cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
10-N-heterocylic aryl-isoxazole-amides (AIMs) have robust anti-tumor activity against breast and brain cancer cell lines and useful fluorescence properties.

Abstract A novel series of anthracenyl-isoxazole amide (AIM) antitumor agents containing N-heterocycles in the 10 position (N-het) were synthesized using palladium cross-coupling. The unique steric environment of the N-het-AIMs required individual optimization in each case. Lanthanide mediated double activation was used to couple the dimethylamino pyrrole moiety, required for antitumor action. Robust antitumor activity was observed against breast and brain cancer cell lines. The compounds were docked with the c-myc oncogene promoter sequence, which adopts a G4 quadruplex DNA conformation, and represents the working hypothesis for biological action. The N-het-AIMs have useful fluorescence properties, allowing for observation of their distribution within tumor cells.
Business Structures and Regulatory Environment in China

The business world has been transformed by the rise of China as an economic superpower. This means, that the most successful boards and management teams will increasingly have to add the Chinese market into their portfolio of decision making as well as governance considerations going forward. China is a diverse and complex market characterised by significant regional, economic and cultural differences. The Chinese are a collectivist, particularistic, high context, high power distance culture and this is reflected in the fundamental difference in the role played by the individual in society between Western cultures and China. There remains a lurking suspicion of outsiders in China. The tendency to adapt Western ideas and technologies slowly is an attempt to maintain the Chinese cultural identity. Thus, overall it can be said that China is a traditional homogeneous society with little tolerance for deviance. There are proper and improper ways to behave towards people depending on their in or out-group membership. I hope that this article will stimulate some though and introduce some basic considerations when embarking on this challenging, but potentially very lucrative market.
Molecular Details of the Frataxin-Scaffold Interaction during Mitochondrial Fe-S Cluster Assembly.

Iron–sulfur clusters are essential to almost every life form and utilized for their unique structural and redox-targeted activities within cells during many cellular pathways. Although there are three different Fe–S cluster assembly pathways in prokaryotes (the NIF, SUF and ISC pathways) and two in eukaryotes (CIA and ISC pathways), the iron–sulfur cluster (ISC) pathway serves as the central mechanism for providing 2Fe–2S clusters, directly and indirectly, throughout the entire cell in eukaryotes. Proteins central to the eukaryotic ISC cluster assembly complex include the cysteine desulfurase, a cysteine desulfurase accessory protein, the acyl carrier protein, the scaffold protein and frataxin (in humans, NFS1, ISD11, ACP, ISCU and FXN, respectively). Recent molecular details of this complex (labeled NIAUF from the first letter from each ISC protein outlined earlier), which exists as a dimeric pentamer, have provided real structural insight into how these partner proteins arrange themselves around the cysteine desulfurase, the core dimer of the (NIAUF)2 complex. In this review, we focus on both frataxin and the scaffold within the human, fly and yeast model systems to provide a better understanding of the biophysical characteristics of each protein alone and within the FXN/ISCU complex as it exists within the larger NIAUF construct. These details support a complex dynamic interaction between the FXN and ISCU proteins when both are part of the NIAUF complex and this provides additional insight into the coordinated mechanism of Fe–S cluster assembly.
Sigma-1R Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells in Optic Nerve Crush Model for Glaucoma.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the Sigma-1R (σ-1r) on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival following optic nerve crush (ONC) and the signaling mechanism involved in the σ-1r protection. Methods The overall strategy was to induce injury by ONC and mitigate RGC death by increasing σ-1r expression and/or activate σ-1r activity in σ-1r K/O mice and wild type (WT) mice. AAV2-σ-1r vector was used to increase σ-1r expression and σ-1r agonist used to activate the σ-1r and RGCs were counted. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis determined phosphorylated (p)-c-Jun, c-Jun, and Caspase-3. Pattern electroretinography (PERG) determined RGC activity. Results RGC counts and function were similar in pentazocine-treated WT mice when compared to untreated mice and in WT mice when compared with σ-1r K/O mice. Pentazocine-induced effects and the effects of σ-1r K/O were only observable after ONC. ONC resulted in decreased RGC counts and activity in both WT and σ-1r K/O mice, with σ-1r K/O mice experiencing significant decreases compared with WT mice. The σ-1r transgenic expression resulted in increased RGC counts and activity following ONC. In WT mice, treatment with σ-1r agonist pentazocine resulted in increased RGC counts and increased activity when compared with untreated WT mice. There were time-dependent increases in c-jun, p-c-jun, and caspase-3 expression in ONC mice that were mitigated with pentazocine-treatment. Conclusions These findings suggest that the apoptotic pathway is involved in RGC losses seen in an ONC model. The σ-1r offers neuroprotection, as activation and/or transgenic expression of σ-1r attenuated the apoptotic pathway and restored RGCs number and function following ONC.
The Origins of Emma Beatrice Huber

This chapter describes the origins and development of Emma Beatrice Huber. Emma spent the war as a college girl and a nun in hiding, in the United States. She returned to Europe to seek a theater and design career.
The Future is Female: The Influence of Female Faculty and Resident Representation on Female Applicant Match Rate Amongst Urology Residency Programs Over 3 Years.

Objective To investigate whether there is a correlation between the proportion of female faculty and residents at urology residency programs and the proportion of females matched to those programs. Materials and methods We utilized official results from three consecutive AUA match cycles from 2018 to 2020 to obtain the number of females matched to each program. The number of female residents and faculty members in each program was acquired through querying program websites and contact with residency program coordinators. The correlation between the proportion of females in the newly matched class of residents and the proportion of current female faculty members and residents in that program was calculated for each match cycle. Results There was a positive correlation between the proportion of matched female applicants and the proportion of female residents in each program for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 match cycles (R=0.23, p=0.01; R=0.21, p=0.02, R=0.11, p Conclusion There has been a consistent trend in the proportion of matched female applicants to urology programs correlating positively with the proportion of female residents at those programs over the past three years. This is indicative of the increased potential for female mentorship and leadership opportunities. Further research is needed to investigate the factors that draw female applicants to urology programs with increased female representation.
Disruption of miR-29 Leads to Aberrant Differentiation of Smooth Muscle Cells Selectively Associated with Distal Lung Vasculature

Differentiation of lung vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) is tightly regulated during development or in response to challenges in a vessel specific manner. Aberrant vSMCs specifically associated with distal pulmonary arteries have been implicated in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a progressive and fatal disease, with no effective treatment. Therefore, it is highly relevant to understand the underlying mechanisms of lung vSMC differentiation. miRNAs are known to play critical roles in vSMC maturation and function of systemic vessels; however, little is known regarding the role of miRNAs in lung vSMCs. Here, we report that miR-29 family members are the most abundant miRNAs in adult mouse lungs. Moreover, high levels of miR-29 expression are selectively associated with vSMCs of distal vessels in both mouse and human lungs. Furthermore, we have shown that disruption of miR-29 in vivo leads to immature/synthetic vSMC phenotype specifically associated with distal lung vasculature, at least partially due to the derepression of KLF4, components of the PDGF pathway and ECM-related genes associated with synthetic phenotype. Moreover, we found that expression of FBXO32 in vSMCs is significantly upregulated in the distal vasculature of miR-29 null lungs. This indicates a potential important role of miR-29 in smooth muscle cell function by regulating FBXO32 and SMC protein degradation. These results are strongly supported by findings of a cell autonomous role of endogenous miR-29 in promoting SMC differentiation in vitro. Together, our findings suggested a vessel specific role of miR-29 in vSMC differentiation and function by targeting several key negative regulators.
On the performance of infrared sensors in earth observations

The performance of infrared sensing systems is dependent upon the radiative properties of targets in addition to constraints imposed by system components. The unclassified state-of-the-art of infrared system performance figures is reviewed to indicate the relevance to system performance of target radiative properties. A theory of rough surface scattering is developed which allows the formulation of the reflective characteristics of extended targets. The thermal radiation emission from extended targets is formulated on the basis of internal radiation characteristics of natural materials and the transmissive scattering effects at the surface. Finally, the total radiative characteristics may be expressed as functions of material properties and incident and received directions, although the expressions are extremely complex functions and do not account for the effects of shadowing or multiple scattering. It is believed that the theory may be extended to include these effects and to incorporate the local radii of curvature of the surface.
The Measurement of Affect, Mood, and Emotion: A Guide for Health-Behavioral Research

Prologue 1. Documenting the breadth and depth of the problem 2. Untangling the terminological Gordian knot 3. Should affective states be considered as distinct entities or as positioned along dimensions? 4. Are pleasant and unpleasant states independent or polar opposites? 5. Selecting a measure: a proposed three-step process 6. The old classics: measures of distinct states 7. Dimensional measures 8. Domain-specific measurement: challenges and solutions 9. Problems of domain specificity: examples from exercise Epilogue.
Summary of Hot Brines and Heavy Metal Deposits in the Red Sea

The chapters in this book record the results and ideas of many authors who studied different aspects of the Red Sea, its hot brines, and its metalliferous deposits. Separate chapters deal with regional structure and stratigraphy, local topography and rocks, measurements of geomagnetism and gravity, temperatures of water and sediments, movement of the water, general chemistry of water and sediments, distribution and significance of both stable and radioactive isotopes, flora and fauna of overlying water and bottom sediments, facies of sediments and their metal contents, comparison with ancient metalliferous strata, and finally economic and legal factors that will have to be considered by possible exploiters of the deposit. This last chapter in the book summarizes the previous ones and attempts to draw many related observations into a somewhat more condensed description of the hot brines and metal deposits.
Monitoring Parameters for Optimization of Power & Efficiency and Minimization of Noise in High Frequency IMPATT Diodes

Studies on Impatt Diodes, as the premier class of Solid State Power Sources covering frequencies from 10 to 500 GHz, reveal various ways and means for pushing Frequency, Power and Efficiency and lowering avalanche noise through monitoring of Structural, material and operating parameters. Enhancement of efficiency through incorporation of charge bump, choice of WBG semiconductor like ZnS, use of new structure (DAR) and new junction type (Hetero junction/Hetero structure junction; pushing rf power by increasing bias current, using different WBG semiconductors (SiC, GaN, ZnS); moving to high frequency band through increase of bias current with doping modulation for compensating performance deterioration, harmonic operation and width modulation and lowering of noise by selection of proper semiconductor, diode structure and type of junction can be realized.
Marangoni Flows in a Cylindrical Liquid Bridge of Silicon

In float-zone refining, molten silicon (Si) is held by surface tension a in a cylindrical bridge B liquified by radiation from a ring-heater midway between two solid sections of a Si crystal rod. The grad σ created by the grad θ (θ = temperature on the free surface S of B) generates Marangoni flow in B. We study this flow by numerically solving the time-dependent Navier-Stokes-energy system in B with “free” lateral surface S maintained by the balance between c and pressure p and with flat ends.
Recovery of Motor Function After Lesions in Motor Cortex of Monkey

This behavioural study concerns the contribution of active retraining to motor recovery after a standard lesion in the motor cortex, and includes an evaluation of various retraining procedures. These problems have not previously been experimentally analysed in man or animal. Rhesus monkeys (27) were initially trained on two motor tasks which consisted of a pulling task, involving the proximal muscles of the upper limb, and a hand-grip task for the distal musculature. Strength of pulling and hand-grip were measured quantitatively. For brevity, only the hand grip data are described. After a plateau of proficient performance was achieved in both hands (usually 6-8 months), the cortical precentral forelimb area was surgically ablated on one side. Each animal was then randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups or to a sham operative control group. The groups differed with respect to the use of the contralateral and/or ipsilateral forelimb(s) in post-operative motor training on the same task. In addition, to evaluate the contribution of spontaneous post-operative recovery independent of retraining, we started to train two groups immediately after surgery; in the other two experimental groups the weak forelimb remained idle for the first four post-operative months. Combined training of the weak and normal limb, which resulted in 85% recovery in the weak limb, did not differ statistically from training the weak limb alone (79% recovery). This suggests that the critical factor in promoting recovery is training of the weak forelimb, presumably by 'activation' of the damaged hemisphere. The role of the ipsilateral (strong) limb appears negligible. When post-operative training in the weak limb was delayed four months, spontaneous recovery noted one week after the start of delayed training was about 50% compared with 9% recovery after one week in the groups retrained immediately after surgery (P less than 0.001). The 'immediate' groups, however, continued to improve over a six-month period to about 82% of their pre-operative performance. The 'delay' groups, by contrast, exhibited only slight further improvement, reaching a plateau of 67% recovery six months after the start of retraining (10 months post-operatively). This difference in recovery between the immediate and delay groups was significant at the 0.05 level. This confirms that active physical retraining facilitates motor recovery, although the mechanism remains obscure. The data also suggest that, to be most effective, the training should begin as soon as possible after the insult to the brain has occurred.
Linguistic Geometry: From Search to Construction

1. Introduction. 2. Hierarchy of Formal Languages. 3. Robot Combat for 2D District. 4. Expanding to 3D Space. 5. Deeper Search, More Agents. 6. Concurrency, nxn District. 7. Scheduling: Artificial Conflict. 8. Generating Techniques. 9. Language of Trajectories. 10. Language of Zones. 11. Translations. 12. Languages of Searches. 13. From Search to Construction. 14. Computational Complexity. Future Challenges. References. Index.
Fundamentals and applications of slow light in room temperature solids

An overview of recent research aimed at controlling the propagation velocity of light pulses through material systems is presented. Most of the research involves two basic approaches. One approach is to make use of quantum coherence effects, such as electromagnetically induced transparency or coherent population oscillations, to modify the material response at an atomic level. Another approach is to form artificial material, such as photonic crystals, that possess strong dispersive properties which lead to a large modification to the group velocity. Both of these approaches have been successfully pursued in recent years.
Biological Regulation of Liver Microsomal Inorganic Pyrophosphate-Glucose Phosphotransferase, Glucose 6-Phosphatase, and Inorganic Pyrophosphatase: Differential Effects of Fasting on Synthetic and Hydrolytic Activities

The effects of fasting on hydrolytic and synthetic activities of liver microsomal glucose 6-phosphate phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.9) have been investigated. Differential responses of the two types of activity were observed. Glucose 6-phosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate phosphohydrolase activity levels were elevated after a 48-hour fast, while inorganic pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase activity responded relatively slightly, based on assays carried out in the absence of detergent. However, when homogenates were treated with deoxycholate prior to assay, parallel increases in all three activities were obtained. This latter observation constitutes additional substantiation for the multifunctional nature of microsomal glucose 6-phosphatase. The differential response patterns, and modifying effects of detergent thereon, were observed regardless of the hydrogen ion concentration in assay mixtures in the pH range 4.5 to 7. Kinetic analyses revealed that the differential response patterns were not due simply to fasting-induced changes in Km values, for the noted differences persisted when activity levels were expressed on the basis of Vmax values extrapolated to infinite concentrations of all substrates. Phosphotransferase activity of enzyme newly synthesized or newly activated in response to fasting appears to be blocked at the level of phosphoryl transfer from phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate to glucose. The observed differential patterns of response are consistent with the established hydrolytic role for the enzyme in fasted animals, and contrast with previously observed modes of response of these activities to glucocorticoid administration and experimental diabetes.
Memory: Clinical Disorders

Summary Although memory may appear as a unitary concept, in thisarticlewehavereviewedevidencethatitisinfactcomposedofseparateanddissociableformsofmemory.Wehavefocusedprimarilyontheepisodicmemorysystem,discussedhowthissystem can be affected by diseases affecting the medialtemporal lobes, the limbic system or the frontal lobes, andhow memory distortions may result. We then briefly dis-cussedtheotherformsofmemory,whichdiseasesaffectthemand how these contrast with the episodic memory system.Lastly, we mentioned some of the cognitive neuroscienceresearch that has allowed us to understand these differentforms of memory. We are conﬁdent that continued researchinto memory and memory diseases will ultimately provideassistanceto all patients who suffer from memory disorders. References Bechara A, Tranel D, Damasio H et al. (1995) Double dissociation ofconditioning and declarative knowledge relative to the amygdala andhippocampus in humans. Science 269: 115–118.BudsonAE,DaﬀnerKR,DesikanRandSchacterDL(2000)Whenfalserecognition is unopposed by true recognition: Gist based memorydistortion in Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychology 14: 277–287.BudsonAE,SimonsJS,SullivanALetal.(2004)Memoryandemotionsfor the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in patients with Al-zheimer’s disease, patients with mild cognitive impairment, andhealthy older adults. Neuropsychology 18: 315–327.Damasio H, Grabowski TJ, Tranel D, Hichwa RD and Damasio AR(1996) A neural basis for lexical retrieval. Nature 380: 499–505.Glisky EL and Schacter DL (1989) Extending the limits of complexlearninginorganicamnesia:computer traininginavocationdomain.Neuropsychologia 27: 173–178.Green JD and Hodges JR (1996) Identiﬁcation of famous faces andfamous names in early Alzheimer’s disease. Relationship to antero-grade episodic and general semantic memory. Brain 119: 111–128.Owen AM, Sahakian BJ and Robbins TW (1998) The role of executivedeficitsinmemorydisordersinneurodegenerativedisease.In:TrosterAI (ed.) Memory in Neurodegenerative Disease: Biological, Cognitive,and Clinical Perspectives, pp. 157–171. Cambridge, UK: CambridgeUniversity Press.Salmon DP, Lineweaver TT and Heindel WC (1998) Nondeclarativememoryinneurodegenerative disease.In:TrosterAI(ed.)MemoryinNeurodegenerative Disease: Biological, Cognitive, and ClinicalPerspectives, pp.210–225.Cambridge,UK:CambridgeUniversityPress.Schacter DL and Buckner RL (1998) Priming and the brain. Neuron20: 185–195.Schacter DL and Tulving E (1994) What are the memory systems of1994? In: Schacter DL and Tulving E (eds) Memory Systems 1994,pp. 1–38. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Paleomagnetism of the latest Precambrian/Cambrian Unicoi basalts from the Blue Ridge, northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia: evidence for Taconic deformation

Abstract Three components of magnetization have been observed in ninety-six samples (twelve sites) of amygdaloidal basalts and “sedimentary greenstones” of the Unicoi Formation in the Blue Ridge Province of northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. These components could be isolated by alternating field as well as thermal demagnetization. One component, with a direction close to that of the present-day geomagnetic field is ascribed to recent viscous remanent magnetizations; another component, with intermediate blocking temperatures and coercivities, gives a mean direction of D = 132°, I = +43°,α 95 = 9° for N = 10 sites before correction for tilt of the strata. This direction and the corresponding pole position are close to Ordovician/Silurian data from the North American craton and we infer this magnetization to be due to a thermal(?) remagnetization during or after the Taconic orogeny. This magnetization is of post-folding origin, which indicates that the Blue Ridge in our area was structurally affected by the Taconic deformation. The third component, with the highest blocking temperatures and coercivities, appears to reside in hematite. Its mean direction, D = 276°, I = −17°,α 95 = 13.8° for N = 6 sites (after tilt correction) corresponds to a pole close to Latest Precambrian and Cambrian poles for North America. The fold test is inconclusive for this magnetization at the 95% confidence level because of the near-coincidence of the strike and the declinations. We infer this direction to be due to early high-temperature oxidation of the basalts, and argue that its magnetization may have survived the later thermal events because of its intrinsic high blocking temperatures. A detailed examination of the paleomagnetic directions from this study reveals that the Blue Ridge in this area may have undergone a small counterclockwise rotation of about 15°.
Alternative splicing during chondrogenesis: modulation of fibronectin exon EIIIA splicing by SR proteins.

The alternative exon EIIIA of the fibronectin gene is included in mRNAs produced in undifferentiated mesenchymal cells but excluded from differentiated chondrocytes. As members of the SR protein family of splicing factors have been demonstrated to be involved in the alternative splicing of other mRNAs, the role of SR proteins in chondrogenesis-associated EIIIA splicing was investigated. SR proteins interacted with chick exon EIIIA sequences that are required for exon inclusion in a gel mobility shift assay. Addition of SR proteins to in vitro splicing reactions increased the rate and extent of exon EIIIA inclusion. Co-transfection studies employing cDNAs encoding individual SR proteins revealed that SRp20 decreased mRNA accumulation in HeLa cells, which make A+ mRNA, apparently by interfering with pre-mRNA splicing. Co-transfection studies also demonstrated that SRp40 increased exon EIIIA inclusion in chondrocytes, but not in HeLa cells, suggesting the importance of cellular context for SR protein activity. Immunoblot analysis did not reveal a relative depletion of SRp40 in chondrocytic cells. Possible mechanisms for regulation of EIIIA splicing in particular, and chondrogenesis associated splicing in general, are discussed. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 45–55, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Structure, expression and chromosomal localization of human p80-coilin gene

Abstract Coiled bodies (CBs) are non-capsular nuclear bodies with a diameter of 0.3-1 micron and appear to be composed of coiled fibrils. Human autoantibodies to CBs recognize an 80-kD nuclear protein highly enriched in CBs, and this protein has been named p80-coilin. CBs are known to assemble and disassemble during the cell cycle, with the highest number of CBs occurring at mid to late G1 where p80-coilin is assembled into several small nuclear body-like structures. In S and G2 phases, CBs become larger and their number decreases and often they are undetectable during mitosis. Using a human autoantibody as a probe for expression cloning, we initially isolated a partial cDNA encoding p80-coilin. In this report, the 5' end of the complete cDNA for p80-coilin was obtained using the 5'-RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) methodology. The size of the reconstructed full-length cDNA corresponds to the 2.7-kb mRNA detected in Northern blot analysis. The complete p80-coilin protein consists of 576 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 62,608. A putative p80-coilin pseudogene was also detected during the rescreening of p80-coilin cDNA. To confirm the validity of the cDNA sequence, three overlapping genomic DNA clones representing the human p80-coilin gene were selected for further analysis. The complete gene for p80-coilin contains 7 exons spanning approximately 25kb. Sequence analysis of exons 1 and 2 in genomic DNA clones confirmed the accuracy of the 5' cDNA sequence derived from the 5'-RACE procedure. Furthermore, the human p80-coilin gene was localized to chromosome 17q22-23 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Efficiency enhancement in free-electron lasers driven by electromagnetic-wave wigglers

A scheme for efficiency enhancement in free-electron lasers which are driven by electromagnetic-wave wigglers is described which employs a tapered axial guide magnetic field. While tapered magnetostatic wiggler designs have been proven to be an effective means of enhancing the efficiency of free-electron lasers, practical difficulties occur in the design of tapered electromagnetic-wave wigglers. For this reason, it is shown that a tapered axial guide field can be used in concert with an electromagnetic-wave wiggler for the purpose of efficiency enhancement.
Prolonged Survival with Unresected Pulmonary Metastases

The cases of 3 selected patients who had prolonged survival with pulmonary metastases that doubled in size yearly are reported. The experience with these patients and another, whose disease rapidly progressed after resection of pulmonary metastases, admonishes that the selection criteria for resection of pulmonary metastases require further refinement.
Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in low-resource settings: Current perspectives

Author(s): Prata, Ndola; Bell, Suzanne; Weidert, Karen | Abstract: BackgroundPostpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death in low-income countries and is the primary cause of approximately one-quarter of global maternal deaths. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of PPH prevention interventions, with a particular focus on misoprostol, and the challenges and opportunities that preventing PPH in low-resource settings presents.MethodsUsing PubMed, we conducted a review of the literature on the randomized controlled trials of interventions to prevent PPH. We then searched PubMed and Google Scholar for nonrandomized field trials of interventions to prevent PPH. We limited our review to interventions that are discussed in the current World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for PPH prevention and present evidence regarding the use of these interventions. We focused our review on nondrug PPH prevention interventions compared with no intervention and uterotonics versus placebo; this review does not decipher the relative effectiveness of uterotonic drugs. We describe challenges to and opportunities for scaling up PPH prevention interventions.ResultsActive management of the third stage of labor is considered the "gold standard" strategy for reducing the incidence of PPH. It combines nondrug interventions (controlled cord traction and cord clamping) with the administration of an uterotonic drug, the preferred uterotonic being oxytocin. Unfortunately, oxytocin has limited application in resource-poor countries, due to its heat instability and required administration by a skilled provider. New heat-stable drugs and drug formulations are currently in development that may improve the prevention of PPH; however, misoprostol is a viable option for provision at home by a lay health care worker or the woman herself, in the interim.ConclusionAs the main cause of maternal mortality worldwide, PPH prevention interventions need to be prioritized. Increased access to prophylactic uterotonics, regardless of where deliveries occur, should be the primary means of reducing the burden of this complication.
Sensor networks for landslide detection

In this paper we outline a sensor network for landslide detection. Network sensors deployed on the surface and underground the hill under observation, use distributed signal processing techniques to self-localize and detect any changes in their relative locations. When such movements occur, changes in location as well as soil parameters are passed to a central location and used as input to a Finite Element Model that predicts whether and when a landslide will occur.
Expert systems for automated correlation and interpretation of wireline logs

CORRELATOR is an interactive computer program for lithostratigraphic correlation of wireline logs able to store correlations in a data base with a consistency, accuracy, speed, and resolution that are difficult to obtain manually. The automatic determination of correlations is based on the maximization of a weighted correlation coefficient using two wireline logs per well. CORRELATOR has an expert system to scan and flag incongruous correlations in the data base. The user has the option to accept or disregard the advice offered by the system. The expert system represents knowledge through production rules. The inference system is goal-driven and uses backward chaining to scan through the rules. Work in progress is used to illustrate the potential that a second expert system with a similar architecture for interpreting dip diagrams could have to identify episodes—as those of interest in sequence stratigraphy and fault detection- and annotate them in the stratigraphic column. Several examples illustrate the presentation.
A remote flow cell for UV absorbance detection with capillary HPLC based on a single strand fiber optic

A remote flow cell based on a single strand of fused-silica fiber optic was built for UV absorbance detection with a packed capillary HPLC system, using commercially available pumps, detection electronics (Shimadzu) and fittings. This ‘off-column’ flow cell design is applicable to both pressure and electro-osmotically driven systems. The goals were to minimize the linearity and light leakage problems that often limit the performance of UV absorbance detection with capillary chromatography. A linear dynamic range of 103 (reserpine, λ = 220 nm), and a concentration detection limit of 5.1 × 10−8 mol l−1 were observed. Baseline noise was measured at 3.5 × 10−5 absorbance units (AU), with a standard deviation of 1.7 × 10−5 AU. The illuminated volume of approximately 3 nl was optimized for capillaries with inner diameters in the range 50–100 μm, and flow rates from 100 nl min−1 to 1 μl min−1. These modifications of readily available instrumentation have allowed the construction of a practical system for fractionating complex mixtures of peptides in small amounts, prior to mass spectrometry or additional wet chemistry steps.
Development and evaluation of microparticulate diets for early weaning of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua larvae

Early weaning trials were conducted with cod larvae to investigate the effectiveness of microparticulate diets (microbound and microcoated) with and without lipid-walled capsules (LWCs). The microparticulate diets were evaluated by measuring physical parameters of the diet in the water column (leaching and settling rate), palatability (intestinal fullness), performance of the diet (survival and growth), and examination of the diet in the larval intestine (histological analysis). A feeding trial was conducted using four experimental diets (carrageenan microbound diet, carrageenan microbound diet with LWCs, zein microcoated diet and zein microcoated diet with LWC), one commercial diet (BioKyowa: A-250) and a live feed control (rotifers and Artemia). Survival of cod larvae to 39 days post-hatch ranged from 5 to 10% with the experimental diets, 22.9% with the BioKyowa diet, and 36.5% with live prey. There was evidence of food absorption with all diets in the form of lipid vacuoles in the midgut and supranuclear vacuoles in the hindgut. Large vacuoles in the midgut were more abundant in the enterocytes of larvae fed the experimental diets compared with larvae on the BioKyowa diet and the live feed control. Based on observations of intestinal fullness, the experimental diets appeared to be less palatable than the BioKyowa diet. As a result, it took longer to wean the larvae and higher mortality was experienced during weaning. Once successfully weaned, the experimental diets yielded growth rates equivalent to larvae feeding on the commercial diet for the remainder of the experiment.
The Bell Curve: Another Chapter in the Continuing Political Economy of Racism

As a critique of The Bell Curve, this article briefly explores ideas about intelligence, “race,” and the relationship of those ideas to the place of Blacks in America's political economy. The analysis examines the role of intellectuals in their respective periods in shaping knowledge about intelligence and race. The eugenics movement, including its leaders, and the relationship of their ideas to the political economy in the early 1900s will be explored as being particularly relevant for our understanding The Bell Curve in the present context. A sociology of knowledge framework will be employed to examine the changing roles of African Americans in the labor force and the ideas that seek to legitimize their changing roles, including their increasing “obsolescence” and declining need for their labor. Finally, the developments in our political economy that set the stage for a Charles Murray will be explored; this will include pointing out the direct relationship between The Bell Curve and current politics and...
Cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate potentiates excitatory amino acid and synaptic responses of rat spinal dorsal horn neurons.

Abstract Intracellular recordings were made from rat dorsal horn neurons in the in vitro slice preparation to study the actions of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP). In the presence of TTX, bath application of the membrane permeable analogue of cyclic AMP, 8Br cyclic AMP (25–100 μM) caused a small depolarization of the resting membrane potential accompanied by a variable change in membrane input resistance. In addition, 8-Br cyclic AMP caused a long-lasting increase in the spontaneous synaptic activity and the amplitude of presumed monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked in the substantia gelatinosa neurons by orthodromic stimulation of a lumbar dorsal root. When the fast voltage-sensitive Na conductance was blocked by TTX, 8-Br cyclic AMP enhanced in a reversible manner, the depolarizing responses of a proportion of dorsal horn neurons to N- methyl- d -aspartic acid (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), quisqualic acid (QA) and kainic acid (KA). The effects of 8-Br cyclic AMP on the resting membrane potential and the NMDA response of dorsal horn neurons were mimicked by reducing phosphodiesterase activity with bath application of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, but not by cyclic AMP applied extracellularly. Moreover, we have found that intracellular application of a protein inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKI) into dorsal horn neurons prevents the 8-Br cyclic AMP-induced potentiation of the NMDA response of these cells. These results suggest that in the rat spinal dorsal horn the activation of the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase system may be involved in the enhancement of the sensitivity of postsynaptic excitatory amino acid (NMDA, AMPA, KA) receptors and modulation of primary afferent neurotransmission, including nociception.
Integral Imaging with Improved Depth of Field by Use of Amplitude-Modulated Microlens Arrays

One of the main challenges in three-dimensional integral imaging is its limited depth of field. Such a limitation is imposed by diffraction, among other factors. The easiest way to improve the depth of field is by reducing the numerical aperture of the microlenses. However, such an improvement is obtained at the expense of an important deterioration in the spatial resolution. We propose a technique, which is novel in the context of integral imaging, for improving the depth of field with no deterioration of the spatial resolution. The technique, based on amplitude modulation of the array of phase elements, can substantially improve the figure of merit of the product of depth of the focus and the squared resolution.
The Development of Comforting Communication Skills in Childhood and Adolescence.

BURLESON, BRANT R. The Development of Comforting Communication Skills in Childhood and Adolescence. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1982, 53, 1578-1588. This study provides an analysis of the effects of age, sex, and communicative situations on several comforting communication skills. 12 subjects (6 males and 6 females) from each grade, 1 through 12, responded to 4 hypothetical situations in which a same-sex friend was experiencing some form of emotional distress. For each situation, subjects were specifically asked to state everything they might say to make their distressed friend feel better. Subjects' messages were coded for the number and variety of message strategies employed and for the extent to which these message strategies evidenced sensitivity to the feelings and perspective of the distressed other. Analyses indicated that the number, variety, and sensitivity of comfort-intended message strategies increased significantly with age; subsidiary analyses further indicated that these increases were largely monotonic in character. Females used a greater number, a greater variety, and qualitatively more sensitive comforting strategies than did males. A situation involving a conflict between a friend and a liked teacher was found to elicit significantly fewer strategies than 3 other situations. These results are discussed within the context of previous research on the development of social cognition, prosocial behavior, and functional communication skills.
Early administration of IL-12 suppresses EAE through induction of interferon-γ

Abstract Recent findings have shown that IL-12, a key inducer of Th1 cell development, is not required in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as severe CNS inflammatory demyelination can develop in the absence of IL-12 or IL-12 responsiveness. These data raised the possibility of an immunomodulatory action of IL-12 in this disease model. We show here that IL-12 suppresses MOG35–55-induced EAE in the C57BL/6 mouse when administered during the early induction phase of the disease. The inhibitory effect is interferon-γ-(IFN-γ)-dependent, as clearly shown by lack of suppression in IFN-γ-deficient mice, and is also accompanied by inhibition of mRNA expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17.
Linear and nonlinear mechanisms of brain-wave generation.

EEGs of monkeys stimulated cyclically by whole- body vibration, plotting coherence functions relating brain records to acceleration records
Feasibility of iris identification algorithm optimization by fractional template matching

The human iris exhibits random and unique textural patterns that allow for identification with high accuracy. These patterns are evident in near-infrared (NIR) imagery, even for very dark irises. Iris templates are created from NIR iris imagery with the Ridge Energy Direction (RED) recognition algorithm and subsequently matched to measure performance. In this paper we investigate the feasibility of algorithm optimization by performing an initial fractional template comparison to eliminate high Hamming distance (HD) score matches followed by a full template re-comparison or iterative higher fractional template comparison on remaining templates. Recognition performance for different fractional template areas is analyzed with a view towards substantial improvement of algorithm identification time performance. The feasibility of identification time reduction by 60% or more is reported both ICE and Bath data sets. (5 pages)
Evaluation of hydrological and biological influences on CO2 fluxes from a karst stream

Carbon dioxide exchange is the fundamental process that drives calcite precipitation in a spring-fed travertine-depositing stream located in Augusta County, Virginia. Groundwater issuing at the surface springs that feed the stream is supersaturated with respect to atmospheric CO2. CO2 flux along the stream is attributed to physical outgassing caused by the steep concentration gradient between CO2 dissolved in the stream water and its partial pressure in the atmosphere. The stream water is so rich in CO2 that biological cycling does not significantly alter the mass flux. Outgassing is enhanced by hydrological agitation at the cascades. The local flux of CO2 from the stream is greatest during the summer and fall. During those times, outgassing is driven by high dissolved CO2 concentrations in the springs, warm temperatures, and low stream discharge. Seasonally, variations in the net flux of CO2 from Falling Spring Run are minor. Outgassing drives the solution to high degrees of supersaturation with respect to calcite, yet calcite precipitation does not occur until the solution attains concentrations near five times supersaturation, high enough to overcome kinetic inhibition. Precipitation is greatest along the cascades where (1) hydrological agitation drives rapid loss of CO2 and (2) benthic algal and moss mats and the travertine itself provide fresh surfaces for crystal growth. Calcite precipitation is greatest in the summer and fall when the local CO2 flux is greatest.
Aluminum nitride buffer layer for diamond film growth

The role of aluminum nitride (AlN) as a buffer layer on the nucleation and growth of diamond on silicon and steel substrates during hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HF-CVD) has been investigated systematically. The scanning Auger electron microscopy (AES) is employed to study chemistry and content of carbon on the surface and in subsurface regions of AlN as a function of HF-CVD parameters. It is found that AlN offers an excellent diffusion barrier for carbon over a wide range of temperature and hydrocarbon content of CVD gas environment, with simultaneous inhibition of graphitization. It also facilitates nucleation of diamond phase. The surface reactions between AlN and carbon are discussed in terms of hydrogen-assisted phase transformations. We have developed a two-step procedure to obtain a continuous diamond film on steel substrates. The characteristic features of AlN have been exploited to obtain adherent and graphite-free diamond deposits on various types of steels, including low carbon steel, tool steel, high speed steel, and bearing steel.
Obesity and pulmonary function testing.

Obese patients frequently present with respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea, explained in part by the fact that obese individuals tend to breathe rapidly and shallowly as an adaptation to the increase in total respiratory work and resistance caused by obesity. However, the clinician is frequently asked to determine whether these findings are simply caused by obesity alone or whether they represent a respiratory illness. Accurate interpretation of spirometry performed on obese patients requires an understanding of the effect of obesity severity and distribution on lung volumes and airway size. In mild obesity, results of spirometry might be normal or might suggest a restrictive process, with a symmetric reduction in FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC). Some investigators have observed a disproportionate reduction in FVC with obesity, demonstrating that body mass index (in kilograms per square meter) is significantly associated with the FEV1/FVC ratio (P< .01). 3 In contrast, individuals with extreme obesity can demonstrate airflow limitation on spirometry. In one study of subjects with a body
CCD camera system for use with a streamer chamber

Abstract A system based on three charge-coupled-device (CCD) cameras is described here. It has been used to acquire images from a streamer chamber and consists of three identical subsystems, one for each camera. Each subsystem contains an optical lens, CCD camera head, camera controller, an interface between the CCD and a microprocessor, and a link to a minicomputer for data recording and on-line analysis. Image analysis techniques have been developed to enhance the quality of the particle tracks. Some steps have been made to automatically identify tracks and reconstruct the event.
Split vermilion grafts in reconstructive lip surgery

Split grafts from the "dry" vermilion have been used as overgrafts in reconstructive lip surgery. These can replace abnormal scar or "wet" mucosa with a "dry" vermilion that blends in well, especially at the mucocutaneous junction. The grafts are taken free hand with a scalpel or razor blade and sutured directly on to the de-epithelialised regions of the lip. This technique has been used in ten patients in the last years. No significant complications have occurred and the aesthetic benefit has justified the surgical effort.
A Structural Mass Spectrometry Strategy for the Relative Quantitation of Ligands on Mixed Monolayer-Protected Gold Nanoparticles

It is becoming increasingly common to use gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) protected by a heterogeneous mixture of thiolate ligands, but many ligand mixtures on AuNPs cannot be properly characterized due to the inherent limitations of commonly used spectroscopic techniques. Using ion mobility−mass spectrometry (IM-MS), we have developed a strategy that allows measurement of the relative quantity of ligands on AuNP surfaces. This strategy is used for the characterization of three samples of mixed-ligand AuNPs: tiopronin:glutathione (av diameter 2.5 nm), octanethiol:decanethiol (av diameter 3.6 nm), and tiopronin:11-mercaptoundecyl(poly ethylene glycol) (av diameter 2.5 nm). For validation purposes, the results obtained for tiopronin:glutathione AuNPs were compared to parallel measurements using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) without ion mobility separation. Relative quantitation measurements for NMR and IM-MS were in excellent agreement, with an average difference of les...