cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Highly Isospecific Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate with a Bis(pyrrolylaldiminato)samarium Hydrocarbyl Complex

New types of samarium alkyl complexes, L2SmMe (THF) (2) and L2SmCH2SiMe3(THF) (3), supported by the pyrrolylaldiminato ligand L (L = [2-(2,6-iPr2C6H3NCH)-5-tBuC4H2N]-), were prepared from the corresponding chloride L2SmCl(THF) (1) with the appropriate alkyllithium reagents; the corresponding yttrium alkyl L2YCH2SiMe3 (4) was prepared similarly. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 were determined by X-ray single-crystal analyses. Compound 3 initializes the stereospecific polymerization of MMA to yield highly isotactic PMMA (mm triad 94.8%) with high molecular weight and narrow molecular distribution at room temperature while 2 is inactive. The possible initial step of the polymerization reaction was proposed.
Molecular Recognition and Electron Transfer Across a Hydrogen Bonding Interface

Noncovalent interactions are significant in facilitating molecular recognition and charge transfer in many enzymatic redox processes at protein-protein interfaces. The design of guest (G) and host (H) molecules, which undergo molecular recognition in solution using hydrogen bonding interactions, provides a means of understanding and controlling the nature of these interactions. The role of the hydrogen bonding in the charge transfer processes of these molecular assemblies could simply be a molecular interface for there action, or a more active role in assisting a proton coupled electron-transfer reaction. Weak coupling between the charge-transfer sites and the hydrogen-bonding interface is expected to minimize the latter role. The authors report on a series of transition metal complexes with hydrogen bonding molecular recognition sites capable of forming noncovalent donor acceptor complexes. The authors also determine for the first time the dependence of the rate of intramolecular electron transfer on the reaction driving force across a hydrogen bonding interface.
Posterior capsule opacification

Posterior capsule opacification is a frequent complication of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). Recent efforts aimed at elucidating the mechanism of capsular opacification include demonstration of in vitro fibroblastic transformation of lens epithelial cells and the observation that advanced
Effect of vacuum polarization on nuclear structure

Abstract We perform self-consistent relativistic Hartree calculations of finite nuclei using the derivative expansion of the effective action to calculate the effect of vacuum polarization. The presence of derivative terms in this expansion allows non-vanishing baryon density fluctuations in the Dirac sea that contribute five percent of the baryon density on the surface of nuclei and also significantly in the interior of light nuclei. As a result, the RMS radius of the valence nucleons is reduced and the binding energy is increased. This effect is greatest in the lightest nuclei and improves the agreement with the experimental binding energies. The value of the scalar meson mass parameter necessary to fit the RMS radius of 40Ca is 550 MeV, which is significantly different from the value of 458 MeV obtained if one ignores the derivative terms, but is similar to that obtained when the entire vacuum structure is ignored.
Can a multimedia educational computer-based program on genital herpes teach patients about their disease?

Objective: Education of patients with genital herpes about their disease is time consuming. To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational computer program, we developed a multimedia interactive presentation to teach patients about genital herpes. Such programs can supplement clinician visits for patients with genital herpes, or those at risk for HSV acquisition. Methods: Patients seeking care for genital herpes, or those at risk for HSV acquisition, were asked to participate in the program during routine clinic visits at 5 physician’s offices nationwide. A self-administered 7 item herpes knowledge questionnaire was given before and after participation. An additional questionnaire evaluating the satisfaction with the program was also self-administered at completion. Results: 428 patients were enrolled and completed the pre- and post-knowledge questionnaire and 332 patients completed the satisfaction survey. On the pre-test, 20.1% of patients answered all questions correctly, 65.4% answered correctly 4 to 6 questions, and 14.5% 3 or less. On the post-test, 32.9% of patients answered all questions correctly, 61.5% answered correctly 4 to 6 questions, and 5.6% 3 or less (P < .001 for pre- and post-test comparison). A positive change in knowledge between pre- and post-test was seen on 6 of 7 items (P < .001 for all 6). The overall satisfaction with the program was high: the mean rating was 6.2 on a scale 1 (poor) to 7 (excellent). Conclusion: Computer-based education programs about genital herpes may provide a useful adjunct to teaching in physician offices and result in knowledge gain about the disease, at least short-term. Such programs may assist in management of chronic sexually transmitted infections.
Differential Expression of GalNAc-4-sulfotransferase and GalNAc-transferase Results in Distinct Glycoforms of Carbonic Anhydrase VI in Parotid and Submaxillary Glands

Differential expression of glycosyltransferases has the potential to generate functionally distinct glycoforms of otherwise identical proteins. We have previously demonstrated the presence of unique oligosaccharides terminating with GalNAc-4-SO4 on the pituitary glycoproteins lutropin (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). A glycoprotein hormone:GalNAc-transferase and a GalNAc-4-sulfotransferase are present in the pituitary and can account for the synthesis of these unique oligosaccharides on specific glycoproteins. Both transferases are coordinately expressed in a number of tissues in addition to pituitary, including submaxillary gland, lacrimal gland, and kidney, suggesting that additional glycoproteins bearing oligosaccharides terminating with GalNAc-4-SO4 are synthesized in these tissues. In this study we show that while the glycoprotein hormone:GalNAc-transferase and the GalNAc-4-sulfotransferase are coordinately expressed in bovine submaxillary gland, the GalNAc-transferase is expressed in the parotid gland in the absence of the GalNAc-4-sulfotransferase. The relative expression of these two transferases in submaxillary and parotid glands correlates with the presence of unique Asn-linked oligosaccharides on carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) synthesized in each of these tissues. The majority of Asn-linked oligosaccharides on CA VI synthesized in submaxillary gland terminate with GalNAc-4-SO4. In contrast, CA VI which is synthesized in bovine parotid gland bears oligosaccharides which terminate predominantly with β1,4-linked GalNAc which is not sulfated. The presence of different terminal residues on the Asn-linked oligosaccharides of submaxillary and parotid CA VI thus correlates with the complement of transferases in these glands and suggests differing biological roles for submaxillary and parotid CA VI.
The effects of dissociation, game controllers, and 3D versus 2D on presence and enjoyment

Dissociative experiences create a feeling of being outside one's own body. Oftentimes, people experiencing these states claim to be off in another place and find they are losing time. Gamers who experience a high level of presence with their games echo these sorts of claims. A gaming experiment was conducted to determine if those people scoring high in having dissociative episodes experience presence more so than those scoring low in having dissociative episodes. The experiment also manipulated the variables of controller type (steering wheel versus traditional controller) and stereoscopic dimension (2D versus 3D) to determine if they interacted with ratings of dissociative episodes. Enjoyment of the game, which has been theoretically linked to presence, was also measured. After 146 participants played a racing game under the different manipulated conditions, the study confirmed that dissociation was highly related to sense of presence in a game and enjoyment. Playing the game with a steering wheel, as opposed to traditional controller, also created a greater sense of presence and enjoyment. 3D, as opposed to 2D, did not impact sense of presence or enjoyment. No interactions among the three variables occurred.
Performance Improvement of Allocation Schemes for Mesh-Connected Computers

Fragmentation is the one of the main problem in scheduling jobs on multicomputer systems. In this paper, we classify the fragmentation problems in multicomputer systems on the basis of their causes. It is noted that among all kinds of fragmentation, physical fragmentation is seldom addressed by contemporary allocation schemes. Two novel processor allocation schemes that reduce physical fragmentation for the mesh-connected multicomputers are proposed to improve the performance of the mesh-connected computers. The first scheme allows jobs to be executed on a reduced size submesh adaptively. The second scheme allocates jobs on noncontiguous processors if fragmentation prevents a job from being allocated. Extensive simulations indicate significant performance gain by using these two schemes. The performance improvement along with flexibility of implementation make these two allocation schemes suitable for mesh-connected multicomputers.
Trends in Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among US Adults 80 Years and Older, 1988–2010

The authors examined trends in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in 1988–1994 (n=1164), 1999–2004 (n=1,026), and 2005–2010 (n=1048) among US adults 80 years and older in serial National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Hypertension was defined as SBP ≥140 mm Hg, DBP ≥90 mm Hg, or use of antihypertensive medication. Awareness and treatment were defined by self-report and control as SBP/DBP<140/90 mm Hg. Mean SBP decreased from 147.3 mm Hg to 140.1 mm Hg and mean DBP from 70.2 mm Hg to 59.4 mm Hg between 1988–1994 and 2005–2010. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension each increased over time. Controlled hypertension increased from 30.4% in 1988–1994 to 53.1% in 2005–2010. The proportion of patients taking 3 classes of antihypertensive medication increased from 7.0% to 30.9% between 1988–1994 and 2005–2010. Increases in awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and antihypertensive polypharmacy have been observed among very old US adults.
Microscopic calculation of critical exponents without the 1n or ϵ expansions

Abstract Critical exponents of a Bose system are calculated microscopically without an expansion in 1 n or ϵ. As expected, quantum corrections are found to be absent and the results to agree with the 1 n expansion result, for n =2, to O( 1 n ).
Olfactory deficits in AD: what we know about the nose

Abstract Roberts' “zeolite hypothesis” of Alzheimer's disease rests in part on evidence of olfactory deficits in this disorder. This commentary reviews this evidence and selected evidence for deficits in related disorders and normal aging, stressing gaps in knowledge and problems in assessment. We conclude that olfactory identification is most likely impaired in AD, but that other olfactory functions are poorly characterized at present.
Packaging of Single Mode Laser Diodes

From a manufacturing perspective optoelectronics packaging is often quite immature and significant optimization still possible. This may, however, require some understanding of the optics as well as of the mechanical and thermal design, materials, and process issues. This is certainly the case for single mode laser diode packaging, where optical alignment and coupling plays a dominant role. Referring to a couple of current generic packages for illustration the present work offers a discussion of some of the manufacturing issues involved and potentials for improvements. This includes alternatives in terms of package design and contents, optical alignment and coupling schemes, and the use of laser welding, soldering, and adhesives.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Hoop Traps as a Means to Capture Burbot

Abstract From 1985 through 1987, the efficacy of baited, rigid hoop traps for catching burbot Lota lota was tested in several lakes and the Tanana River in central Alaska. Experiments were conducted on the diurnal catchability of burbot, optimal baiting strategies, retention of burbot, optimal duration of soak, condition of captured burbot, size of hoop traps, recruitment to the gear, and capture-induced behavior of burbot. Baiting was needed to capture burbot. Once caught, burbot rarely escaped the gear. Burbot held in hoop traps set in lakes maintained their condition for days; condition of burbot held in rivers deteriorated after the first day of captivity. Rebaiting hoop traps daily improved catches in lakes, but not in the river. For once-baited sets, optimal soaks were 2 d in lakes and 1 d in the river. Hoop traps of different sizes caught burbot of similar sizes in lakes, but large traps caught slightly larger fish in the river. Burbot were fully recruited to hoop traps usually at 450 mm total leng...
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is increased in frontal cortex of Alzheimer's disease brain

Abstract Many epidemiological studies suggest that use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs delays or slows the clinical expression of Alzheimer's disease, [13] but the mechanism by which these drugs might affect pathophysiological processes relevant to Alzheimer's disease has been unclear. [2] Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are presumed to act by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, a key enzyme in the metabolism of membrane-derived arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. In recent years, two distinct isoforms of cyclooxygenase have been characterized, a constitutive form, cyclooxygenase-1, and a mitogen-inducible form, cyclooxygenase-2. 4 , 10 , 15 Cyclooxygenase-2 has been identified in rodent brain. 1 , 8 , 21 , 22 Excitotoxic lesions cause up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression coincident with the onset of expression of markers of apoptosis; [21] cyclooxygenase-2 thus represents a possible target of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug action in neurodegenerative mechanisms. In the present study, we examined cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in Alzheimer's disease and control cases. We found up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Alzheimer's disease frontal cortex. Further, we found that synthetic β-amyloid peptides induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in vitro, suggesting a mechanism for cyclooxygenase-2 up-regulation in Alzheimer's disease. These findings support the investigation of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Phosphatidylinositol Is an Essential Phospholipid of Mycobacteria

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) and metabolically derived products such as the phosphatidylinositol mannosides and linear and mature branched lipomannan and lipoarabinomannan are prominent phospholipids/lipoglycans of Mycobacterium sp. believed to play important roles in the structure and physiology of the bacterium as well as during host infection. To determine if PI is an essential phospholipid of mycobacteria, we identified the pgsA gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis encoding the phosphatidylinositol synthase enzyme and constructed a pgsAconditional mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis. The ability of this mutant to synthesize phosphatidylinositol synthase and subsequently PI was dependent on the presence of a functional copy of the pgsA gene carried on a thermosensitive plasmid. The mutant grew like the control strain under permissive conditions (30 °C), but ceased growing when placed at 42 °C, a temperature at which the rescue plasmid is lost. Loss of cell viability at 42 °C was observed when PI and phosphatidylinositol dimannoside contents dropped to ∼30 and 50% of the wild-type levels, respectively. This work provides the first evidence of the essentiality of PI to the survival of mycobacteria. PI synthase is thus an essential enzyme of Mycobacterium that shows promise as a drug target for anti-tuberculosis therapy.
An efficient synthesis of (+/-)-trichostatic Acid and analogues: a new route to (+/-)-trichostatin A.

An efficient synthesis of rac-trichostatic acid (1) and its analogues is reported starting from a commercially available aldehyde. Further manipulations of rac-1 led to rac-trichostatin A (TSA). Construction of the desired molecular architecture entails a two-component union, achieved through an in situ hydroboration followed by a Suzuki−Miyaura coupling with 2. The requisite homopropargyl alcohol was synthesized by exploiting allenylindium chemistry. This new protocol paved the way for the synthesis of analogues of trichostatic acid and hence TSA.
Culture and accounting in Indonesia: An empirical examination

Abstract This study examines the relationships among the cultural characteristics of Indonesian society, reporting practices of Indonesian firms, and accounting standards promulgated by the Association of Indonesian Accountants. It is argued that an empirical relation exists between the change in cultural values, as conceived by Hofstede's theory of the five dimensions of cultural values (power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, masculinity, and time horizon and the change in accounting values as captures by Gray's four dimensions (professionalism, conservatism, secrecy, and uniformity). Using LISREL to evaluate data between 1981 and 1992, three of Hofstede's five cultural values (power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and individualism) have significant relationships with one or more accounting value. This limited confirmation of the culture-accounting relationships suggest that particular historical and economic configurations must be considered in longitudinal analysis. The conflicting influences of extensive government involvement in the economy and nascent market competition are a possible explanation of the Indonesian results.
A High-Resolution Whole-Genome Map of Key Chromatin Modifications in the Adult Drosophila melanogaster

Epigenetic research has been focused on cell-type-specific regulation; less is known about common features of epigenetic programming shared by diverse cell types within an organism. Here, we report a modified method for chromatin immunoprecipitation and deep sequencing (ChIP–Seq) and its use to construct a high-resolution map of the Drosophila melanogaster key histone marks, heterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a) and RNA polymerase II (polII). These factors are mapped at 50-bp resolution genome-wide and at 5-bp resolution for regulatory sequences of genes, which reveals fundamental features of chromatin modification landscape shared by major adult Drosophila cell types: the enrichment of both heterochromatic and euchromatic marks in transposons and repetitive sequences, the accumulation of HP1a at transcription start sites with stalled polII, the signatures of histone code and polII level/position around the transcriptional start sites that predict both the mRNA level and functionality of genes, and the enrichment of elongating polII within exons at splicing junctions. These features, likely conserved among diverse epigenomes, reveal general strategies for chromatin modifications.
STM studies of p-Si(111) substrate in air and in electrolytic environment

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to study p-Si(111) surfaces in electrolyte solution and in air as well. The dependence of STM images on the sign and magnitude of tunneling bias voltage, as well as on the surface environment, was detected. This dependence was correlated with the electronic propErtles of p-Si(111) surfaces. It is proposed that electrochemical formation of SiO x and Si-OH surface compounds induces surface states in the band-gap of p-Si(111) at approximately 0.25 eV from the edge of the valence band at the surface.
On the equivalence between descending bid auctions and first price sealed bid auctions

Bidding the same price in descending bid auctions and in first price sealed bid auctions is equivalent to expected utility maximizing behavior, and this is equivalent to dynamically consistent bidding. The claim that, in strategic form, descending bid and first price sealed bid auctions are the same game is thus shown to be false, since the mapping from strategies to payoffs is not the same for the two auction forms.
Digital-to-analog conversion: data and filter requirements

Ringing in the analog waveform caused by the filter response to the converted digital data is not a new problem. Early digital-based character generators for composite television applications caused significant ringing because the digital data produced too sharp an edge in the picture. Due to the specifications of component digital video, these edge effects are once again becoming more apparent in television operations. This paper discusses the results of using 13.5-MHz, luminance sampling to obtain flat analog bandwidth to 5.75 MHz, and how the filter template required by the international standard will inevitably result in some noticeable ringing on fast picture transitions. Data requirements in the digital domain are analyzed using 2-T pulses as an example while suggesting a different edge transition that will produce much less ringing. Designers are advised to consider the application of filters or edge processing to reduce the ringing due to digitally generated signals.
Eye-movement parameters and pattern discrimination

Pattern discrimination was studied in a visual-search task by recordingan O’s eye movements while he determined how many of eight patterns, arranged in a square around a standardpattern, matched the standard pattern. The results demonstrate the role of eye movements in visual search and human pattern discrimination. The mean duration of an eye fixation on a pattern, the probability of fixating it, the probability ofrefixating it, and the sequence in which patterns were fixated were all systematically related to various pattern measures. Multivariateanalyses showed modest correlations between the duration of individual eye fixations and various pattern measures. Relative characteristics of patterns influenced performance more than absolute characteristics of patterns. Patterns that matched a standard were fixated more often and longer than patterns that did not match a standard. The order in which patterns were fixated depended upon their relative characteristics. The results were consistent with a model ofpattern discrimination consistingoftwo stagesin which (1) features of a fixated pattern are abstracted and encoded, and (2) these features are then compared with the features ofanother pattern.
Beginning a group with beginner's mind.

(2012). Beginning a Group with Beginner’s Mind. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 62, Essays on Starting One’s First Therapy Group, pp. 375-379.
Behavioural and growth differences between experienced and naïve populations of a native crayfish in the presence of invasive rusty crayfish

Summary 1. Species invasions are a leading threat to native species and ecosystems. How populations of native species respond to the presence of invasive species will ultimately determine their long-term persistence. 2. In this study, we capitalise on a unique opportunity to compare the behaviour and growth of naive and experienced virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis Hagen) populations in the presence of invasive rusty crayfish (O. rusticus Girard). In behavioural trials, experienced O. virilis (coexisted with O. rusticus for >30 years) showed more aggressive behaviour than their naive counterparts. Naive O. virilis retreated from aggressive interactions with O. rusticus 38% more often than experienced O. virilis. Experienced O. virilis spent 39% more time occupying shelter than naive O. virilis. 3. There were also differences in O. rusticus behaviour: O. rusticus spent 24% more time occupying shelter with naive O. virilis relative to experienced O. virilis. 4. In field mesocosm experiments with O. rusticus, naive O. virilis declined in body mass by 1% while experienced O. virilis’ body mass increased by 6%, thus highlighting the potential population-level implications of the previously observed behavioural effects. 5. Our work demonstrates significant behaviour and growth differences between naive and experienced O. virilis in the presence of invasive O. rusticus. Whether this difference is the result of phenotypic plasticity or evolution by natural selection remains to be determined. Either way, this area of inquiry has implications for managing native populations and species in an increasingly invaded world.
Closed-loop phase control of an 8×8 MEMS mirror array via in-situ interferometry

We demonstrate closed-loop control of a MEMS phased array using an optical interferometer designed for in-situ phase-measurement. Phase resolution is comparable with commercial interferometers and we achieve beamsteering without calibration.
Malignant neoplasms: discordance between clinical diagnoses and autopsy findings in 3,118 cases.

Background. During the past few decades, hospital autopsy rates have steadily declined throughout the Western world. This decline is mainly attributed to the introduction of advanced diagnostic techniques. Despite technological developments, discrepancy rates between clinical diagnoses and autopsy findings remain high. Few studies have addressed discrepancy rates exclusively with regard to malignant neoplasms. In the present study, we reviewed the records of 3,118 autopsies performed at Mayo Clinic during a 6-year period (1994-1999) and identified clinically undiagnosed malignancies found at autopsy and clinically diagnosed cancers not confirmed at postmortem examination. Materials and Methods. Autopsy protocols, provisional and final anatomic diagnoses, and data from the Mayo Autopsy Pathology Quality Assurance program were reviewed in an attempt to identify discrepancies between clinical diagnoses and autopsy findings regarding malignant neoplasms. Results. In 3,118 autopsies performed at Mayo Clinic between 1994 and 1999, a malignant tumor was identified in 768 cases (25%). In 128 of 3,118 cases (4.1%), the malignancy was not diagnosed clinically. In 14 of 3,118 cases (0.45%), autopsy failed to confirm a clinically diagnosed cancer. A review of the literature is presented. Conclusions. Autopsy remains an effective tool for the confirmation and refutation of clinical diagnostic findings regarding malignant neoplasms.
FEATS: knowledge representation and processing issues

Abstract FEATS is an intelligent training system that supervises a structural/mechanical engineer using a finite element package such as COSMIC/Nastran. Within this goal, FEATS involves the investigation of various aspects of artificial intelligence including natural language understanding and processing, goal extraction and planning, user modelling, and knowledge representation and manipulation. The paper describes an approach to understanding the engineer's conversation with FEATS, the consequent extraction of knowledge, and its representation. The knowledge representation and processing is implemented in a FEATS prototype. This prototype was written in Quintus prolog and Quintus ProWindows, and it runs on a Sun SparcStation 1.
Formation of aminomethylidyne from hydrogen cyanide on Pt(111)

Abstract The thermal chemistry of HCN has been investigated from 85 to 450 K by Fourier transform-infrared absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRAS) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). The adsorption of HCN at 85 K yields an infrared spectrum consisting of an intense band at 3298 cm−1 due to the CH stretch and a weak band at 1311 cm−1 that is assigned to the overtone of the HCN bend. The close resemblance between the IR spectrum of HCN absorbed on Pt(111) at 85 K and the IR spectrum of HCN in the gas phase and trapped in an argon matrix suggests that HCN is adsorbed molecularly at 85 K and is only weakly perturbed by the surface. Upon warming to 300 K, the H12C14N is transformed to a new molecular species with bands at 3363, 1567, and 1323 cm−1. From the shifts of these bands following initial adsorption of the H13C14N and H12C15N isotopes, they are assigned to an NH stretch (3363 cm−1), NH2 bend (1567 cm−1), and CN stretch (1323 cm−1). Comparison with the IR spectrum of an Os3H(μ-CNH2)CO10 complex indicates that the 300 K species is aminomethylidyne, CNH2.
Fabrication of free standing, three-dimensional, fibrous, thin film substrates of parylene C

Microscale ultraviolet lithography to pattern a silicon wafer, spin coating of a layer of soap solution and physicochemical vapour deposition of two thin films of parylene C were sequentially used in a seven-step procedure to fabricate free standing, three-dimensional, fibrous, thin film substrates of parylene C for biomedical application. The effects of the length scales of the photoresist pattern on the wafer, the flowrate of the reactive monomer flux of parylene C and redistributive diffusion of the monomer molecules on the top surfaces of the thin film substrates were established. The top surface morphology of a thin film substrate is controlled by the photoresist pattern and the volumetric morphology of a fibrous thin film. The bottom surface of the thin film substrate acquires a multiscale morphology both from the photoresist pattern and from the baking of the soap layer.
Processivity Determinants of Engineered Myosins

Myosin superfamily proteins have diverse mechanical properties adapted for specific cellular tasks. Specialized dimeric myosins are capable of processive hand-over-hand motion along actin filaments. We have used protein engineering to explore structural requirements for processivity. Previous work has shown that processivity can be retained with artificial lever arms, without requiring detailed tuning of lever arm structure or mechanics[1-4]. However, we have found that myosins engineered for desired characteristics such as bidrectionality[4] are often less processive than natural motors. We asked whether processivity could be enhanced using two strategies: (1) multimerization to form three-headed and four-headed myosins, and (2) introduction of flexible spacers in lever arms. Models of uncoordinated stepping predict that trimeric and tetrameric myosins should be much more processive than their dimeric counterparts. However, coordinated stepping mechanisms may be disrupted by the presence of additional heads. Similarly, the introduction of flexible spacers may increase the accessibility of actin binding sites for suboptimal lever arm geometries, but is also expected to abrogate strain-mediated coordination between heads. After characterizing a panel of myosins with engineered lever arms and multimerization domains, we have found that (1) trimers and tetramers show large improvements in processivity over dimers, and (2) the addition of flexible regions greatly enhances the processivity of constructs with short lever arms. Our findings reinforce the the idea that gating is dispensable for processivity in high duty ratio myosins[3] and yield general strategies for increasing processivity in engineered myosins for use in synthetic biology or nanotechnology applications.[1] J.C. Liao et al. J. Mol. Biol. 2009.[2] M. Amrute-Nayak et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010.[3] M.W. Elting et al. Biophys. J. 2011.[4] L. Chen, M. Nakamura, T.D.S., and Z.B. Submitted.
Mechanisms of aging of supported metal catalysts

Abstract The behavior of a population of small metal crystallites on a substrate is accounted for by the splitting of single metal atoms and multiatom particles from larger particles, their diffusion along the substrate and the coalescence of particles (or of a particle and an atom) that collide. The equations are stochastic, allowing for the treatment of a large number of particles. The rate at which one particle is captured by another is determined by the rate of diffusion of particles from the bulk to the interface of the other particles and the kinetics of the capture process at the interface. The rate of emission is proportional to the equilibrium concentration, on the original particle interface, of particles having the size of the particle to be emitted. If emission is an activated process, the probability of multiatom emission is negligibly small compared to single atom emission. Hence, even if particles can lose single atoms to the substrate by activated breaking of bonds the loss of aggregates of two or more atoms must occur via another mechanism. This alternate process is not entirely clear but is probably related to the existence of cracks on the crystallite and their propagation due to internal stresses caused either thermally or by the formation of a chemical compound. The present model can account for an increase or a decrease in the total surface area with time, as well as an initial increase followed by a decrease or an initial decrease followed by an increase. In any particular case the path followed depends upon the metal loading, the saturation concentration of metal atoms, the diffusion rate and the emission rate.
Navigating Reimbursement for Home Parenteral Nutrition

Reimbursement for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is important for nutrition support clinicians to understand. This intent of this review is to provide nutrition support clinicians knowledge on navigating through the structured requirements of diagnosis driven billing to receive reimbursement for services related to HPN, provide information on coding, provide practical tips for surviving a Medicare billing audit, and discuss challenges of Medicare guidelines seen in clinical practice.
Rapid Infrared Joining of Titanium Alloys and Titanium Matrix Composites

A rapid infrared joining (RIJ) technique has been developed at the University of Cincinnati for high temperature materials. This technique takes only a few seconds to a few minutes to join parts up to 1.8 cm in thickness. The advantages of the RIJ technique are quick, simple, inexpensive, no vacuum or pressure needed, no effect on the microstructure of the base material, flexible and feasible for portable operation. For titanium joining, both Ti-6A1-4V and β21S/SCS-6 composite have been successfully joined with infrared at about 1000 °C for 30 seconds in argon with a TiNiCu brazing alloy. The maximum joint shear strength is up to 554 MPa, which is higher than that of any bond joined with conventional brazing techniques. Our study has shown that the longer the joining time, the wider the joining affected zone. Prolonged joining cycles allow for attack of the titanium alloy by the molten brazing alloy. Results from the titanium matrix composite (TMC) joining show that the joining strength for the infrared bonded parts is superior to those processed with the conventional techniques.
Fumigant combinations for Cyperus esculentum L control

The phase-out of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant has stimulated research into the use of other soil fumigants for weed control. Methyl bromide, methyl iodide, propargyl bromide, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and metam-sodium were tested alone and in combination with chloropicrin in laboratory experiments to determine their efficacy against Cyperus esculentus L (yellow nutsedge) tubers. Propargyl bromide and metam-sodium were the most efficacious fumigants tested, with EC50 values of 3.7 and 6.5 microM, respectively. The relative potencies of methyl iodide and chloropicrin were not significantly different but were 2.6 and 2.9 times more potent than methyl bromide, respectively. The EC50 values for all fumigants other than 1,3-D were significantly lower than that of methyl bromide. Combining each fumigant with 17% chloropicrin resulted in a synergistic interaction. The greatest increase in potency between the expected result and the actual result was a relative potency of 3.8 with the methyl bromide/chloropicrin combination. The smallest increase in efficacy was with propargyl bromide and chloropicrin, with a relative potency of 1.5. There was no significant difference between the EC50 values of methyl bromide/chloropicrin and methyl iodide/chloropicrin combinations. Combining 1,3-D with 17% chloropicrin resulted in an EC50 value for C. esculentus control similar to that of methyl iodide applied alone.
Effects of force feedback and arm compliance on teleoperation for a hygiene task

Teleoperated assistive robots with compliant arms may be well-suited to tasks that require contact with people and operation within human environments. However, little is known about the effects of force feedback and compliance on task performance. In this paper, we present a pilot study that we conducted to investigate the effects of force feedback and arm compliance on the performance of a simulated hygiene task. In this study, each subject (n=12) teleoperated a compliant arm to clean dry-erase marks off a mannequin with or without force feedback, and with lower or higher stiffness settings for the robot's arm. Under all four conditions, subjects successfully removed the dry-erase marks, but trials performed with stiffer settings were completed significantly faster. The presence of force feedback significantly reduced the mean contact force, although the trials took significantly longer.
Kalman filter based estimation of ionic concentrations and gating variables in a cardiac myocyte model

The purpose of this study is to give researchers improved access to important electrophysiological quantities, such as ion-channel gating variables, that are difficult or impossible to measure during in vitro experiments, yet are thought to be critical to the formation of dangerous arrhythmias. To help fulfill this goal, we examined the feasibility of inferring these types of quantities from more readily available data, such as measurements of cellular membrane potential. First, we performed an observability analysis on a linearized Luo-Rudy dynamic (LRd) myocyte model, which showed that concentration and gating variables in the LRd model can be reconstructed from membrane potential data. Next, we designed a Kalman filter for the model and tested its performance under simulated conditions. The tests demonstrated the ability of the filter to produce more accurate estimates of the system state compared to the case without measurement feedback. This research is relevant to human health, since state estimation methods such as Kalman filtering could be used to obtain more information about the response of a single cell to the influence of pharmacological agents or other antiarrhythmic therapies, over a larger range of cellular variables than are typically monitored during an in vitro study.
Relationships of the New World cichlid genus Hypsophrys Agassiz 1859 (Teleostei: Cichlidae), with diagnoses for the genus and its species

Two monotypic Neotropical cichlid genera, Hypsophrys Agassiz 1859 and Neetroplus Gunther 1867, are well known but poorly diagnosed. The possession of a single supraneural (versus two for most Middle American species), a strongly rounded snout with a small and slightly subterminal mouth (versus straight snout profiles with terminal mouth) provide morphological support for the sister-group relationship of Hypsophrys and Neetroplus recovered in recent molecular phylogenetic analyses. Based on these shared features Neetroplus is synonymized with Hypsophrys . In addition, the senior synonym Hypsophrys unimaculatus should no longer be improperly suppressed in favor of the more familiar, but junior, H. nicaraguensis.
A failure of creeping-wave theory

A fundamental error has been discovered in the creeping-wave representation of the minor surface-field component for three-dimensional bodies on which an electromagnetic field is incident. The nature and origins of the error are described, and some of its consequences examined.
HIV vaccine development: strategies for preclinical and clinical investigation.

Abstract This article discusses HIV vaccine discovery and candidate vaccine testing in the context of current realities of funding and clinical trial practice. Lacking perfect animal models for testing candidate HIV vaccines, clinical investigators have proposed a strategy of iterative exploratory clinical trials in the model of cancer chemotherapy development. Problems with the appropriateness of this model to HIV vaccine development are discussed. Also, the future feasibility of this strategy in the context of increasing clinical trial costs and emerging new, efficacious prevention modalities is questioned. Strategies for making better use of animal models are presented as an alternative to iterative exploratory clinical efficacy testing. Some ways in which better data from preclinical studies can refine clinical product development are described. Finally, development of an HIV vaccine under the FDA's “Animal Rule” pathway to licensure when human efficacy studies are not feasible is discussed as a fall-...
Large scale singularly perturbed boundary value problems

In this paper an alternative approach to the method of asymptotic expansions for the study of a singularly perturbed linear system with multiparameters and multiple time scales is developed. The method consists of developing a linear non-singular transformation that transforms an arbitrary n&#8212;time scale system into a diagonal form. Furthermore, a dichotomy transformation is employed to decompose the faster subsystems into stable and unstable modes. Fast, slow, stable and unstable modes decomposition processes provide a modern technique to find an approximate solution of the original system in terms of the solution of an auxiliary system. This method yields a constructive and computationally attractive way to investigate the system.
Neuropsychological evidence for multiple implicit memory systems: a comparison of Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease patients

The performances of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), patients with Huntington's disease (HD), and demented and nondemented patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) were compared on 2 tests of implicit memory that do not require the conscious recollection of prior study episodes: (1) a pursuit-rotor motor learning task and (2) a lexical priming test. The HD patients were found to be impaired on the motor learning but not the lexical priming task, whereas the DAT patients evidenced the opposite relationship on these tasks. The demented, but not the nondemented, PD patients were found to be impaired on both tests of implicit memory. For both the HD and PD patients, deficits on the motor learning task correlated significantly with severity of dementia but not with level of primary motor dysfunction. The noted double dissociation between HD and DAT patients indicates that different forms of implicit memory, all of which are intact in amnesia, are dependent upon distinct neuroanatomic systems. Motor skill learning may be mediated by a corticostriatal system, whereas verbal priming may depend upon the integrity of the neocortical association areas involved in the storage of semantic knowledge. The results for the PD patients suggest that the demented PD patients have endured damage to the neurologic systems subserving both motor learning and lexical priming.
Comment: Defining cure in primary CNS lymphoma

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), a type of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is a potentially curable brain cancer. Ongoing randomized trials assessing treatments for PCNSL will ultimately establish a standard of care. Until that time, practitioners have multiple treatment options from which to choose. In this report, the authors provide long-term follow-up data from a phase 2 clinical trial in newly diagnosed PCNSL patients, ages 18–70, treated with MATILDE chemotherapy followed by whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT).1 The MATILDE regimen, like all induction chemotherapy currently utilized for PCNSL, includes methotrexate, the single most effective agent against PCNSL. Following chemotherapy, patients received a consolidative WBRT dose based on their initial response to chemotherapy.
Increment thresholds across minimally distinct borders.

The border contour remaining when juxtaposed, heterochromatic fields were equated in luminance by the minimally distinct border (MDB) method was assessed by an increment-threshold technique. In general, the results showed that increment-threshold sensitivity, using a white test probe, did not vary across the chromatic border. A second control experiment, in which the MDB was deliberately offset, demonstrated that increment thresholds reflect achromatic luminance imbalances introduced between heterochromatic fields. This second experiment showed an increase of threshold at the border similar to the Mach-band-like elevations commonly found for fields of dissimilar homochromatic luminance. Both experiments yield results that are consistent with current theory. That is, equating heterochromatic luminance by the MDB technique balances achromatic channels somewhere in the visual system. The chromatic channels, on the other hand, remain imbalanced making the more-saturated field appear brighter. The present work suggests that the increment-threshold method is sensitive only to differences between achromatic channels, not to relative brightness differences due to chromatic-channel imbalance.
Considerations in the implementation of an adaptive transform coder for speech in a 16-bit fixed point arithmetic microprocessor

The discrete cosine transform (DCT) algorithm and an adaptive transform coder (ATC) for speech are implemented in a 16-bit fixed point arithmetic microprocessor. Appropriate normalization of the data at various stages of processing is shown to be important for proper operation of the transform and coder algorithms. Other departures from conventional procedures are outlined. Several male and female speakers take part in the evaluation of the speech coder. Recordings representative of the coder performance are presented.
The unequal lag in Latin American schooling since 1900: follow the money

espanolEste articulo estudia algunas irregularidades de la relacion entre educacion y renta, por la que los paises ricos ofrecen menos educacion que los pobres. Esta relacion no parece encajar con la historia de los paises ricos ni se presta a una comprobacion econometrica. Para comprobar la cadena causal acreditada entre la desigualdad de poder o riqueza y baja escolarizacion, uno tiene que seguir el dinero publico o la ausencia de este en tantos contextos como sea posible. La financiacion publica de la escolarizacion de masas aun no ha sido examinada en el eslabon medio en la cadena. La clave de la baja escolarizacion latinoamericana fue un problema de ingreso fiscal, no de discriminacion de genero o de un fallo de mercado en la demanda de mano de obra cualificada. Las irregularidades mas flagrantes las encontramos en Venezuela y Argentina que fallaron en el nivel de apoyo fiscal a la escolarizacion de masas en relacion con los ingresos medios disponibles. EnglishFocusing on education�income anomalies, in which a richer country delivers less education than a poorer country, seems a promising way to harvest a part of the rich history that does not lend itself to econometrics. To test the chain of alleged causation from unequal power and wealth to poor schooling, one must follow the public money, or lack of it, in as many contexts as the data will allow. Public funding for mass schooling is the hitherto untested middle link in the chain. The key to Latin America�s poor schooling was the failure to supply tax money, not gender discrimination or any shortfall in market demand for skills. The most glaring anomalies were the Venezuelan and Argentine failures to supply the levels of tax support for mass schooling that their high income could have afforded.