cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction between the baroreflex and anterior hypothalamic stimulation. Demonstration of a noradrenergic involvement.

Cats, anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose, were used to investigate an interaction between the baroreceptor reflex and stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus (AH). In these cats, stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus gave autonomic responses that characterize the defense reaction. Stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus also interacted with the baroreceptor reflex without altering the effectiveness of the vasodepressor component of the reflex (induced by stimulation of the aortic nerves). However, in spinal cats the bradycardia component (induced by angiotensin at 0.097 nmol/kg pe min, i.v.) was inhibited by stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus and the inhibition was augmented by pretreatment with phentolamine (17.7 nmol) in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). Pretreatment with phentolamine (17.7 nmol) in the nucleus tractus solitarius also reduced the sensitivity of the bradycardia component of the reflex and attenuated (3 and 6 nmol) the induced inhibition of the bradycardia induced by stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus. This attenuation induced by NE was abolished by pretreatment with phentolamine (17.7 nmol), but not by pretreatment with sotalol (16 nmol) or haloperidol (12 nmol) in the nucleus tractus solitarius. Additionally, NE was released from the nucleus tractus solitarius during activation of the baroreceptor and during stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus in cats with intact baroreceptor nerves, but not in baroreceptor-denervated cats. Moreover, the baroreceptor reflex attenuated the pressor response evoked by stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus, and also caused the release of NE from the anterior hypothalamus. At this site, injection of NE (3 and 6 nmol) attenuated the pressor response evoked by stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus and this attenuation was abolished by pretreatment with phentolamine (17.7 nmol), but not by pretreatment with sotalol (16 nmol) or haloperidol (12 nmol) in the anterior hypothalamus. It is concluded that NE participates at the nucleus tractus solitarius and the anterior hypothalamus as an attenuator in the interaction between the baroreflex and stimulation of nerve fibers in the anterior hypothalamus that mediate the defense reaction.
Interplanetary dust dynamics I. Long-term gravitational effects of the inner planets on zodiacal dust

Abstract Whereas the inner planets' perturbations on meteoroids' and larger interplanetary bodies' orbits have been studied extensively, they are usually neglected in studies of the dynamics of smaller particles producing the zodiacal light through scattering of sunlight. Forces acting on these dust particles are fairly well known and include radiation forces and interaction with the solar wind. This article is the first in a series aimed at improving our knowledge of the dynamical evolution of dust in interplanetary space by studying the combined effects of these perturbations including gravitational perturbations by the planets Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. The necessity of including effects of the inner planets in dust dynamics investigations is established. Sample trajectories are presented to illustrate commonly occurring phenomenae, such as nonmonotonic changes in semimajor axis, eccentricity, inclination, and in the line of nodes. These perturbations are shown to be due to the inner planets as opposted to Jupiter or nongravitational forces.
Alternating Paths along Orthogonal Segments

It was shown recently that the segment endpoint visibility graph Vis(S) of any set S of n disjoint line segments in the plane admits an alternating path of length Θ(log n), and this bound is best possible apart from a constant factor. This paper focuses on the variant of the problem where S is a set of n disjoint axis-parallel line segments. We show that the length of a longest alternating path in the worst case is \(\Theta(\sqrt{n})\). We also present an O(n 2.5) time algorithm to find an alternating path of length \(\Omega(\sqrt{n})\). Finally, we consider sets of axis-parallel segments where the extensions of no two segments meet in the free space \(\mathbb{E}^2 \setminus \cup S\), and show that in that case all the segments can be included in a common alternating path.
Effects of solar wind composition, anisotropy, and streaming on ordinary mode electromagnetic instability

The stability of the low-frequency waves propagating transverse to the magnetic field of a plasma composed of electrons, protons, and alpha particles with anisotropic electron and ion temperatures is explored. The threshold for the ordinary mode instability and the growth rates have a very strong dependence on the electron temperature anisotropy but have a comparatively weaker dependence on the ion temperature anisotropy, on the relative abundance of helium to hydrogen, and on the relative streaming of two ion species. The threshold for the instability of these low-frequency waves is (m sub e/m sub p) to the 1/2 power times smaller than the one corresponding to high-frequency waves; however, for a relative abundance of helium to hydrogen up to 20% for the relevant known magnetic fields, particle densities, temperatures, and drifts, the solar wind remains below the threshold for this instability.
Comparison of synthetic-aperture radar autofocus techniques: phase gradient versus subaperture

Two methods of focusing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images are compared. Both a conventional subaperture cross-correlation method and a new phase gradient autofocus (PGA) algorithm developed at Sandia National Laboratories are shown to perform well if high-order phase errors are not present. With the introduction of significant high-order phase errors [e.g., due to uncompensated platform motion], both algorithms suffer a loss in performance. However, relative performance degradation is less for PGA than for the subaperture focusing technique. An explanation is presented for the observed behavior of the two autofocus techniques.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
EEG during combined administration of lithium and neuroleptics.

Some investigators have indicated the clinical usefulness of EEG monitoring during treatment with lithium-neuroleptic combination. Nine patients who were maintained on this combined therapy, were investigated with EEG. The authors report their negative findings.
Incremental Analysis of Power Grids Using Backward Random Walks

Power grid design and analysis is a critical part of modern VLSI chip design and demands tools for accurate modeling and efficient analysis. The process of power grid design is inherently iterative, during which numerous small changes are made to an initial design, either to enhance the design or to fix design constraint violations. Due to the large sizes of power grids in modern chips, updating the solution for these perturbations can be a computationally intensive task. In this work, we first introduce an accurate modeling methodology for power grids that, contrary to conventional models, can result in asymmetrical equations. Next, we propose an efficient and accurate incremental solver that utilizes the backward random walks to identify the region of influence of the perturbation. The solution of the network is then updated for this significantly smaller region only. The proposed algorithm is capable of handling both symmetrical and asymmetrical power grid equations. Moreover, it can handle consecutive perturbations without any degradation in the quality of the solution. Experimental results show speedups of up to 13× for our incremental solver, as compared to a full resolve of the power grid.
Lactate dehydrogenase tissue specificity and characterization in the teleost genus Barbus

Abstract 1. 1. The tissue specific patterns of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for four species of Barbus are reported. 2. 2. While all tissues (eye, brain, heart, intestine, liver, ovary, skeletal muscle and stomach) show isozymes of A and B subunit composition, only liver extracts possess isozymes resulting from C subunit synthesis. 3. 3. The relative susceptibility of Barbus LDH isozymes to inactivation by urea is similar to the hierarchy of susceptibility observed for these isozymes in other teleosts. 4. 4. In vitro hybridization of liver isozymes suggests that the restriction on LDH subunit assembly in Barbus is the result of spatial and/or temporal isolation of subunit synthesis.
Sodium lauryl sulfate and triclosan: in vitro cytotoxicity studies with gingival cells.

Abstract Triclosan and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are antimicrobial agents used, both singularly and in combination, in dentifrices and mouth-rinses. Studies by Waaler et al. (Scand. J. Dent. Res. 101 (1993) 192–195) with human volunteers showed that the adverse side-effects induced by SLS in mouth-rinses i.e. desquamation of oral epithelium and a burning sensation, were lessened by the addition of triclosan. However, Baert et al. (Int. J. Exp. Pathol. 77 (1996) 73–78) showed that triclosan did not protect the hamster cheek pouch mucosa from irritation caused by SLS. The studies presented herein further evaluated, using a cell culture system, the triclosan-SLS interaction. The in vitro cytotoxicities of triclosan and SLS, alone and in combination, were determined with human gingival S-G epithelial cells and GF fibroblasts. The 24-h midpoint (NR50) cytotoxicity values towards the S-G cells were 0.052 mM triclosan and 0.0075% SLS and for the GF fibroblasts the respective values were 0.095 mM triclosan and 0.0127% SLS. Both agents at their NR50 values induced vacuolization. Coexposures of triclosan and SLS were additive in their cytotoxicities towards the S-G epithelial cells and GF fibroblasts. Pretreatment with triclosan potentiated the toxicity of a subsequent exposure of SLS to the S-G cells; a similar pretreatment of the GF fibroblasts with triclosan had no effect on a subsequent challenge with SLS.
Implementation of a regional ration formulation program for the Southeastern states.

Abstract Outlined are procedures in coordinating a research program to develop a computerized feeding-management system and to determine its effectiveness for use in extension or field service programs. This was a multi-state project that involved input from extension and research nutritionists from the Southern states as well as other areas. After consideration of all states' needs, a flexible computerized feeding management system was developed, and its acceptance was evaluated by other states. The system is now available to dairymen for the formulation of feeding guidelines by the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, state extension programs, private industry, and dairy advisors.
Microwave Soil Moisture Retrieval Under Trees

During 2007 a field experiment was conducted with a goal of optimizing microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms for small to medium deciduous trees. After initial field checkout in Fall 2006, the ComRAD microwave truck instrument system was deployed to a test site with several stands of deciduous paulownia trees. A joint effort of NASA/GSFC and George Washington University, ComRAD consists of a quad-polarized 1.25 GHz radar and a dual-polarized 1.4 GHz radiometer sharing the same antenna. ComRAD can function as a ground-based instrument simulator for L band space missions such as SMOS, SMAP, and Aquarius. In the current study, ComRAD acquired data from April to November 2007 to monitor the seasonal difference in microwave response to soil moisture under deciduous trees. To conclude the three-year planned field measurement effort, ComRAD will deploy to a natural coniferous pine tree site in 2008.
Easy and hard bottleneck location problems

Abstract We consider a bottleneck location problem on a graph and present an efficient (polynomial time) algorithm for solving it. The problem involve the location of K noxious facilities that are to be placed as far as possilbe from the other facilities, and the objective is to maximize the minimum distance from the noxious facilities to the others. We then show that two other bottleneck (min-max) location problems, finding K -centers and absolute K -centers of a graph appear to be very difficult to solve even for reasonably good approximate solutions.
Spatial Competition in a Discontinuous Market

The problem: the effect of assuming discrete markets rather than a continuous market, 212. — I. A simplified case, 213. — Results as seller A lowers his price, 215. — II. The f.o.b. prices which the sellers will set, 218. — Hotelling's diagram, 218. — A more complicated version, 219. — "Normal" equilibrium, 223. — III. No reason for assuming that any equilibrium will be attained, 225. — Assuming that sellers do not take their rivals' prices as given, 226. — IV. Conclusions: here the precise pattern of traditional duopoly analysis is not obtained, 228; possible equilibrium at the bare level of marginal costs, 229; application to other forms of discontinuous product differentiation, 230.
Substitutional solid solutions of bismuth-containing lanthanide dititanates, Ln2−xBixTi2O7

The formation of solid solutions Ln/sub 2-x/Bi/sub x/Ti/sub 2/O/sub 7/, where Ln = La to Lu and Y, except Ce, Pm, and Eu, was studied by Raman spectroscopy and to a lesser extent by x-ray diffraction. It was established that the solubility of bismuth increases with decreasing ionic radius of the lanthanide element. No evidence was experimentally found in this work for the existence of Bi/sub 2/Ti/sub 2/O'. 9 references, 3 figures, 1 table.
Nitric oxide signalling by selective β2‐adrenoceptor stimulation prevents ach‐induced inhibition of β2‐stimulated Ca2+ current in cat atrial myocytes

The present study determined the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) on the L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)) stimulated by beta(1)- or beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists in cat atrial myocytes. When isoproterenol (ISO; 0.1 microM) plus the beta(2)-AR antagonist ICI 118,551 (ISO-beta(1)-AR stimulation) or 0.1 microM fenoterol, a beta(2)-AR agonist (FEN-beta(2)-AR stimulation) increased I(Ca,L), ACh (1 microM) inhibited I(Ca,L) by -60 +/- 4 and -63 +/- 6 %, respectively. When ISO plus the beta(1)-AR antagonist atenolol (ISO-beta(2)-AR stimulation) or 1 microM zinterol (ZIN-beta(2)-AR stimulation) increased I(Ca,L), ACh-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L) was significantly smaller, at -21 +/- 3 and -24 +/- 3 %, respectively. L-N(5)-(1-iminoethyl)ornithine (L-NIO, 10 microM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, enhanced ACh-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L) when stimulated by ZIN-beta(2)-ARs, but not when stimulated by ISO-beta(1)-ARs or FEN-beta(2)-ARs. Haemoglobin (50 microM), a NO scavenger, also enhanced ACh-induced inhibition when I(Ca,L) was stimulated by ZIN-beta(2)-ARs, but not when stimulated by FEN-beta(2)-ARs. ACh-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L) stimulated by ZIN-beta(2)-ARs was not affected by 10 microM 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a] quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ) a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, but was significantly enhanced by 500 microM reduced glutathione or 100 microM dithiothreitol, agents that act as sinks for S-nitrosylation. ACh-induced inhibition was smaller when I(Ca,L) was stimulated by spermine/NO, a NO donor, than by milrinone, a phosphodiesterase type III inhibitor. ISO (ISO-beta(1)/beta(2)-AR stimulation) increased I(Ca,L) and even though ISO releases NO, ACh prominently inhibited I(Ca,L). This inhibitory effect of ACh was enhanced by L-NIO. Stimulation of ZIN-beta(2)-ARs increased intracellular NO, whereas ISO-beta(1)-ARs or FEN-beta(2)-ARs failed to increase intracellular NO. These results indicate that in atrial myocytes, NO released by selective beta(2)-AR stimulation prevents ACh-induced inhibition of I(Ca,L) stimulated by beta(2)-ARs. NO acts via a cGMP-independent, S-nitrosylation mechanism. Although FEN acts via beta(2)-ARs, it fails to stimulate G(i)-/NO signalling and preferentially stimulates G(s)-/adenylate cyclase signalling, similar to beta(1)-ARs. These findings indicate that NO signalling modulates muscarinic receptor inhibition of atrial function stimulated by beta(2)-ARs.
Lactobacillus buchneri Genotyping on the Basis of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) Locus Diversity

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in combination with associated sequences (cas) constitute the CRISPR-Cas immune system, which uptakes DNA from invasive genetic elements as novel "spacers" that provide a genetic record of immunization events. We investigated the potential of CRISPR-based genotyping of Lactobacillus buchneri, a species relevant for commercial silage, bioethanol, and vegetable fermentations. Upon investigating the occurrence and diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems in Lactobacillus buchneri genomes, we observed a ubiquitous occurrence of CRISPR arrays containing a 36-nucleotide (nt) type II-A CRISPR locus adjacent to four cas genes, including the universal cas1 and cas2 genes and the type II signature gene cas9. Comparative analysis of CRISPR spacer content in 26 L. buchneri pickle fermentation isolates associated with spoilage revealed 10 unique locus genotypes that contained between 9 and 29 variable spacers. We observed a set of conserved spacers at the ancestral end, reflecting a common origin, as well as leader-end polymorphisms, reflecting recent divergence. Some of these spacers showed perfect identity with phage sequences, and many spacers showed homology to Lactobacillus plasmid sequences. Following a comparative analysis of sequences immediately flanking protospacers that matched CRISPR spacers, we identified a novel putative protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM), 5'-AAAA-3'. Overall, these findings suggest that type II-A CRISPR-Cas systems are valuable for genotyping of L. buchneri.
The 1996 FAIR Act: Measuring the Impacts on Land Leasing

Using a 1997 survey of Arkansas farm operators, Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act impacts on changes in cropping mixes on leased land, operator attitudes concerning the sharing of FAIR Act benefits with landlords, and changes in leasing arrangements due to the FAIR Act are investigated. Operators indicated that the FAIR Act caused cropping-mixchanges on 24% of surveyed leases. Although some operators believe that landlords disproportionately benefit from the FAIR Act, about three-quarters feel that there was no change or had no opinion. Similarly, we find little evidence that leasing arrangements changed as a result of the FAIR Act.
Solution Structure of the Guanine Nucleotide-binding STAS Domain of SLC26-related SulP Protein Rv1739c from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The structure and intrinsic activities of conserved STAS domains of the ubiquitous SulP/SLC26 anion transporter superfamily have until recently remained unknown. Here we report the heteronuclear, multidimensional NMR spectroscopy solution structure of the STAS domain from the SulP/SLC26 putative anion transporter Rv1739c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The 0.87-A root mean square deviation structure revealed a four-stranded β-sheet with five interspersed α-helices, resembling the anti-σ factor antagonist fold. Rv1739c STAS was shown to be a guanine nucleotide-binding protein, as revealed by nucleotide-dependent quench of intrinsic STAS fluorescence and photoaffinity labeling. NMR chemical shift perturbation analysis partnered with in silico docking calculations identified solvent-exposed STAS residues involved in nucleotide binding. Rv1739c STAS was not an in vitro substrate of mycobacterial kinases or anti-σ factors. These results demonstrate that Rv1739c STAS binds guanine nucleotides at physiological concentrations and undergoes a ligand-induced conformational change but, unlike anti-σ factor antagonists, may not mediate signals via phosphorylation.
Themes that develop in sensitivity groups

Resume L'article "Themes that Develop in Sensitivity Groups" est issu d'une etude plus etendue, qui decrit un cours de dynamique de groupes dans le contexte d'un programme universitaire de nursing. Ce cours est donne depuis 1960 aux eleves de l'ecole de nursing de l'Universite de Californie a San Francisco. De meme que le programme a change au long des annees, le cours s'est developpe sous la direction du Dr. Daniel Adelson. Sa structure de base (lecons et seminaires hebdomadaires) a toutefois ete maintenue, l'experience ayant prouve qu'elle etait valable sous tous les aspects: l'ossature theorique (la "Theory of Group Development" de Bennis et Shepard) a fourni aux etudiants un moyen de traduire en concepts, d'integrer et de generaliser l'experience du groupe a l'aide de materiaux theoriques, de leur application et de references a d'autres experiences collectives. Les seminaires offrent en outre a l'infirmiere—etudiante ou graduee—l'occasion de se familiariser avec tous les niveaux de comportement—de cognition, d'emotion, d'action et de perception—tels qu'ils se manifestent dans le groupe. Ainsi se cree une situation d'etude empirique, orientee sur une accentuation de la conscience et de la connaissance de soi autant que sur un accroissement de l'attention pretee aux autres et caux impacts reciproques du comportement et des relations humains. Chose plus importante encore, les infirmieres apprennent dans un milieu psychologiquement sur a experimenter de nouveaux schemas de comportement et de communication et a acquerir des facons plus ouvertes, plus directes et plus honnetes de traiter les relations humaines. L'article examine le mode de travail desseminaires et enumere quelques-uns des themes majeurs qui se degagent des rencontres en groupes, ou les participants essaient de se comprendre eux-memes et de comprendre les autres dans le groupe, ainsi que ce qui se passe quand ils s'influencent mutuellement. Les seminaires non structures et d'autres groupes orientes sur des processus gagnent en faveur parmi les educateurs, qui y voient de tres utiles methodes pedagogiques ainsi que des contributions au developpement et a l'evolution des participants.
The temperature of ingested water: Its effect on body temperature

The ingestion of water of different temperatures was found to have a pronounced effect on body temperature in rats. Drinking 12° and 24° C water led to sharp decreases in body temperature of as large as 1.2°C, and, when free access to the water was given, recovery failed to occur within the 20-min test period. The results are related to mechanisms of preabsorptive satiety.
Validation of a Simpler Method for Determination of Atmospheric Sulfur Dioxide

The determination of atmospheric sulfur dioxide as aqueous bisulfite using 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was validated as a simple, rapid and reliable procedure. Standard sulfur dioxide concentrations in air (0-2.6 ppm) were generated by means of a permeation device. Sulfur dioxide from air samples was absorbed in pH 7 phosphate buffer and determined as bisulfite. The mean percentage recovery of sulfur dioxide is 101.4; the slope of the validation line determined by linear regression analysis (calculated vs. found) is 1.014 ppm found/calculated (1.4% absolute error; 0.9976 correlation coefficient).
Advanced prosthodontic education: a rationale for a curriculum which integrates fixed and removable prosthodontic education.

E ducators in advanced prosthodontics have traditionally emphasized differing disciplines in achieving clinical competence for their students. However, there is general acceptance of the didactic requirements in the clinical and basic sciences related to prosthodontics. These have been described specifically by the ADA Council on Dental Education in its “Guidelines for Advanced Specialty Education Programs.“’
Grain boundary γ″ precipitation and niobium segregation in inconel 718

Abstract The grain boundary γ″ precipitates in a commercial Inconel 718 have been critically examined by TEM. The results show that the grain boundaries were almost fully covered with γ″ particles which can account for the previous XPS finding of grain boundary enrichment in niobium for this alloy. These grain boundary γ″ precipitates appear to be disc-shaped, lie on the boundary plane, and have no habit-plane relationship with either of the neighboring grains. This finding suggests that the γ″ precipitates formed as a result of niobium segregation at the grain boundaries, rather than having the grain boundaries acting simply as the nucleation sites for preferential precipitation.
Ankyrin-linked hereditary spherocytosis in an African–American kindred†

Mutations of ankyrin-1 are the most frequent cause of the inherited hemolytic anemia, hereditary spherocytosis (HS), in people of European ancestry. Ankyrin-1, which provides the primary linkage between the erythrocyte membrane skeleton and the plasma membrane, has numerous isoforms generated by alternative splicing, alternate polyadenylation, use of tissue-specific promoters, and alternate NH2 or COOH-termini. Mutation detection in erythrocyte membrane protein genes, including ankyrin, has been a challenge, primarily due to the large size of these genes, and the apparent frequent occurrence of HS-associated null alleles. Using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), we screened the ankyrin gene of the proband of a large, three generation African–American kindred with ankyrin-deficient HS. DHPLC yielded an abnormal chromatogram for exon 1. Examination of the corresponding exon 1 sequence in genomic DNA from the proband revealed heterozygosity for a mutation of the initiator methionine (ATG to ATA Met 1 Ile). Coupled in vitrotranscription/translation studies with rabbit reticulocyte lysates demonstrated that the wild-type ankyrin erythroid cDNA initiates only from the known initiator methionine, indicating that the use of alternate initiator methionine is not a mechanism of isoform diversity in erythroid cells. The mutant ankyrin allele, unlike some initiator methionine mutations that utilize downstream codons for translation initiation, was associated with a null allele. This is the first report describing ankyrin-linked HS in an African–American kindred. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sunspot-like effects of random endowments

Abstract Random endowments can affect economic outcomes in two ways: directly, by affecting resources, and indirectly, by endogenously affecting expectations. This second effect, which we call a sunspot-like effect, allows prices to overreact to movements in fundamentals. We prove that sunspot equilibria can be viewed as the limiting case of markets overreacting to small shocks to fundamentals. Two examples illustrate the theorem and show that sunspot-like effects can be present even with significant shocks to fundamentals.
Using quality improvement methodology to improve neuropathic pain screening and assessment in patients with cancer.

Background. Quality improvement methodology was used to improve neuropathic pain (NP) screening at a comprehensive cancer center. Methods. Nurses participated in educational sessions about screening and assessment. Clinical systems to facilitate documentation of NP severity scores were developed. Results. Pretest and posttest score results demonstrated nurse acquisition of new knowledge. A 90% NP screening adherence rate was achieved (N=3831). Patients with no reported general pain (n=291) were found to have moderate to severe NP. Conclusions. Keys to success are (1) health care professional education and periodic reinforcement of learning and (2) system infrastructure changes.
Acute phosphate restriction leads to impaired fracture healing and resistance to BMP-2

Hypophosphatemia leads to rickets and osteomalacia, the latter of which results in decreased biomechanical integrity of bones, accompanied by poor fracture healing. Impaired phosphate-dependent apoptosis of hypertrophic chondrocytes is the molecular basis for rickets. However, the underlying pathophysiology of impaired fracture healing has not been characterized previously. To address the role of phosphate in fracture repair, mice were placed on a phosphate-restricted diet 2 days prior to or 3 days after induction of a mid-diaphyseal femoral fracture to assess the effects of phosphate deficiency on the initial recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells and their subsequent differentiation. Histologic and micro-computed tomographic (µCT) analyses demonstrated that both phosphate restriction models dramatically impaired fracture healing primarily owing to a defect in differentiation along the chondrogenic lineage. Based on Sox9 and Sox5 mRNA levels, neither the initial recruitment of cells to the callus nor their lineage commitment was effected by hypophosphatemia. However, differentiation of these cells was impaired in association with impaired bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. In vivo ectopic bone-formation assays and in vitro investigations in ST2 stromal cells confirmed that phosphate restriction leads to BMP-2 resistance. Marrow ablation studies demonstrate that hypophosphatemia has different effects on injury-induced intramembranous bone formation compared with endochondral bone formation. Thus phosphate plays an important role in the skeleton that extends beyond mineralized matrix formation and growth plate maturation and is critical for endochondral bone repair. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Moment formulation for capacitance problem of generalised N-strip transmission-line system

An algorithm for the computation of capacitances and charge distributions in a generalised N-layer N-strip transmission line is formulated, based on the method of moments. The region of interest may consist of an arbitrary number of dielectric slabs and conducting strips. The potentials or normal fields at every interface are evaluated in terms of total charge distributions (bound charge and free charge). The basic mathematical development is to reduce the 2-dimensional potential integral to a matrix equation, and the solution is then given by matrix inversion.
Quantum Oscillations and Hall Anomaly of Surface States in the Topological Insulator Bi2Te3

Topological insulators are insulating materials that display massless, Dirac-like surface states in which the electrons have only one spin degree of freedom on each surface. These states have been imaged by photoemission, but little information on their transport parameters, for example, mobility, is available. We report the observation of Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations arising from the surface states in nonmetallic crystals of Bi(2)Te(3). In addition, we uncovered a Hall anomaly in weak fields, which enables the surface current to be seen directly. Both experiments yield a surface mobility (9000 to 10,000 centimeter(2) per volt-second) that is substantially higher than in the bulk. The Fermi velocity of 4 x 10(5) meters per second obtained from these transport experiments agrees with angle-resolved photoemission experiments.
Fundamental resource dis/advantages, youth health and adult educational outcomes

Abstract Recent studies find lasting effects of poor youth health on educational attainment but use young samples and narrow life course windows of observation to explore outcomes. We apply a life course framework to three sets of Health and Retirement Study birth cohorts to examine early health status effects on education and skills attainment measured late in life. The older cohorts that we study were the earliest recipients of U.S. policies promoting continuing education through the GI Bill, community college expansions and new credentials such as the GED. We examine a wide range of outcomes but focus on GEDs, postsecondary school entry and adult human capital as job-related training. We find that older U.S. cohorts had considerable exposure to these forms of attainment and that the effects of youth health on them vary by outcome: health selection and ascription group effects are weak or fade, respectively, in outcomes associated with delayed or adult attainment. However, poorer health and social disadvantage in youth and barriers associated with ascription carry forward to limit attainment of key credentials such as diplomas and college degrees. We find that the human capital – health gradient is dynamic and that narrow windows of observation in existing studies miss much of it. National context also matters for studying health-education linkages over the life course.
Catheter Ablation for Premature Ventricular Contractions and Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Heart Failure

Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are effective in reducing mortality, but do not prevent arrhythmia recurrence. There is increasing recognition that frequent premature ventricular contractions or repetitive ventricular tachycardia may also lead to new onset ventricular dysfunction or deterioration of ventricular function in patients with pre-existing HF. Suppression of the arrhythmia may lead to recovery of ventricular function. Catheter ablation has emerged as a safe and effective treatment option for reducing arrhythmia recurrence and for suppression of PVCs but its efficacy is governed by the nature of the arrhythmias, the underlying HF substrate and the accessibility of the arrhythmia substrates to ablation.
Computational predictions of substituted benzyne and indolyne regioselectivities

A computational study using DFT methods was performed for an array of mono and disubstituted benzynes and indolynes. The inherent distortion present in the geometry-optimized structures predicts the regioselectivity of aryne trapping by nucleophiles or cycloaddition partners. These studies will serve to enable the further use of unsymmetrical arynes in organic synthesis.
Exploring the design space of multiple video interaction

There are many task scenarios that require active engagement and analysis of video content. And many of these tasks, such as training for competitive athletics, rely on identifying, analyzing, and presenting relationships between separate videos, which is facilitated by simultaneous viewing. However, current online video interaction is designed with a focus on straightforward distribution and passive consumption of a single video only. Creating an online player that supports the playback of, and interaction with, two or more videos raises a myriad of design choices. In this paper, we contribute an exploration of the design space of multi-video interaction and present two different prototypes that can be viewed as probes into this interesting, under-served area of user experience.
The preparation of thin film transparent BaFCl:Eu X-ray phosphor

Abstract We evaporated transparent thin films (1–20 μm thick) of BaFCl:Eu that exhibit narrow band X-ray-stimulated light emission at 390 nm, characteristic of Eu 2+ . Nearly all the films are highly stressed and have macroscopic cracks characteristics of tensile growth stresses. As a consequence, the adhesion to substrates for thicker films, grown at an optimum substrate temperature of 250 °C, is at best only fair. Initially, the films are transparent, but become cloudy when they are removed from the vacuum system to the laboratory environment. We believe that the loss of transparency is due to the slow partial decomposition to BaCl 2 ·2H 2 O and BaF 2 inclusions which scatter light.
Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of [Ni(tpyrpyz)2]2[Mo4O12F2][Mo6O19] · 2H2O, a material exhibiting an unusual tetranuclear polyoxofluoromolybdate cluster [Mo4O12F2]2−

Abstract The hydrothermal reaction of a solution of Ni(CH3CO2)2 · 4H2O, MoO3, tetra-4-pyridylpyrazine, H2O3PCH3, and HF at 200 °C for 96 h yields orange crystals of [Ni(tpyrpyz)2]2[Mo4O12F2][Mo6O17] · 2H2O (1 · 2H2O). The structure consists of discrete {Ni(tpyrpyz)2}2+ cations and {Mo6O19}2− and {Mo4O12F2}2− anionic clusters. The hexamolybdate is the well-documented octahedron of octahedra, that is, six {MoO6} octahedra in a compact edge-sharing arrangement. The novel oxyfluoride cluster {Mo4O12F2}2− features two {MoO4F2} octahedra, sharing the edge defined by the fluoride ligands; the octahedral Mo sites corner-share to two {MoO4} tetrahedra in the μ2–O, O′ bridging mode.
Sterilization of Male House Flies by Fumigation with Aziridinylphosphine Oxides and Sulfides

Chemosterilizing activity of 41 bis(1-aziridinyl)phosphine oxides and sulfides was determined in male Musca domestica L. by the circulatory fumigation technique. In homologous series, the methyl and ethyl compounds were more effective than the higher alkyl or aryl compounds; and in analogous pairs, the phosphine sulfides were more active than the oxides. Two monoaziridines also were highly active. However, no direct relationship between the effectiveness of compounds injected or used as fumigants was evident.
A Comparison of the Exact Kruskal-Wallis Distribution to Asymptotic Approximations for All Sample Sizes up to 105

The authors generated exact probability distributions for sample sizes up to 35 in each of three groups (n ≤ 105) and up to 10 in each of four groups (n ≤ 40). They compared the exact distributions to the chi-square, gamma, and beta approximations. The beta approximation was best in terms of the root mean square error. At specific significance levels, either the gamma or beta approximation was best. These results suggest that the most common approximation, the chi-square approximation, is not a good choice. The authors demonstrate this point using an applied example. Critical value tables for the exact distribution are available online at http://faculty.virginia.edu/kruskal-wallis. The portion of these tables that provides critical values for equal sample sizes appears in this article. The authors recommend that researchers use critical values from the exact distribution whenever possible. If sample sizes exceed those included in the authors’ exact probability tables, they recommend using the beta approxi...
Resonant Tunneling and Room Temperature Negative Differential Resistance in TiO 2 /MEH-PPV Junctions for Quantum Functional Circuits

We demonstrate robust room temperature negative differential resistance and logic circuit operations using polymer tunnel diodes (ITO/TiO2/MEH-PPV/Al). Resonant tunneling is believed to occur through localized defect levels in the TiO2 characterized by ultraviolet/visible absorption spectrometry.
Changes in Soluble RNA and Ribonuclease Activity During Germination of Wheat

Gross changes in protein and nucleic acid were studied in germinating wheat seeds. The nucleic acid fraction was separated on columns of methylated albumin-keiselguhr. It was found that more than 50% of the transfer RNA was lost from the embryo in the first 10 to 15 hours of germination. This was followed by a period of rapid resynthesis of transfer RNA, to the normal level at about 20 hours. The decline and increase in transfer RNA was accompanied by a change in the ratios of certain amino acid acceptor species. Evidence is also presented that an embryo ribonuclease is lost during the first 10 to 15 hours, followed by the appearance of a second seedling ribonuclease between 15 and 30 hours of germination.
NAC: still the way to go

We would like to thank Yang and colleagues for their attempt to determine the possibility of delayed hepatic recovery with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity [1]. We are concerned, however, about the possible consequences that may arise from their conclusions. Owing to the wide availability of acetaminophen, intentional and unintentional overdoses are one of the leading causes of liver failure in the world [2]. NAC is currently a highly effective and safe antidote to treat acute acetaminophen overdose, and is most efficacious when administered within 8 hours of ingestion [3]. Furthermore, one landmark study showed that even in patients who presented with delayed acetaminophen-induced fulminant hepatic failure, intravenous NAC administration improved survival versus control individuals (48% vs. 20%) [4]. Another study found that the infusion of acetylcysteine in patients with acetaminophen-induced liver failure resulted in an increase in mean oxygen delivery and in an increased mean arterial pressure [5]. It is difficult to believe that the mouse model of Yang and colleagues has any correlation to humans, since the already established human data are so overwhelmingly positive. The amount of acetaminophen administered in their study caused hepatotoxicity but did not induce death, and therefore is not applicable to real-life situations where people may ingest potentially fatal doses of acetaminophen. It is not clear to us why the authors came to explore this study topic. The conclusions drawn from their article are potentially dangerous and should be viewed with caution and scepticism.
A review of text and image retrieval approaches for broadcast news video

The effectiveness of a video retrieval system largely depends on the choice of underlying text and image retrieval components. The unique properties of video collections (e.g., multiple sources, noisy features and temporal relations) suggest we examine the performance of these retrieval methods in such a multimodal environment, and identify the relative importance of the underlying retrieval components. In this paper, we review a variety of text/image retrieval approaches as well as their individual components in the context of broadcast news video. Numerous components of text/image retrieval have been discussed in detail, including retrieval models, text sources, temporal expansion methods, query expansion methods, image features, and similarity measures. For each component, we conduct a series of retrieval experiments on TRECVID video collections to identify their advantages and disadvantages. To provide a more complete coverage of video retrieval, we briefly discuss an emerging approach called concept-based video retrieval, and review strategies for combining multiple retrieval outputs.
The RNA Polymerase α Subunit Carboxyl-terminal Domain Is Required for Both Basal and Activated Transcription from thealkA Promoter

Expression of the Escherichia coliadaptive response genes (ada, aidB, andalkA) is regulated by the transcriptional activator, Ada. However, the interactions of RNA polymerase and Ada with these promoters differ. In this report we characterize the interactions of Ada, methylated Ada (meAda), and RNA polymerase at thealkA promoter and contrast these interactions with those characterized previously for the ada and aidBpromoters. At the alkA promoter, we do not detect the RNA polymerase α subunit-mediated binary complex detected at theada and aidB promoters. In the presence of either of these two activators, RNA polymerase protects thealkA core promoter, including the elements at −35 and −10, and is more efficient in transcription initiation in vitro. RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing the α subunit mutation R265A is severely impaired in Ada-independent basalalkA transcription, shows no activation by Ada ormeAda, and fails to bind the alkA promoterin vitro. Binding of the purified wild type α subunit toalkA was not detected, but a complex of promoter DNA, Ada or meAda, and α was observed in gel shift assays. These observations suggest that both forms of Ada protein activatealkA transcription by enhancing RNA polymerase holoenzyme and α subunit binding.
The importance of oxygen to helium-defect trapping in zirconium

Helium has been implanted at an energy of 200 keV into zirconium or Zircaloy at both room temperature and at several elevated temperatures up to 973 K. All targets contained surface oxygen either by exposure to atmosphere or by anodization; in one case oxygen had been ion implanted at 898 K prior to the helium implantation at 898 K. Following the implantation, profiles of helium concentration vs depth were measured by the method of nuclear reaction microanalysis. The profiles showed that at T ⩽ 700 K most of the helium was trapped near the end of the ion range (≈ 0.7 μm) whereas at T > 700 K the helium migrated to and became trapped in the oxygen rich regions of the target. The mobility of helium was retarded in the target preimplanted with oxygen. The profile data were analyzed by coupled differential equations describing trapping at oxygen rich regions of the target. Diffusion and trapping parameters were determined.
Experimental Use of Fluoroalkyl Cyanoacrylate in Canine Urethral Anastomosis

The results of a study designed to evaluate a fluoroalkyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive as an adjunct to suture anastomosis of the severed canine pelvic urethra are presented. The urethral anastomotic sites were evaluated by contrast radiography, gross pathology, and histopathology. Urethral anastomosis resulted in a clinically functional urethra in all 6 control dogs (suture anastomosis) and 5 of the 6 test dogs (suture anastomosis plus adhesive). A severe stricture at the anastomotic site developed in 1 dog in the test group. Evidence of leakage was detected by contrast radiography in 1 dog of each group. Microscopic evidence of incomplete closure was detected in 4 control dogs and 2 test dogs. An extensive granulomatous inflammatory reaction was associated with use of the adhesive. The lower incidence of microscopic leakage observed in the test dogs was attributed to fibroplasia induced by the cyanoacrylate and not to the adhesive properties of the cyanoacrylate.
Towards a Molecular Level Understanding of the Multi-Electron Catalysis of Water Oxidation on Metal Oxide Surfaces

Earth abundant metal oxides play a central role as catalysts in the essential chemical transformations of sunlight to fuel conversion, which are the oxidation of water and the reduction of carbon dioxide. The rapidly growing interest in renewable fuel generation by using the energy of the sun has recently led to substantial breakthroughs in the use of first row transition metal oxides as catalysts for oxygen evolution from water. Substantive improvements of rates and lowering of overpotentials have been achieved by exploiting materials properties on the nanoscale, or taking advantage of the synergy of multiple metals. Moreover, knowledge derived from mechanistic investigations with structure specific spectroscopy is accelerating efficiency improvements. Monitoring by time-resolved FT-infrared spectroscopy reveals the molecular nature of active sites, while in situ X-ray and optical spectroscopy under reaction conditions provides insights into the electronic structure of the surface metal centers participating in the catalysis. By combining the bond specificity of vibrational spectroscopy with the metal electronic structure specificity of optical, X-ray absorption or photoelectron spectroscopy, a complete understanding of active surface sites on metal oxides begins to emerge. Charge flow driving the chemical transformations probed by optical spectroscopy across time scales from ultrafast to very slow reveals the processes that control the productive use of charges delivered to the catalyst. Coupling of the water oxidation catalysis at a metal oxide catalyst with carbon dioxide reduction at a heterobinuclear chromophore, which is the goal of the artificial photosystem approach, is demonstrated by a well-defined all-inorganic polynuclear unit. .
Disambiguation and language acquisition through the phrasal lexicon

The phrasal approach to language processing emphasizes the role of the lexicon as a knowledge source. Rather than maintaining a single generic lexical entry for each word e.g., take, the lexicon contains many phrases, e.g., take on, take to the streets, take to swimming, take over, etc. Although this approach proves effective in parsing and in generation, there are two acute problems which still require solutions. First, due to the huge size of the phrasal lexicon, especially when considering subtle meanings and idiosyneratic behavior of phrases, encoding of lexical entries cannot be done manually. Thus, phrase acquisition must be employed to construct the lexicon. Second, when a set of phrases is morpho-syntactically equivalent, disambiguation must be performed by semantic means. These problems are addressed in the program RINA.