cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Interpretation of the Compaction Performance and Mechanical Properties of Caffeine Cocrystals: A Polymorphic Study.

The 1:1 caffeine (CAF) and 3-nitrobenzoic acid (NBA) cocrystal (CAF:NBA) displays polymorphism. Each polymorph shares the same docking synthon that connects individual CAF and NBA molecules within the asymmetric unit; however, the extended intermolecular interactions are significantly different between the two polymorphic modifications. These alternative interaction topologies translate to distinct structural motifs, mechanical properties, and compaction performance. To assist our molecular interpretation of the structure-mechanics-performance relationships for these cocrystal polymorphs, we combine powder Brillouin light scattering (p-BLS) to determine the mechanical properties with energy frameworks calculations to identify potentially available slip systems that may facilitate plastic deformation. The previously reported Form 1 for CAF:NBA adopts a 2D-layered crystal structure with a conventional 3.4 A layer-to-layer separation distance. For Form 2, a columnar structure of 1D-tapes is displayed with CAF:NBA dimers running parallel to the (110) crystallographic direction. Consistent with the layered crystal structure, the shear modulus for Form 1 is significantly reduced relative to Form 2, and moreover, our p-BLS spectra for Form 1 clearly display the presence of low-velocity shear modes, which support the expectation of a low-energy slip system available for facile plastic deformation. Our energy frameworks calculations confirm that Form 1 displays a favorable slip system for plastic deformation. Combining our experimental and computational data indicates that the structural organization in Form 1 of CAF:NBA improves the compressibility and plasticity of the material, and from our tabletability studies, each of these contributions confers superior tableting performance to that of Form 1. Overall, mechanical and energy framework data permit a clear interpretation of the functional performance of polymorphic solids. This could serve as a robust screening approach for early pharmaceutical solid form selection and development.
Joint Frequency-Setting and Pricing Optimization on Multimodal Transit Networks at Scale

Modern public transportation systems are increasingly complex: they are operated on a large scale, must support booming urban populations, and run under tight budget constraints. Additionally, pass...
Ligand geometry directs the packing and symmetry of one-dimensional helical motifs in lead oxide naphthoates and biphenylcarboxylates

Extended inorganic hybrids are highly tunable, with changes in the identity of each component giving rise to a variety of different architectures and symmetries. Lead oxide carboxylates are a family of extended inorganic hybrids in which inorganic substructures based on edge-sharing Pb4O tetrahedra are further coordinated by carboxylate ligands. It has previously been shown that the dimensionality of these compounds correlates with the noncoordinating to coordinating volume ratio of the organic ligand. Here, we present five novel lead oxide carboxylates – two with isomeric naphthoate ligands and three with isomeric biphenylcarboxylate ligands – in order to address the role of ligand geometry in directing the spatial arrangement and symmetry of inorganic motifs in these compounds. The compounds have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. In these compounds, the spatial arrangement of helical inorganic chains is controlled by the extent to which ligands on a given chain fill space immediately surrounding that chain. Noncovalent interaction index calculations have been undertaken for the naphthoate compounds in order to visualize the role of aromatic-aromatic interactions in stabilizing the structures. The structural patterns found here may be applicable to other hybrid systems containing one-dimensional, extended inorganic substructures.
Sites of Origin and Cerebrospinal Fluid Concentration Gradients

Determination of neurotransmitter precursors, neurotransmitters, and their metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has recently become a popular method for studying pathological and drug-induced alterations in central nervous system metabolism of living patients. According to Moir et al.,58 interpretation of this CSF analysis requires the absence of CSF contamination with peripheral neurotransmitters and their metabolites. The CSF should also reflect the chemical composition of adjacent areas of nervous tissue. Unfortunately, CSF circulation, regional selective neurochemical absorption, and pathological alterations in the blood-CSF barrier complicate data evaluation.
The nature of MS-13 in the American context: a transnational comparison

By focusing on the case of Northern Virginia (NOVA) and comparing it to the countries of the Central American Northern Triangle, this article argues that, in contrast to the dominant narrative, MS-...
Two Investors, Two Trees, Two Goods

I characterize the global solution to the portfolio problem of two heterogeneous investors with general preferences, in a two-tree, two-good environment. Investors have recursive preferences and a bias in consumption towards a preferred good. The framework highlights the role of the allocation of wealth across investors for portfolios, asset prices, and risk sharing, an aspect that had received little emphasis in such a setting. The influence of the allocation of wealth grows especially as markets become imperfectly integrated, and as investor heterogeneity rises -- be it through a larger bias in consumption, the introduction of labor income, or asymmetries in preferences -- to the point where it can match or surpass the impact of fundamentals. The framework lends itself to several applications and extensions, e.g. in international or environmental contexts.
Recent advances on metal oxide-based luminescence thermometry

Luminescence thermometry alleviates the difficulties associated with conventional methods for thermal sensing and provides outstanding opportunities for non-contact thermometry with high sensitivity and resolution. Among various luminescence thermometry probes, doped metal oxide phosphors with low toxicity, high chemical, thermal and photo-stability, and wide band gaps which can incorporate a wide variety of doping ions have been considered as the most favorite ones. The emergent development of doped metal oxide phosphors utilized in this field necessitates a categorization from a materials point of view. Although there are several books and review articles on luminescence thermometry, there is no reported review categorizing thermometric metal oxide phosphors from a materials’ perspective. Hence, we have performed a detailed survey in this article on the latest advancements in metal oxide-based thermometric phosphors doped with lanthanides and/or transition metals with downshifting and upconversion emissions. We cover the two most utilized read-out methods for thermometry, i.e., luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) and rise/decay time thermometry determined by either single or multiple emitting centers. Regarding the LIR method, two electronic transitions among various possible energy levels are commonly explored for obtaining high thermal sensitivity, so here we have focused on reviewing various employed luminescent ions in terms of their explored electronic transitions in host materials. Thermometers are generally evaluated by their measured temperature accuracy and range within which they can function properly. Correspondingly we have discussed the luminescence thermometric performance of investigated metal oxide phosphors based on their reported sensitivity values and working temperature ranges via either of the read-out methods. We have also discussed some challenges and perspectives of metal oxide-based phosphors at the end of this review. The thermometric metal oxide-based phosphors and their achieved thermometric performance categorized in this review are expected to stimulate the search for a whole new set of thermometric phosphors for fundamental studies and potential applications.
Routine Repeat Imaging may be Avoidable for Asymptomatic Pediatric Patients with Renal Trauma

Summary Introduction AUA Urotrauma guidelines for renal injury recommend initial nonoperative management followed by repeat CT imaging for stable patients with deep lacerations or clinical signs of complications. Particularly in pediatric patients where caution is taken to limit radiation exposure, it is not known whether routine repeat imaging affects clinical outcomes. Objective Our objective was to determine whether routine repeat imaging is associated with urologic intervention or complications in nonoperatively managed pediatric renal trauma. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 337 pediatric patients with blunt and penetrating renal trauma from a prospectively collected database from 2005 to 2019 at a Level I trauma center. Exclusion criteria included age >18 years old, death during admission (N=39), immediate operative intervention (N=28), and low-grade renal injury (AAST grades I-II, N=91). Routine repeat imaging was defined as reimaging in asymptomatic patients within 72 hours of initial injury. Patients were placed into three imaging groups consisting of: (A) those with routine repeat imaging, (B) those reimaged for symptoms, or (C) those not reimaged. Comparisons were made using logistic regression controlling for grade of renal injury. Results Of the included 179 children, 44 (25%) underwent routine repeat imaging, 20 (11%) were reimaged for symptoms, and 115 patients (64%) were managed without reimaging. Compared to patients who were reimaged for symptoms, asymptomatic patients in the routine repeat imaging group and without reimaging group were significantly less likely to develop a complication (16% and 7% vs. 55%, p Conclusion Despite suffering high-grade (III-IV) renal injuries, the majority of pediatric patients who remained asymptomatic during the first three days of hospitalization did not require a urologic intervention. Foregoing repeat imaging was not associated with a higher rate of complications or delayed procedures, supporting that routine repeat imaging may expose these children to unnecessary radiation and may be avoidable in the absence of signs or symptoms of concern.
Biotechnological Upgrading of Petroleum

The focus on upgrading petroleum has been on sulfur, but the ability to metabolize organonitrogen compounds may be particularly important because organonitrogen compounds are associated with the majority of metals in petroleum. Sulfur is present in crude oil almost exclusively as organic sulfur. While there are multiple types of organosulfur compounds, such as mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, and thiophenes, the most abundant form of sulfur in petroleum is usually thiophenic. Thiophenic sulfur often comprises 50 to 95% of the sulfur in crude oil and petroleum products, and alkylated derivatives of dibenzothiophene (DBT) are the most common organosulfur compounds typically found in crude oil and diesel. Integrating a biodesulfurization process into a refinery is the only way to treat a product such as diesel. Biodesulfurization could fit well with current practices in the petroleum industry if performed in conjunction with desalting and dewatering operations. The removal of organically bound nitrogen from petroleum without the loss of significant calorific value requires the selective cleavage of carbon-nitrogen bonds. The sulfur and nitrogen content is of environmental concern, due to potential sulfurous and nitrous emissions from petroleum combustion. Metals, and to a lesser extent sulfur and nitrogen, present in heavy crude oils can contaminate catalysts used in hydrodesulfurization, limiting the effectiveness of current technologies to remove sulfur and nitrogen from these oils.
Fast Motion Tracking of Tagged MRI Using Angle-Preserving Meshless Registration

Fast tracking of motion is the key step towards tagged MRI-based quantitative cardiac analysis. Existing motion tracking approaches, including the widely used HARP method, are either time consuming or qualitatively inconsistent, or both. We present in this paper a new fast motion tracking method based on a meshless kernel. For MR image sequences containing multiple image frames, tag intersections are automatically detected in all frames and indexed in the first frame. Then a thin plate spline approach is used to establish a point-to-point correspondence between tag intersections in the initial and the current frame. Lastly, we use a meshless registration kernel to generate a dense displacement map that minimizes the residual of sparse motion at intersections. To further improve the motion tracking, we develop a special technique to preserve tangential angles of tags at tag intersections. We tested our new method on both numerical phantoms and in vivoheart data. The motion tracking results are evaluated against the ground truth and manually drawn tags. Clinical application potential is demonstrated by cardiac strain analysis based on the proposed methodology.
The Role of Referent and Expert Power in Mutual Help

This study explored the roles of referent power (i.e., influence based on sense of identification) and expert power (i.e., influence based on knowledge and expertise) in Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA), a mutual-help group for persons experiencing a schizophrenia-related illness. The study describes SA participants' experience of referent and expert power with SA members, SA leaders, and with mental health professionals. It also examines whether or not referent and expert power ascribed to fellow SA participants predicts the perceived helpfulness of the group. One hundred fifty-six SA participants were surveyed. Participants reported experiencing higher levels of referent power with fellow SA members and leaders than with mental health professionals. They reported higher levels of expert power for mental health professionals and SA leaders than for SA members. The respondents' ratings of their SA group's helpfulness was significantly correlated with ratings of referent and expert power. Although expert power was the best independent predictor of helpfulness, a significant interaction between referent and expert power indicated that when members reported high referent power, expert power was not related to helpfulness. These results are interpreted to suggest that there are multiple forms of social influence at work in mutual help.
Evaluation of e-rater® for the Praxis I® Writing Test

Automated scoring models were trained and evaluated for the essay task in the Praxis I® writing test. Prompt-specific and generic e-rater® scoring models were built, and evaluation statistics, such as quadratic weighted kappa, Pearson correlation, and standardized differences in mean scores, were examined to evaluate the e-rater model performance against human scores. Performance of the scoring model was also evaluated across different demographic subgroups using the same statistics. Additionally, correlations for automated scores with external measures were observed for validity evidence. Analyses were performed to establish appropriate agreement thresholds between human and e-rater scores for unusual essays and to examine the impact of using e-rater on operational scores and classification rates. The generic e-rater scoring model was recommended for operational use to produce contributory scores within a discrepancy threshold of 1.5 with a human score.
A new digital servo-tracking control theory using subspace stabilization techniques

The paper presents a new theory for the design of digital servo tracking controllers that can achieve a high level of servo tracking performance in the face of uncertain plant disturbances. This theory applies to multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) linear time invariant systems subjected to multivariable, time varying servo commands and disturbances.
Kleene's three valued logics and their children

Kleene’s strong three-valued logic extends naturally to a four-valued logic proposed by Belnap. We introduce a guard connective into Belnap’s logic and consider a few of its properties. Then we show that by using it four-valued analogs of Kleene’s weak three-valued logic, and the asymmetric logic of Lisp are also available. We propose an extension of these ideas to the family of distributive bilattices. Finally we show that for bilinear bilattices the extensions do not produce any new equivalences.
Cholinergic inhibition of short (outer) hair cells of the chick's cochlea

Cochlear hair cells are thought to be inhibited by the release of ACh from efferent neurons. Several studies have implicated Ca2+ as a postsynaptic intermediary in hair cell inhibition, but its role remains unproven. We have made whole-cell, tight-seal recordings from single short hair cells (the avian analog of outer hair cells in the mammalian cochlea), isolated from the chick's cochlea, to determine the mechanism of cholinergic inhibition. These cells hyperpolarized upon exposure to ACh, although a brief depolarization preceded the much larger, longer- lasting hyperpolarization. In voltage clamp ACh evoked an outward current that reversed in sign near the K+ equilibrium potential. A small, transient inward current preceded the predominant outward current. The ACh-evoked K+ current depended on Ca2+ in the external saline, or could be prevented when the cell was dialyzed with the rapid Ca2+ buffer BAPTA. In BAPTA-loaded cells a residual inward current was seen. This activated with very little delay upon exposure of the cell to ACh and reversed near 0 mV membrane potential. Thus, the hair cell ACh receptor appears to be a nonspecific cation channel through which Ca2+ enters and triggers the opening of nearby Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. However, the ACh-evoked K+ channels are not the same as the “maxi” K+ channels activated by Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in these same cells.
Sex-Role Egalitarian Ism Scale Development, Psychometric Properties, and Recommendations for Future Research

The Sex-Role Egalitarianism Scale (SRES) was developed to measure attitudes toward the equality of women and men across content domains representing marital, parental, employment, social-interpersonal-heterosexual, and educational roles. The instrument exists in four versions: two alternate 95-item full forms and two alternate 25-item abbreviated forms. Reliability indices derived from a classical test-theory approach, multifaceted generalizability procedures, and an item-response theory-based analysis all support consistency or precision of measurement. Evidence for convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity is presented, along with a series of recommendations for future psychometric and substantive research using the scale.
Gaba stimulation of 3H-diazepam binding in aged mice

Abstract Specific 3H-diazepam binding to washed brain membranes from C57BL/6 mice of different age groups (3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months) was studied in the absence and presence of 30 μM GABA. GABA treatment was found to be effective in decreasing the KD of 3H-diazepam binding of approximately 50% in all age groups tested (mean control KD = 6.5 nM, mean GABA-treated KD = 3.2 nM). No significant changes with age were observed in benzodiazepine receptor KD or Bmax in the presence or absence of GABA.
Dilute Al–Mn alloys for superconductor device applications

Abstract We discuss results on the superconducting and electron-transport properties of Mn-doped Al produced by sputter deposition. The critical temperature of Al has been systematically reduced to below 50 mK by doping with 1000–3000 ppm Mn. Values of the α parameter are in the range of 450–500, indicating sharp normal-to-superconductor transitions. This material is thus of significant interest for both transition-edge sensors operating in the 100 mK regime and superconductor/insulator/superconductor and superconductor/insulator/normal devices, in the latter case where appropriately doped Al–Mn replaces the normal metal.
Quick identification of Type I restriction enzyme isoschizomers using newly developed pTypeI and reference plasmids

Although DNA-recognition sequences are among the most important characteristics of restriction enzymes and their corresponding methylases, determination of the recognition sequence of a Type-I restriction enzyme is a complicated procedure. To facilitate this process we have previously developed plasmid R-M tests and the computer program RM search. To specifically identify Type-I isoschizomers, we engineered a pUC19 derivative plasmid, pTypeI, which contains all of the 27 Type-I recognition sequences in a 248-bp DNA fragment. Furthermore, a series of 27 plasmids (designated 'reference plasmids'), each containing a unique Type-I recognition sequence, were also constructed using pMECA, a derivative of pUC vectors. In this study, we tried those vectors on 108 clinical E. coli strains and found that 48 strains produced isoschizomers of Type I enzymes. A detailed study of 26 strains using these 'reference plasmids' revealed that they produce seven different isoschizomers of the prototypes: EcoAI, EcoBI, EcoKI, Eco377I, Eco646I, Eco777I and Eco826I. One strain EC1344 produces two Type I enzymes (EcoKI and Eco377I).
Correction [to "On the realizability of special classes of autonomous sequential networks"]

The author of the paper, "On the Realizability of Special Classes of Autonomous Sequential Networks," which appeared on pp. 791-797 of the December, 1965, issue of these Transactions, has called to the attention of the Editor corrections on pages 792 (including relation (2), and 796 (including Figure 5).
Anthocyanins in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The Lamiaceae family, which includes basil, sage, and thyme, has long been recognized as a rich source of diverse and unique anthocyanins. The development of intensely purple pigmented basil in the...
Impacts of foreign investment on sustainable development in a Chilean mining region

The desert mining region of Antofagasta, Chile, enjoyed spectacular economic growth in the 1990s as a result of foreign direct investment (FDI), mainly in the exploitation of the region’s rich copper deposits. In a country considered by international financial institutions to be a good example of economic performance, Antofagasta has been termed a model region,and Chile’s economic and social development in the 1990s has been considered a suitable model for other Latin American countries. However, development indices based on statistical data must be examined with caution, as human welfare does not necessarily keep pace with economic growth. This article analyses the Antofagasta Region in terms of problems that may occur in conjunction with accelerated economic growth, and how these can affect the environment, as well as the regional labour market. The article also examines a regional economic strategy for Antofagasta recently proposed by the local government, and suggests new alternatives for the sustainable economic development of the region.
Electroplate-and-Lift (E&L) Lithography on Reusable, Patterned Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) Templates for Rapid Prototyping of Micro- and Nanowires.

As device sizes are scaled down nearly to their atomic limits, the development of economically viable methods which may continue to improve device performance in accordance with Moore’s Law becomes ever more challenging. The recently developed technique of Electroplate-and-Lift (E&L) lithography promises to be an inexpensive, widely applicable method for the reproducible, controlled fabrication of micro- and nanostructures. In this study, E&L is applied to the fabrication of patterned copper micro- and nanowires as a model system. Copper wires with diameters ranging from 10 μm to 200 nm have been produced using a single ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD)™ template, by varying only the electroplating time. To quantify the relationship between copper wire diameter and deposition time, wires were electroplated at -0.4 V vs. the saturated calomel electrode (SCE) for durations between 2.5 and 160 s, then imaged by optical microscopy and/or scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Images were analyzed by identifying wire segments with ImageJ and examining the statistical distribution of wire diameters using Excel. This analysis verified theoretical predictions of a linear dependence between mean wire diameter and the square root of growth time.
Differential effects of cortical lesions in infant and adult cats on roughness discrimination.

Clinical evidence indicates that central neural damage occurring in infancy does not produce as severe behavioral impairment as equivalent injury in the adult. Kennard's experimental studies on the primate motor cortex support this conclusion (4, 5, 6). The present study demonstrates an analogous phenomenon in the somatic sensory system. The behavioral effects of ablation of somatic sensory areas I and II in newborn cats were compared with results of equivalent lesions inflicted on mature animals. Six months after operation these two groups of animals with lesions and matching normal control groups were trained on four stages of roughness discrimination of progressing difficulty: (a) very rough versus smooth; (b) various degrees of roughness versus smooth; (c) very rough versus least rough; (d) various degrees of roughness versus three standard grades of roughness. With one exception, all animals operated at maturity were unable to learn even the simplest (very rough versus smooth) discrimination. By contrast, all animals operated in infancy were indistinguishable from normal on all but the most difficult tasks. The differential results could not be attributed to differences in extent of lesions or age at testing and must be related to some normal characteristic of the nervous system which changes in ontogeny.
Hirschsprung Disease and Use of Calretinin in Inadequate Rectal Suction Biopsies

Context.—Up to 17% of all rectal suction biopsies performed in the evaluation of Hirschsprung disease are considered inadequate. In most instances, inadequate biopsies contain too little submucosa or are taken within the anal transition zone. Objectives.—To examine the utility of calretinin stain in the workup of inadequate biopsies for patients with clinical suspicion of Hirschsprung disease. Design.—A retrospective analysis was conducted of all rectal suction biopsies performed in the evaluation of Hirschsprung disease during the previous 12 years that were considered “inadequate.” Seventeen cases were identified, and Hirschsprung disease status was determined by clinical or surgical follow-up. Immunohistochemistry for calretinin was performed for all cases containing columnar mucosa, which were evaluated without knowledge of clinical course. Results.—All 12 patients without Hirschsprung disease had calretinin-positive nerve fibers in the lamina propria or muscularis mucosae, and all 5 patients with Hir...
The Silencing of Recess Bells

(2001). Issues in Education: The Silencing of Recess Bells. Childhood Education: Vol. 77, The Global Village, pp. 319-320.
A novel attractant for Mexican fruit fly,Anastrepha ludens, from fermented host fruit.

Chemicals from fermented chapote fruit were identified and evaluated as attractants for hungry adult Mexican fruit flies in laboratory and greenhouse bioassays. Twenty-eight chemicals identified from an attractive gas-chromatography fraction were as attractive as a chapote volatiles extract (CV) when mixed in the same amounts found in CV. Sixteen of the chemicals were slightly attractive to flies when tested individually. A mixture containing 15 of the chemicals by design and the 16th as an impurity, in arbitrary concentrations, was at least as attractive as the original CV. In a series of experiments, the number of chemicals was reduced to three by elimination of unnecessary components. The three-component mixture retained the attractiveness of the 15-component mixture. The three chemicals were 1,8-cineole, ethyl hexanoate, and hexanol (CEH). Attractiveness of the three-chemical mixture was equal to the sum of the attractiveness of the three individual components, suggesting that each chemical binds to a different receptor type that independently elicits partial attraction behavior. Optimal ratios were 10∶1∶1 of the three chemicals, respectively. Optimal test quantities ranged between 0.4–4Μg of 1,8-cineole and 40–400 ng each of ethyl hexanoate and hexanol applied to filter paper in the laboratory bioassays. A neat 10∶1∶1 mixture of the chemicals was 1.8 times more attractive than aqueous solutions ofTorula dried yeast and borax to starved 2-day-old flies when the lures were tested in competing McPhail traps in a large greenhouse cage.
Modified Fogarty Clamp for the Fragile Aorta

Abstract The Fogarty aortic hydragrip clamp is adequate to clamp the normal aorta during open-heart operation. The fragile aorta, however, requires a more delicate occlusion than that provided by the slim, rather rigid clamping jaws of the Fogarty clamp. To prevent the crushing effect of a Fogarty clamp on a fragile aorta, a simple modification has been devised and is described here.
Tryptophan probes at the α-synuclein and membrane interface

Understanding how environmental factors affect the conformational dynamics of α-synuclein (α-syn) is of great importance because the accumulation and deposit of aggregated α-syn in the brain are intimately connected to Parkinson’s disease etiology. Measurements of steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence of single tryptophan-containing α-syn variants have revealed distinct phospholipid vesicle and micelle interactions at residues 4, 39, 94, and 125. Our circular dichroism data confirm that Trp mutations do not affect α-syn membrane binding properties (apparent association constant Kaapp ∼1 × 107 M−1 for all synucleins) saturating at an estimated lipid-to-protein molar ratio of 380 or approximately 120 proteins covering ∼7% of the surface area of an 80 nm diameter vesicle. Fluorophores at positions 4 and 94 are the most sensitive to the lipid bilayer with pronounced spectral blue-shifts (W4: Δλmax ∼23 nm; W94: Δλmax ∼10 nm) and quantum yield increases (W4, W94: ∼3 fold), while W39 and W125 remain primar...
Occurrence of Lithocholic Acid in Feces of Healthy Men

Crystalline lithocholic (3α-hydroxycholanic) acid was isolated from a pooled sample of feces from healthy men for the first time. This acid, which occurs in small amounts in human bile, was obtained by alcohol extraction, followed by solvent partition and chromatography. Under these conditions most of the acid was recovered in the form of its methyl ester.
The oldest vascular land plants: A note of caution

Abstract The oldest fossil proven to be a vascular land plant is Cooksonia , from the Pridolian Stage of the Silurian Period in Wales. Microfossils macerated out of older Silurian strata, such as sheets of cuticle, “tubes” usually called tracheid-like elements or even plant tracheids, and spores with a resistant exine and a trilete mark, have been used to suggest the occurrence of vascular plants prior to the Pridolian. It is pointed out that these microfossils may originate from algae, bryophytes, or groups now extinct or from animals. Hence they alone cannot demonstrate older vascular plants. The microfossils need extensive comparative study on a world-wide basis.
Effect of nitric oxide annealing on the interface trap densities near the band edges in the 4H polytype of silicon carbide

Results of capacitance–voltage measurements are reported for metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitors fabricated using the 4H polytype of silicon carbide doped with either nitrogen (n) or aluminum (p). Annealing in nitric oxide after a standard oxidation/reoxidation process results in a slight increase in the defect state density in the lower portion of the band gap for p-SiC and a significant decrease in the density of states in the upper half of the gap for n-SiC. Theoretical calculations provide an explanation for these results in terms of N passivating C and C clusters at the oxide–semiconductor interface.
Studies on Lactobacillus Thermophilus

Summary An additional isolation of Lactobacillus thermophilus is reported. The organism agrees in almost every respect with the original description. Additional characteristics are recorded. The organism grows poorly on the nutrient agar used in routine milk platings, and the indistinct filamentous colony may be "pin-point" in size. The colony can easily be distinguished from the lens-shaped "pin-point" colonies of the thermoduric streptococci. Much better growth is obtained when Bacto-Proteose peptone is substituted for ordinary peptone. As in the original isolation Lactohacillus thermophilus is found to be the causative organism of high bacterial counts in a pasteurized milk supply. It would appear that the organism is not of common occurrence in milk. The particular growth requirements and the relatively short period of viability characteristic of the organism may also explain why it has not been isolated more frequently.
Characterization of a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase gene from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.).

Abstract 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase catalyzes what is typically the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of ethylene, a gaseous plant growth regulator that plays numerous roles in the growth and development of higher plants. Although ACC synthase genes have been characterized from a wide variety of angiosperm plant species, no ACC synthase genes have been described previously for gymnosperms. Evidence suggests that ethylene helps to regulate wood formation in trees, and may also signal for the metabolic shifts that lead to compression wood formation on the undersides of branches and leaning stems in gymnosperm trees. Since compression wood is an inferior feedstock for the manufacturing of most wood products, a better understanding of the factors influencing its formation could lead to substantial economic benefits. This study describes the isolation and characterization of a putative ACC synthase gene, PtaACS1, from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), an important commercial forest tree species. Also described is an apparent splice variant of PtaACS1 (PtaACS1s) that is missing 138 bp from the 5′ end of the transcript, including bases that encode a conserved amino acid residue considered critical for ACC synthase activity. The two sequences share interesting homologies with a group of plant aminotransferases, in addition to ACC synthases, but structural models and the conservation of critical catalytic amino acid residues strongly support PtaACS1 as encoding an active ACC synthase. The two transcripts were differentially expressed in various tissues of loblolly pine, as well as in response to perturbations of pine seedling stems. Transcript levels of this ACC synthase gene increased rapidly in response to bending stress but returned to near starting levels within 30 min. It remains unclear to what extent bending-induced expression of this gene product plays a role in compression wood formation.
Effects of Isoproterenol on the Pulmonary Circulation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

Isoproterenol produced an increase in pulmonary blood volume and pulmonary blood flow without a significant change in pulmonary vascular pressures in 14 patients with obstructive lung disease, six of whom had cor pulmonale. These findings are consistent with a vasodilating effect on the pulmonary vasculature. Evidence is presented that muscular pulmonary arteries constricted by hypoxia were affected by the drug. There is little to suggest that the compliance of the elastic arteries was altered by isoproterenol.
An operational method for estimating signal to noise ratios from data acquired with imaging spectrometers

A method, using the concept of local means and local standard deviations of small imaging blocks and using a box counting procedure, has been developed for unsupervised estimation of the average signal to noise ratios of images in which the noise is additive. The method has been applied to simulated images with Gaussian noise, to images acquired with the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer and with the Geophysical and Environmental Research Imaging Spectrometer. The method is compared with other techniques for estimating signal to noise ratios from imaging data. It is believed that the method is generally applicable to images having many small homogeneous blocks. Because the method does not take into account interband effects, it is not appropriate to use the method to estimate signal to noise ratios from images having nonnegligible interband radiometric calibration errors at spatial scales less than or equal to the size of the small imaging blocks used in the noise estimation.
Extension of the Unified Solvation Model to Organometallic and Polycyclic Aromatic Probes.

The unified solvation model has been extended to solvent sensitive electronic transitions in metal carbonyls and new polycyclic aromatics. The contribution from specific and nonspecific interactions is obtained. An explanation is offered for cases where the two effects go in opposite directions and cases where the electrostatic and covalent contribution go in opposite directions. The addition of these new probes leads to several new solvent S‘ values.
Coturnix D1 Carcass Yield

Abstract Fifty Coturnix coturnix japonica of the D1 variety averaged 164 g live weight at nine weeks of age and 148 g after a 15-hr period without feed and water. Carcass yield was calculated to be 69% based on pre-shrink weight and 77% after feed and water withdrawal. A 164 g Coturnix quail yielded a carcass weighing 113 g ± 8.44 SD. A 113 g carcass weight is desired by the consumer.
Expanding Language Expectancy Theory: The Suasory Effects of Lexical Complexity and Syntactic Complexity on Effective Message Design

This research uses language expectancy theory (LET; Burgoon, Jones, & Stewart, 1975; Miller & Burgoon, 1979) to explore message design effectiveness as a function of syntactic and lexical complexity, in a 2 (lexical: simple vs. complex) × 2 (syntactic: simple vs. complex) design. Pilot test and main study findings indicate optimal message features include the use of lexically simple language combined with syntactically simple sentence structure for receivers who are more likely to think on concrete as opposed to abstract levels, since such an arrangement makes integration of new information easier. Future directions are discussed for message design and for advancement of the theoretical contributions offered by examining syntactic complexity and lexical complexity within the explanatory framework of LET.
Contemporary travel narratives and old style politics

Abstract Since the 1991 Persian Gulf War, there has been a proliferation of texts claiming to “unveil,” get “behind the veil,” and “expose” the “hidden world” of Islamic women. This renewed popular appeal of travel writing co-exists with American military actions in the Middle East and points to a troubling relationship between narratives stereotypically representing Muslim women and American foreign policy. Inheriting 19th-century travel writing's language of the civilizing mission, contemporary travel narratives represent Muslim women as in need of the West's governmental, military, and economic interventions. Like 19th-century narratives legitimating colonial rule, contemporary travel narratives enact a violence of penetration, a violence of representation, and a violence of cultural imposition.
Endothelin receptor A is expressed and mediates the [Ca2+]i mobilization of cells in human ciliary smooth muscle, ciliary nonpigmented epithelium, and trabecular meshwork

PURPOSE. To identify which endothelin receptor subtype is expressed and is functional in the human ciliary body and trabecular meshwork, tissues that regulate aqueous humor dynamics. METHODS. Immunocytochemistry was used to characterize the primary culture cells of normal human ocular cells. Endothelin receptor gene expression was probed with reverse transcription of polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Intracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ] i) mobilization was measured with video image microscopy using Fura-2AM as a fluorescent probe. RESULTS. Identities of primary cultures, human ciliary smooth muscle (HCSM), ciliary nonpigmented epithelial (HCE), and trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells were confirmed by immuno-cytochemistry, using cell-specific markers and observing typical cell morphologies. The presence of endothelin receptor A (ET A) was detected with RT-PCR in all three types of cells. The mRNA phenotype was verified with restriction enzyme BamHI digestion. No ET B receptor subtype expression was detected with...
Keep the change: Counterinsurgency, Iraq, and historical understanding

This article explores the historical reasoning behind counterinsurgency thinking, particularly as applied to Iraq, using Douglas Porch's book, Counterinsurgency: Exposing the Myths of the New Way of War as a reference point. It argues that the classic historical analogies of counterinsurgency theory were inapt in dealing with the conflict in Iraq, and that the historical reasoning behind counterinsurgency more generally deserves greater scrutiny. Not only are the analogies of questionable applicability, but the evidence of causation in prior conflicts is ultimately unproveable. In the end, Counterinsurgency theory and the US Army's Field Manual 3-24 on Counterinsurgency were politically useful during the ‘Surge’, beginning in 2007, but remain intellectually and historically problematic.
(–)-Epigallocatechin Gallate, A Major Constituent of Green Tea, Poisons Human Type II Topoisomerases

(–)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant and biologically active polyphenol in green tea, and many of the therapeutic benefits of the beverage have been attributed to this compound. High concentrations of EGCG are cytotoxic and trigger genotoxic events in mammalian cells. Although this catechin affects a number of cellular systems, the genotoxic effects of several bioflavonoid-based dietary polyphenols are believed to be mediated, at least in part, by their actions on topoisomerase II. Therefore, the effects of green tea extract and EGCG on DNA cleavage mediated by human topoisomerase IIα and β were characterized. The extract and EGCG increased levels of DNA strand breaks generated by both enzyme isoforms. However, EGCG acted by a mechanism that was distinctly different from those of genistein, a dietary polyphenol, and etoposide, a widely prescribed anticancer drug. In contrast to these agents, EGCG exhibited all of the characteristics of a redox-dependent topoisomerase II poison that act...
Implications of boundary choice for the measurement of residential mobility.

Analyses of residential mobility are usually conditioned on a system of geography in which territory is divided into discrete units. Types of movement are defined in terms of these units, the most important distinction being that between local mobility and migration. Here we examine explicitly the implications of the choice of the migration-defining boundary in the U.S. over the 1940–1980 period. We demonstrate how boundary choice influences the extent and character of selectivity of the mobile population by using demographic and social characteristics. It appears that over time the state line may be replacing the county line in distinguishing kinds of migrants. Further, our results point to a growing fraction of footloose migrants, not tied to local territory, identified by their migration history rather than demographic characteristics.
Electrostatic Interactions of Redox Cations with Surface-Immobilized and Solution DNA

Association constants for ruthenium(III) hexaamine and cobalt(III) tris(2,2‘-bipyridine) with solution and surface-immobilized DNA were determined. The interaction of the cationic redox molecules with calf thymus DNA was monitored via normal pulse voltammetry with analysis of the mass-transfer limited current assuming a discrete binding-site model. Single-stranded DNA was immobilized on gold via self-assembly of a 5‘ hexanethiol linker. Double-stranded surface-immobilized DNA was produced by hybridization of a complementary target to surface-immobilized single strands. The interaction between the metal complexes and surface-immobilized DNA was determined using chronocoulometry to construct adsorption isotherms. The measured binding constants for the cationic redox molecules with solution, surface-immobilized single-stranded, and double-stranded DNA are well-correlated, even as a function of ionic strength. The agreement between the determined association constants for the surface-immobilized and solution ...
Social media in medicine: The volume that Twitter built.

The use of social media around the world has exploded in recent years, with the number of monthly active users of Facebook and Twitter estimated to be one billion and one quarter billion, respectiv...
Suicidal Behavior: A Distinction in Patients With Sedative Poisoning Seen in a General Hospital

A rating scale to gauge the lifethreatening severity of suicidal behavior in a series of 99 patients making 101 suicidal attempts with sedatives was formed from gradings of depth of coma, physical danger, and apparent intent found with the self-poisoning. The patients diagnosed as suffering from a depressive illness had a significantly higher mean rating (9.6 ± 0.4) by this scale than individuals diagnosed as personality disorder (5.2 ± 0.31). Since among self poisoning individuals those with depressive illness expose themselves to a greater likelihood of death, greater attention might be paid to advertising the diagnosis, dangers, and treatability of depressive illness in public programs attempting to prevent suicide.
TRH-like immunoreactivity in urine, serum and extrahypothalamic brain: Non-identity with synthetic pyrogluhhist-pro-NH2 (TRH)

Abstract TRH-like immunoreactive substances obtained from several areas of rat brain and from human serum and urine were chromatographically separated by TLC and the resulting immunoreactive ‘elution profiles’ compared with that obtained for pyroglu-hist-pro-NH 2 ( (TRH). For hypothalamus and septal-preoptic samples TRH was present, but represented less than 100% of the immunoreactive substances. For cortex, amygdala, brain stem, serum and urine, no TRH was detectable in the immunoreactive substances from those samples. The implications of these findings in relation to ‘TRH’ distribution studies and validation of small peptide RIAs are discussed.
Evaluation of encapsulation stress and the effect of additives on viability and photosynthetic activity of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 encapsulated in silica gel

Stresses imposed on the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by various compounds present during silica sol–gel encapsulation, including salt, ethanol (EtOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), glycerol, and glycine betaine, were investigated. Viability of encapsulated cells and photosynthetic activity of cells stressed by immediate (2 min) and 24-h exposure to the five stress-inducing compounds were monitored by pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry. Cells of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 readily survive encapsulation in both alkoxide-derived gels and gels from aqueous precursors and can remain active at least 8 weeks with slight degradation in PSII efficiency. Post-encapsulation survival was improved in gels containing no additive when compared with gels containing PEG or glycerol. Glycerol was shown to have a detrimental effect on Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, reducing ϕPSII and Fv′/Fm′ by as much as 75%, possibly a result of disrupting excitation transfer between the phycobilisomes and photosystems. PEG was similarly deleterious, dramatically reducing the ability to carry out a state transition and adequately manage excitation energy distribution. EtOH stress also hindered state transitions, although less severely than PEG, and the cells were able to recover nearly all photosynthetic efficiency within 24 h after an initial drop. Betaine did not interfere with state transitions but did reduce quantum yield and photochemical quenching. Finally, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 was shown to recover from salt stress.