cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antidiuretic responses to neurohypophysial hormones and some of their synthetic analogues in dogs and rats.

The known neurohypophysial hormones and several synthetic analogues containing substituted amino acids in the side chain were injected intravenously into hydra ted dogs and rats. The nature of the amino acid in the penultimate position of the peptide side chain (the 8-position) appears to determine the relative antidiuretic activities of the peptides in dogs and rats. Substitution of lysine for 8-arginine reduces antidiuretic activity in dogs more than in rats. Analogues with an 8-leucine are weak in both dog and rat antidiuretic activities. Peptides containing an 8-arginine moiety cause more prolonged antidiuresis in rats than do their 8- lysine or 8-leucine counterparts. This is not due to differing rates of disappearance of these peptides from the circulation.
Provocation of neurocardiogenic syncope by clomipramine administration during the head-up tilt test in vasovagal syndrome.

AbstractOBJECTIVESWe sought to test the hypothesis that activation of the serotonergic system in patients with vasovagal syndrome during the head-up tilt test provokes syncope.BACKGROUNDCentral ser...
Plasmid location, cloning, and sequence analysis of the gene encoding a 27.3-kilodalton cytolytic protein fromBacillus thuringiensis subsp.morrisoni (PG-14)

A gene encoding the 27.3 kilodalton cytolytic protein toxin in the mosquitocidal isolate (PG-14) ofBacillus thuringiensis subsp.morrisoni (BTM) was cloned and sequenced, and compared with the homologous gene inB. thuringiensis subsp.israelensis (BTI). The BTM gene was determined to be located on a 140 kb plasmid by use of a synthetic 20-base nucleotide probe derived from the sequence of the BTI gene. A 9.4-kbHind III plasmid fragment containing the BTM cytolytic protein gene was cloned into the plasmid vector pUC12, and subsequently subcloned and sequenced. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the BTM gene with that of the homologous BTI gene revealed only a single base difference; the base at position 310 in BTM is guanine, whereas in BTI it is cytosine. This single base change results in the occurrence of alanine rather than proline at amino acid residue 82 in BTM. Analysis of the secondary structure and hydropathic profile of the BTM protein indicates that alanine at this position increases both the propensity to form an α-helical structure and the hydrophobicity in the vicinity of this residue. Thus, the BTM toxin is potentially more cytolytic than the homologous protein of BTI.
Flux distribution near the focal plane

Abstract In the focal plan of a parabolic concentrator, the assumption of a sun's disk of uniform flux intensity leads to a sharply defined image. However, in planes parallel and adjacent to the focal plane, the heat flux distribution is much less uniform. Further away from the focal planes, the heat flux distribution is again more uniform, but is reduced in intensity. For these cases, the effect of a nonuniform flux intensity across the sun's disk, as well as a uniform sun disk, is considered. Typical flux distribution curves are presented.
Cultures of astrocytes and microglia express interleukin 18

Abstract Interleukin 18 (IL-18 or interferon-γ inducing factor) is a recently discovered pro-inflammatory cytokine and powerful stimulator of the cell-mediated immune response. IL-18 is produced by several sources including monocytes/macrophages, keratinocytes and the zona reticularis and zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. IL-18 occurs in brain but its cellular source in the CNS has never been investigated. The presence of IL-18 and its response to stimulation in the brain was tested with primary cultures of microglia, astrocytes and hippocampal neurons. IL-18 mRNA was present in astrocytes and microglia, but not in neurons. The endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not affect IL-18 in astrocytes, but LPS robustly increased IL-18 mRNA in microglia. IL-18 protein was constitutively expressed in astrocytes and induced in microglia by LPS. The levels of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE), an activating enzyme, and caspase 3 (CPP32), an inactivating enzyme, were assessed to investigate the presence of the appropriate processing enzymes in the cultured cells. ICE was present at constitutive levels in microglia and astrocytes suggesting that these cell types may produce and secrete matured IL-18. Active forms of CPP32 were not detectable in either cell type indicating the absence of a degradative pathway of IL-18. The present results demonstrate that microglia and astrocytes are sources of brain IL-18 and add a new member to the family of cytokines produced in the brain.
Corporation-based Parties: The Present and Future of Business Politics in Latin America

Throughout Latin America, particular business conglomerates have begun to sponsor their own political parties, building those parties on their own corporate assets. These “corporation-based parties” represent a new wave of highly particularized conservative representation in the region. Indeed, corporation-based parties have become a regular—though largely unrecognized—feature of contemporary Latin American party systems. This article develops a theory of how and why particular business conglomerates sponsor their own parties, provides substantial evidence for the existence of corporation-based parties across much of Latin America, and uses a case study of a party built on a Panamanian supermarket chain to demonstrate how such parties are organized. In closing, it discusses the possible future for these parties in the region.
A Sign of the Times: An Analysis of Organizational Members’ Email Signatures

Drawing from genre theory in organizational communication (Yates & Orlikowski, 1992), this study examines the content and function of email signatures used by organizational members. Email signatures are appended at the end of email messages and contain information about the sender such as his or her title, postal address, and phone number. One hundred and ninety-three email signatures were collected and analyzed in this study. A content analysis revealed demographic and occupational differences in signature content and suggests the potential impression management function of signatures. Based on the results from the content analysis, the evolution of the memo genre in email messages and implications of new communication technologies for contemporary organizational life are discussed.
Fractionation of the electron-transport chain of Escherichia coli.

Abstract This paper describes the resolution of the electron-transport chain of Escherichia coli into fractions containing dehydrogenases and/or cytochromes. The part of the chain including dehydrogenases and cytochrome b1 can be solubilized with 0.4% deoxycholate. This extract was fractionated by chromatography on hydroxyapatite followed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. d -Lactate dehydrogenase and NADH dehydrogenase were isolated virtually free of cytochromes whereas succinate dehydrogenase was isolated in a complex with cytochrome b1. The complex exhibited succinoxidase activity. NADH dehydrogenase was found in two separable molecular species both of which were present in membranes and cytoplasm of E. coli. Cytochrome b1 was present in a fraction free of dehydrogenases and other cytochromes. A 1% deoxycholate extract, after chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, yielded fractions containing cytochromes a1 and d in addition to cytochrome b1.
Academic Libraries and Knowledge: A Social Epistemology Framework

Some questions persist about academic libraries and knowledge. This paper addresses them and suggests that social epistemology helps provide some answers to them. The library, defined broadly, plays an integral role in the goal of knowledge growth and the possibilities for it in the institutional context are explored.
Tissue Engineering Strategies for the Regeneration of Orthopedic Interfaces

A major focus in the field of orthopedic tissue engineering is the development of tissue engineered bone and soft tissue grafts with biomimetic functionality to allow for their translation to the clinical setting. One of the most significant challenges of this endeavor is promoting the biological fixation of these grafts with each other as well as the implant site. Such fixation requires strategic biomimicry to be incorporated into the scaffold design in order to re-establish the critical structure-function relationship of the native soft tissue-to-bone interface. The integration of distinct tissue types (e.g. bone and soft tissues such as cartilage, ligaments, or tendons), necessitates a multi-phased or stratified scaffold with distinct yet continuous tissue regions accompanied by a gradient of mechanical properties. This review discusses tissue engineering strategies for regenerating common tissue-to-tissue interfaces (ligament-to-bone, tendon-to-bone, or cartilage-to-bone), and the strategic biomimicry implemented in stratified scaffold design for multi-tissue regeneration. Potential challenges and future directions in this emerging field will also be presented. It is anticipated that interface tissue engineering will enable integrative soft tissue repair, and will be instrumental for the development of complex musculoskeletal tissue systems with biomimetic complexity and functionality.
Anxiety sensitivity as a mechanism for gender discrepancies in anxiety and mood symptoms

Despite the well-established gender differences in the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders, there is a dearth of research looking at sex-linked, variable risk factors that could serve as appropriate intervention targets to ameliorate these discrepancies. One such potential variable risk factor is anxiety sensitivity (AS), or a fear of anxiety related sensations. Studies have established elevated AS in women compared to men, and that AS prospectively predicts the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Additionally, research has demonstrated some specificity with regard to the lower-order AS dimensions (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether overall AS, as well as lower-order AS dimensions, statistically mediate the relations between gender and anxiety and depressive symptoms in a sample of individuals with elevated AS presenting for an AS intervention. Data for the current study were collected from participants (N = 106) at baseline prior to randomization to treatment condition. Results revealed that overall AS statistically mediated the relations between gender and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Significant statistical mediation was also found for AS physical and social concerns for anxiety symptoms, and AS cognitive concerns for depressive symptoms. These results suggest the possible importance of AS in the gender discrepancies in anxiety and depression. Future research should examine whether an AS intervention can help ameliorate this prevalence gap.
A method for measuring micromolar quantities of carbon dioxide and C14O2 produced by transporting epithelial membranes in vitro

Abstract A method is described for trapping and measuring CO 2 and C 14 O 2 produced by an epithelial membrane mounted in vitro . Quantities in the range of 1–5 μmoles can be measured to within ±0.15 μmoles.
Effects of methods of collection and storage on nutrients in human milk

The effects of collection technique, storage container, and the duration and temperature of storage on selected nutrient concentrations in mature human milk were evaluated. Milk samples were collected during the fourth week of lactation from women 20-35 years of age by hand expression or suction. Greater volumes and fat concentrations were observed in milks collected by suction. Vitamin A, zinc, iron, copper, sodium, and protein nitrogen concentrations were not affected by storage of milk in either pyrex or polypropylene containers for up to 24 h. The storage temperature had a significant effect on protein nitrogen and ascorbic acid concentrations. These findings indicate that collection methods and storage procedures used for comparatively brief periods will affect the concentrations of selected nutrients of mature human milk. Specific recommendations are made for the collection and storage of milk.
Demographics, attitudes, and behavioral responses to important environmental events

In order to assess energy conservation attitudes and behaviors an Environmental Quality Questionnaire was developed and administered to college and residential respondents at three different times between December 1973 and March 1975. Numerous Respondent-Type, Time, and Time X Type interactions were obtained on various measures of the perceived causes and solutions of energy problems as well as the nature of conservation behaviors that were performed most frequently. The data appear to suggest the need for governmental supports to increase and maintain consumer conservation efforts. These results are discussed with respect to their implications for conservation strategies and the role of the psychologist in their implementation and evaluation.
Sexual Economics, Culture, Men, and Modern Sexual Trends

Across the late 20th century, ideas about sex came from two main sources. One was evolutionary theory, based on the field of biology. The other was feminist and social constructionist theory, based in the field of political science. Though important insights have come from both sources, there was a growing body of evidence that did not easily fit either of those. We therefore turned to another field to develop a new theory. The field was economics, and we labeled our theory “sexual economics” (Baumeister and Vohs 2004). At first, our theory was constructed to fit what was already known, making it an exercise in hindsight. It is therefore highly revealing to see how the theory has fared in Regnerus and
Geometric Hermite interpolation with circular precision

We present several Hermite-type interpolation methods for rational cubics. In case the input data come from a circular arc, the rational cubic will reproduce it.
Increasing the Sensitivity of Measures to Change

Little attention is paid in prevention research to the ability of measures to accurately assess change, termed "responsiveness" or "sensitivity to change." This paper reviews definitions and measures of responsiveness, and suggests five strategies for increasing sensitivity to change, with central focus on prevention research with small samples: (a) improving understandability and cultural validity, (b) assuring that the measure covers the full range of the latent construct being measured, (c) eliminating redundant items, (d) maximizing sensitivity of the device used to collect responses; and (e) asking directly about change. Examples of the application of each strategy are provided. The discussion focuses on using the issues as a checklist for improving measures and the implications of sensitivity to change for prevention research with small samples.
Predicting drip irrigation use and adoption in a desert region

Abstract The possibility that drip irrigation technology could increase yields, reduce the incidence of crop diseases, and improve fruit quality has been identified as a critical research issue for the New Mexico chile pepper industry. Numerous hypotheses have been expressed regarding the low incidence of drip irrigation usage among New Mexico farmers. A survey of farmers was conducted in 1999 to assess commercial chile pepper producers’ attitudes toward and knowledge of drip irrigation technology. The survey data were used in logistic regression models that predict current high-tech irrigation system usage, drip irrigation usage, and plans for future drip irrigation adoption by chile pepper producers. The results of this research provide information useful to extension personnel, other researchers, and chile industry members. Results also raise questions about the impact of widespread drip irrigation adoption on multi-user irrigation systems, such as those found in New Mexico.
MOC-PS(SM) CME article: late cleft lip nasal deformity.

After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the components of unilateral and bilateral secondary or delayed cleft lip nasal deformity. 2. Design and execute the surgical correction more logically. 3. Minimize the risks and better manage complications and suboptimal outcomes. Rhinoplasty remains one of the most challenging plastic surgery procedures, and patients with a cleft lip nose deformity pose an even greater challenge. The biggest enigmas are achievement of caudal nose congruity and creation of symmetric nostrils. This article reviews the factors to consider when assessing a patient for correction of secondary cleft lip nasal abnormalities and the surgical techniques available to correct the deformities. Some of the components of the unilateral cleft lip nose deformity include asymmetric tip, short columella, long lateral crus, flat nostril, wide alar base, caudal positioning of the nostril floor on the cleft side, and a short and deviated columella. The common features of bilateral cleft lip nose deformity include short columella, underprojected tip, flat alae, and wide and often asymmetric and horizontal nostrils. While an endonasal approach can improve these noses, the most success is attained through an open technique. Systematic reorientation of distorted nasal architecture, especially the lower lateral cartilages, and creation of a balanced platform for the lower lateral cartilages constitute some of the cardinal principles for correcting the cleft lip nose deformities. Potential complications and ways to minimize them are discussed. The Maintenance of Certification module series is designed to help the clinician structure his or her study in specific areas appropriate to his or her clinical practice. This article is prepared to accompany practice-based assessment of preoperative assessment, anesthesia, surgical treatment plan, perioperative management, and outcomes. In this format, the clinician is invited to compare his or her methods of patient assessment and treatment, outcomes, and complications with authoritative, information-based references. This information base is then used for self-assessment and benchmarking in parts II and IV of the Maintenance of Certification process of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This article is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject. Rather, it is designed to serve as a reference point for further in-depth study by review of the reference articles presented.
The chief executive officer and the chief information officer: the strategic partnership

Information technology (IT) has become a strategic resource for many firms today. Coordination of this resource requires strong leadership and cooperation within the firm. The relationship of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is crucial for the effective, successful utilization of IT for competitive advantage.
Von Willebrand Factor and Von Willebrand Factor-Cleaving Metalloprotease Activity in Escherichia coli O157:H7-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) usually occurs after infection with Shiga toxin-producing bacteria. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a disorder with similar clinical manifestations, is associated with deficient activity of a circulating metalloprotease that cleaves von Willebrand factor at the Tyr842-Met843 peptide bond in a shear stress-dependent manner. We analyzed von Willebrand factor-cleaving metalloprotease activity and the status of von Willebrand factor in 16 children who developed HUS after Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection and in 29 infected children who did not develop this complication. Von Willebrand factor-cleaving metalloprotease activity was normal in all subjects, but von Willebrand factor size was decreased in the plasma of each of 16 patients with HUS. The decrease in circulating von Willebrand factor size correlated with the severity of thrombocytopenia and was proportional to an increase in von Willebrand factor proteolytic fragments in plasma. Immunohistochemical studies of the kidneys in four additional patients who died of HUS demonstrated glomerular thrombi in three patients, and arterial and arteriolar thrombi in one patient. The glomerular thrombi contained fibrin but little or no von Willebrand factor. A decrease in large von Willebrand factor multimers, presumably caused by enhanced proteolysis from abnormal shear stress in the microcirculation, is common in HUS.
Assessing the size of gene or RNAi effects in multifactor high-throughput experiments

Aims: To expand the recently proposed contrast variable and associated concepts to assess the size of gene effects or siRNA effects in multifactor high-throughput experiments, as well as to serve the need to consider both mean and standardized mean of contrast (SMC). Methods & results: The recently proposed concepts of contrast variable and SMC are expanded in the context of multifactor analysis of variance. Based on this expansion, SMC is explored as a tool for analyzing multifactor high-throughput data, a novel plot termed a dual-flashlight plot is proposed, and the incompatibility of false-discovery rates across experiments is demonstrated. The applications show that the results reached using expanded SMC and the dual-flashlight plot are more reasonable than those reached using p-value-based or false-discovery rate-based volcano plot for assessing differential expression, genetic dominance and linear/quadratic time-course changes. Conclusion: Compared with traditional contrast analysis, the expanded co...
Analysis of the dimensionality of neural networks for pattern recognition

Abstract Dimensionality is a key issue in designing a pattern recognition system. This paper presents an analysis and an empirical study of the dimensionality of the artificial neural network. The learning behavior and performance of neural networks of various dimensions were studied under different assumptions concerning the dependence among features used for classification. The assumptions include the case of statistically independent features, the case of features forming the first-order Markov chain, and the case of arbitrary features. Analysis of the degree of freedom for classification is based on Bayes decision theory. The study shows that the performance of a neural network as a pattern classifier could be improved by using statistically independent features. It also shows that the number of independent probabilistic factors underlying classification may provide a limited hint of the appropriate dimensions of the neural network that achieves optimum performance. Furthermore, the study suggests that the dimensionality of a neural network is determined by both the number of its connections and the number of input units. The results are discussed from the perspectives of pattern recognition and machine learning.
Novel effects of memantine in antagonizing acute aldicarb toxicity : mechanistic and applied considerations

Administration of a single sublethal dose of aldicarb (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) to male Sprague-Dawley rats produced the onset of hypercholinergic signs within 3–5 min. With increasing intensity the most severe signs, predominantly involving the peripheral nervous system (muscle fasciculations and convulsions), were evident within 15–30 min and lasted for about 90 min. Rats dosed with 0.1 mg/kg, i.p. did not develop intoxication while those dosed with 0.2 mg/kg, i.p. exhibited signs of moderate toxicity. A dosage of 0.6 mg/kg was found to be the minimal lethal dose (MLD). The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CarbE) was dose-depedent. Significant (P<0.01) inhibition in the activities of AChE and CarbE occured as early as within 15 min, and the maximal effect within 30 min. Time course of CarbE activity revealed marked inhibition in different neuronal and nonenuronal tissues, suggesting tremedous nonspecific binding of aldicarb. Prophylaxis with memantine HCl (18 mg/kg, i.p.) and atropine sulfate (16 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min and 15 min, respectively, prior to aldicarb (0.4 mg/kg), provided compelte protection. Therapeutic administration of these two antidotes in combination also completely reversed the clinical signs of intoxication. It is suggested that memantine antagonized the aldicarb acute toxicity by protection/reactivation of activities of AChE and CarbE and reversible blockade of hyperneuromuscular transmission, in addition to muscarinic ACh receptor blockade by atropine.
Tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating cubic splines: Unfiltered x-ray spectra from 20 kV to 640 kV

Purpose: Monte Carlo methods were used to generate lightly filtered high resolution x-ray spectra spanning from 20 kV to 640 kV. Methods: X-ray spectra were simulated for a conventional tungsten anode. The Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended radiation transport code (MCNPX 2.6.0) was used to produce 35 spectra over the tube potential range from 20 kV to 640 kV, and cubic spline interpolation procedures were used to create piecewise polynomials characterizing the photon fluence per energy bin as a function of x-ray tube potential. Using these basis spectra and the cubic spline interpolation, 621 spectra were generated at 1 kV intervals from 20 to 640 kV. The tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating cubic splines (TASMICS) produces minimally filtered (0.8 mm Be) x-ray spectra with 1 keV energy resolution. The TASMICS spectra were compared mathematically with other, previously reported spectra. Results: Using pairedt-test analyses, no statistically significant difference (i.e., p > 0.05) was observed between compared spectra over energy bins above 1% of peak bremsstrahlung fluence. For all energy bins, the correlation of determination (R{sup 2}) demonstrated good correlation for all spectral comparisons. The mean overall difference (MOD) and mean absolute difference (MAD) were computed over energy bins (above 1% ofmore » peak bremsstrahlung fluence) and over all the kV permutations compared. MOD and MAD comparisons with previously reported spectra were 2.7% and 9.7%, respectively (TASMIP), 0.1% and 12.0%, respectively [R. Birch and M. Marshall, “Computation of bremsstrahlung x-ray spectra and comparison with spectra measured with a Ge(Li) detector,” Phys. Med. Biol. 24, 505–517 (1979)], 0.4% and 8.1%, respectively (Poludniowski), and 0.4% and 8.1%, respectively (AAPM TG 195). The effective energy of TASMICS spectra with 2.5 mm of added Al filtration ranged from 17 keV (at 20 kV) to 138 keV (at 640 kV); with 0.2 mm of added Cu filtration the effective energy was 9 keV at 20 kV and 169 keV at 640 kV. Conclusions: Ranging from 20 kV to 640 kV, 621 x-ray spectra were produced and are available at 1 kV tube potential intervals. The spectra are tabulated at 1 keV intervals. TASMICS spectra were shown to be largely equivalent to published spectral models and are available in spreadsheet format for interested users by emailing the corresponding author (JMB)« less
Esterases of testis and other tissues.

The tissues most effective in the enzymatic hydrolysis of acyl esters of p -nitrophenol by tissue extracts of the rat and dog were the liver, lung, pancreas, renal cortex, and testis; in the dog tracheal and vesical mucosae were also esterase-rich and the lens had appreciable activity. Esterase was at low concentration in the tissues of the rat for 4 and 5 days after birth, but an increase to adult levels soon took place except in the testis where the rise was delayed until puberty. The esterase values of the blood of newborn children were also low. Two patterns of activity in tissues against these esters were found. A pattern in which propionate esters were hydrolyzed most rapidly was displayed regularly by liver, lung, renal cortex, and testis of the rat and also by dog, rabbit and human serum. A second pattern with progressive effectiveness in hydrolyzing fatty acid esters of 2-carbon to 5-carbon chain length was exhibited by the pancreas of the rat, rabbit, and dog and also by rat serum. Esterase of the testis of the rat is located in the interstitial cells and its concentration seems to be directly related to androgenic hormone production. The increase of testicular esterase during puberty paralleled the increase of prostatic weight. Hypophysectomy caused a profound decrease of testicular esterase which was restored in part by gonadoptrophin. Artificial cryptorchism in the rat, causing elimination of germinal epithelium, resulted in an increase of esterase concentration although the total content of the testis slowly decreased.
A memory-efficient formulation of the finite-difference time-domain method for the solution of Maxwell equations

With the increase in speed and memory storage in modern computer systems, the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for the solution of electromagnetic problems is rapidly becoming an attractive choice due to its programming simplicity and flexibility in the analysis of a wide range of structures. However, this technique has the drawback of high computer memory requirements and computational power, when analyzing large geometries. In this paper, a modified version of the FDTD method with increased memory efficiency is presented and applied to the calculation of the resonant frequencies of a dielectric resonator coupled to a microstrip line. In this novel approach, the divergence relationship, which spatially links the three electric-field and three magnetic-field components, is used to eliminate one component each of E and H. This leads to a more memory-efficient formulation, where only four field components are stored in the whole domain, with a direct memory reduction of 33% in the storage of the fields.
Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Unexpected Products from the Oxidation of Cyclohexene by Organic Nanoparticles of 5,10,15,20‐Tetrakis‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinatoiron(III) in Water by Using O2

The catalytic oxidation of alkenes by most iron porphyrins using a variety of oxygen sources, but generally not dioxygen, yields the epoxide with minor quantities of other products. The turnover numbers for these catalysts are modest, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand depending on the porphyrin structure, axial ligands, and other reaction conditions. Halogenation of substituents increases the activity of the metalloporphyrin catalyst and/or makes it more robust to oxidative degradation. Oxidation of cyclohexene by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato iron-(III), ([Fe III (tppf 20 )]) and H 2 O 2 is typical of the latter: the epoxide is 99% of the product and turnover numbers are about 350. [1-4] Herein, we report that dynamic organic nanoparticles (ONPs) of [Fe III (tppf 20 )] with a diameter of 10 nm, formed by host-guest solvent methods, catalytically oxidize cyclohexene with O 2 to yield only 2-cyclohexene-1-one and 2-cyclohexene-1-ol with approximately 10-fold greater turnover numbers compared to the non-aggregated metalloporphyrin in acetonitrile/methanol. These ONPs facilitate a greener reaction because the reaction solvent is 89 % water and O 2 is the oxidant in place of synthetic oxygen sources. This reactivity is unexpected because the metalloporphyrins are in close proximity and oxidative degradation of the catalyst should be enhanced, thus causing a significant decrease in catalytic turnovers. The allylic products suggest a different oxidative mechanism compared to that of the solvated metalloporphyrins. These results illustrate the unique properties of some ONPs relative to the component molecules or those attached to supports.
Code rate, queueing behavior and the correlated erasure channel

This paper considers the relationship between code-rate selection and queueing performance for communication systems with time-varying parameters. While error-correcting codes offer protection against channel unreliability, there is a tradeoff between the enhanced protection of low-rate codes and the increased information transfer of high-rate codes. Hence, there exists a natural compromise between packet-level error protection and information rate. In the limiting regime where codewords are asymptotically long, this tradeoff is well-understood and characterized by the Shannon capacity. However, for delay-sensitive communication systems and finite code-lengths, a complete characterization of this tradeoff is still not fully developed. This paper offers a new perspective on the queueing performance of communication systems with finite block-lengths operating over correlated erasure channels. A rigorous framework that links code rate to overall system performance for random codes is presented. Guidelines for code rate selection in delay-sensitive systems are identified.
WHAT WOULD NEWMAN DO? JOHN CARDINAL NEWMAN AND EX CORDE ECCLESIAE

John Paul II’s 1990 Apostolic exhortation Ex Corde Ecclesiae and subsequent legislation require those teaching theological disciplines in Catholic Universities to have a mandatum. This article explores the thought of John Cardinal Newman with a view to defending a position, consistent with Newman’s thought, relative to the seeking and acceptance of a mandatum.
Gelation Properties of Albumen Proteins, Singly and in Combination

Studies of gelation properties of the albumen proteins in a custard model system showed that conalbumin was the least heat stable protein with a denaturation temperature of 57.3 C. Globulins and ovalbumin ranked second with denaturation transition temperatures of 72.0 and 71.5 C, respectively. Lysozyme denatured at 81.5 C while ovomucin and ovomucoid showed no coagulation abilities. Lysozyme produced the strongest gel followed by globulins, ovalbumin, and conalbumin. In a study of binary mixtures, aggregation of polypeptides occurred near the denaturation transition temperature of the least heat stable protein. Therefore, in combinations of lysozyme, globulins, and ovalbumin with conalbumin, denaturation was apparent at 58.3, 57.8, and 58.1 C, respectively. Ovomucoid consistently increased the coagulation temperature ranges of globulins, conalbumin, and ovalbumin, and prevented coagulation of lysozyme. Gel strength varied according to the proteins present. The combinations of five or all proteins resulted in more subtle changes of temperature during coagulation. The destabilizing effects of conalbumin on the other proteins were still apparent. The control mixture exhibited two distinct coagulation temperature ranges of 61.5 to 62.5 C and 73.0 to 71.0 C. In the scanning electron microscopic investigations of selected coagulums it was found that lysozyme, conalbumin, and ovalbumin polypeptides aggregated in grape-like clusters of variable size. The control mixture gel also exhibited the same pattern. Globulins polypeptides appeared to tightly associate in membrane-like arrangements and showed excellent binding abilities. Small duster sizes seemed to parallel gel firmness.
Unusual origin for the right coronary artery: one center's observations on diagnosis and treatment.

Key Points Right coronary arteries that originate from the left Sinus of Valsalva and course intramurally along the aortic wall in their proximal position are a variant of anomalous coronary arteries that can be associated with ischemic symptoms. Stenting of the proximal portion of these right coronary arteries along the intramural course can improve symptoms in those who clearly have anatomic distortion of the proximal artery. Long-term outcomes and durability of this approach when applied to symptomatic patients is unknown and future work with follow up IVUS is needed.
A power MOSFET current switch for driving a pulsed hollow cathode discharge

A current-controlled high power MOSFET switch for pulsing a hollow cathode discharge is presented. Dual current settings are provided, a low current for DC standby operation and a higher main discharge current. The performance of the switch was evaluated for both resistive and discharge loads. Limitations of other switching techniques are discussed. >
Modelling strain localization in granular materials using micropolar theory: numerical implementation and verification

Implementation and applications for a constitutive numerical model on F-75 silica sand, course silica sand and two sizes of glass beads compressed under plane strain conditions are presented in this work. The numerical model is used to predict the stress versus axial strain and volumetric strain versus axial strain relationships of those materials; moreover, comparisons between measured and predicted shear band thickness and inclination angles are discussed and the numerical results compare well with the experimental measurements. The numerical model is found to respond to the changes in confining pressure and the initial relative density of a given granular material. The mean particle size is used as an internal length scale. Increasing the confining pressure and the initial density is found to decrease the shear band thickness and increase the inclination angle. The micropolar or Cosserat theory is found to be effective in capturing strain localization in granular materials. The finite element formulations and the solution method for the boundary value problem in the updated Lagrangian frame (UP) are discussed in the companion paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Source-independent subspace projection

A new source-independent subspace technique for adaptive array processing applications incorporates sidelobe control in the subspace selection process. The subspace is determined solely by the desired mainbeam width and a priori knowledge of the array manifold, and is therefore independent of the directional interference environment. This technique achieves significant computational savings since a data-dependent subspace does not have to computed. Due to the subspace construction, the algorithm provides enhanced sidelobe control while still achieving nulling performance comparable with other subspace techniques. >
Can shrub cover increase predation risk for a desert rodent

Previous research indicates that predation risk may influence activity patterns, habitat partitioning, and community structure of nocturnal desert rodents. Shrub microhabitat is typically considered safer than open microhabitat for these small mammals. We investigated predation risk for Townsend's ground squirrels (Spermophilus townsendii), which are diurnal desert rodents that detect predators visually and use burrows for refuge. Our results suggested that shrub cover may increase risk for these squirrels by decreasing their ability to escape from predators. Our field experiment indicated that running speeds of juvenile squirrels were lower in shrub (Ceratoides lanata) habitat than in open areas. Shrub cover was also associated with shorter predator-detection distances (mammalian and avian) and fewer refuges (burrow entrances per hectare) than in open areas in one year but not in another. Our study demonstrated that the visual and locomotive obstruction of vegetative cover may increase predation risk for...
Optimal and suboptimal finger selection algorithms for MMSE RAKE receivers in impulse radio ultra-wideband systems

Convex relaxations of the optimal finger selection algorithm are proposed for a minimum mean square error (MMSE) RAKE receiver in an impulse radio ultra-wideband system. First, the optimal finger selection problem is formulated as an integer programming problem with a non-convex objective function. Then, the objective function is approximated by a convex function and the integer programming problem is solved by means of constraint relaxation techniques. The proposed algorithms are suboptimal due to the approximate objective function and the constraint relaxation steps. However, they can be used in conjunction with the conventional finger selection algorithm, which is suboptimal on its own since it ignores the correlation between multipath components, to obtain performances reasonably close to that of the optimal scheme that cannot be implemented in practice due to its complexity. The proposed algorithms leverage convexity of the optimization problem formulations, which is the watershed between 'easy' and 'difficult' optimization problems.
Plan generation for GUI testing

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have become nearly ubiquitous as a moans of interacting with software systems. GUIs are typically highly complex pieces of software, and testing their correctness poses a large challenge. In this paper, we present a new approach to automatic testing of GUIs that builds on AI planning techniques. The motivating idea is that GUI test designers will often find it easier to specify typical goals that users of their software might have than to specify sequences of GUI actions that users might perform to achieve those goals. Thus we cast GUI test-case generation as an instance of plan generation: given a specification of initial and goal states for a GUI, a planner is used to generate sequences of GUI actions that lead from the initial state to the goal state. We describe our GUI testing system, PATHS (Planning Assisted Tester for graphical user interface Systems), and we report on experiments using PATHS lo generate test cafes for Microsoft's WordPad.
Molecular Characterization of Nontypeable Group B Streptococcus

Traditionally, the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) antigen has been used to distinguish between the nine known serotypes of group B streptococcus (GBS) by classical antibody-antigen reactions. In this study, we used PCR for all CPSs and selected protein antigens, multilocus sequencing typing (MLST), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to molecularly characterize 92 clinical isolates identified as nontypeable (NT) by CPS-specific antibody-antigen reactivity. The PCR and MLST were performed on blinded, randomly numbered isolates. All isolates contained the cfb gene coding for CAMP factor. While most (56.5%) contained a single CPS-specific gene, 40 isolates contained either two or three CPS-specific genes. Type V CPS-specific gene was present in 66% of the isolates, and all serotypes except types IV, VII, and VIII were represented. Most (44.5%) of the isolates contained a single protein antigen gene (bca, bac, rib, alp1, or alp3), and the remaining isolates had multiple protein antigen genes. Of the 61 isolates that had the V CPS-specific gene, 48 (78.6%) had the alp3 gene. PFGE analysis classified the isolates into 21 profile groups, while MLST analysis divided the isolates into 16 sequence types. Forty-two (69%) of 61 isolates with the V CPS-specific gene were in PFGE profile group 4; 41 of these 42 were sequence type 1 by MLST. These data shed new light on the antigenic complexity of NT GBS isolates, information that can be valuable in the formulation of an effective GBS vaccine.
Novel, synergistic composites of polypropylene and rice husk ash: Sustainable resource hybrids prepared by solid‐state shear pulverization

Rice husk ash (RHA) is an agrowaste byproduct resulting from the incineration of rice husks for power production; white RHA is ∼90 wt% or more silica, which makes it a potentially sustainable and inexpensive substitute for commercial (less “green”) silica filler. Past research on polypropylene (PP)-RHA hybrids made by melt processing has yielded modest increments in Young's modulus, reduced yield strength, and drastic reductions in elongation at break relative to neat PP. Using the industrially scalable solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP) process, PP-RHA hybrids are made with 4–38 wt% RHA. As determined by microscopy and other methods, composites made by SSSP have much better RHA dispersion than composites reported in the literature made by twin-screw extrusion. The superior dispersion leads to major enhancements in tensile modulus (up to 100% increases relative to neat PP) while maintaining the yield strength of neat PP and remarkably high values of elongation at break (e.g., 520% at 19 wt% RHA), far higher than composites made by melt processing. The properties of hybrids made by SSSP are competitive with and in some cases superior to those of PP hybrids made with commercial silica. The PP-RHA hybrids also exhibit major increases in hardness, approaching that of polycarbonate in the case of a 38 wt% RHA hybrid. The 38 wt% RHA hybrid exhibits solid-like rheology at low frequency. Nevertheless, all PP-RHA hybrids made by SSSP exhibit viscosities at moderate to high shear rates that are little changed from that of neat PP. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1211–1221, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
A History of Nerve Functions: Renaissance and the New Physiology

The recovery of long-lost Greek literature and science manuscripts and their translation into Latin led not only to an admiration of the achievements of past masters, but also before long a desire to emulate and surpass them. Starting first in Florence, where the “Florentine Renaissance” began in the mid-fourteenth century with the enthusiasm of Petrarch in his search for ancient manuscripts, the restoration of learning spread elsewhere in Italy and then to all of Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Renaissance gave rise to the remarkable literary and artistic achievements of such men as Botticelli, Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus, among others. The enthusiasm for learning and the expression of individualism characterized those of the Renaissance, differentiating them from the conformity to church doctrine of the preceding centuries that came to be called the “Middle Ages” or the “Dark Ages.” A contrast developed between the universities, with their need to provide training for clerics and where church matters took precedence, and the new humanistic circles in which laymen and clerics mingled freely under the protection of princes, popes, and such powerful families as the Medici, who gave support to the arts and sciences. Through them, “the modern age began with the acceptance of the autonomy of intellectual methods and problems” to fulfill the desire of knowledge for its own sake, as well as for worldly gain. New findings were investigated, and new things brought to light.
A Generic Trade Study Methodology for the System Analysis of Regenerative Life Support Systems

The performance of engineering tradeoffs is a key technique in a rigorous system engineering process used to develop advanced regenerative life support technology by NASA Ames Research Center. The trade study methodology consists of several steps that include deriving relevant life support system functional requirements from a given space exploration mission scenario and synthesizing a set of design options to be analyzed during the study. Examples relevant to life support technology are used to describe the trade study methodology.
Why Teleworkers are More Satisfied with Their Jobs than are Office-Based Workers: When Less Contact is Beneficial

This study challenges assumptions regarding the value and necessity of frequent face-to-face workplace interaction by building upon a theoretical framework for the consequences of telecommuting. Using a multiple mediation approach and path analysis, the study examines the extent to which telework affects job satisfaction through the experiences of work–life conflict, stress due to meetings and interruptions, perceived organizational politics, and information exchange. Results reveal that high-intensity teleworkers (n=89) are more satisfied than office-based employees (n=103) and achieve significant benefits from their work arrangement, with work–life conflict most influential toward job satisfaction. The path model reveals more complex indirect paths linking telework and job satisfaction.