cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Trajectory Surface Hopping Method from the Markov State Model Perspective

We analyze the applicability of the seminal fewest switches surface hopping (FSSH) method of Tully to modeling quantum transitions between electronic states that are not coupled directly, in the processes such as Auger recombination. We address the known deficiency of the method to describe such transitions by introducing an alternative definition for the surface hopping probabilities, as derived from the Markov state model perspective. We show that the resulting transition probabilities simplify to the quantum state populations derived from the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, reducing to the rapidly switching surface hopping approach of Tully and Preston. The resulting surface hopping scheme is simple and appeals to the fundamentals of quantum mechanics. The computational approach is similar to the FSSH method of Tully, yet it leads to a notably different performance. We demonstrate that the method is particularly accurate when applied to superexchange modeling. We further show improved accuracy of ...
Prolonged hypogonadism in males following withdrawal from anabolic-androgenic steroids: an under-recognized problem.

Aims To assess the frequency and severity of hypogonadal symptoms in male long-term anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) misusers who have discontinued AAS use. Design Cross-sectional, naturalistic. Setting Out-patient facility. Participants Twenty-four male former long-term AAS users and 36 non-AAS-using weightlifters, recruited by advertisement in Massachusetts, USA. Five of the former users were currently receiving treatment with physiological testosterone replacement, leaving 19 untreated users for the numerical comparisons below. Measurements The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, questions regarding history of AAS use, physical examination, serum hormone determinations and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Findings Compared with the 36 non-AAS-using weightlifters, the 19 untreated former AAS users displayed significantly smaller testicular volumes [estimated difference, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.3 (0.1, 4.5) ml; P = 0.042] and lower serum testosterone levels [estimated difference: 95% CI = 131 (25, 227) dl; P = 0.009], with five users showing testosterone levels below 200 ng/dl despite abstinence from AAS for 3–26 months. Untreated former users also displayed significantly lower scores on the IIEF sexual desire subscale [estimated difference: 95% CI = 2.4 (1.3, 3.4) points on a 10-point scale; P < 0.001]. In the overall group of 24 treated plus untreated former users, seven (29%) had experienced major depressive episodes during AAS withdrawal; four of these had not experienced major depressive episodes at any other time. Two men (8%) had failed to regain normal libidinal or erectile function despite adequate replacement testosterone treatment. Conclusions Among long-term anabolic–androgenic steroid misusers, anabolic–androgenic steroid-withdrawal hypogonadism appears to be common, frequently prolonged and associated with substantial morbidity.
Comparison of the Magnetocaloric Effect Derived from Heat Capacity, Direct, and Magnetization Measurements

A theoretical and experimental evaluation of the experimental method for determining the magnetocaloric properties of magnetic materials show that the magnetic field heat capacity data can provide a reliable results, which may be used for a detailed analysis of the thermodynamic cycle efficiency. In addition the magnetocaloric effect and the magnetic field induced magnetic entropy change determined from the magnetic field dependence of the heat capacity has an accuracy that is equal to or better than that obtained from other methods — direct and magnetization measurements.
Chitosan oligomers from Fusarium solani/pea interactions, chitinase/β-glucanase digestion of sporelings and from fungal wall chitin actively inhibit fungal growth and enhance disease resistance☆

Abstract Chitosans which had been: (1) derived chemically from the chitin of fungal cell walls, (2) accumulated in Fusarium solani/pea interactions or (3) released from chitinase and β-glucanase digestion of sporelings, were used to determine if these fungal polymers had the biological activity of the chitosan chemically derived from crustaceans. The biological activity of the cell wall chitin-derived chitosan from F. solani f. sp. phaseoli mimicked that of shrimp chitosan and was somewhat superior to that from f. sp. pisi. F. solani f. sp. phaseoli chitosans inhibited germination of F. solani macroconidia at concentrations as low as 8 μg ml−1. 100 μg ml−1 of this chitosan provided protection against F. solani f. sp. pisi in pea pod tissue for periods of at least 5 days while 10 μg ml−1 could only maintain resistance for up to 3 days. In comparisons of chitosan-like oligomers released from the ff. sp. pisi and phaseoli, greater proportions of [3H]-N-acetylglucosamine labelled chitosan fraction (heptamer or larger) could be recovered both from f. sp. phaseoli/pea interactions and from f. sp. phaseoli germlings in contact with a chitinase and β-glucanase-rich basic pea protein fraction. The results indicate that the chitosan heptamer-plus fraction readily recovered from these plant-fungal interactions is able to function as a major biological signal in pea/-Fusarium interactions while the chitosan pentamer which preferentially accumulates in f. sp. pisi had less detectable biological activity.
To know I can might be enough: Women's self-efficacy and their identified leadership values.

This three-year mixed-method study examined levels of self-efficacy and leadership values held for 32 women before and after participating in graduate coursework specifically focused on women’s leadership issues. A 21-item, 5-dimension self-efficacy scale adapted for leadership from the work of Albert Bandura was used in addition to open-ended questions focused on leadership values and obstacles. Self-efficacy levels increased in each dimension, most notably in Encouraging a Productive Work Ethic and Creating a Positive Work Climate. Shifts occurred in the nature of values identified for effective leadership in terms of more traditional and outwardly-visible attributes to more postmodern and inwardly-experienced attributes. The nature of obstacles that participants identified as preventing them from being more effective leaders also revealed shifts from self-critical behaviors to proactive behaviors
Alternative Hypotheses and the Volume of Trade: Evidence on the Extent of Specialization

In this paper, we provide alternative hypotheses against which to evaluate the trade volume predictions of complete specialization models, which include monopolistic competition. This allows us to identify which model predictions are substantive and which empirical regularities are surprising. There are four main insights. First, the model implies that consumers highly value variety, importing all goods that are produced. Trade flow data shows that importers purchase a very small fraction of available varieties. Second, the model predicts multilateral trade volumes that are much larger than we observe or can explain with barriers of reasonable size. Third, the use of a welfare-based measure of model fit indicates that the model implies enormous unrealized gains from trade. In each instance, the data suggest that the simple model considerably overstates either the extent of specialization (the degree to which goods are differentiated) or the degree to which consumers value that differentiation. Fourth, we demonstrate that the gravity equation (the most celebrated prediction of complete specialization models) has no power to distinguish the null hypothesis that production is completely specialization from an alternative that production is determined by factor endowments and incompletely specialized. A consequence is that stylized facts about trade costs associated with national borders and distance can be explained by a model with no trade barriers.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: Antibody-coated bacteria, renal function, and intrauterine growth retardation☆

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (greater than 100,000 microorganisms per milliliter) was found in 70 of 1,400 pregnant women without symptoms referable to the urinary tract (five per cent). With the fluorescent antibody (FA) tests, antibody-coated bacteria were demonstrated in specimens from 35 patients (50 per cent), indicating silent renal bacteriuria. Although confirmation by direct localization methods was not feasible in this group of patients, indirect evidence of renal function impairment associated with the presence of antibody-coated bacteria was suggested by results of the serum creatinine and creatinine clearance tests. The outcome of the pregnancy was compared for patients with bacteriuria (FA-negative or FA-positive tests). An association between the presence of asymptomatic renal bacteriuria and intrauterine growth retardation was noted. Thus, the patient with asymptomatic bacteriuria and a positive FA test is at greater risk of delivering an intrauterine growth-retarded infant.
Synthetic efforts directed towards the taxol skeleton. The saturated C-ring approach

Abstract The type 2 intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction is utilized to assemble a taxol precursor.
Human Carrying Simulation With Symmetric and Asymmetric Loads

Human carrying is simulated in this work by using a skeletal digital human model with 55 degrees of freedom (DOFs). Predictive dynamics approach is used to predict the carrying motion with symmetric and asymmetric loads. In this process, the model predicts joints dynamics using optimization schemes and task-based physical constraints. The results indicated that the model can realistically match human motion and ground reaction forces data during symmetric and asymmetric load carrying task. With such prediction capability the model could be used for biomedical and ergonomic studies.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The History and Accomplishments of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance.

Purpose: This article outlines the history, background, and accomplishments of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance. Background: The LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance, a program of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, was developed as a vehicle for a strategic plan designed to implement the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group (AYAO PRG) recommendations. The AYAO PRG was co-sponsored by Lance Armstrong Foundation and the National Cancer Institute (NCI); both LIVESTRONG and NCI provide strategic oversight and guidance to the Alliance. Highlights and accomplishments: The Alliance accomplishments include the publication of disease-specific retrospective analyses, funding of an AYA cohort study and biorepository proposal, publication of two position statements on guidelines for care of AYAs with cancer and training for AYA oncology health professionals, promotion of an international charter of rights for AYA cancer patients, creation and distribution of a survey to college health professionals, c...
Effects of non-catalytic, distal amino acid residues on activity of E. coli DinB (DNA polymerase IV)

DinB is one of two Y family polymerases in E. coli and is involved in copying damaged DNA. DinB is specialized to bypass deoxyguanosine adducts that occur at the N2 position, with its cognate lesion being the furfuryl adduct. Active site residues have been identified that make contact with the substrate and carry out deoxynucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) addition to the growing DNA strand. In DNA polymerases, these include negatively charged aspartate and glutamate residues (D8, D103, and E104 in E. coli DNA polymerase IV DinB). These residues position the essential magnesium ions correctly to facilitate nucleophilic attack by the primer hydroxyl group on the α-phosphate group of the incoming dNTP. To study the contribution of DinB residues to lesion bypass, the computational methods THEMATICS and POOL were employed. These methods correctly predict the known active site residues, as well as other residues known to be important for activity. In addition, these methods predict other residues involved in substrate binding as well as more remote residues. DinB variants with mutations at the predicted positions were constructed and assayed for bypass of the N2-furfuryl-dG lesion. We find a wide range of effects of predicted residues, including some mutations that abolish damage bypass. Moreover, most of the DinB variants constructed are unable to carry out the extension step of lesion bypass. The use of computational prediction methods represents another tool that will lead to a more complete understanding of translesion DNA synthesis. Mol. Mutagen. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relations Between Students' Perceptions of School Connectedness and Peer Victimization

This study examines the relations between student's perceptions of school connectedness and their self-reported rates of victimization (physical, verbal, and relational), as well as perceived reasons for peer victimization (ethnicity, sexuality). Data come from 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students who completed the California Healthy Kids Survey as part of an evaluation of a Safe School/Healthy Students project (N = 1,253). Multivariate analyses indicate that the main effects of both school connectedness and grade level are significant. Follow-up univariate ANOVAs reveal that school connectedness is significantly related to students' experiences of all forms of victimization and perceived reasons for victimization, whereas grade level is only related to the form of victimization experienced. Implications for research and school-based intervention are discussed.
Probabilistic aspects of finite-fuel stochastic control

Abstract The problem is that of following the Brownian path by a nondecreasing, bounded process in such a way as to minimize the expected cost over a finite horizon. Using purely probabilistic arguments, one obtains a fairly explicit representation for the value of this problem, as well as information about the nature of the optimal process.
Effect of activity coefficient models on predictions of secondary organic aerosol partitioning

Several available models for predicting organic aerosol activity coefficients are compared by examining their effect on predictions of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) concentrations and aerosol water uptake in laboratory and atmospheric systems. Activity coefficient models studied include Ideal behavior, the Wilson and NRTL equations, and UNIFAC in standard form, with revised interaction parameters, and with no temperature dependence. Wilson and NRTL binary interaction parameters were fit from UNIFAC predictions of activity coefficients. SOA model simulations were performed for different combinations of primary organic aerosol (POA) composition, SOA composition, and relative humidity. All of the activity coefficient methods predict similar results for mixtures of similar components, but for highly dissimilar aerosol mixtures, the Ideal, Wilson and NRTL models tend to predict higher SOA concentrations and aerosol water uptake compared to UNIFAC. Different versions of UNIFAC gave nearly identical results for most scenarios. Computational requirements are lowest for Ideal, followed by Wilson, and then NRTL and UNIFAC models.
How useful is the cremasteric reflex in diagnosing testicular torsion

Abstract Introduction: Many factors are used in evaluating boys with possible testicular torsion, including the cremasteric reflex (CR). However, there is a paucity of literature scrutinizing the reliability of CR. We sought to confirm the clinical utility of the CR in assessing boys of different ages with the acute scrotum and to determine if CR alone was diagnostic of testicular torsion. Methods: 358 boys presenting with acute scrotal pain and/or swelling between 1/1999–10/2002 (ages: 0–18 years) were evaluated. Chart review assessed the presence or absence of CR. Results were compared with final diagnoses as established from operative findings, office charts, and/or telephone contact. Boys were stratified by age and statistical analyses were performed. Results: 211 charts were available for complete analysis. The presence of CR on the symptomatic side correlated with the absence of testicular torsion in 167 cases. The absence of CR correlated with surgically confirmed testicular torsion in 15 cases. There were 27 cases of absent CR in non-torsed testes and two cases of present CR in surgically confirmed torsion. CR carried 88.2% sensitivity, 86.2% specificity, 35.7% PPV, 98.9% NPV, and 86.3% accuracy. In children under 11 years, the sensitivity was 75%, specificity 83.9%, accuracy 83.3%, while boys ≥11 years had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity 89%, and accuracy of 90.1%. Conclusions: In this large series, absent CR was found to be suboptimal in diagnosing testicular torsion, particularly in children under 11 years old. Although not infallible, the presence of CR excluded the diagnosis of torsion in nearly all children, irrespective of age.
Comparability of the Standard WCST and WCST–64 in Traumatic Brain Injury

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparability of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test short form (WCST-64) to the standard form in a clinical population with documented brain pathology: chronic severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants were 61 patients at least 1 year after severe TBI living at a large residential rehabilitation facility. The WCST was administered in standard fashion with both the standard and 64-card versions scored. All derived scores with norms were examined. Results indicated that the WCST-64 scores were comparable to the standard version, and assigned impairment levels remained relatively stable. These results suggest the WCST-64 is a valid alternative to the standard version in chronic severe TBI.
Measurement of parathyroid hormone-related peptide in the circulation

Newly developed assays for the measurement of circulating levels of parathyroid hormone-related peptide may become useful in distinguishing the syndrome of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy from hypercalcemia of other etiologies.
Exploring the parameters of agreement: The case of Magahi

Abstract The rather elaborate system of object-verb agreement found in Magahi raises the question of the parameters of agreement in South Asian languages and in its place in characterizing India as a linguistic area. What makes Magahi even more interesting is the existence of an addressee component as a parameter of agreement and a complex set of conditions on the alignment as well as the suspension of agreement.
Constrained relative motions in rotational mechanics

The dynamical effects of imposing constraints on the relative motions of component parts in a rotating mechanical system or structure are explored. It is noted that various simplifying assumptions in modeling the dynamics of elastic beams imply strain constraints, i.e., that the structure being modeled is rigid in certain directions. In a number of cases, such assumptions predict features in both the equilibrium and dynamic behavior which are qualitatively different from what is seen if the assumptions are relaxed. It is argued that many pitfalls may be avoided by adopting so-called geometrically exact models, and examples from the recent literature are cited to demonstrate the consequences of not doing this. These remarks are brought into focus by a detailed discussion of the nonlinear, nonlocal model of a shear-free, inextensible beam attached to a rotating rigid body. Here it is shown that linearization of the equations of motion about certain relative equilibrium configurations leads to a partial differential equation. Such spatially localized models are not obtained in general, however, and this leaves open questions regarding the way in which the geometry of a complex structure influences computational requirements and the possibility of exploiting parallelism in performing simulations. A general treatment of linearization about implicit solutions to equilibrium equations is presented and it is shown that this approach avoids unintended imposition of constraints on relative motions in the models. Finally, the example of a rotating kinematic chain shows how constraining the relative motions in a rotating mechanical system may destabilize uniformly rotating states.
Tuning impurity states in bilayer graphene

We study the impurity states in bilayer graphene in the unitary limit using Green's function method. Unlike in single layer graphene, the presence of impurities at two nonequivalent sites in bilayer graphene produces different impurity states, which is understood as the change in the band structure due to interlayer hopping of electrons. The impurity states can also be tuned by changing the band structure of bilayer grahene through external electric-field bias.
Tests for change-points based on recursive u-statistics

Tests for change—points for the location as well as regression models are often based on cumulative sums of recursive residuals. These recursive residuals are also employed in the sequential detection problem. In the context of general estimable parameters (funtionals of the underlying distribution functions), such recursive residuals may be defined in terms of recursive U—statistics. A class of tests for the change—points based on recursive U—statistics has been considered. Along with some invariance principles for recursive U—statistics, asymptotic properties of the proposed tests are studied.
Modeling the influence of the nature of spatial heterogeneity on the deformation and failure of porous ductile alloys

A three-dimensional cellular automata approach has been adopted to investigate the effect of the nature of spatial heterogeneity on macroscale material behavior. Spatial heterogeneity was introduced by randomly assigning initial porosities to domains within a material model in line with one of five governing probability distributions. As the spatial distribution of the initial porosity deviated from the homogeneous ideal, the strain field developing within the models became increasingly heterogeneous, the effect being most pronounced at high strains. The variability of the macroscale response similarly increased as the initial porosity distribution deviated from homogeneity, with variation maximized in the family of models in which initial porosities were assigned in line with an extreme probability distribution representing severe pore clustering. Response variation was most pronounced at elevated strains, where the strain localization path exerted a strong influence on the macroscale response. At elevated strains, the average stress supported declined significantly as the initial porosity distribution became increasingly heterogeneous, indicating that the severity of local property disparities plays an important role in the process of strain localization.
Follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing activity in peripheral blood.

Peripheral blood from normal and hypophysectomized rats was examined for FSH-RF activity. Assays for FSH-RF activity consisted of measurement of depletion of FSH in the pituitaries of normal male rats or castrated rats pretreated with testosterone propionate (TP). FSH-RF activity was found in plasma of male rats hypophysectomized for 1 or 2 months but not for 3 months. FSH-RF activity was diminished after elimination of cranial circulation. It was not affected by administration of 1 mg FSH over a 5-day period. No FSH-RF activity was detected in peripheral blood or plasma of normal rats of either sex or male rats hypophysectomized 10 days previously or female rats hypophysectomized 10, 30, 60 or 90 days previously, or in the peripheral blood of hypophysectomized and gonadectomized rats. (Endocrinology 81: 1226, 1967)
Oligomerization of the UvrB Nucleotide Excision Repair Protein of Escherichia coli

A combination of hydrodynamic and cross-linking studies were used to investigate self-assembly of the Escherichia coli DNA repair protein UvrB. Though the procession of steps leading to incision of DNA at sites flanking damage requires that UvrB engage in an ordered series of complexes, successively with UvrA, DNA, and UvrC, the potential for self-association had not yet been reported. Gel permeation chromatography, nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and chemical cross-linking results combine to show that UvrB stably assembles as a dimer in solution at concentrations in the low micromolar range. Smaller populations of higher order oligomeric species are also observed. Unlike the dimerization of UvrA, an initial step promoted by ATP binding, the monomer-dimer equilibrium for UvrB is unaffected by the presence of ATP. The insensitivity of cross-linking efficiency to a 10-fold variation in salt concentration further suggests that UvrB self-assembly is driven largely by hydrophobic interactions. Self-assembly is significantly weakened by proteolytic removal of the carboxyl terminus of the protein (generating UvrB*), a domain also known to be required for the interaction with UvrC leading to the initial incision of damaged DNA. This suggests that the C terminus may be a multifunctional binding domain, with specificity regulated by protein conformation.
Verbal Sexual Coercion and Perceived Victim Responsibility: Mediating Effects of Perceived Control

Verbal coercion involves unwanted sexual penetration compelled by psychological pressure. It was hypothesized that, to the degree that verbal coercion is seen as controllable, victims may be held more responsible. Two samples of US undergraduates rated perceptions of hypothetical sexual coercion scenarios. In Study 1, participants (N = 120) read scenarios of either verbal coercion or rape by a male dating partner. Participants perceived verbal coercion as more controllable than rape, which accounted for the greater responsibility attributed to verbal coercion victims. In Study 2, participants (N = 275) read scenarios involving either male-to-female or female-to-male verbal coercion. Participants perceived female-to-male coercion as more controllable, which accounted for the greater responsibility attributed to a verbally coerced man.
Things and the archives of recent sciences

Abstract With the interest in studying science as practice came an interest in the material artefacts and things that form part of scientific activities in the laboratory, the field, the classroom, or the political arena. This shift in interest in connection with new modes of knowledge production raises new questions regarding the “archive” of science: what should be preserved and where to make it possible to reconstruct scientific practices in the desired detail? While digital media may be able to bridge some of the traditional divisions between the collection of scientific artefacts in museums and the written archival depositories, the move to performing science in silico produces new challenges in respect to establishing the material archives of current science. The paper will discuss these and related questions with special reference to the archives of the contemporary life sciences.
Assessing Process and Coating Reliability Through Monitoring of Process and Design Relevant Coating Properties

Thermal spray in general, plasma spray in particular, is a highly complex process with numerous interacting variables associated with generation of the spray stream, deposit formation dynamics, and the resultant property linkages. Compounding this variability further are both the spatial (different booths and different locations) and temporal (process start-stops, hardware degradation, operator etc.) effects. As such, an understanding of process and coating consistency and variability offers significant challenges. Recent scientific advances as well as measurement tools have enabled elucidation of the intrinsic variabilities associated with each of the process sub-steps; however, integrated understanding of the system level reliability is still lacking. This article seeks an integrated assessment of process and coating reliability through systematic measurements of variabilities during each stage of the process subjected to different operating parameters. Through critical examination of first-order process maps, the influence of process parameters on particle state is reviewed for repeated spray runs with a single parameter effect as well as across a spectrum of process parameters. In addition, influence of these changes on design-relevant coating properties were obtained for plasma-sprayed zirconia through recourse to novel in situ and ex situ substrate curvature measurements. Finally, the implications of such integrated reliability studies have been explored through collaborative experiments conducted in the industrial sites.
A prospective, randomized evaluation of effect of ventricular fibrillation duration on defibrillation thresholds in humans

Abstract The effect of ventricular fibrillation duration in humans on defibrillation efficacy as it pertains to the time of intervention of an automatic implantable defibrillator is unknown. If a difference in defibrillation efficacy exists in the early period after ventricular fibrillation onset, it may affect algorithms used by antiarrhythmic devices for arrhythmia detection and therapy. Therefore, a prospective, randomized evaluation was performed of the effect of ventricular fibrillation durations of 10 s and 20 s on defibrillation thresholds in 10 survivors of sudden cardiac arrest undergoing implantation of an automatic cardioverter defibrillator. The initial duration of ventricular fibrillation was chosen randomly. Subsequently, each patient served as his or her own control for the alternate duration of ventricular fibrillation to that chosen initially. The mean leading edge defibrillation threshold voltage was 411 ± 114 V when ventricular fibrillation persisted for 10 s and 419 ± 125 V when it persisted for 20 s (p = 0.73). The mean defibrillation threshold current was 11.4 ± 2.8 A when ventricular fibrillation persisted for 10 s and 11.4 ± 3.2 A when it persisted for 20 s (p = 0.97). The delivered energy defibrillation threshold was 11.5 ± 5.9 J when ventricular fibrillation persisted for 10 s and 12.0 ± 6.9 J when it persisted for 20 s (p = 0.67). These findings show that the defibrillation threshold does not change between 10 and 20 s of ventricular fibrillation in out-of-hospital survivors of cardiac arrest at the time of surgical implantation of an automatic defibrillator. The data may have influence on the programming of defibrillator detection algorithms.
Associative Learning of Color by Males of the Parasitoid Wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Males of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis showed no innate preference for blue versus yellow or for green versus brown. They learned to associate color with mates, but their ability to do so depended on the color used and the strength of the reward. Specifically, males learned to associate brown or green with a reward of many virgin females. With fewer females, fewer training periods, or mated females as the reward, males still learned a preference for green but not for brown. Males did not learn to associate color with rewards of honey or water. Previous studies of color preference and associative learning in parasitoid wasps have focused almost entirely on females. This is the first demonstration of associative learning in response to visual cues by male parasitoid wasps.
A tandem colonoscopy study of adenoma miss rates during endoscopic training: a venture into uncharted territory

Background Tandem colonoscopy is regarded as the reference standard for the evaluation of the adenoma detection rate (ADR) and adenoma miss rate (AMR) during colonoscopy. Pooled results from previous tandem studies yield AMRs of 22%. The AMR of trainees is important to estimate the number of colonoscopies required to develop competence in screening for colorectal neoplasms. Objective To measure the ADR and AMR of trainees as a function of experience. Methods Prospective tandem colonoscopy study at an academic VA medical center. A trainee initially attempted colonoscopy. If the trainee was able to intubate the cecum, the trainee performed the withdrawal, and the colonoscopy was then repeated by the attending physician to assess the AMR. Results Twelve trainee endoscopists were included in the study. Trainees had between 0 and 33 months of previous endoscopic experience and had done between 0 and 605 previous colonoscopies. A total of 230 patients were evaluated for the study, and 218 patients were enrolled. Complete tandem colonoscopy was performed in 147 patients. There was a 54% ADR. The mean (standard deviation) size of the adenomas in the cohort was 5.9 (5.3) mm. Significant variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis for missed adenomas were trainee experience (P = .011) and patient age (P Limitations Single-center study; the attending physician performing the second pass was not blinded to the first pass. The AMR was only analyzed for cases in which the trainee was able to reach the cecum with no or minimal assistance. Conclusions Our tandem colonoscopy study demonstrates that the AMR decreases as the experience of trainees increases and is a late competency attained during training. Future training may need to incorporate these findings to serve as a basis for determining appropriate training guidelines.
Molecular probes for muscarinic receptors: functionalized congeners of selective muscarinic antagonists.

Abstract The muscarinic agonist oxotremorine and the tricyclic muscarinic antagonists pirenzepine and telenzepine have been derivatized using a functionalized congener approach for the purpose of synthesizing high affinity ligand probes that are suitable for conjugation with prosthetic groups, for receptor cross-linking, fluorescent and radioactive detection, etc. A novel fluorescent conjugate of TAC (telenzepine amine congener), an n -decylamino derivative of the m1-selective antagonist, with the fluorescent trisulfonated pyrene dye Cascade Blue may be useful for assaying the receptor as an alternative to radiotracers. In a rat m3 receptor mutant containing a single amino acid substitution in the sixth transmembrane domain (Asn507 to Ala) the parent telenzepine lost 636-fold in affinity, while TAC lost only 27-fold. Thus, the decylamino group of TAC stabilizes the bound state and thus enhances potency by acting as a distal anchor in the receptor binding site. We have built a computer-assisted molecular model of the transmembrane regions of muscarinic receptors based on homology with the G-protein coupled receptor rhodopsin, for which a low resolution structure is known. We have coordinated the antagonist pharmacophore (tricyclic and piperazine moieties) with residues of the third and seventh helices of the rat m3 receptor. Although the decylamino chain of TAC is likely to be highly flexible and may adopt many conformations, we located one possible site for a salt bridge formation with the positively charged -NH 3 + group, i.e. Asp 113 in helix II.
Utility of developmental reflexes in the differential diagnosis and prognosis of incontinence in Alzheimer's disease.

Four developmental reflexes, the tactile suck reflex, the palmar and plantar grasp reflexes, and the plantar extensor reflex, were examined in 784 individuals, including healthy elderly, cognitively and functionally mildly impaired individuals, and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in all stages of clinical severity. The study population was classified into six categories of increasingly impaired functional performance, and prevalence of the four individual reflexes and of a summary reflex measure, consisting of a combination of these four reflexes, was determined for each category. Prevalence of all five reflex measures was more than six times higher for those categories that comprised only permanently doubly incontinent patients as compared to those categories that comprised only continent individuals (P < .001). Frequency of developmental reflexes rose sharply with the onset of progressive incontinence. Since the return of these reflexes in AD is associated with severe cortical dysfunction, it is ...
The G490E mutation in reverse transcriptase does not impact tRNA primer selection by HIV-1 with altered PBS and A-loop.

Abstract The initiation of HIV-1 reverse transcription utilizes a cellular tRNALys,3 as a primer. The 3′ terminal 18-nucleotides of the cellular tRNALys,3 are complementary to a region on the viral genome, designated as the primer binding site (PBS). Previous studies have shown that forcing HIV-1 to utilize alternative tRNA primers through alteration of the PBS results in viruses that revert to utilize tRNALys,3 following in vitro replication. In some instances though, HIV-1 has been shown to select alternative tRNAs for initiation of reverse transcription if additional mutations upstream in the U5 region (A-loop) were made to be complementary to these alternative tRNAs. Recently, an HIV-1 has been described in which the U5 region distinct from the A-loop, designated as the primer activation site (PAS), was mutated in conjunction with the PBS to force the virus to use tRNALys1,2 as a primer. An additional mutation in reverse transcriptase (RT), G490E, was found to facilitate the forced use of tRNALys1,2 as the primer. In the current study, we have investigated the impact of the G490E mutation in RT on the selection and use of alternative primers by HIV-1. Viruses were first constructed in which the PBS and A-loop region were made complementary to tRNATrp. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that these viruses are unstable and mutate to select tRNAMet or tRNALys1,2. Analysis of the replication of viruses with the U5 and PBS complementary to tRNATrp with or without the G490E mutation revealed no significant differences with respect to infectivity and viral growth in SupT1 or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In addition, the presence of the G490E mutation did not influence the capacity of this virus to revert to utilize tRNAMet as the primer for initiation of reverse transcription. In a previous study, we have described an HIV-1 that has been forced to utilize tRNALys1,2 through mutations in the A-loop and PBS. The G490E RT mutation in this virus did not impact on the virus infectivity or growth in SupT1 or PBMC. We did not find a significant fitness advantage to viruses in which the A-loop and PBS were made complementary to tRNALys1,2 that also contained the G490E mutation in RT. The results of these studies then establish that HIV-1 can be forced to use alternative primers through mutations in the U5 (PAS or A-loop) for certain tRNAs. Furthermore, for mutations in the A-loop and PBS, the RT does not play an important role in dictating the selection of the alternative primers to be used for initiation of reverse transcription.
Reversal of Thienopyridine-Induced Platelet Dysfunction Following Desmopressin Administration

Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-receptor antagonists are widely used for thrombus prevention, although reversing their platelet dysfunction is difficult. This study evaluated the ability of desmopressin to reverse clopidogrel-induced platelet dysfunction. Sprague–Dawley rats received either clopidogrel (30 mg/kg) or placebo, followed 4 h later by saline or desmopressin (0.15, 0.3, or 0.6 μg/kg). Bleeding times and platelet aggregation studies were subsequently performed. A bleeding time >25 min was considered “prolonged.” The median bleeding time for clopidogrel-exposed rats was 21 min, vs. 6 min for controls (p < 0.01). Progressively higher doses of 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) were associated with a reduced number of rats with prolonged bleeding time (p = 0.001). Higher doses of DDAVP were also associated with a reduction in the median (IQR) bleeding time; 29 (13.5–30) min in rats receiving clopidogrel without DDAVP vs. 19 (12–28) min in rats receiving clopidogrel and 0.6 μg/kg DDAVP. The step-wise dosing of DDAVP resulted in a 54 % reduction in meeting the endpoint of prolonged bleeding time (OR 0.46; p = 0.025; 95 % CI 0.23–0.91). Platelet aggregation was observed in all control rats, but only some of those clopidogrel-treated rats who received 0.6 μg/kg DDAVP. In this model of an ADP-receptor antagonist, DDAVP results in partial reversal of clopidogrel-induced platelet dysfunction.
Boolean Operations for the Simulation of Machining Processes Based on the CSG Modeling Technique

The simulation of computer numerically control (CNC) machining process is an important component of CAM, it can check errors and enhance the automation of machining process. In order to realize the material removal simulation of machining process through VC++ and OpenGL, this paper does the research on the Boolean operations based on the Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) modeling technique. Firstly, this paper introduces the CSG technique, especially the creating complex object from simple primitives by the operations of Boolean algebra and the frame buffer. Then this paper achieves the solid modeling of cutter and stock through VC++ and OpenGL, and does the research on the theory of cutter’s swept volume generation. In terms of the theory, a cutter’s swept volume is created. Finally, the Boolean difference operation of a stock and the cutter’s swept volume is realized, and the code is also given.
Continental structure and drift

Gravity and heat flow observations indicate that the structural and chemical differences between oceanic and continental regions extend to depths of several hundred kilometres. A theory of continental drift must account for the maintenance of the deep structure of continents. A comparison of the figure of the Earth obtained from satellite observations with that calculated on the assumption that the Earth is in hydrostatic equilibrium demonstrates that stress differences of the order of 100 bars exist within the mantle. If these stress differences are to be maintained by convective flow, then the mantle must have an average viscosity of 1026 c.g.s.
Light-Activated Protein Inhibition through Photoinduced Electron Transfer of a Ruthenium(II)–Cobalt(III) Bimetallic Complex

We describe a mechanism of light activation that initiates protein inhibitory action of a biologically inert Co(III) Schiff base (Co(III)-sb) complex. Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) occurs from a Ru(II) bipyridal complex to a covalently attached Co(III) complex and is gated by conformational changes that occur in tens of nanoseconds. Reduction of the Co(III)-sb by PET initiates displacement of the inert axial imidazole ligands, promoting coordination to active site histidines of α-thrombin. Upon exposure to 455 nm light, the rate of ligand exchange with 4-methylimidazole, a histidine mimic, increases by approximately 5-fold, as observed by NMR spectroscopy. Similarly, the rate of α-thrombin inhibition increases over 5-fold upon irradiation. These results convey a strategy for light activation of inorganic therapeutic agents through PET utilizing redox-active metal centers.
Large-eddy simulations of turbulent swirling flows injected into a dump chamber

Turbulent swirling flows injected into a coaxial dump chamber at different swirl numbers were studied using large-eddy simulations. The Favre-filtered conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy in three dimensions were solved numerically by means of a finite-volume approach. Results have been validated against experimental data in terms of mean flow velocity and turbulence properties. The work provides insight into several salient features of swirling flows, including vortex breakdown, shear-layer instability, and vortico-acoustic interactions. The dominant acoustic mode in the chamber was found to be sensitive to unsteady vorticity evolution, which in turn strongly depends on the swirl number. Low-frequency acoustic oscillations may arise from large-scale coherent motions in the central toroidal recirculation zone at high swirl numbers. In contrast, the shear-layer instability downstream of the backward-facing step results in high-frequency acoustic waves at low swirl numbers.
On the mathematics of multifield flow

Abstract Equations of motion for multifield flow are defined; their solutions depend continuously on the initial data in the class of functions with finite resolution.
Chloramphenicol effects on chlorophyll degradation and photosystem I assembly in the chlorina CD3 wheat mutant.

We previously reported that applications of chloramphenicol to the chlorina wheat mutant, CD3, decreased the leaf Chl a/b ratio and enhanced accumulations of LHC proteins and LHC complexes during greening (Duysen et al. 1985). We have now examined Chl degradation and the change in Chl a/b ratios in wheat leaves kept in the dark as a measure of LHC destruction. Chl b was stable in chloroplasts of the CD3 wheat kept in darkness up to 5 days. Chloramphenicol significantly increased Chl b accumulations and impaired Chl a degradation in both CD3 mutant and normal wheat relative to untreated plants. Our Chl data suggest that the chloramphenicol induced accumulation of the LHC complex in the mutant wheat results from enhanced processing of LHC into the membrane rather than impairment of LHC degradation. The photosystem I (PSI) fraction of the CD3 wheat mutant was examined relative to that of normal wheat after 3 days greening. PSI was deficient in 25, 26, 26.5 kD LHCI protein in the mutant but both wheats accumulated low quantities of the 27–29 kD LHCII protein as detected by Western blot analysis. Chloramphenicol enhanced accumulations of several LHCI proteins primarily near 25 kD in the mutant and the 27–29 kD LHCII protein in normal wheat. The fluorescence emission and absorbance spectra suggest that chloramphenicol enhances accumulations of dissociated LHC in the PSI preparation of normal and CD3 mutant wheat.
Effect of physostigmine on memory consolidation and retrieval processes in intact and nucleus basalis-lesioned rats.

The efficacy of physostigmine on memory enhancement in rats trained on a passive avoidance task was investigated. In experiment 1, the effect of posttraining injections of physostigmine (0.03 mg/kg) in subjects tested at either short (1.25 h or 72 h) or long (3 weeks or 5 weeks) retention intervals was explored. Results indicated druginduced enhancement of memory at only the two short intervals. Experiment 2 examined the mnemonic consequences of pretest administration of physostigmine. Administration of physostigmine (0.015 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg) shortly prior to testing led to a significant potentiation of memory retrieval. The aim of experiment 3 was to determine whether or not an intact cholinergic system is necessary for pretest physostigmine to enhance memory retrieval. Results from this experiment indicated that physostigmine (0.03 mg/kg) was effective in enhancing memory in rats prepared with ibotenic acid-induced lesions of the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Together, these data provide further empirical support for the importance of the cholinergic system in memory processes.