cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of facial vascular lesions with an argon laser

Szymanczyk J., Golcbiowska A., Michaiska I.Department ofDermatology Warsaw School of MedicineKoszykowa 82 a, 02-008 Warsaw, PolandABSTRACT296 patients.with various vascular lesions ofthe face have been treated with argon laser LAK-1 in theDepartment ofDermatology Warsaw Medical Academy since April 1992. The diagnosis ofthe treatedlesions was port-wine stains, multiple telangiectasiae and small, most often indiuced by trauma hemangiomacavernosum ofthe lip. Best results were achieved in the patients with small hemangiomas cavernosum of thelip and multiple telangiectasiae on the face.Cure rate in this group was 100%. In 1 12 port-wine staints cases fading of5O-75% comparing with theadjacent skin was achieved. With stress, the argon laser therapy is a method ofchoise for the treatment ofhemangioma cavernosum, port-wine stains and multiple teleagiectasiae ofthe face.INTRODUCTIONThe argon laser, emitting in the blue-green spectrum, was introduced in the early 1970s to selectivelydestroy abnormal blood cells.(1,7,12,13) Its emission wavelanghts fall within the absorption spectrum ofoxyhemoglobin and the oxyhemoglobin. (18,19,21) Good to excellent results were reported in 50-75% ofadulds with port-wine stains and similar results were not achieved in children, were up to 45% of patientsdeveloped hypertrophic scaring. (3,8,16) Histopatology of the wound produced by laser shows obliteration ofthe ectatic blood vassels up to the depth of 1 mm, with collagen depositions containing sparse slitlike vessels.At the final stage of the therapy the regeneration of a quite normal epidermis. (11)
Information-theoretic specific heat of fractal patterns.

La formation de diagrammes spatiaux caracterises par une dimension fractale non triviale, resulte frequemment de processus ou les parties externes du diagramme «masquent» les sites internes pour la croissance. Le modele de «masquage» a seuil utilise une mesure simplifiee du masquage pour definir des sites actifs sur un diagramme en cours de croissance
When is couples therapy necessary and sufficient

Couples therapy is not a unified form of treatment but draws on a heterogeneous range of influencing processes. When distressed couples are relatively stable and interested in effecting a harmonious modus vivendi, didactic training will usually achieve salubrious outcomes. When individual agendas, hidden or otherwise, undermine the relationship, individual therapy is often essential before the couple can benefit from conjoint therapy. Those who insist on working only within dyadic, triadic, or family contexts may fail to achieve desirable goals.
Mathematical Modeling of Biochemical Changes during Processing of Liquid Foods and Solutions

Thermal processing of liquid food materials and biochemical solutions always results in a distribution of biochemical changes such as bacterial and nutrient concentrations due to variation in temperature history from one liquid element to another. To estimate such distributions, the liquid elements need to be “tagged” and followed, which is computationally difficult for most flow situations of interest. This paper describes a computational procedure for obtaining the full range of biochemical changes during processing without explicitly following liquid elements. By use of the method developed, transient distributions of bacterial death have been obtained for sterilization of liquid in a nonagitated cylindrical enclosure heated from all sides. The conventional procedure of obtaining sterilization based on temperature at the slowest heating zone is shown to be lower than the actual least sterilization of a real fluid element in the system. Nutrient distributions can be similarly calculated by following this method.
Politics and Scientific Expertise: Scientists, Risk Perception, and Nuclear Waste Policy

To study the homogeneity and influences on scientists' perspectives of environmental risks, the authors have examined similarities and differences in risk perceptions, particularly regarding nuclear wastes, and policy preferences among 1011 scientists and engineers. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in the patterns of beliefs among scientists from different fields of research. In contrast to physicists, chemists, and engineers, life scientists tend to: (a) perceive the greatest risks from nuclear energy and nuclear waste management; (b) perceive higher levels of overall environmental risk; (c) strongly oppose imposing risks on unconsenting individuals; and (d) prefer stronger requirements for environmental management. On some issues related to priorities among public problems and calls for government action, there are significant variations among life scientists or physical scientists. It was also found that-independently of field of research-perceptions of risk and its correlates are significantly associated with the type of institution in which the scientist is employed. Scientists in universities or state and local governments tend to see the risks of nuclear energy and wastes as greater than scientists who work as business consultants, for federal organizations, or for private research laboratories. Significant differences also are found in priority given to environmental risks, the perceived proximity ofmore » environmental disaster, willingness to impose risks on an unconsenting population, and the necessity of accepting risks and sacrifices. 33 refs., 3 figs., 9 tabs.« less
Probing structure and function with alternative nucleic acids bearing 2',5'-linked, zwitterionic, and isocytosine-isoguanine components.

Abstract The incorporation of alternative functional components into nucleic acids can provide insight into what molecular features are necessary for an informational macromolecule to be successful. It can also provide a means to improve particular physical characteristics of nucleic acids for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, or probe mechanisms. By testing the fitness of nucleic acid-like molecules derived by structural permutations of RNA, it may also prove possible to trace a path from simple prebiotic precursors to biotic molecules. This article describes the applications of 2′,5′-phosphodiester linked, zwitterionic, and base-permuted nucleic acid derivatives.
Electron Cyclotron Resonance in a Penning Ion Source

Electron cyclotron resonance was detected in a Penning source by measuring the electron temperature as obtained from the x-ray emission spectrum. The resonance is only present if flat cathodes are used.
Cascaded operation of optical label swapping using optical carrier suppression, separation and without regular wavelength converter in a multi-hop label switched optical network

We demonstrate cascaded optical label swapping using optical carrier suppression and separation technique without requiring conventional wavelength converter in a multi-hop OLS network carrying 10 Gbps DPSK payload and 2.5 Gbps OOK label over 300 Km SMF fibers. (2 pages)
Ethanol inhibits brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulation of extracellular signal-regulated/mitogen-activated protein kinase in cerebellar granule cells

Abstract Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a prominent mediator of neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. BDNF activates multiple signal transduction cascades that regulate cellular function through phosphorylation, transcription, and translation. Ethanol is known to inhibit neurotrophin signaling, but a thorough pharmacological analysis of the effect of ethanol on BDNF signaling in developing neurons has not been performed. These experiments were undertaken to determine the interactions between membrane depolarization, BDNF concentration, and ethanol concentration on extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) activation in neurons. We examined cerebellar granule cells grown under physiological (5 mM) or elevated (25 mM) potassium culture conditions after 3 days in vitro. BDNF-stimulated ERK phosphorylation (pERK) within 10 min and supported stimulation from 20 to 60 min. Ethanol decreased basal pERK and reduced the magnitude of BDNF stimulation of ERK under both conditions. The NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate did not effect basal pERK or inhibit BDNF stimulation of ERK, suggesting that NMDA receptors do not modulate BDNF stimulation of ERK in short-term cultures. These data characterize the pharmacological effects of ethanol on growth factor signaling and provide the basis of a model for further characterization of the biochemical mechanisms of ERK inhibition by ethanol. Perturbation of BDNF signal transduction by ethanol may underlie some of the cognitive deficits and developmental abnormalities resulting from ethanol exposure.
Pharmacologic or genetic ablation of maleylacetoacetate isomerase increases levels of toxic tyrosine catabolites in rodents.

Abstract Dichloroacetate (DCA) is both an environmental contaminant and an investigational drug for diseases involving perturbed mitochondrial energetics. DCA is biotransformed to glyoxylate by maleylacetoacetate isomerase (MAAI). Previous studies have shown that DCA decreases MAAI activity in rat liver in a time- and dose-dependent manner and may target the protein for degradation in vivo. We now report that the MAAI protein is depleted in a time- and dose-dependent manner in the livers of Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to DCA. This decrease in protein expression is not mirrored by a decrease in the steady-state levels of MAAI mRNA, indicating that the depletion is exclusively a post-transcriptional event. We also investigated the pharmacokinetics of DCA in the recently developed MAAI knockout (MAAI-KO) mouse. MAAI-KO mice maintain high plasma and urine drug concentrations and do not biotransform DCA to monochloroacetate to a significant extent. Therefore, no alternative pathways for DCA clearance appear to exist in mice other than by MAAI-mediated biotransformation. DCA-naive MAAI-KO mice accumulate very high levels of the tyrosine catabolites maleylacetone and succinylacetone, and DCA exposure did not significantly increase the levels of these compounds. MAAI-KO mice also have high levels of fumarylacetone and normal levels of fumarate. These results demonstrate that pharmacologic or genetic ablation of MAAI cause potentially toxic concentrations of tyrosine intermediates to accumulate in mice and perhaps in other species.
Tissue-based immune monitoring II: Multiple tumor sites reveal immunologic homogeneity in serous ovarian carcinoma

The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in epithelial ovarian cancer indicates a host antitumor response and is associated with improved survival. We wished to determine the extent to which TIL density differs from site to site within a given patient. We initially studied multiple paired metastases from serous ovarian carcinoma obtained at the time of primary debulking. The expression of genes in specific immune-related pathways was profiled on a pilot set of five patients. We then used immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR to estimate the density of CD3+, CD8+ and Foxp3+ TILs in these same tumors. To extend the findings to a larger cohort, we semiquantitatively measured intraepithelial and stromal TILs in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing both primary tumors and metastases from 50 patients. In the pilot group, genes related to antimicrobial signaling and TGFβ signaling showed between-site heterogeneity, whereas cytokines and antigen presentation transcripts were more homogeneous in any given patient. IHC and qPCR for T-cell markers were concordant. In the TMA cohort, two-way ANOVA showed that TIL heterogeneity between sites was present in some but not all patients. The stroma of extra-ovarian metastases showed significantly greater TIL infiltration than ovarian sites. A simulation showed that at clinically meaningful levels of precision, up to 3% of patients will be misclassified for intraepithelial TILs by a single biopsy. In conclusion, between-site heterogeneity exists in some patients with metastatic serous ovarian cancer. The predictive value of biopsies should be considered in clinical trial design.
Yoga and Mindfulness: Clinical Aspects of an Ancient Mind/Body Practice

Abstract The use of Yoga and other complementary healthcare interventions for both clinical and non-clinical populations has increased substantially in recent years. In this context, we describe the implementation of Hatha Yoga in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program of Kabat-Zinn and colleagues. This is embedded in a more general consideration of Yoga’s place in complementary healthcare. In providing this overview, we comment on the nature and quality of current research on Yoga, summarize current physiological and psychological explanations of its effects, and discuss practical issues related to teacher training and experience.
Off-the-shelf autoguider for McDonald Observatory

A telescope autoguider constructed of unmodified commercially available components for use with the 2.1-m focal reducer at McDonald Observatory is described. The system comprises a thermoelectrically cooled CCD camera with format 384 x 576 pixels, pixel size 23 microns square, readout noise 25 electrons/pixel, and dark current 10 electrons/sec pixel at -35 C; a 50-mm camera lens giving resolution about 1 arcsec/pixel; an IEEE-488 data bus; a MicroVAX 3200 computer workstation; and a serial-to-parallel converter permitting the computer to address the telescope drive system via four trail-rate controls. Also discussed are the top-down C-language programming approach, the data representation, the autoguiding and search algorithms, and ongoing work on the telescope control algorithm. It is suggested that the present system is versatile enough to be applicable to many similar telescopes.
Differential gene expression in wild-type and X-ray-sensitive mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cell lines.

Abstract Complementary DNA cloning, differential screening and Northern hybridization techniques were used to study differential gene expression in the wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K1 cell line and its two X-ray sensitive mutants, xrs-5 and xrs-6. 11 species of mRNAs were found underexpressed in the two independently isolated mutants. The steady-state levels of those mRNAs are 3–26-fold less in the two mutants, depending on the particular species. 6 of the underexpressed mRNAs have been identified by comparing the sequences of the cloned cDNAs to the known sequences in GenBank. 4 of them code for the structural proteins of ferritin heavy chain, nonmuscle myosin light chain 3nm, ribosomal protein S17 and L7, respectively. The other two have strong homology with mouse B2 or retroviral sequences. The remaining 5 mRNAs did not show significant homology with any of the known sequences and apparently represent newly isolated species. The effect of 137 Cs γ-rays on the expression of the 11 mRNAs has been studied. Radiation inhibited the expression of the B2-like gene in the mutants but not in the wild-type CHO cells. The levels of the other 10 mRNAs were not affected by radiation. The underexpression of this group of genes in both xrs-5 and xrs-6 mutants seems to be related to their radiation-sensitive phenotype, although the specific gene responsible has not been identified. Two models are proposed to explain the mechanism of underexpression. It is suggested that a cellular factor or/and chromosome structural changes are involved.
Precipitation Use Efficiency of Soybean and Grain Sorghum in Monoculture and Rotation

Rainfed cropping systems are highly dependent onwater use efficiency of crops in the rotation, especially in subhumid and semiarid areas. Precipitation use efficiency (PUE), an alternative to water use efficiency, is equally effective for water use evaluation in long-term rainfed studies. We hypothesized that crop rotation and N fertilizer rates altered PUE of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. To test this, soybean (five cropping systems) and grain sorghum (four cropping systems) were grown under rainfed conditions at Mead, NE, on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll), each at three N fertilizer rates. Precipitation use efficiency values for the 1984 through 1991 cropping seasons varied from 15.5 to 59.9 and 21.6 to 159 kg ha −1 cm −1 for soybean and grain sorghum, respectively. Soybean PUE values averaged 30 kg ha −1 cm −1 and varied from 25 to 33 kg ha −1 cm −1 for the 8yr. Grain sorghum PUE averaged 89 kg ha −1 cm −1 and with sufficient N fertilization varied from only 94 to 99 kg ha −1 cm −1 for the 8 yr. Similar PUE values for soybean and grain sorghum (with adequate N fertilizer) within a given year and similar PUE valures during the study among cropping systmes for each crop indicated that both of these crops would be excellent options for rotations in areas with similar precipitation patterns
High pressure structural behavior and synthesis of Zr2SC

A high pressure study of Zr2SC using synchrotron x-ray diffraction and a Mao–Bell type diamond anvil cell has been performed up to a pressure of 46 GPa at room temperature. No phase transformation has been observed up to this pressure. It is found that the compression along the two axes is almost identical up to 15 GPa, thereafter the c-axis shows a slightly higher compressibility. The third order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state was used to fit the experimental pressure–volume data, from which the isothermal bulk modulus was obtained as KT = 186(4) GPa with a pressure derivative K'T = 4.0. The sample was synthesized using the piston cylinder technique and was found to be predominantly single phase after it was characterized by scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer and by synchrotron x-ray diffraction. The lattice parameters calculated from the x-ray diffraction were a0 = 3.406(2) and c0 = 12.138(4).
A new “hybrid” sector/quadrupole mass spectrometer for mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry

Abstract The design and performance of a new “hybrid” mass spectrometer consisting of a magnet, quadrupole collision cell and quadrupole mass filter designed specifically for mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS) studies are described. An unconventional but simple acceleration scheme provides straightforward coupling of the magnetic sector to two in-line quadrupole mass filters. This scheme also allows mass spectra to be acquired by using accelerating-voltage scans and serves to eliminate artifact peaks in the MS/MS spectra. The modular design allows access to a variety of alternative analyzer configurations and so increases the range of applicability of the instrument.
TREATMENT OF HYPERPHENYLALANINEMIA SECONDARY TO A DEFICIENCY OF BIOPTERIN WITH REDUCED PTERINS

A patient (T.D.) with hyperphenylalaninemia caused by a defect in tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis (NEJM 299: 673, 1978) was treated with 6-methyltetrahydrobiopterin (6MPH4) and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) to compare effectiveness. The initial trial of orally administered 6MPH4 at 12 mg/kg/d resulted in an excellent clinical response. After 8 mo of treatment 6MPH4 was stopped because of elevated liver enzymes (SGOT 324, SGPT 468). The liver function tests returned to normal within 1 mo of stopping 6MPH4. Within 3 days of a second trial of 6MPH4 at 12 mg/kg the liver enzymes were abnormal (SGOT 119, SGPT 348). 6MPH4 was then tappered to 4 mg/kg, but deteriorating clinical function required restarting L-dopa + 5-HT to stabilize the clinical status. Treatment with orally administered BH4 (11 mg/kg) resulted in dramatic clinical response similar to 6MPH4 treatment, but without any evidence of liver toxicity after 1 mo of treatment. BH4 and 6MPH4 (~12mg/kg) caused a lowering of plasma phenylalanine to 1 to 2mg/dl within 1 wk of treatment from pre-treatment levels of 5-10 mg/dl. Measurement of the reduced pterins in plasma by HPLC showed peak levels of 6MPH4 about 14-fold higher than BH4 after oral doses of 4 mg/kg. CSF neurotransmitter metabolites were measured by HPLC on different treatment schedules. The neurotransmitter metabolites levels were not correlated with neurological data.
Paralytic pontine exotropia: A sign of acute unilateral pontine gaze palsy and internuclear ophthalmoplegia

Paralytic external deviation of one eye with horizontal immobility of the fellow eye specifies an acute brainstem lesion involving the paramedian pontine reticular formation and the medial longitudinal fasciculus on the side opposite the deviated eye. This paralytic pontine exotropia is distinguished from other exotropias. The deviated (exotropic) eye shows abduction nystagmus during attempts to move it further laterally, and extreme slowness of adduction saccades. Normal midbrain ocular motor functions are evidenced by intact vertical gaze, convergence, and pupillary constrictor reflex activity.
Vocal Dose Measures: Quantifying Accumulated Vibration Exposure in Vocal Fold Tissues

To measure the exposure to self-induced tissue vibration in speech, three vocal doses were defined and described: distance dose, which accumulates the distance that tissue particles of the vocal folds travel in an oscillatory trajectory; energy dissipation dose, which accumulates the total amount of heat dissipated over a unit volume of vocal fold tissues; and time dose, which accumulates the total phonation time. These doses were compared to a previously used vocal dose measure, the vocal loading index, which accumulates the number of vibration cycles of the vocal folds. Empirical rules for viscosity and vocal fold deformation were used to calculate all the doses from the fundamental frequency (F0) and sound pressure level (SPL) values of speech. Six participants were asked to read in normal, monotone, and exaggerated speech and the doses associated with these vocalizations were calculated. The results showed that large F0 and SPL variations in speech affected the dose measures, suggesting that accumulation of phonation time alone is insufficient. The vibration exposure of the vocal folds in normal speech was related to the industrial limits for hand-transmitted vibration, in which the safe distance dose was derived to be about 500 m. This limit was found rather low for vocalization; it was related to a comparable time dose of about 17 min of continuous vocalization, or about 35 min of continuous reading with normal breathing and unvoiced segments. The voicing pauses in normal speech and dialogue effectively prolong the safe time dose. The derived safety limits for vocalization will likely require refinement based on a more detailed knowledge of the differences in hand and vocal fold tissue morphology and their response to vibrational stress, and on the effect of recovery of the vocal fold tissue during voicing pauses.
Predicting dietary intakes with simple food recall information: a case study from rural Mozambique.

Objective: Improving dietary status is an important development objective, but monitoring of progress in this area can be too costly for many low-income countries. This paper demonstrates a simple, inexpensive technique for monitoring household diets in Mozambique. Design: Secondary analysis of data from an intensive field survey on household food consumption and agricultural practices, known as the Nampula/Cabo Delgado Study (NCD). Subjects: In total, 388 households in 16 villages from a stratified random sample of rural areas in Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces in northern Mozambique. Methods: The NCD employed a quantitative 24-h food recall on two nonconsecutive days in each of the three different seasons. A dietary intake prediction model was developed with linear regression techniques based on NCD nutrient intake data and easy-to-collect variables, such as food group consumption and household size The model was used to predict the prevalence of low intakes among subsamples from the field study using only easy-to-collect variables. Results: Using empirical data for the harvest season from the original NCD study, 40% of the observations on households had low-energy intakes, whereas rates of low intake for protein, vitamin A, and iron, were 14, 94, and 39, respectively. The model developed here predicted that 42% would have low-energy intakes and that 12, 93, and 35% would have low-protein, vitamin A, and iron intakes, respectively. Similarly, close predictions were found using an aggregate index of overall diet quality. Conclusions: This work demonstrates the potential for using low-cost methods for monitoring dietary intake in Mozambique. Sponsorship: Michigan State University and the Mozambican Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Ultraviolet Solar Spectrum Recorded by Echelle Spectrograph (1970 to 1800 Å)

Six spectrograms of the solar spectrum were obtained in the region from 1970 to 1800 A at a resolution of approximately 2 × 105 with a rocket-borne spectrograph using an echelle as the principal dispersing element. Reduction of data obtained has been completed in the region from 1946.5 A to 1963.5 A, in which 79 absorption features are measured and 33 identified. Most of the identified stronger lines are due to Fei. A significant feature of the solar spectrum in this region coincides with the raie ultime of Sei.
Real-time implementation of a narrow-band Kalman filter with a floating-point processor DSP32

The author presents experimental results from two studies. First, a real-time narrowband Kalman filter is implemented with a floating-point digital processor DSP32. The real-time capability of this narrowband filter is investigated by varying parameters Q and R. The covariance matrices Q and R of the dynamic and measurement noise sequences are found to exhibit duality in the real-time tuning process and have a direct effect on system stability. If the value of Q used is smaller (with fixed R), the tracking time and the narrower tracking bandwidth of the filter will be longer. In addition, if the value of R used (with fixed Q) is smaller, the tracking time will be smaller, and the tracking bandwidth of the filter will be larger. The results are tabulated. Second, two optimal codes (in the sense of the execution speed), straight-line code and general matrix-based code, have been developed for implementing the narrowband Kalman filter. These two codes are compared in terms of program memory size, data memory size, and speed of execution. With the matrix-based code, the DSP32 performance is evaluated in terms of speed and memory size by varying the number of states of a Kalman filter. The results are also tabulated. >
Use of 13C as an indirect tag in 15N specifically labeled nucleosides. Syntheses of [8-13C-1,7,NH2-15N3]adenosine, -guanosine, and their deoxy analogues.

We have previously reported the use of a 13C tag at the C2 of 15N-multilabeled purine nucleosides to distinguish the adjacent-labeled 15N atoms from those in an untagged nucleoside. We now introduce the use of an indirect tag at the C8 of 15N7-labeled purine nucleosides. This tag allows unambiguous differentiation between a pair of 15N7-labeled purines in which only one is 13C8 labeled. Although the very small C8−N7 coupling ( 200 Hz) because H8 is coupled to both N7 and C8. The 13C8 atom is introduced by means of a ring closure of the exocyclic amino groups of a pyrimidinone using [13C]sodium ethyl xanthate. Here, we present methods for the syntheses of [8-13C-1,7,NH2-15N3]adenosine, -guanosine, and their deoxy analogues.
Kinetics of Segment Formation in Nitroxide-Mediated Controlled Radical Polymerization: Comparison with Classic Theory

The kinetic details of segment formation in living radical polymerization (LRP) were investigated by studying styrene (S)/methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymerization via nitroxide-mediated controlle...
Atomically detailed simulation of the recovery stroke in myosin by Milestoning

Myosin II is a molecular motor that converts chemical to mechanical energy and enables muscle operations. After a power stroke, a recovery transition completes the cycle and returns the molecular motor to its prestroke state. Atomically detailed simulations in the framework of the Milestoning theory are used to calculate kinetics and mechanisms of the recovery stroke. Milestoning divides the process into transitions between hyper-surfaces (Milestones) along a reaction coordinate. Decorrelation of dynamics between sequential Milestones is assumed, which speeds up the atomically detailed simulations by a factor of millions. Two hundred trajectories of myosin with explicit water solvation are used to sample transitions between sequential pairs of Milestones. Collective motions of hundreds of atoms are described at atomic resolution and at the millisecond time scale. The experimentally measured transition time of about a millisecond is in good agreement with the computed time. The simulations support a sequential mechanism. In the first step the P-loop and switch 2 close on the ATP and in the second step the mechanical relaxation is induced via the relay and the SH1 helices. We propose that the entropy of switch 2 helps to drive the power stroke. Secondary structure elements are progressing through a small number of discrete states in a network of activated transitions and are assisted by side chain flips between rotameric states. The few-state sequential mechanism is likely to enhance the efficiency of the relaxation reducing the probability of off-pathway intermediates.
Tape- and time-bounded Turing acceptors and AFLs (Extended Abstract)

Complexity classes of formal languages defined by time- and tape-bounded Turing acceptors are studied with the aim of showing sufficient conditions for these classes to be AFLs and to be principal AFLs.
Hexosamine metabolism. I. The absorption and metabolism, in vivo, of orally administered D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the rat.

Abstract 1. 1. 1 M solutions containing d -[1-14C]glucosamine, N- acetyl- d -[1- 14 C ] glucosamine , N-[1- 14 C ] acetyl- d -glucosamine or d -[1-14C]glucose were administered to rats by stomach tube. The adsorption coefficients of d -[1-14C]glucosamine and N- acetyl- d -[1- 14 C ] glucosamine were similar in animals treated with neomycin (0.0062±0.007) and 0.068±0.016 mmole per 100 g of body wt. per h, respectively.) In rats not treated with neomycin, glucosamine but not acetylglucosamine was apparently degraded by the intestinal flora and the absorption coefficient was increased to 0.104±0.017 mmole per 100 g of body wt. per h. The absorption coefficients of these amino sugars were much less than that of glucose (0.0831 mmole per 100 g of body wt. per h). 2. 2. Although radioactivity from adsorbed d -[1-14C]glucosamine, N- acetyl- d [1- 14 C ] glucosamine and N-[1- 14 C ] acetyl- d -glucosamine was found primarily in tissue hexosamines, appreciable amounts of radioactivity were also demonstrated within 3 h in the hexose and amino acid fractions of liver and small intestinal tissue. The relative distribution of radioactivity among hexosamine, hexose and amino acid fractions of these tissues was approximately the same after 3 h whether N-[1- 14 C ]- acetyl- d -glucosamine or N- acetyl- d -[1- 14 C ] glucosamine was administered. 3. 3. The only radioactive monosaccharide detected in significant amount in the urine was the administered radioactive glucosamine or acetylglucosamine. 4. 4. After 3 h, exhaled CO2 contained approx. 4% of the absorbed radioactivity from d -[1-14C]glucosamine in neomycin-treated rats. In rats not treated with neomycin, approx. 19% of the absorbed radioactivity from d -[1-14C]glucosamine, 9% of the absorbed radioactivity from N- acetyl- d -[1- 14 C ] glucosamine and 30% of the absorbed radioactivity from N-[1- 14 C ] acetyl- d -glucosamine were exhaled within 3 h as CO2. The latter observation suggests that an appreciable amount of the N- acetyl- d -glucosamine was deacetylated.
Trends and future directions in optical interconnects for datacenter and computer applications

The underlying technology trends that have enabled optics to displace copper in telecommunications, datacommunications, and datacenters are discussed. Future directions are outlined that will drive optical interconnects further into the fabric of computer systems.
Ultralightweight actively controlled mirrors for space

Advanced technology mirrors for large space telescopes are being developed that use thin facesheets controlled by actuators. This concept was proven with a 50 cm prototype and is now being implemented for a 2-m cryogenic mirror that weighs only 40 kg.
Verification by Viking Landers of earlier radio occulation measurements of surface atmospheric pressure on Mars

The landing of Viking 1 in Chryse Planitia on July 20, 1976 provided the first opportunity to obtain measurements of atmospheric pressure directly from the surface of Mars. A computation was conducted to predict the atmospheric pressure at the landing site before the landing itself. The relative altitude between occultation points and the Viking 1 site was obtained with the aid of earth-based planetary radar data taken in 1967. The data cover Martian latitudes from 19 deg N to 24 deg N. The investigation indicates that the radio occultation results from Mariner 9 closely correspond to the actual surface pressure on Mars.
Quantitative analysis of adiabatic fast passage for steady laminar and turbulent flows.

Adiabatic fast passage (AFP) is used in noninvasive quantitative perfusion experiments to invert (or label) arterial spins. Continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) experiments conducted in vivo often assume the inversion efficiency based on the labeling field and steady flow conditions, without direct verification. In practice, the labeling field used in CASL is often amplitude- and duty cycle-limited due to hardware or specific absorption rate constraints. In this study, the effects of the labeling field amplitude and duty cycle, and flow dynamics on the inversion efficiency of AFP were examined under steady flow conditions in a saline flow phantom. The experimental results were in general agreement with models based on Zhernovoi's theory except at high labeling field amplitudes, when the spin inversion times are at least half of the duration of the labeling pulse. The nonlinear relation observed between the inversion efficiency and the labeling duty cycle implies that the practice of linear derating the inversion efficiency with the labeling duty cycle may be prone to significant error. A secondary finding was that the T1 of the flowing fluid could be calculated based on the flow dynamics after varying the flow rate.
An Evolutionary Algorithm With Applications to Statistics

Evolutionary algorithms are used to find maxima of functions. Their claim to fame is an ability to find a global maximum in the presence of local maxima. The computations do not require derivatives or convexity, but still may be fairly computationally intensive in larger dimensions. This article presents a new type of evolutionary algorithm that works well in many dimensions, with the added advantage that linear equality constraints are implemented in a natural way. Bounds on the coordinates of the solution are also easy to implement. Several examples are presented and the new algorithm is compared with standard versions of evolutionary algorithms. The first group consists of functions in one or two dimensions, chosen to be difficult to maximize by gradient or simplex-based methods. The second set of examples are from statistics problems that are known to be computationally difficult. The first is least absolute deviations nonlinear regression with bootstrapped confidence bounds on the mean response, the ...
Theoretical Studies of Carbocations in Ion Pairs. 8.1 Search for Anchimeric Assistance in the Ionization of 2-Butyl Cation Precursors

The structures of carbocations formed in the ionization of 2-butyl precursors were investigated by high level ab initio MO calculations on the reaction of 2-butyl fluoride (1) with borane, which gives a C4H9+ cation paired with trihydrofluoroborate (FBH3-, A). Two conformations of the “open,” secondary cation (2) in the ion pair resulted from two conformations of 1, with F gauche and trans to C4 (2-g and 2-t, respectively). No anchimeric assistance by hydrogen (in 1-g) or methyl (in 1-t) was evidenced. In fact, attempts at optimizing the geometry of the H-bridged (3) and methyl-bridged (6) cations at short interionic distances (d) led to the corresponding conformations of 2. Upon ion separation, proton transfer from 2 to the anion occurred at intermediate interionic distances, consonant with experimental observations in trifluoroacetic acid. Elimination was prevented by addition of a lithium cation to the ion pair, i.e., running computations on triple ions (2.A.Li+). Cation 6 became an energy minimum beyo...
1-(Adamantan-1-yl)-3-(4-meth-oxy-phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one.

The title mol­ecule, C20H24O2, is a chalconoid derivative in which the keto–enone group is slightly distorted from planarity; the O=C—C=C torsion angle is 12.24 (13)°.
A Persubstituted Cationic β-Cyclodextrin for Chiral Separations

The applications of a novel polycationic derivative of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), heptakis(6-hydroxyethylamino-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin) (β-CD-EA), as a chiral host−guest additive for the enantioseparation of various classes of chiral anionic analytes are presented. The cationic β-CD described in this paper is persubstituted with seven ethanolamine side arms at the primary rim of each cyclodextrin (CD) molecule. It is found that the electrophoretic mobility of β-CD-EA can be adjusted to influence the chiral selectivity by changing the pH of the background electrolyte. Most of the observed CD capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separations of anionic drugs and herbicides were accomplished in the pH range of 4.0−7.0 with a reverse polarity configuration. At pH 5.0, enantioseparation of a mixture of three structurally related antiinflammatory agents (fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, and ibuprofen) was possible in about 30 min. However, other chiral acids, such as a series of phenoxypropionic acid herbicides and dansylat...
On the fracture and fatigue properties of Mo-Mo3Si-Mo5SiB2 refractory intermetallic alloys at ambient to elevated temperatures (25 °C to 1300 °C)

The need for structural materials with high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance coupled with adequate lower-temperature toughness for potential use at temperatures above ∼1000 °C has remained a persistent challenge in materials science. In this work, one promising class of intermetallic alloys is examined, namely, boron-containing molybdenum silicides, with compositions in the range Mo (bal), 12 to 17 at. pct Si, 8.5 at. pct B, processed using both ingot (I/M) and powder (P/M) metallurgy methods. Specifically, the oxidation (“pesting”), fracture toughness, and fatigue-crack propagation resistance of four such alloys, which consisted of ∼21 to 38 vol. pct α-Mo phase in an intermetallic matrix of Mo3Si and Mo5SiB2 (T2), were characterized at temperatures between 25 °C and 1300 °C. The boron additions were found to confer improved “pest” resistance (at 400 °C to 900 °C) as compared to unmodified molybdenum silicides, such as Mo5Si3. Moreover, although the fracture and fatigue properties of the finer-scale P/M alloys were only marginally better than those of MoSi2, for the I/M processed microstructures with coarse distributions of the α-Mo phase, fracture toughness properties were far superior, rising from values above 7 MPa √m at ambient temperatures to almost 12 MPa √m at 1300 °C. Similarly, the fatigue-crack propagation resistance was significantly better than that of MoSi2, with fatigue threshold values roughly 70 pct of the toughness, i.e., rising from over 5 MPa √m at 25 °C to ∼8 MPa √m at 1300 °C. These results, in particular, that the toughness and cyclic crack-growth resistance actually increased with increasing temperature, are discussed in terms of the salient mechanisms of toughening in Mo-Si-B alloys and the specific role of microstructure.
Teaching and learning in a probabilistic prisoner's dilemma.

Abstract The prisoner's dilemma is much studied in social psychology and decision-making because it models many real-world conflicts. In everyday terms, the choice to ‘cooperate’ (maximize reward for the group) or ‘defect’ (maximize reward for the individual) is often attributed to altruistic or selfish motives. Alternatively, behavior during a dilemma may be understood as a function of reinforcement and punishment. Human participants played a prisoner's-dilemma-type game (for points exchangeable for money) with a computer that employed either a teaching strategy (a probabilistic version of tit-for-tat), in which the computer reinforced or punished participants’ cooperation or defection, or a learning strategy (a probabilistic version of Pavlov), in which the computer's responses were reinforced and punished by participants’ cooperation and defection. Participants learned to cooperate against both computer strategies. However, in a second experiment which varied the context of the game, they learned to cooperate only against one or other strategy; participants did not learn to cooperate against tit-for-tat when they believed that they were playing against another person; participants did not learn to cooperate against Pavlov when the computer's cooperation probability was signaled by a spinner. The results are consistent with the notion that people are biased not only to cooperate or defect on individual social choices, but also to employ one or other strategy of interaction in a pattern across social choices.
Male copulatory guarding enhances female foraging in a water strider

In the laboratory, females of Gerris remigis foraging singly after being separated from a copulating male averaged 16 times longer to repel male copulatory attempts compared to repelling time when copulating (60 trials). In<10 min after separation, all females either became immobile at the edge (in 34% of all trials), or recopulated and either continued to forage (61%) or swam to the edge and became immobile (5%). Copulating females captured 85% of imitation prey, but single females, harassed by males, captured only 32% of prey.
Optical channel waveguides based on photopolymerizable di/tri acrylates

We report on the use of di/tri acrylates in a photocurable polymer system for the fabrication of optical channel waveguides. The high degree of cross-linking in these materials improves the stability over linear systems. We have formulated resin mixtures to fabricate both single-mode and multimode waveguides at dimensions comparable to optical fibers to improve fiber-to- waveguide coupling. Results on refractive index tailoring as well as DSC, DMA, processing resolution, and optical loss are presented.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Social Evolution: Early Production of Deadly Males by Competing Queens

Males usually have little involvement in the dramas of social insect societies, but a newly identified Cardiocondyla ant species has been found to produce long-lived, murderous males, even before the first workers, in a new form of queen–queen competition.
Self-Disclosure Patterns in British and American College Females

(1961). Self-Disclosure Patterns in British and American College Females. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 315-320.
Using chemical ecology to locate new antifungal natural products

Abstract The quest for new antifungal drugs is critical for several reasons. Immune suppression causes susceptibility to fungal infections. The number of immune-suppressed individuals continues to rise as society is faced with an aging population, an increase in AIDS infected patients, and medical advances. Most drugs used to treat mycological infections have low bioavailability or are too toxic for prolonged use. Also, many new fungal strains are emerging with drug resistance as fungal pathogens are exposed to extended pharmaceutical treatment. As the need for new antifungal drugs continues to rise, chemical ecology appears to be an attractive tool for identification of such compounds. In competitive ecosystems, it is generally accepted that many organisms thrive because they produce secondary metabolites providing a selective advantage over competing organisms. Biorational criteria, in this context, means using the ecology of natural systems to reveal organic chemicals with specific bioactivities. By employing biorational criteria in selecting sources, potential drugs can be more effectively located. Therefore, biorationale predicts organisms encountering fungal competitors or pathogens will be a good source of fungistatic or fungicidal chemicals. Ecological clues point to a variety of sources which are expected to produce fungistatic secondary metabolites. Examples of such sources include antagonistic fungi, plants with fungal pathogens, and mycoparasites. Studies of antagonistic species can provide useful information for scientists interested in chemical ecology, but can also serve as a valuable complement to random, high-throughput screening for new bioactive compounds.
A relaxation/multipole-accelerated scheme for self-consistent electromechanical analysis of complex 3-D microelectromechanical structures

In this paper, two approaches to self-consistent electromechanical analysis of three-dimensional micro-electro-mechanical structures are described. Both approaches combine finite-element mechanical analysis with multipole-accelerated electrostatic analysis, the first using a relaxation algorithm and the second using a surface/Newton generalized conjugate-residual scheme. Examples are given to demonstrate the relative merits of the two approaches.
Graphical transformations of 2&#215;2 covariance matrices

The Mohr circle construction is applied to the rotational transformation of 2×2 covariance matrices, and to the problem of covariance-matrix updating in recursive optimal estimation procedures.
Wideband Common-Gate CMOS LNA Employing Dual Negative Feedback With Simultaneous Noise, Gain, and Bandwidth Optimization

This paper presents a wideband common-gate (CG) LNA architecture that overcomes the fundamental tradeoff between power and noise match without compromising its stability. The proposed architecture can achieve the minimum noise figure (NF) over the previously reported feedback amplifiers in a CG configuration. The proposed architecture achieves broadband impedance matching, low noise, large gain, enhanced linearity, and wide bandwidth concurrently by employing an efficient and reliable dual negative-feedback. An amplifier prototype was realized in 0.18-μm CMOS, operates from 1.05 to 3.05 GHz, and dissipates 12.6 mW from 1.8-V supply while occupying a 0.073-mm2 active area. The LNA provides 16.9-dB maximum voltage gain, 2.57-dB minimum NF, better than - 10-dB input matching, and - 0.7-dBm minimum IIP3 across the entire bandwidth.
Association of COMT (Val158Met) and BDNF (Val66Met) gene polymorphisms with anxiety, ADHD and tics in children with autism spectrum disorder.

The aim of the study is to examine rs4680 (COMT) and rs6265 (BDNF) as genetic markers of anxiety, ADHD, and tics. Parents and teachers completed a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale for a total sample of 67 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both COMT (p = 0.06) and BDNF (p = 0.07) genotypes were marginally significant for teacher ratings of social phobia (ηp 2 = 0.06). Analyses also indicated associations of BDNF genotype with parent-rated ADHD (p = 0.01, ηp 2 = 0.10) and teacher-rated tics (p = 0.04; ηp 2 = 0.07). There was also evidence of a possible interaction (p = 0.02, ηp 2 = 0.09) of BDNF genotype with DAT1 3′ VNTR with tic severity. BDNF and COMT may be biomarkers for phenotypic variation in ASD, but these preliminary findings remain tentative pending replication with larger, independent samples.