerization of NO and transformation to N2O on Ge()

Abstract Temperature-programmed desorption studies of submonolayer coverages of nitric oxide (NO) on a Ge(1 0 0) (2×1) surface have previously determined the non-dissociative nature of the adsorption of NO on Ge(1 0 0) at 110 K. Subsequent electron bombardment results in electron-stimulated desorption of N 2 O and N 2 at that temperature, without heating, which is attributed to the formation of NO dimers on the cold surface. This conclusion is supported by studies of adsorbed layers of N 2 O, which is adsorbed at least partly non-dissociatively, and which yields little desorption of the parent N 2 O molecule when bombarded with electrons.
Neurofilament dynamics: a tug of war by microtubule motors

Structural support for axons, which can consist of volumes thousands of times larger than the neuronal perikaryon, is provided in part by neurofilaments (NFs), the major fibrous constituent of the axonal cytoskeleton. Most NFs undergo anterograde transport (towards the synapse or growth cone), while a few undergo retrograde transport (back towards the perikaryon). Some NFs exhibit an extended residence time along axons, which allows NFs to provide structural support to the axon yet minimizes NF turnover, which would otherwise impart a prohibitive metabolic burden upon the neuron. Herein, we explore known and hypothesized roles for microtubule motors in transport and distribution of NFs along axons. We present evidence that those NFs that display extended residence along axons are critically dependent upon surrounding microtubules, and that simultaneous interaction with multiple microtubule motors provides the architectural force regulating their distribution.
Coordinating Synaptic Growth without Being a Nervous Wreck

The function and regulation of actin-cytoskeletal dynamics during synaptic growth is poorly understood. In this issue of Neuron, Coyle et al. report the identification of nervous wreck (nwk), a synapse-specific adaptor molecule in Drosophila that regulates synaptic growth and morphology via Wasp, a well-characterized mediator of actin dynamics.
The persistent effects of minimum legal drinking age laws on drinking patterns later in life.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to permissive minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws not only affects young adults in the short term, but also later in life; for example, individuals who could legally purchase alcohol before the age of 21 are more likely to suffer from drinking problems as older adults, long after the laws had been changed. However, it is not known how permissive MLDA exposure affects specific drinking behavior. This present study uses changes in MLDA laws during the 1970s and 1980s as a natural experiment to investigate the potential impact of permissive MLDA exposure on average alcohol consumption, frequency of drinking, and patterns of binging and more moderate, nonheavy drinking. METHODS: Policy exposure data were paired with alcohol use data from the 1991 to 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey and the 2001 to 2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Past-year drinkers born between 1949 and 1972 (n = 24,088) were included. Average daily intake, overall drinking frequency, and frequency of both binge episodes (5+ drinks) and days without a binge episode (nonheavy drinking) for the previous year at the time of interview were tracked for each respondent. RESULTS: Exposure to permissive MLDAs was associated with higher odds to report frequent binging and lower odds to report any moderate drinking; these associations were largely driven by men and those who did not attend college. Overall drinking frequency and average alcohol consumption were not affected by MLDA exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to legally purchase alcohol before the age of 21 does not seem to increase overall drinking frequency, but our findings suggest that it is associated with certain types of problematic drinking behaviors that persist into later adulthood: more frequent binge episodes and less frequent nonheavy drinking. We also propose that policymakers and critics should not focus on college drinking when evaluating the effectiveness of MLDAs. Language: en
Skiing the black diamond slope: Progress on the biochemistry of translesion DNA synthesis

Progress in this fundamental area of biology has been slow for two major reasons. One is the complex regulatory circuit governing umuDC expression and …
Interactions of Nonaqueous Solvents with Textile Fibers Part III: The Dynamic Shrinkage of Polyester Yarns in Organic Solvents1

'rhe broad spectrum of interactions hetween a polyester yarn and different organic solvents has been investigated with a new experimerltal methocl called dynamic shrinkage. This technique is based on the measurement of the length changes of polyester yarns immersed in a solvent at programmed rates of heating.The dynamic shrinkage curves of a polyester yarn in various solvents are usually composed of a noncquilibrium and an equilibrium shrinkage region. From the former, it is possible to estimate the activation energies for the shrinkage process. From the equilibrium shrinkages, two analytical approaches have been used to estimate the glass-transition temperatures of about 22 polyester-solvent systems. The lowering of the glass-transition temperature of polyester by organic solvents is expressed as a function of their total solubility parameter. A bimodal distribution with interaction maxima at solu bitity parameter values of 10 and 12 is observed. 'I'he effects of solvent-induced crystallization on the tr...
Inhibition of thyroxine induced tail resorption in vitro by pituitary grafts from different stages of metamorphosis

It has been previously demonstrated that isolated pieces (discs) from the tail fins of tadpoles (R. pipiens), survive in vitro for several weeks and respond to thyroxine by undergoing resorption. In addition, discs into which tadpole pituitary glands have been implanted or discs that have been injected with either prolactin or growth hormone undergo a delayed pattern of resorption on expsoure to thyroxine when compared to discs treated with thyroxine alone. Pituitaries were taken from early prometamorphic, climax and froglet stages and were implanted into tail discs cut from tadpoles in early prometamorphosis. These discs were maintained in thyroxine solutions. As controls, unimplanted discs were treated with thyroxine or maintained in Hanks solution. In a second series of experiments, tail discs were cut from tadpoles at progressive stages of prometamorphosis and treated with thyroxine solutions. The results demonstrate that pituitaries taken from different stages in the life cycle of this animal differ in their capacity to inhibit thyroxine induced tail resorption. The most effective inhibition is demonstrated by early prometamorphic pituitaries, followed by climax pituitaries. Froglet glands exhibit little activity. The results also demonstrate that the response of tail tissues to thyroxine increases during early prometamorphosis and with increasing rapidity during the last third of this period. These results are in harmony with the concept that amphibian metamorphosis may be dependent upon a bihormonal system in which thyroid hormone promotes while a prolactin-like hormone counteracts this process.
A peer-to-peer approach to resource location in grid environments

Computational grids provide mechanisms for sharing and accessing large and heterogeneous collections of remote resources such as computers, online instruments, storage space, data, and applications. Resources are requested by specifying a set of desired attributes. Resource attributes have various degrees of dynamism, from mostly static attributes, such as operating system version, to highly dynamic ones, such as available network bandwidth or CPU load. Another dimension of dynamism is introduced by variable and highly diverse sharing policies: resources are made available to the grid community based on locally defined and potentially changing policies.
Mechanical ventilation and air leaks after lung biopsy for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background Open lung biopsy in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may provide a specific etiology and change clinical management, yet concerns about complications remain. Persistent air leak is the most common postoperative complication. Risk factors in this setting are not known. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 53 patients who underwent open lung biopsy for clinical ARDS (based on American European Consensus Conference criteria) between 1989 and 2000. Results Sixteen patients (30.2%) developed an air leak lasting more than 7 days or died with an air leak. Univariate analyses showed no significant correlation with age, gender, sex, corticosteroid use, diabetes, immunocompromised status, or pathologic diagnosis. A lower risk of air leak was associated with lower peak airway pressure and tidal volume, use of pressure-cycled ventilation, and use of an endoscopic stapling device. In multivariate analyses, only peak airway pressure remained a significant predictor. The risk of prolonged air leak was reduced by 42% (95% confidence interval [CI: 17% to 60%]) for every 5 cm H2O reduction in peak airway pressure. Conclusions The use of a lung-protective ventilatory strategy that limits peak airway pressures is strongly associated with a reduced risk of postoperative air leak after open lung biopsy in ARDS. Using such a strategy may allow physicians to obtain information from open lung biopsy to make therapeutic decisions without undue harm to ARDS patients.
Effects of soil water content on soil respiration in forests and cattle pastures of eastern Amazonia

The effect of soil water content on efflux of CO 2 from soils has been described by linear, logarithmic, quadratic, and parabolic functions of soil water expressed as matric poten- tial, gravimetric and volumetric water content, water holding capacity, water-filled pore space, precipitation indices, and depth to water table. The effects of temperature and water content are often statistically confounded. The objectives of this study are: (1) to analyze seasonal variation in soil water content and soil respiration in the eastern Amazon Basin where seasonal temperature variation is minor; and (2) to examine differences in soil CO2 emissions among primary forests, secondary forests, active cattle pastures, and degraded cattle pastures. Rates of soil respiration decreased from wet to dry seasons in all land uses. Grasses in the active cattle pasture were productive in the wet season and senescent in the dry season, resulting in the largest seasonal amplitude of CO2 emissions, whereas deep-rooted forests maintained substantial soil respiration during the dry season. Annual emissions were 2.0, 1.8, 1.5, and 1.0 kg C m 2 yr 1 for primary forest, secondary forest, active pasture, and degraded pasture, respectively. Emissions of CO2 were correlated with the logarithm of matric potential and with the cube of volumetric water content, which are mechanistically appropriate functions for relating soil respiration at below-optimal water contents. The parameterization of these empirical functions was not consistent with those for a temperate forest. Relating rates of soil respiration to water and temperature measurements made at some arbitrarily chosen depth of the surface horizons is simplistic. Further progress in defining temperature and moisture functions may require measurements of temperature, water content and CO2 production for each soil horizon.
On some cryptographic solutions for access control in a tree hierarchy

We consider the access control problem in a system where users and information items are classified into security classes organized as a rooted tree, with the most privileged security class at the root. In practice we expect such a tree to be quite broad and shallow. It is also inevitable that new security classes will need to be added as the needs of the organization evolve. We compare some cryptographic techniques which have been proposed in the literature for solution of this problem.
Optimizing large area coverage from multiple satellite-sensors

Rapid damage information collection and dissemination during the disaster emergency response phase is a very important remote sensing-based approach. For large disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, multiple satellite-sensor overpasses with varying pointing angles are required to fully cover the large impact area. This article presents an optimization model for satellite image acquisition planning utilizing geographic space, time and collection scenario requirements. An online remote-sensing planning tool prototype implementing the optimization model and algorithm is provided for disaster management agencies and emergency response decision-makers to get ranked satellite image acquisition plans.