cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Coordination Chemistry of “[BP_3]NiX” Platforms: Targeting Low-Valent Nickel Sources as Promising Candidates to L_3Ni=E and L_3Ni≡E Linkages

A series of divalent, monovalent, and zerovalent nickel complexes supported by the electron-releasing, monoanionic tris(phosphino)borate ligands [PhBP_3] and [PhBP^(iPr)_3] ([PhBP_3] = [PhB(CH_2PPh_2)_3]-, [PhBP^(iPr)_3] = [PhB(CH_2PiPr_2)_3]-) have been synthesized to explore fundamental aspects of their coordination chemistry. The pseudotetrahedral, divalent halide complexes [PhBP_3]NiCl (1), [PhBP_3]NiI (2), and [PhBP^(iPr)_3]NiCl (3) were prepared by the metalation of [PhBP_3]Tl or [PhBP^(iPr)_3]Tl with (Ph_3P)_2NiCl_2, NiI_2, and (DME)NiCl_2 (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane), respectively. Complex 1 is a versatile precursor to a series of complexes accessible via substitution reactions including [PhBP_3]Ni(N_3) (4), [PhBP_3]Ni(OSiPh_3) (5), [PhBP_3]Ni(O-p-tBu-Ph) (6), and [PhBP_3]Ni(S-p-tBu-Ph) (7). Complexes 2−5 and 7 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and are pseudotetrahedral monomers in the solid state. Complex 1 reacts readily with oxygen to form the four-electron-oxidation product, {[PhB(CH_2P(O)Ph_2)_2(CH_2PPh_2)]NiCl} (8A or 8B), which features a solid-state structure that is dependent on its method of crystallization. Chemical reduction of 1 using Na/Hg or other potential 1-electron reductants generates a product that arises from partial ligand degradation, [PhBP_3]Ni(η^2-CH_2PPh_2) (9). The more sterically hindered chloride 3 reacts with Li(dbabh) (Hdbabh = 2,3:5,6-dibenzo-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene) to provide the three-coordinate complex [κ^2-PhBP^(iPr)_3]Ni(dbabh) (11), also characterized by XRD. Chemical reduction of complex 1 in the presence of L-type donors produces the tetrahedral Ni(I) complexes [PhBP_3]Ni(PPh_3) (12) and [PhBP3]Ni(CNtBu) (13). Reduction of 3 following the addition of PMe_3 or tert-butyl isocyanide affords the Ni(I) complexes [PhBP^(iPr)_3]Ni(PMe_3) (14) and [PhBP^(iPr)_3]Ni(CN^tBu) (15), respectively. The reactivity of these [PhBP_3]Ni^IL and [PhBP^(iPr)_3]NiI^L complexes with respect to oxidative group transfer reactions from organic azides and diazoalkanes is discussed. The zerovalent nitrosyl complex [PhBP_3]Ni(NO) (16) is prepared by the reaction of 1 with excess NO or by treating 12 with stoichiometric NO. The anionic Ni(0) complexes [[κ^2-PhBP_3]Ni(CO)_2][^nBu_4N] (17) and [[κ^2-PhBP^(iPr)_3]Ni(CO)_2][ASN] (18) (ASN = 5-azoniaspiro[4.4]nonane) have been prepared by reacting [PhBP_3]Tl or [PhBP^(iPr)_3]Tl with (Ph_3P)_2Ni(CO)_2 in the presence of R_4NBr. The photolysis of 17 appears to generate a new species consistent with a zerovalent monocarbonyl complex which we tentatively assign as {[PhBP_3]Ni(CO)}{^nBu_4N}, although complete characterization of this complex has been difficult. Finally, theoretical DFT calculations are presented for the hypothetical low spin complexes [PhBP_3]Ni(N^tBu), [PhBP^(iPr)_3]Ni(N^tBu), [PhBP^(iPr)_3]Ni(NMe), and [PhBP^(iPr)_3]Ni(N) to consider what role electronic structure factors might play with respect to the relative stability of these species.
Electrostatics of two intersecting conducting cylinders

An exact result for the perturbed electric potential disturbed by a conductor formed by a pair of intersecting, conducting infinitely long cylinders placed in an arbitrary potential field is provided. Applying the idea of Kelvin's inversion repeatedly, the general solution for the potential function is derived for the case when the two cylinders intersect at a vertex angle @p/n (n an integer). The exact expression for the potential is presented as a theorem followed by a simple proof. The corresponding expression in complex form is also given. The general result is then used to find the image systems for various imposed potentials in a straightforward fashion.
Low energy conversion of atrial fibrillation in the sheep

Objectives In this study, the feasibility, efficacy and safety of low energy internal atrial cardioversion were investigated in a sheep model. The relation between the level of energy used for atrial defibrillation and the probability of successful cardioversion was examined. Background Atrial fibrillation is a common clinical arrhythmia that frequently recurs after termination with high energy external cardioversion. In some patients with drug-refractory and poorly tolerated atrial fibrillation, an automatic implantable cardioverter may prove useful by providing rapid restoration of sinus rhythm. Methods In 16 pentobarbital-anesthetized sheep, a right atrial spring electrode was implanted percutaneously and a left thoracic cutaneous patch electrode was placed on the thorax. Sustained atrial fibrillation was induced by rapid atrial pacing and terminated by biphasic cathodal shocks synchronized to the R wave of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG). Results During 768 defibrillation attempts in 16 sheep, the percent of successful cardioversion attempts increased in a dose-response manner, reaching a plateau at the average energy level of 5 J. With greater than or equal to 1.5 and greater than or equal to 2.5 J energy levels, cardioversion was achieved, respectively, in greater than 50% and greater than 80% of attempts. Ventricular fibrillation occurred in 18 (2.4%) of 768 cardioversion attempts; in all 18 cases, the shock was poorly synchronized with the ECG R wave. Conclusions Low energy cardioversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm is feasible with use of a right atrial spring/cutaneous patch electrode configuration. The percent of successful cardioversion attempts depends on the level of energy output, and there is a risk of ventricular fibrillation if cardioversion is poorly synchronized with ventricular depolarization.
Self-Concept Continuum for Understanding Student Behavior

The educator who deals effectively with student misbehavior is probably focusing on the causes of that behavior, these authors believe. A process designed to promote understanding of student motivation, and to help in dealing effectively with misbehavior, is outlined in this article.
Effect of silane coupling agent adsorbate structure on adhesion performance with a polymeric matrix

The effect of the silane coupling agent adsorbate structure on adhesion performance is investigated. Glass beads are treated with two different sets of silanes where each set contains the same organo-functional group, but a different number of alkoxy groups, viz. one, two, or three. Adhesion strength measurements were obtained from tests in which single, silane-treated glass beads were imbedded into rectangular poly (vinyl butyral) specimens that were then subjected to an applied tensile stress until failure occurred at one of the poles of the sphere. The results indicate that the mono-alkoxy silanes have the least effect on adhesion, the consequence of poor attachment of the silane to the mineral surface, while the di- and tri-alkoxy silanes produce a marked increase in adhesion strength due to the increased stability of their bonds to the glass surface and their ability to form more extensive interphases with the polymer.
Lentic moulds of southern lake winnebago

Non-saprolegniaceous moulds were isolated during the course of a year from the water of southern Lake Winnebago, Central Wisconsin. At any given time, the fungal flora was found to be uniform throughout the lake, reflecting the homogeneity of its physico-chemical characteristics. Eighty-seven species of microfungi were isolated representing thirty-two genera. Cladosporium cladosporoides (Fries) G. A. DeVries, Trichoderma viride Pers. ex Fries, Alternaria tenuissima (Fries) Wiltshire and various species of Penicillium were most frequently isolated. The greatest number of species was isolated from January to May while the lowest number was isolated from August to October.
Depression in temporal lobe epilepsy before epilepsy surgery.

Summary: Purpose: This study examined the association of depression with laterality of epilepsy surgery in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy before standard lobectomy. Methods: Forty-nine patients presented for EEG telemetry for localization of epilepsy and eventual temporal lobectomy. Patients underwent routine neuropsychiatric evaluation blinded for epileptic focus, including ratings on depression. Patients were grouped according to right (n = 25, M = 10/F = 15) and left (n = 24, M = 13/F = 11) temporal lobectomy. Analysis of variance included side of surgery as grouping variable and sex, general depressive, cognitive depressive, and vegetative depressive symptoms as dependent variables. χ2 Analyses included categoric variables of sex, handedness, education, neuropathologic findings, and current affective disorders. t Tests were performed on variables of age, epilepsy duration, and cognitive function. Results: Right and left temporal epilepsy groups did not differ with regard to sex, handedness, age, duration of epilepsy, education, cognitive function, and neuropathology. Patients with right temporal epilepsy rated higher on general, cognitive, and vegetative depression scores. Women scored higher on general, cognitive, and vegetative depression scores. Current affective disorders were more common in the right temporal epilepsy group. Conclusions: Depression ratings and diagnoses were more prominent in patients with right temporal lobe epilepsy and in women in particular. The strength of this laterality finding lies in the selection of patients, as all underwent epilepsy surgery. The finding on gender difference partly reflects the higher incidence of depression in women and needs further exploration. The laterality finding contrasts with recent findings in epilepsy, stroke, and trauma that associate depression with left hemispheric lesions. However, our results are consistent with findings in electrically hyperactive lesions such as gelastic and dacrystic epilepsy.
Maintenance and modulation of T cell polarity

As T cells move through the lymphatics and tissues, chemokine receptors, adhesion molecules, costimulatory molecules and antigen receptors engage their ligands in the microenvironment and contribute to establishing and maintaining cell polarity. Cytoskeletal assemblies, surface proteins and vesicle traffic are essential components of polarity and probably stabilize the activity of lymphocytes that must negotiate their 'noisy' environment. An additional component of polarity is a family of polarity proteins in T cells that includes Dlg, Scrib and Lgl, as well as a complex of partitioning-defective proteins. Ultimately, the strength of a T cell response may rely on correct T cell polarization. Therefore, loss of polarity regulators or guidance cues may interfere with T cell activation.
Optimized control of generation of few cycle pulses by molecular modulation

Production of subfemtosecond optical pulses or pulses with predetermined sub-cycle shape of electric field demands a broadband coherent light source of few octaves of bandwidth. Previous work has shown that such a broadband light source can be obtained by the molecular modulation technique. In this article, we review theoretical and experimental improvements in this area: from increasing the efficiency of the generation process by use of hollow waveguides to increasing the number of sidebands generated by the Raman additive technique, or by combined vibrational and rotational Raman generation. We find that stimulated rotational Raman scattering can be either enhanced or suppressed at proper detunings from vibrational Raman resonance in the same molecular ensemble.
Lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain of rats in the morphine-tolerant state.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the production of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and brain; morphine has been shown to be immunosuppressive. However, we previously reported that serum levels of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are potentiated during morphine tolerance due to the HPA axis desensitization. In this study, we examined LPS-induced cytokine production in the brain of morphine-tolerant rats. The animals were implanted with two and four morphine (75 mg) pellets on days 1 and 2, respectively. On either day 4 or 5, 250 μg/kg LPS was administered (i.p.). Animals implanted with placebo and injected with saline were used as the control. The animals were sacrificed either 16 or 2 h post-injection, respectively, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA levels in the brain were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. IL-1β mRNA increased 2 h post-LPS treatment, whereas IL-6 decreased. At 16 h, TNF-α expression mRNA increased. These data suggest that the inflammatory response in the brain is heightened during morphine tolerance.
Chronic stress alters concentrations of corticosterone receptors in a tissue-specific manner in wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus)

The physiological stress response results in release of glucocorticoid hormones such as corticosterone (CORT). Whereas short-term activation of this response helps animals cope with environmental stressors, chronic activation can result in negative effects including metabolic dysregulation and reproductive failure. However, there is no consensus hormonal profile of a chronically stressed animal, suggesting that researchers may need to look beyond hormone titers to interpret the impacts of chronic stress. In this study, we brought wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus) into captivity. We then compared glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor concentrations in sparrows exposed either to a standardized chronic stress protocol (n=26) or to standard husbandry conditions (controls; n=20). We used radioligand binding assays to quantify receptors in whole brain, liver, kidneys, spleen, gonads, gastrocnemius and pectoralis muscle, omental and subcutaneous fat, and bib and back skin. In most tissues, CORT receptors did not differ between controls and stressed animals, although we found marginal increases in receptor density in kidney and testes in stressed birds at some time points. Only in pectoralis muscle was there a robust effect of chronic stress, with both receptor types higher in stressed animals. Increased pectoralis sensitivity to CORT with chronic stress may be part of the underlying mechanism for muscle wasting in animals administered exogenous CORT. Furthermore, the change in pectoralis was not paralleled by gastrocnemius receptors. This difference may help explain previous reports of a greater effect of CORT on pectoralis than on other muscle types, and indicate that birds use this muscle as a protein reserve.
Cadmium telluride quantum-dot-doped glass by the sol-gel technique

CdTe quantum dot (QD)-doped sodium borosilicate (NBS) glasses with particle sizes ranging from 2.4 nm to 8.5 nm were synthesized by the sol-gel technique. Two sol-gel methods were developed. Method (1) involves the immersion of CdO-doped gels in Na2Te/methanol (MeOH) solution for 1 to 4 days at 60 degrees Celsius, followed by heat-treatment at 540 degree Celsius or 570 degrees Celsius for 6 to 12 hours in an inert atmosphere. In method 2, CdTe QDs were directly formed at various temperatures (520 degrees Celsius to 570 degrees Celsius) under a reducing atmosphere. The synthesis of CdTe QDs in the NBS glass was accomplished using cadmium nitrate [Cd(NO3)2] and telluric acid (H6TeO6) as the starting materials. The number density and particle size distribution of the CdTe nanocrystallites depend on the heat- treatment conditions for the reduction of Te6+ to Te2- ions and their subsequent ions react with Cd2+ ions to form CdTe. The absorption edges of these glasses were blue-shifted due to quantum confinement depending on the concentration of the initial salt and the heat- treatment conditions.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Decadal Air-Sea Interaction in the North Atlantic Based on Observations and Modeling Results

Abstract The decadal, 12–14-yr cycle observed in the North Atlantic SST and tide gauge data was examined using the NCEP–NCAR reanalyses, the Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set, and an ocean model simulation. SST data are contrasted with tide gauge data, which shows that in SST the decadal mode is nonstationary with strong variability for the last 40–50 yr, but the sea level at the southeastern U.S. coast exhibits a robustly regular variability at this period for the last 75 yr. Thus, sea level variability gives credibility to the existence of a decadal mode. The main finding is that this 12–14-yr cycle can be constructed based on the leading mode of the surface heat flux, which implicates the participation of the thermohaline circulation. This cycle has potential to be a coupled mode because three necessary aspects of a coupled mode are found: a positive feedback between the atmosphere and ocean in the subpolar gyre, a negative feedback of the overturning variability on itself, and a delayed adjustme...
Statistical analysis of fractal-based brain tumor detection algorithms

Fractals are geometric objects that have a noninteger fractal dimension (FD). The FD has been exploited for various biomedical recognition applications such as breast tumor and lung tumor detection. Our previous work shows that the FD is useful in the detection of brain tumors when a reference nontumor image is available. In this work, we extend our previous work by statistically validating the results of FD analysis on a set of 80 real MR and CT images. Our half-image technique requires that the tumor is located in one half of the brain whereas our whole-image technique does not. Furthermore, we alleviate the need for a reference (control) nontumor image to compute the tumor FD, which was necessary in our previous work. We also compare the brain tumor detection performance of our algorithms with other fractal-based algorithms in the literature and statistically validate our results against manually segmented tumor images. We find that the tumor region offers a statistically significant lower FD compared with that of the nontumor area for most of the FD algorithms studied in this work. Thus, our statistical analysis suggests that these FD algorithms may be exploited successfully to determine the possible presence and location of brain tumors in MR and CT images.
Pericardioscopy as adjunct to pericardial window

A technique for pericardioscopy at the time of subxiphoid pericardial window was evaluated in 17 patients undergoing surgery for clinically suspected malignant pericardial effusion. Best results were obtained using a rigid mediastinoscope for inspection of the posterior and lateral pericardial surfaces. No complications ensued, although many patients experienced cardiac arrythmias which always resolved with removal of the scope. Pericardioscopy revealed cancer transgressing the pericardium near the pulmonary veins in one patient, and this would have been missed without pericardioscopy. Pericardioscopy confirmed palpable metastatic deposits on the inferior pericardial surface in two other patients. In 14 patients, pericardioscopy did not reveal malignancy, although four of these patients had both positive fluid cytologic findings and malignant infiltration of the pericardial biopsy. In one patient a palpable but not visible nodule was proved to be an extrinsic hepatic metastasis. Pericardioscopy is a safe intervention chiefly applicable in patients with central tumors and pericardial effusion in whom subxiphoid pericardial window is not clearly diagnostic at the time of surgery.
Development of a Cryogen-Free Concentration System for Measurements of Volatile Organic Compounds

An innovative cryogen-free concentrator system for measurement of atmospheric trace gases at the parts per trillion level has been developed with detection by routinely used gas chromatographic methods. The first-generation system was capable of reaching a trapping temperature of −186 °C, while the current version can reach −195 °C. A Kleemenko cooler is used to create liquid nitrogen equivalent trapping conditions and eliminate the use of solid absorbents, a potential source of artifacts. The method utilizes dual-stage trapping with individual cold regions. The two stages are cooled to −20 and −175 °C for water management and sample enrichment, respectively. Both stages house a Silonite-coated stainless steel sample loop; the second stage loop is filled with 1-mm-diameter glass beads, which provide an inert surface area for analyte concentration. In our application, the complete system employed four channels utilizing two flame ionization detectors, one electron capture detector, and a mass spectrometer....
Higher-Order Turbulence Closure and Its Impact on Climate Simulations in the Community Atmosphere Model

AbstractThis paper describes climate simulations of the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5), coupled with a higher-order turbulence closure known as Cloud Layers Unified by Binormals (CLUBB). CLUBB is a unified parameterization of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and shallow convection that is centered around a trivariate probability density function (PDF) and replaces the conventional PBL, shallow convection, and cloud macrophysics schemes in CAM5. CAM–CLUBB improves many aspects of the base state climate compared to CAM5. Chief among them is the transition of stratocumulus to trade wind cumulus regions in the subtropical oceans. In these regions, CAM–CLUBB provides a much more gradual transition that is in better agreement with observational analysis compared to CAM5, which is too abrupt. The improvement seen in CAM–CLUBB can be largely attributed to the gradual evolution of the simulated turbulence, which is in part a result of the unified nature of the parameterization, and to the general i...
Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like transforming growth factor (TGF) activity and EGF receptors in ovine fetal tissues: possible role for TGF in ovine fetal development.

ABSTRACT. To determine whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) or EGF-like transforming growth factors (TGFs) are present in ovine fetal tissues, we have tested acid-ethanol extracts of ovine fetal kidney for the ability to induce anchorage-independent growth of normal rat kidney fibroblasts in soft agar and to compete with 125I-mouse EGF for binding to receptors in sheep liver. The fetal kidney extract (20-1000 μg protein/ml) stimulated a dose-dependent increase in the number of soft agar colonies of normal rat kidney cells. Approximately 70% of these colonies measured > 3100 μM2. The fetal kidney extract was dissolved in 1 M acetic acid and chromatographed on Bio-Gel P 10. Two peaks of TGF-like activity, with approximate MW 14.5K (peak 1) and 9K (peak 2), eluted from the column. Half-maximal effects of pooled peaks 1 and 2 on colony formation were achieved using 100 and 20 μg protein/ml, respectively. Peaks 1 and 2 also competed with 125I-mouse EGF for binding to EGF receptors in ovine fetal liver but had no activity in a homologous mouse EGF radioimmunoassay sensitive to 15 pg mouse EGF. Neither TGF activity nor EGF receptor binding activity was detected in Bio-Gel fractions co-eluting with 125I-mouse EGF. Specific 125I-EGF binding sites in fetal liver were detected as early as midgestation, and the number of EGF binding sites increased markedly in late gestation, exceeding the number of EGF binding sites in the livers of pregnant ewes. These findings demonstrate the presence of TGF-like activity in ovine fetal kidney and high affinity EGF receptors in ovine fetal liver. The absence of EGF receptor activity in Bio-Gel fractions coeluting with 125I-mouse EGF suggests that TGF may predominate in the ovine fetus and may play an EGF-like role in ovine fetal development.
Ethical issues faced by nursing editors.

This study reports on ethical issues faced by editors of nursing journals, a topic which has not appeared in the nursing literature. A survey of nursing editors (n = 88)was conducted via e-mail; th...
Pediatric preventive cardiology: atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Pediatric preventive cardiology has as one of its goals, the reduction in incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease in adults by the promotion of prudent life-styles in children and adolescents. Few would find fault with this goal, yet the "best" approach and strategy to reduce atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease has been the source of controversy.1-4 The recently published National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference Statement on lowering blood cholesterol to prevent heart disease has summarized the literature relating blood cholesterol and heart disease.5 The strategies recommended include: (1) dietary changes to reduce total dietary fat, saturated fat, and dietary cholesterol consumption in everyone older than 2 years of age, (2) universal blood cholesterol screening for all adults older than 18 years of age, (3) more intensive diet therapy for those with a blood cholesterol level ≥75th percentile, (4) possible addition of drug therapy for individuals whose blood cholesterol levels remain ≥75th percentile despite diet therapy, and (5) in individuals with elevated blood cholesterol levels, emphasis on management of other coronary heart disease risk factors: hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes and physical inactivity. The European Atherosclerosis Society has also recently advocated screening the population to find those at high risk (eg, those with an elevated blood cholesterol level in conjunction with population strategies to improve nutrition, eradicate smoking, control hypertension, and promote suitable physical activity.6
Crepe-ribbon representation for protein structures: comparison of phospholipases A 2

We describe a method to generate a novel representation for protein structures called "crepe ribbons." In our representation, each piece of the ribbon was constructed using the coordinates of the backbone atoms of each individual residue. Using the internal geometries of each residue and a helix-generating algorithm, a local origin and the direction cosines of a local orthogonal system were obtained. The locus of the local origins represents the folding of the polypeptide. A color-coded origin-origin distance plot similar to that of C alpha-C alpha distance plot was generated. This plot may be used to visually compare and contrast two structures. We identified linear regions in the distribution of the local origins and assigned a secondary structure description. Parameters describing the interrelation between various secondary structure segments were calculated. We have illustrated our crepe-ribbon representation by comparing two phospholipase A2 structures in the Brookhaven National Laboratory Protein Data Bank.
Paleomagnetic results from the Upper Cretaceous Maudlow and Livingston formations, southwest Montana

A paleomagnetic investigation of welded tuff units from the Late Cretaceous Livingston and Maudlow Formations was undertaken to refine the Late Cretaceous to Paleocene APWP for cratonic North America. After progressive AF and thermal demagnetization, the Maudlow Formation (46.1°N, 248.9°E) yields a paleomagnetic pole at 70°N, 208°E (11 sites, A95 = 9°, K = 22). Tectonic correction improves the directional grouping, and the change is statistically significant. Two normal polarity intervals bounding a single reversed polarity interval are present. We interpret the reversed interval to be Chron 33r, on the basis of: [1] stratigraphic correlation of the Maudlow Formation with the Campanian Sedan Formation located 40 km to the east, and [2] K-Ar dates of 83 ± 2 Ma at the middle of the sampled section and 74.9 ± 1 Ma near the top of the sampled section. The Livingston Formation (45.5°N, 250.1°E) yields a high Hc magnetization with a negative fold test, suggesting a post-folding secondary magnetization. The Livingston mean direction yields a paleomagnetic pole at 72°N, 218°E (10 sites, A95 = 4°, K = 107) and is clearly distinguishable from a co-existing lower Hc component reflecting a recent viscous overprint. We interpret the high Hc magnetization as Late Cretaceous to Paleocene in age. Neither the Maudlow Formation pole nor the pole derived from the high Hc overprint in the Livingston Formation agree with previously published poles for either the Late Cretaceous or Tertiary, but they do lie on a simple continuation of the APWP between Late Cretaceous and Paleocene mean poles. Secondary magnetizations found in the Franciscan Complex of California also yield poles which lie on a proposed extension of the APWP. If the Franciscan secondary poles represent an overprint event associated with early Tertiary accretion, and if the Livingston secondary pole represents a deformational event related to Laramide uplift of the nearby Beartooth Range, then together these three poles suggest that the North American APWP may continue farther to the east and south to define a Cretaceous-Tertiary cusp.
Lower serum hepcidin and greater parenchymal iron in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with C282Y HFE mutations

Hepcidin regulation is linked to both iron and inflammatory signals and may influence iron loading in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among HFE genotype, serum hepcidin level, hepatic iron deposition, and histology in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping for C282Y (rs1800562) and H63D (rs1799945) HFE mutations was performed in 786 adult subjects in the NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN). Clinical, histologic, and laboratory data were compared using nonparametric statistics and multivariate logistic regression. NAFLD patients with C282Y, but not H63D mutations, had lower median serum hepcidin levels (57 versus 65 ng/mL; P = 0.01) and higher mean hepatocellular (HC) iron grades (0.59 versus 0.28; P 1.0, ≤2.5; P ≤ 0.041), compared to WT, but not with either HC or RES iron. NAFLD patients with C282Y mutations had less ballooning or NASH (OR, ≤0.62; 95% CI: >0.39, <0.94; P ≤ 0.024), compared to WT subjects. Conclusions: The presence of C282Y mutations in patients with NAFLD is associated with greater HC iron deposition and decreased serum hepcidin levels, and there is a positive relationship between hepatic iron stores and serum hepcidin level across all HFE genotypes. These data suggest that body iron stores are the major determinant of hepcidin regulation in NAFLD, regardless of HFE genotype. A potential role for H63D mutations in NAFLD pathogenesis is possible through iron-independent mechanisms. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:1730–1740)
Aspiration cytology of elastofibroma dorsi: case report with ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings.

Elastofibroma is a well-recognized tumor-like process which typically occurs in the soft tissue of the shoulder. Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) represents a quick and simple method for definitive diagnosis, the possibility of a false-negative diagnosis is high due to the hypocellularity of the smears. However, a high index of suspicion based on the clinical presentation of a firm mass in a typical location in an elderly person, usually female, aids in the diagnosis. We describe the FNA findings of elastofibroma dorsi in an 89-yr-old woman which, although hypocellular, contained diagnostic aggregates of petaloid globules within a collagenous matrix. The cytologic material showed a green-yellow autofluorescence of the altered elastic fibers with ultraviolet light. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an elongated beaded appearance with small electron densities and obliteration of the central elastin core. The presence of a hypocellular aspirate with autofluorescent elastic fibers should suggest the possibility of elastofibroma dorsi.
Sialoglycoproteins and filtration barriers in the glomerular capillary wall.

The free surface coat on foot processes of rat glomerular epithelium stains particularly heavily with ruthenium red and osmium tetroxide, indicating a polyanionic sialoglycoprotein. It is compressible and expansile, containing densely packed filaments 12–25 wide. The coat covers the filtration slit membrane and under some conditions fills the filtration slit between foot processes. Previous studies have indicated that this free surface coat has the characteristics necessary to act as a fine glomerular filtration barrier for serum albumin. Other epithelial and endothelial surface coats with different characteristics contribute to the inner and outer layers of the basement membrane. The central layer of the basement membrane, which acts as a course filter, seems to contain glycoprotein with very little sialic acid. Most fibrils in this layer are 12–25 wide, but some are up to 50 wide. The fibrils are more loosely packed than those in the free surface coat. The surface coats of human glomerular capillary walls stain like those of the rat.
96 EXPRESSION OF THE LONG FORM OF THE LEPTIN RECEPTOR IN BOVINE OVIDUCT EPITHELIAL, UTERINE EPITHELIAL, AND BLASTOCYST-STAGE EMBRYOS

Critical reproductive events of animals are affected via metabolic cues that directly modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The adipose-derived 146-amino-acid protein-hormone leptin has been associated with puberty and reproduction in many mammals and may be of critical importance in the regulation of reproduction. Leptin receptors are expressed in the brain, pituitary, and gonads, and there is growing evidence that leptin may be required for normal embryonic implantation and development in some animals. To date 6 isoforms of the leptin receptor have been identified; the long form (Ob-Rb) is the only isoform to be associated with signal transduction. The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that the Ob-Rb isoform is expressed in cultured bovine oviduct and uterine epithelial cells, in vivo-derived mid-luteal uterine biopsies, and expanded bovine blastocyst-stage embryos. For cells, cell lines from mid-luteal abattoir-derived reproductive tracts (n = 5) were used; for uterine biopsies (n = 20), biopsies were collected from both uterine horns at the greater curvature from mature beef cows (n = 4) in mid-luteal phase; expanded IVP blastocyst-stage embryos (n = 40) were produced from abattoir-derived ovaries. For fluorescence microscopy samples were incubated in rabbit anti-human leptin receptor (#4781-L, Linco Research, St. Charles, MO) followed by Alexa Fluor 488 anti-rabbit IgG (#A-11008, Molecular Probes, Carlsbad, CA). We confirmed that the Ob-Rb isoform is expressed in both oviductal and uterine in vitro-cultured epithelial cells and uterine biopsies. All oviduct but not all uterine-cultured epithelial cells were immunopositive for the Ob-Rb isoform. All uterine biopsies were positive for the Ob-Rb isoform along the luminal side of the uterine endometrium with an apparent lack of staining occurring in myometrial tissue. Moreover, we demonstrated that all bovine blastocysts were immunopositive with staining occurring within the trophoblast cell type but not the inner cell mass. These results show for the first time that bovine oviduct and uterine epithelial cells express the long form of the leptin receptor and support earlier findings that blastocyst-stage embryos contain Ob-Rb isoforms. This suggests that the Ob-Rb isoform is a component of the bovine maternal-embryonic complex; however, its function in pre-implantation embryo development remains to be clarified.
Planar motion of a parabolic catadioptric camera

Camera motion is said to be planar if the direction of translation is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A parabolic catadioptric camera is a camera realizing the orthogonal projection of rays reflected on a parabolic mirror. We consider the planar motion of a parabolic catadioptric camera, especially the motion restricted to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, a common case in mobile robots working in urban environments. We begin by deriving the catadioptric fundamental matrix for such a motion and the intrinsic degrees of freedom in this matrix, which turn out to be 8. We show that the camera intrinsics and the 3D motion can be recovered from the fundamental matrix. We derive the necessary and sufficient condition for a fundamental matrix to be induced by a planar motion. Based on the additional constraint for a planar motion, we present an algorithm to compute epipolar geometry and recover the camera parameters and motion.
Future trends in the economics of medical practice and care

A revolution is taking place in the American health care industry. The basis for these changes is the rapid escalation of health care costs to nearly 11% of our gross national product. The changes have caused a controversy regarding whether cost containment reduces the quality of medical care. Our present system was built on the premise that the highest quality of health care could be delivered to all fairly and without any form of rationing. This has led to a massive growth in facilities and the number of physicians. In simple economic terms the market factors in the environment should have lowered the cost of care. However, the cost of care has increased even more rapidly than expected. It seems likely that older economic principles must be abandoned to control costs. Price competition, preferred providers and more efficient hospitals must all be encouraged. Overutilization of care must be discouraged by proper incentives, and overpricing by physicians may require fixed cost reimbursement. Two-tiered health care delivery will develop and small segments of the population may receive a lower quality of care. Rationing of care may be a simple alternative.
Probabilistic Risk Assessment for Concurrent, Conceptual Design of Space Missions

NASA is expanding its capability to perform PRA. This capability gives insight into the links of a suggested design and drives the refinement of the design by identifying optimal areas for investments. Clearly, it is more viable and less expensive to refine a design at the time that it is being conceived. Hence the utility of conducting PRA at the conceptual design phase. Concurrent engineering teams greatly reduce the design time and costs. However, there is currently no standardized means for building probabilistic risk models to assess risks associated with a design produced by such teams. The capability to produce a consistent and valid risk metric associated with such designs would greatly enhance the value of such design teams. This paper explains the experimental results obtained to date from building probabilistic risk models for sample studies conducted at the concurrent engineering design team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (TeamX).
The role of site familiarity in aggression toward strangers in the Mongolian gerbil

Groups consisting of three gerbils each were tested for aggression toward strange conspecifics in a familiar and an unfamiliar situation. Aggression was significantly higher in the familiar situation, indicating that territorial defense is characteristic of this species. It is suggested that exploration of the unfamiliar environment precluded aggression toward strangers and that the discrimination of strangers is based on olfaction.
Expression of regulatory platelet microRNAs in patients with sickle cell disease.

Background Increased platelet activation in sickle cell disease (SCD) contributes to a state of hypercoagulability and confers a risk of thromboembolic complications. The role for post-transcriptional regulation of the platelet transcriptome by microRNAs (miRNAs) in SCD has not been previously explored. This is the first study to determine whether platelets from SCD exhibit an altered miRNA expression profile.
Effect of tolazamide on basal ketogenesis, glycogenesis, and gluconeogenesis in liver obtained from normal and diabetic rats.

The effect of tolazamide on in vitro rates of gluconeogenesis, ketogenesis, and glycogenesis was determined in liver tissue from fasted normal and diabetic rats. Hormones were not added to the incubation mixture. Two concentrations of the drug were tested, one of which was therapeutic (40 μg/ml) and other immoderately elevated (400 μg/ml). Neither drug concentration affected hepatic glycogen synthesis. However, the low dose of tolazamide inhibited ketogenesis in the diabetic liver by 39% and in the control liver by 32% oxidative CO2 production from palmitate was reduced in parallel with ketogenesis. The drug did not alter ketogenesis in isolated intact mitochondria. Similarly, this same therapeutic dose curtailed hepatic gluconeogenesis only in control liver (74% inhibition); this reaction was unaltered by this drug concentration in the explants derived from the diabetic rats. The logarithmically higher dose inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis in both control and diabetic liver tissue by 56% and 51%, respec...
Age differences in dark-interval threshold across the life-span

Abstract The threshold for the dark interval between two flashes was used to examine differences in stimulus persistence in 72 subjects aged 20 to 79 years. The data were then combined with results from two previous studies involving children and adolescents; thus, a cross sectional, adult, life-span view of differences in the dark-interval threshold was presented. Results showed that during childhood and adolescence there is a decline in stimulus persistence as a result of decreased receptor sensitivity. In adulthood, however, the dark-interval threshold remains fairly stable until the 70s where it increases significantly. Two possible explanations for this increase in stimulus persistence in old age are discussed.
Patterns of Abundance, Distribution, and Alary Polymorphism among the Salt Marsh Delphacidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea) of Northwest Florida

. 1. The species of Delphacidae captured in nearly 16000 sweeps of salt marsh vegetation in Northwest Florida, U.S.A., are examined. Individuals belonging to fourteen species were captured during the 15-month study, a somewhat larger number than is found in most locations. 2. Abundances ranged from one to 1064 individuals per species. The abundances, habitat preferences, and patterns in wing-polymorphism among the species collected were similar to those reported previously from other locations, but important differences were found which reflect the vegetational composition typical of our study area. 3. Wing-morph ratio differences between delphacid populations may reflect strategies for dealing with differences in stability and distribution of their respective habitats. The ratio of macropter/brachypter individuals in various populations of delphacids investigated correlates with the probability that a dispersing individual will find a more suitable habitat patch. The phenomenon is illustrated with a comparison of wing-morph ratios in populations of Prokelisia marginata (Van Duzee) from locations which differ in the extent, distribution, and stability of their stands of Spartina alterniflora Loisl. (smooth cordgrass), the common host of P.marginata. 4. Macroptery is favoured in Atlantic Coast marshes, where habitat patches are differentially suitable, but extensive and predictable. The probability of finding a better patch by dispersing is therefore high. 5. Brachyptery predominates at Cedar Key, Florida, where habitat patches are extensive, stable, and equally suitable during most of the year; and at St Marks, Florida, where resource patches are small, infrequent, isolated, and regularly disturbed. Under these conditions, the probability of finding a better patch by dispersal is low. 6. The conditions at St Marks may have promoted a local host expansion by P.marginata at this location.
A bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier as pump prime for cardiopulmonary bypass: Reduced systemic lactic acidosis and improved cerebral oxygen metabolism during low flow in a porcine model

Objectives Cerebral ischemia can occur during cardiopulmonary bypass, especially during low flow. HBOC-201 (OPK Biotech, Cambridge, Mass) is a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution that enhances oxygen delivery. This project evaluated the benefits on total body and cerebral oxygen delivery and consumption using HBOC-201 during cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods Twelve immature swine were assigned to one of 2 groups. One group used HBOC-201 in pump prime, and the other used donor porcine blood. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated and then flow was serially decreased from 100% to 75%, to 50%, and then back to full flow. At each interval, 15 O positron emission tomographic analysis was performed, and blood was collected. Total body and cerebral oxygen delivery and consumption were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed with a Tukey–Kramer adjusted P value based on a repeated measures linear model on log-transformed data. Results Total and plasma hemoglobin levels were higher in the HBOC-201 group. Oxygen delivery and consumption were not statistically different but did tend to be higher in the HBOC-201 group. Mixed venous saturation was lower in the HBOC-201 group but not significant. Mild metabolic acidosis with increased lactate levels developed in the blood group. Mean cerebral blood flow decreased in both groups when total flow was 50%. In the HBOC-201 group cerebral oxygen metabolism was maintained. Conclusions The addition of HBOC-201 for cardiopulmonary bypass appears to improve oxygen use and minimize anaerobic metabolism. Cerebral oxygen use was preserved in the HBOC-201 group, even during decrease in blood flow. These findings support the reported improved oxygen-unloading properties of HBOC-201 and might provide a benefit during cardiopulmonary bypass.
An agent-based model of household dynamics and land use change

Climate change will alter patterns of land use, but its effects may also change social organization at multiple levels. This article proposes a spatially explicit agent-based model of migration land use to explore the dynamics of response to floods and droughts in Nang Rong, Thailand to explore this possibility.Within an environmental setting of marginality, villages and households vary in their vulnerability. The model integrates multiple inter-related units: individuals, land parcels, households, subfamilies, social networks, and communities. The inclusion of explicit social networks as resources to be mobilized is an especially innovative element. This article uses the language of mathematics and statistics to describe the model under construction and facilitate comparisons with other spatially explicit agent-based models.
Evidence of an Eastward Equatorial Undercurrent in the Atlantic from Measurements of Current Shear

RECENTLY there has been speculation as to the existence of an equatorial countercurrent in the Atlantic Ocean similar to the Cromwell Current1,2 in the Pacific. G. Neumann3 has cited evidence for such a current from early observations (1911) of anomalous drift currents and from a re-analysis of dynamic heights from oceanographical data along the equator. In the first two weeks of March, 1961, during an extensive bathymetry survey of the mid-Atlantic Ridge along the equator, I was able to make a number of measurements of horizontal current shear in the upper 100 m. surface water. The shears obtained at different points over an area extending from 19° W. to 10° W. longitude and from the equator to 3° S. latitude do indicate the presence of an eastward flowing equatorial undercurrent. The measurements were made from the R.V. Chain during the first part of a three-month cruise to study oceanographical problems associated with the Romanche Trench and the equatorial mid-Atlantic Ridge.