cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective N1-Acylation of Indazoles with Acid Anhydrides Using an Electrochemical Approach.

An electrochemical synthesis method for the selective N1-acylation of indazoles has been developed. This “anion pool” approach electrochemically reduces indazole molecules generating indazole anions and H2. Acid anhydrides are then introduced to the solution resulting in selective acylation of the N1-position of the indazoles. This procedure can also be applied to the acylation of benzimidazoles and indoles. The reaction can also be performed using a 9 V battery without loss of reaction efficiency.
Gamblers’ Perceptions of Stakeholder Responsibility for Minimizing Gambling Harm

Increasingly, industry operators and governments espouse the view that they play a role in minimizing gambling harm and have developed and implemented programs and policies designed to promote responsible gambling. However, little is known about gamblers’ perceptions of responsibility for minimizing gambling harm or whether these perceptions are linked to gamblers’ own experience of gambling harm. Gamblers’ perceptions of stakeholder responsibility for minimizing gambling harm could impact not only their gambling behavior but also the potential for legal action following excessive financial loss. We surveyed participants selected from MGM Resorts International (MGM)’s loyalty card database (N = 3748) regarding their perceptions of responsibility for minimizing gambling harm. Additionally, we administered the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS), the Positive Play Scale, and measures assessing participants’ understanding of gambling concepts and use of responsible gambling strategies. Compared to those who screened negative, participants who screened positive on the BBGS had more diffuse conceptions of responsibility for minimizing gambling harm and were more likely to hold five particular stakeholder groups (e.g., MGM Resorts employees, government regulators, public safety officials) responsible. In multivariate analyses, participants’ distributed sense of responsibility for reducing gambling harm predicted their BBGS status over and above other risk factors (i.e., Positive Play, understanding of gambling concepts, use of responsible gambling strategies). We discuss implications for responsible gambling programs and policies.
A Reflection on Diversity and Inclusivity Efforts in a Software Engineering Program

This Innovative Practice Full Paper is an experience report that presents a collection of initiatives, circumstances, and teaching practices that coincide with improvements in gender diversity in the undergraduate software engineering program at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. The percent of females in the software engineering capstone increased from an average of 3.81% in the first five years of the program (2003-2007) to 18.82% in the most recent four years (2014-2017). Multiple initiatives were instituted beginning in 2009 to improve a gender imbalance, addressing recruitment and retention of women. One key initiative was the creation of a new introductory course with multiple themes (e.g. art, mobile, music, robotics) from which incoming students could choose. These courses were designed to include significant collaboration, rapid application development in interesting domains, and strategic selection of tools and languages that reduced the advantages of previous student programming experience. Additional initiatives included club activities, sending large numbers of female students to the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference, K-12 outreach, and a vibrant and mature SE capstone experience. Also during this timeframe, course scheduling changes were imposed which naturally created informal cohorts of software engineering students earlier than in previous years. Student self-evaluations collected in the SE capstone were analyzed, comparing male and female responses, as well as teams with different gender mixes. This analysis indicates no significant difference between male and female enjoyment of the capstone projects overall, and no significant difference between team enjoyment regardless of the percentage of females on the team.
Progressive sixth nerve palsy secondary to intracavernous arachnoid cyst and complicated by contralateral optic nerve sheath meningioma

Introduction:Optic nerve sheath meningiomas and intracavernous arachnoid cysts are both fairly rare conditions, and to the best of our knowledge, have not been previously reported to co-occur in th...
The effect of levofloxacin on the lung microbiota of laboratory rats

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of levofloxacin on the microbiota of healthy lungs.Material and methods: Male F344 rats received either no levofloxacin (n = 9), ...
Fast Distributed Least-Squares Solver for Linear Time-Varying Equations

We study the problem of finding the least-squares solution to the time-varying linear algebraic equation, $\mathbf{z}(t)= \mathbf{H}(t)\mathbf{y}(t)$ , over an undirected network in a distributed manner. Each agent $i$ has access to a time-varying row rector, $\mathbf{h}_{i}^{\top}(t)$ of $\mathbf{H}(t)$ as well as the corresponding entry $z_{i}(t)$ in $\mathbf{z}(t)$ . The goal is to find the least-squares solution by communicating with neighbors over an undirected interaction graph. We propose a robust dynamic average-consensus algorithm, which allows the agents to precisely estimate the time-varying average signals needed to calculate the least-squares solution in a distributed manner. Since the estimation error corresponding to the presented dynamic average-consensus algorithm converges to zero in finite time, the proposed distributed algorithm yields the least-squares solution in finite time. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
DENTAL IMAGING DILEMMAS IN KLIPPEL-FEIL ANOMALY

Background Because of the broad range of findings, Klippel-Feil syndrome has also been referred to as Klippel-Feil sequence and Klippel-Feil anomaly. It is classified into 3 types that differ in degree and location of vertebral fusion. Another contemporary classification also includes patterns of inheritance. Case Report A 19-year-old male needed panoramic imaging to evaluate his third molars. However, because of Klippel-Feil disfigurement, his head and neck posture did not fit into various panoramic imaging units. With an altered oblique head positioning in a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner (NewTom VGi), his jaws were scanned. The CBCT volumetric data were then realigned and reconstructed in CBCT viewing software (InVivoDental 6.0). These reconstructions were appropriate to assess the indicated dental status and to update the assessment of the cervical vertebral development—a limiting condition of Klippel-Feil syndrome. Definitive Interpretation The scan data were able to provide the indicated periapical assessment, particularly of the third molars. Postural compromises were also noted in the anterior alignment of the odontoid process–C1 articulation and their alignment to the clivus of the occipital bone. There was also cervical vertebral aplasia with complete fusion of C2-C7. These findings were contributory to his altered posture. Discussion of Imaging The availability of large volume CBCT scanners, with their larger footprint, scanning circumference, and larger scanning size area, provide an imaging option for patients with mental and physical disabilities. In the past, a single large field of view (FOV) CBCT scan has been purported by CBCT manufacturers to be a one-stop imaging solution for all extraoral imaging. Dosimetry data and FDA selection criteria have since contraindicated the use of large volume FOV scanning to replace standard periapical, panoramic, and cephalometric imaging. This case report supports the alternative use of CBCT to acquire standard extraoral images when standard imaging is not possible.
2916 Laparoscopic Techniques for Open Hysterectomy

Video Objective We propose the use of laparoscopic techniques in an open hysterectomy for a large multi fibroid uterus to decrease operating time, increase visualization, and decrease trauma. Setting 53 y/o G4P3 presented c/o severe abdominal pain and heavy vaginal bleeding. Patient presented to multiple emergency departments due to pain and bleeding. Found to have multi-fibroid uterus with one predominant degenerating fibroid. Pt desired definitive surgical management but due to the size of the uterus, it required an open technique. Pt was admitted to the hospital for pain control and surgical management. Interventions Total abdominal hysterectomy with laparoscopic techniques. Conclusion Using laparoscopic techniques in an open hysterectomy can improve visualization and allow us to take advantage of the benefits of laparoscopic surgery when dealing with a large fibroid uterus.
Low-Dose Busulfan Reduces Human CD34+ Cell Doses Required for Engraftment in c-kit Mutant Immunodeficient Mice

Humanized animal models are central to efforts aimed at improving hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation with or without genetic modification. Human cell engraftment is feasible in immunodeficient mice; however, high HSC doses and conditioning limit broad use of xenograft models. We assessed human CD45+ chimerism after transplanting varying doses of human CD34+ HSCs (2 × 105 to 2 × 106 cells/mouse) with or without busulfan (BU) pretransplant conditioning in c-kit mutant mice that do not require conditioning (non-obese diabetic [NOD]/B6/severe combined immunodeficiency [SCID]/ interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain null (IL-2rγ−/−) KitW41/W41 [NBSGW]). We then tested a range of BU (5–37.5 mg/kg) using 2 × 105 human CD34+ cells. Glycophorin-A erythrocyte chimerism was assessed after murine macrophage depletion using clodronate liposomes. We demonstrated successful long-term engraftment of human CD34+ cells at all cell doses in this model, and equivalent engraftment using 10-fold less CD34+ cells with the addition of BU conditioning. Low-dose BU (10 mg/kg) was sufficient to allow human engraftment using 2 × 105 CD34+ cells, whereas higher doses (≥37.5 mg/kg) were toxic. NBSGW mice support human erythropoiesis in the bone marrow; however, murine macrophage depletion provided only minimal and transient increases in peripheral blood human erythrocytes. Our xenograft model is therefore useful in HSC gene therapy and genome-editing studies, especially for modeling in disorders, such as sickle cell disease, where access to HSCs is limited.
Discovery and design of soft polymeric bio-inspired materials with multiscale simulations and artificial intelligence

Materials chemistry is at the forefront of the global “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, in part by establishing a “Materials 4.0” paradigm. A key aspect of this paradigm is developing methods to effectively integrate hardware, software, and biological systems. Towards this end, we must have intimate knowledge of the virtual space in materials design: materials omics (materiomics), materials informatics, computational modelling and simulations, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. We focus on the discovery and design of next-generation bio-inspired materials because the design space is so huge as to be almost intractable. With nature providing researchers with specific guiding principles, this material design space may be probed most efficiently through digital, high-throughput methods. Therefore, to enhance awareness and adoption of digital approaches in soft polymeric bio-inspired materials discovery and design, we detail multiscale simulation techniques in soft matter from the molecular level to the macroscale. We also highlight the unique role that artificial intelligence and materials databases will play in molecular simulations as well as soft materials discovery. Finally, we showcase several case studies that concretely apply computational modelling and simulations for integrative soft bio-inspired materials design with experiments.
Fit Difference Between Nonnested Models Given Categorical Data: Measures and Estimation

In structural equation modeling (SEM) studies with categorical data, researchers often use the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI), or standardized root mea...
Exploring the Treatment Effect of Startup Accelerators on Venture Emergence

While startup accelerators are routinely touted in the popular press, research has yet to empirically establish their effect on emerging ventures. In order to confirm whether such a causal treatmen...
A recipe for an optimal power law tailed walk.

Levy-like movements, which are an asymptotic power law tailed distribution with an upper cutoff, are known to represent an optimal search strategy in an unknown environment. Organisms seem to show a Levy walk when μ ≈ 2.0. In the present study, I investigate how such a walk can emerge as a result of the decision making process of a single walker. In my proposed algorithm, a walker avoids a certain direction; this may be related to the emergence of a Levy walk. Instead of remembering all visited positions, the walker in my algorithm uses and remembers only the direction from which it has come. Moreover, the walker sometimes reconsiders and alters the directions it avoids if it experiences some directional inconsistencies in a series of recent directional moves, i.e., the walker moves in a different direction from the previous one. My results show that a walker can demonstrate power law tailed movements over a long period with an optimal μ.
Laboratory markers predictive of fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection refractory to fluid resuscitation

Background Old age, leucocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated creatinine have been identified as risk factors for fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). High ATLAS scores have also been linked to fatal disease. The affiliated studies, however, involved patients prescribed metronidazole - a regimen no longer standard of care. The variables were thus reassessed in patients prescribed optimal therapy. Methods Adults hospitalized with CDI at University of Kentucky Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Enrolled subjects were separated according to disease classification i.e. non-severe/severe versus fulminant CDI. Fulminant patients were further subdivided into hypotensive persons responsive to fluid resuscitation, and those with sequent shock, ileus, or megacolon. Following partition, the cohorts underwent correlation analysis. Findings Forty-five subjects had non-severe/severe disease. Thirteen fulminant CDI patients responded to fluid resuscitation. Seventeen fulminant CDI patients developed shock, ileus, or megacolon. Median WBC counts, albumin values, and ATLAS scores varied among the cohorts. Although WBC counts were similar among the fulminant subsets, declining albumin values and increasing ATLAS scores mirrored disease worsening. Logistic regression revealed albumin values < 20 g/L (odds ratio [OR] 3.91) and ATLAS scores ≥ 6 (OR 5.03) to predict critical illness in hypotensive persons. Conclusion Median WBC counts, albumin values, and ATLAS scores differed in patients separated by CDI severity. A notable variance in albumin values and ATLAS scores between fluid responsive fulminant disease and critical illness was moreover seen. The finding suggests hypoalbuminemia and high ATLAS scores in hypotensive CDI patients may herald shock, ileus, or megacolon.
The Various Standards for the

Numerous legal rules allow a “good faith” purchaser of property to receive greater rights to the property than the transferor had to give by entitling the purchaser to take free of, or acquire priority over, a third party’s claim to or interest in the purchased property. This article explains why the phrase “good faith” means something different in each of these rules and analyzes what the term means in a few specific examples. In so doing, the article provides a framework for determining what “good faith” means in the myriad other rules that protect purchasers.
Theory of solid solution strengthening of BCC Chemically Complex Alloys

Abstract An analytic model describing substitutional solid solution strengthening in body-centered cubic (BCC) complex, concentrated alloys (CCAs) based on a/2 screw dislocation mobility is developed and presented. At lower temperatures it is assumed that dipole dragging is the rate limiting strengthening mechanism, and as the temperature increases this changes to a jog dragging mechanism. While both mechanisms are contained in Suzuki's classical model for substitutional solid solution strengthening developed for BCC alloys significant modifications are required to apply such a model to the refractory CCA's. First, two approaches for incorporating the net effects of the complex solute chemistry are developed and contrasted using a ternary NbTaTi alloy and four quaternary alloys, MoNbTaTi, WNbTaTi, CrMoNbTi and CrMoTaTi . Our model is extended to higher temperatures and applied to analyze experimental yield data as a function of temperature (0.15–0.7TL, where TL is the absolute liquidus temperature) and strain rate (10−5 to 10−2/s) in a range of BCC chemically complex alloys including stoichiometric NbTiZr and HfNbTaTiZr. We find that the model, based on just these two mechanisms, gives excellent agreement with experimental yield data in both these BCC CCAs, NbTiZr and HfNbTaTiZr. The experimental yield data of these two BCC CCA's as well as NbTaTi and four quaternaries are also analyzed using Maresca's edge dislocation model developed for these types of alloys. The screw model presented is useful in predicting BCC CCAs with adequate high temperature strength, which will accelerate development of high temperature, high strength BCC alloys for aerospace applications.
A Double Edge Sword: Tensions of Integration Amidst a Diversifying Public School

Municipal governments have long looked to gentrification in hopes of addressing social problems, including poverty concentration, crime, and more recently, school segregation. Yet, little is known ...
Development of a patient-reported outcome tool for assessing symptom burden during perioperative care in liver surgery: The MDASI-PeriOp-Hep.

PURPOSE Based on the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), we developed a Patient-reported outcomes tool for hepatectomy perioperative care (MDASI-PeriOp-Hep). METHODS To establish the content validity, we generated PeriOp-Hep-specific candidate items from qualitative interviews of patients (n = 30), and removed items that lacked clinical relevance on the basis of input from panels of patients, caregivers, and clinicians. The psychometric properties of the MDASI-PeriOp-Hep were validated (n = 150). The cognitive debriefing and clinical interpretability were assessed to confirm the ease of comprehension, relevance, and acceptability of the tool. RESULTS Five symptoms specific to hepatectomy (abdominal bloating, tightness, or fullness; abdominal cramping; muscle weakness, instability, or vertigo; constipation; and incisional tightness) were identified as module items to form the MDASI-PeriOp-Hep. The Cronbach αs for symptoms and for interference were 0.898 and 0.861, respectively. The test-retest reliability was 0.887 for all 18 symptom severity items. Compared to other commonly used tools, correlation of MDASI-PeriOp-Hep scores to performance status (all, P < 0.001) and to the phase of perioperative care confirmed known-group validity. Convergent validity was excellent against other standard Patient-reported outcomes tools. Cognitive debriefing demonstrated that the MDASI-PeriOp-Hep was an easy to use and understandable tool. CONCLUSIONS For integrating patient-reported outcomes in perioperative patient care, a procedure-specific tool is desirable. The MDASI-PeriOp-Hep is a valid, reliable, concise tool for measuring symptom severity and functional interference in patients undergoing liver surgery.
A principles-based approach to evaluating family engagement group strategies: Lessons from a IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project

Family engagement conferences are a commonly utilized strategy in child welfare to empower families to make decisions for the safety and well-being of their own children. However, there is mixed ev...
Verbal Amnesia Secondary to Unilateral Infarct of the Mediodorsal Thalamic Nucleus.

INTRODUCTION The mediodorsal nucleus is a subcomponent of the thalamus hypothesized to have a role in memory pathways. Given the limited number of reported cases and associated images, its clinical significance has not yet been fully elucidated. CASE PRESENTATION We report the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with verbal amnesia, including deficits of both recall and recognition. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well-defined infarct contained within the mediodorsal nucleus. DISCUSSION Current literature reports a range of conclusions regarding the extent to which the mediodorsal nucleus is involved in memory pathways. Several case series have attempted to localize infarcts by combining neuropsychology testing with imaging but were constrained by dated imaging modalities often dispersed with impurities. CONCLUSION Our case demonstrates that isolated lesions of the mediodorsal nucleus can lead to deficits in both recall and recognition and that high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging is necessary when a thalamic infarct is suspected.
Genetic detection of freshwater harmful algal blooms: A review focused on the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in Microcystis aeruginosa and Prymnesium parvum

Abstract Recurrence and severity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing due to a number of factors, including human practices and climate change. Sensitive and robust methods that allow for early and expedited HAB detection across large landscape scales are needed. Among the suite of HAB detection tools available, a powerful option exists in genetics-based approaches utilizing environmental sampling, also termed environmental DNA (eDNA). Here we provide a detailed methodological review of three HAB eDNA approaches (quantitative PCR, high throughput sequencing, and isothermal amplification). We then summarize and synthesize recently published eDNA applications covering a variety of HAB surveillance and research objectives, all with a specific emphasis in the detection of two widely problematic freshwater species, Microcystis aeruginosa and Prymnesium parvum. In our summary and conclusion we build on this literature by discussing ways in which eDNA methods could be advanced to improve HAB detection. We also discuss ways in which eDNA data could be used to potentially provide novel insight into the ecology, mitigation, and prediction of HABs.
Kant, the Nomad, and the Publicity of Thinking: Finding a Cure for Socrates' Narration Sickness

A favorite idea of Professor Kant’s is that the ultimate purpose of the human race is to achieve the most perfect civic constitution, and he wishes that a philosophical historian might undertake to give us a history of humanity from this point of view, and to show to what extent humanity in various ages has approached or drawn away from this final purpose and what remains to be done in order to reach it.
Evaluating the utility of auditory perspective-taking in robot speech presentations

In speech interactions, people routinely reason about each other's auditory perspective and change their manner of speaking accordingly, by adjusting their voice to overcome noise or distance, or by pausing for especially loud sounds and resuming when conditions are more favorable for the listener. In this paper we report the findings of a listening study motivated both by this observation and a prototype auditory interface for a mobile robot that monitors the aural parameters of its environment and infers its user's listening requirements. The results provide significant empirical evidence of the utility of simulated auditory perspective taking and the inferred use of loudness and/or pauses to overcome the potential of ambient noise to mask synthetic speech.
Querying the semantic web with SWRL

The SWRLTab is a development environment for working with SWRL rules in Protege-OWL. It supports the editing and execution of SWRL rules. It also provides mechanisms to allow interoperation with a variety of rule engines and the incorporation of user-defined libraries of methods that can be used in rules. Several built-in libraries are provided, include collections of mathematical, string, and temporal operators, in addition to operators than can be used to effectively turn SWRL into a query language. This language provides a simple but powerful means of extracting information from OWL ontologies. Used in association with a relational data importation tool that we have developed called DataMaster, this query language can be also used to express knowledge-level queries on data imported from relational databases.
High fat diet, lipid peroxidation, and pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Pancreatic cancer remains the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. It is the only cancer site where there is little difference between incidence and mortality rate (1). In terms of incidence, pancreatic cancer is now ranked ninth among cancer in the United States, with extremely bleak prognosis, and has a median survival time — regardless of therapy — of 2–3 months after diagnosis (1). Pancreatic cancer remains a significant clinical challenge in early diagnosis and effective management for cure of the disease. Research attention has now refocused on epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, with the hope of developing effective measures for prevention and early diagnosis. Gordis and Gold (2) have reviewed the epidemiology and possible etiology of this disease. They concluded that both genetics and environment may play significant roles in the etiology of pancreatic cancer. Families at high risk for pancreatic cancer have been reported. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor, but the strength of the association is much less than in lung cancer. Animal studies have implicated several chemical exposures in pancreatic carcinogenesis. High dietary fat intake is implicated, while vitamins and/or dietary fiber may play protective roles against pancreatic cancer (3). The focus of this chapter is to review the evidence, based on animal studies, on the promotion of carcinogenesis by a high fat diet and on the protective effects of antioxidants in both chemically induced pancreatic cancer and through possible molecular mechanisms.
Fatigue Strength of Welded Tubular Aluminum Truss

Welded, tubular box trusses of aluminum alloy 6061-T6 were subjected to static and fatigue tests in bending. Experimental determinations were made of residual welding and bolting stresses as well as stresses resulting from the applied loading. Primary and secondary stresses in the members and local stresses at the joints due to the applied loads were calculated by the finite element method. The fatigue strength of the trusses was compared to that of small double strap fillet welded specimens. The fatigue strength of the tubular trusses was in reasonable agreement with the strength of the small joints when secondary bending stresses plus stresses due to local bending of the tube walls were considered in the analysis. Residual stresses due to welding and bolting did not appear to have much effect on fatigue life.
Biology of depression

Research over the past three decades has led to a greater understanding of the biologic basis of depression. Observations that certain medications could improve or worsen mood led to the development of hypotheses describing the possible role of specific neurotransmitters in the brain in depression. Modifications of these original hypotheses focused on altered receptor function, failures in the regulation of neurotransmitter systems, and interactions of the monoamines with cholinergic systems. Strategies using endocrinologic measurements in the evaluation of the depressed patient have provided researchers with new clues regarding disordered neuroendocrine function in depression and clinicians with new tests to aid in diagnosis and management. Moreover, the development of standardized sleep EEG methodology has proven useful for the identification of characteristic sleep abnormalities in depression. Although there are many methodologic and clinical problems still to be resolved, the use of biological markers in the assessment of the depressed patient is increasing, and is likely to be of significant importance in the future. Finally, recent advances in molecular genetics hold promise for further advances in our understanding of the inheritance and biochemistry of depression.
The Theory of Planned Behaviour: considering drives, proximity and dynamics

Today, in part because of the work done by Ajzen and Fishbein, and their colleagues, the core of their theory seems obvious—individuals are more likely to perform the behaviours that they feel positive toward and intend to perform.
Primary structures for a mammalian cellular and serum copper amine oxidase.

The 6-hydroxydopa quinone-containing active site peptide from bovine serum amine oxidase has been found to be highly homologous to a segment of a cloned human kidney amiloride-binding protein (Barbry, P., Champe, M., Chassande, O., Munemitsu, S., Champigny, G., Lingueglia, E., Maes, P., Frelin, C., Tartar, A., Ullrich, A., and Lazdunski, M. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 7347-7351). Additionally, a second 38-residue tryptic peptide (peptide XI) isolated from bovine serum amine oxidase shows 82% identity with a portion near the carboxyl terminus of the human kidney amiloride-binding protein. When an extended active site peptide was isolated from porcine kidney diamine oxidase (Janes, S. M., Palcic, M. M., Scaman, C. H., Smith, A. J., Brown, D. E., Dooley, D. M., Mure, M., and Klinman, J. P. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 12147-12154), it was found to be fully contained in the human kidney amiloride-binding protein. Examination of amiloride binding to bovine serum amine oxidase and porcine kidney diamine oxidase reveals dissociation constants of 196 and 9.1 microM, respectively. Taken together, these findings indicate that the cDNA isolated for human kidney amiloride-binding protein encodes a human kidney diamine oxidase. Two oligonucleotides, based on the tryptic peptide XI and active-site peptide of bovine serum amine oxidase, were used to amplify a portion of cDNA from a commercial bovine liver cDNA library through the use of the polymerase chain reaction. A full-length clone (2.7 kilobase pairs) for bovine serum amine oxidase was subsequently obtained through screening of the same cDNA library with the amplified 0.7-kilobase pair cDNA. These studies provide the first primary sequences for a mammalian cellular and serum copper amine oxidase. Computer alignment of amine oxidase cDNA-derived protein sequences reveals three conserved histidine residues, which are likely to be ligands to copper.
Cardiac Myosin and Congestive Heart Failure in the Dog

Chronic congestive heart failure has been produced in dogs by surgical induction of valvular disease. Cardiac myosin was isolated from the normal dogs and from dogs with congestive heart failure and characterized. Physicochemical properties of the cardiac myosins were determined by measurements of velocity sedimentation, partial specific volume, rate of diffusion, limiting viscosity number, light-scattering behavior, and ATPase activity. The measurements show that normal cardiac myosin (myosin C) has a molecular weight of 225,000, whereas myosin from the failing heart (myosin F) has a molecular weight of 690,000. This change in molecular weight occurs without a marked alteration in amino acid composition and suggests that end-to-end trimerization of normal cardiac myosin occurs in association with congestive heart failure in the dog. There was no significant change in ATPase activity.
Beyond mean field theory: statistical field theory for neural networks.

Mean field theories have been a stalwart for studying the dynamics of networks of coupled neurons. They are convenient because they are relatively simple and possible to analyze. However, classical mean field theory neglects the effects of fluctuations and correlations due to single neuron effects. Here, we consider various possible approaches for going beyond mean field theory and incorporating correlation effects. Statistical field theory methods, in particular the Doi–Peliti–Janssen formalism, are particularly useful in this regard.
Global Imbalances as Root Cause of Global Financial Crisis? A Critical Analysis

The mainstream blames the global savings glut for causing the 2008 global financial crisis and proposes currency realignment to restore balance. However, this view fails to provide solid theoretical and empirical support to the claim that net inflows of foreign savings reduced U.S. long-term real interest rates and inflated asset prices. It also ignores the role of the global financial system in shaping the development strategy and macroeconomic imbalances in emerging Asian economies. Furthermore, forcing currency revaluation in China and other surplus countries may risk reducing global demand instead of shifting demand from the United States to surplus countries. The paper argues that an overhaul of the defunct global financial system lies at the root of global rebalancing; whereas in the short run, the United States should actively pursue demand-enhancing policies to strengthen global economic recovery.
Influence of laser coupling configuration on chaotic synchronization

Synchronization of chaotic semiconductor lasers has now been demonstrated experimentally using a variety of coupling schemes. Coupling methods include situations where the transmitter laser system is itself chaotic and drives a passive receiver system, both lasers are individually chaotic and, both lasers induce the chaos through mutual self-coupling. The qualitative dynamics for each of these scenarios is adequately captured by an appropriate set of coupled Lang-Kobayashi lumped rate equation models. Such lumped models however cannot distinguish between the possible coupling geometries realizable in real experimental systems and ignore multiple feedback from external reflecting surfaces. For example, real lasers may have AR/HR coated facets and there are several choices of placement of external reflectors and coupling paths relative to these facets. Moreover, nominally single mode FP lasers may exhibit pronounced multi-longitudinal mode dynamics in the presence of weak external reflection and DFB lasers may exhibit dual-wavelength operation or strongly asymmetric spatial hole-burning due to the presence of finite facet reflectivity.
Alterations of round window recorded N1 by selective sections of the cochlear and vestibular nerves.

Electrical potentials recorded from the round window membrane of the cat cochlea are divided into neural (N1 and N2) and non-neural, hair-cell components (cochlear microphonics). N1) and N2) are grossly altered by the sectioning of the entire VIII cranial nerve. Selective sectioning of the cochlear and vestibular portions of the nerve at the internal meatus enabled a cause and effect relationship to be established. N1–N2 cleft distortion, N1 amplitude increase and blockade of cochlear efferent (o.c.b.) stimulation was produced by sectioning of the vestibular fibers and cochlear efferents. Sectioning of the afferent fibers produced only a minor cleft distortion. Since initiation of the lesion does not depress N1, and stimulation of either o.c.b. does, it is presumed that the changes produced are not related to discharge of the o.c. bundles but rather to removal of tonic efferent activity.
Midpoint scission of macromolecules in dilute solution in turbulent flow

Drag reduction by polymer additives is commonly explained in terms of nearly complete extension of the macromolecules by high extensional strain rate regions of irrotational flow associated with turbulent bursting1–5. The intermittent nature of the bursting process means that the polymer conformation cannot be measured directly by optical methods such as light scattering or birefringence. We have studied the degradation of narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) polystyrene in a turbulent flow device which has been carefully constructed to minimize all sources of extensional flow except for that encountered in the turbulent flow itself. We report here the results of size exclusion chromatography of the degraded samples which show that chain scission occurs in a narrow distribution around the chain midpoint, indicating that the macromolecules are highly extended when they break. This represents the most convincing evidence yet for high chain elongation of polymers in a turbulent flow.
Determination of hydrogen peroxide by photoinduced fluorogenic reactions

Abstract 4-Hydroxyproline, 8-hydroxyquinoline, 4-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA) react with H2O2 when irradiated with UV light to yield fluorescent products. Sub-micromolar detection limits of H2O2 are possible with HPA. The fluorescent product is the same as that formed in the peroxidase enzyme-mediated H2O2 oxidation of HPA. Several compounds that participate in the photomediated reaction do not react in the enzyme-mediated system. A mechanism for the photomediated reaction involving an aryloxy radical derived from the substrate is suggested. Although the limits of detection for H2O2 do not equal the best achievable with the enzyme-mediated systems, the simplicity of a single-step reaction and an ability to “photodevelop” the product offer a range of novel analytical possibilities.
Renewable energy technologies: The future of photovoltaics

In the world where consumption of electricity is forecasted to nearly double over the next 25 years, all aspects of electric energy generation, transmission and distribution will become more challenging. Renewables will certainly constitute part of the planned generation additions of over 5 TW of new electricity generating capacity (including replacement capacity) at a cost of over $5 trillion. The new plants will require an additional $6 trillion worth of additional infrastructure, making electric power an $11 trillion market over the next 25 years. The search for new generation technologies is accelerating. In the first quarter of 2011, renewable generation produced more energy than nuclear power plants for the first time ever. Photovoltaic generation accounted for barely more than one percent of that capacity, but its growth of over 100 percent per year is making it a serious contender for a more prominent position in renewable energy generation portfolio of every utility company.
An Integral-Transport Method for Compton-Scatter Correction in Emission Computed Tomography

A systematic method has been devised for elimination of Compton-scatter for medical ?-ray images by three dimensional emission tomography. The approach is based upon the collision-expansion formalism which arises from the integral-transport equation and is applicable to a wide variety of object and detector configurations. Approximate correlations for point-kernels are presented which allow considerable savings in computer time and storage requirements. Results for simulated images show that the approach is effective for suppressing scatter background and distortion from sources both in and out of the tomographic slice of interest.
Morphology, magnetic anomalies and basalt magnetization at the ends of the Galapagos high-amplitude zone

Abstract Detailed bathymetric and magnetic data, complemented by nine dredge stations, define the eastern and western limits of a belt of high-amplitude magnetic anomalies associated with the Galapagos hot spot. The hypothesis of “magnetic telechemistry” was tested and locally confirmed. High amplitudes correspond to high remanence, susceptibility, FeO T , TiO 2 , and presumably titanomagnetite concentration. The average remanence of surface samples in the high-amplitude zone is 0.027 emu/cm 3 (range, 0.009–0.085 emu/cm 3 ), about 4 times that of the normal-amplitude zone. Magnetic amplitudes are only 2–2.5 times higher, however. If the greater TiO 2 /FeO T ratio of high-amplitude zone basalts also characterizes the titanomagnetites, remanence in the high-amplitude zone may fall off more rapidly with depth in the crust as a result of reheating. Alternatively, small pillows of high remanence are more common than larger pillows at the top of the high-amplitude zone crust; FeTi basalt may also be concentrated in the upper part of the crust. Anomaly amplitudes are highest at the ends of the zone, particularly in the east. As asthenosphere crystal slushes presumably flow away from the Galapagos plume, progressive crystal fractionation may enrich residual magmas in FeO T and TiO 2 . The Galapagos FeTi zone terminates abruptly against transform fractures at both ends, perhaps because subaxial flow is dammed at the transforms. The FeTi-producing crystal slushes have advanced east and west at speeds up to 10 cm/yr since they first appeared at the spreading axis at least 6.6 m.y. B.P. Their progressive advance was connected with the progressive southward jumps of the spreading axis east of the Galapagos hot spot, and northward jumps to the west.
Knowledge of the English Noun–Verb Stress Difference by Native and Nonnative Speakers☆

Abstract This research tested native and nonnative English speakers in their knowledge of the tendency for disyllabic English nouns to have first-syllable stress and disyllabic verbs to have second-syllable stress. Experiment 1 showed that nonnative speakers are nearly as accurate as native speakers in identifying the intended stress pattern of disyllabic words. Hence they have the perceptual prerequisite for learning the noun-verb stress difference. In Experiment 2, both native and nonnative subjects used disyllabic pseudowords as verbs in sentences more often when they had second rather than first syllable stress. In Experiment 3, nonnative speakers classified words as nouns or verbs more quickly and accurately if they had stress patterns typical of their grammatical class. Native speakers showed the same patterns, but not significantly. None of the experiments found correlations between English experience variables and effects of the noun–verb stress difference. We discuss why nonnative acquisition of vocabulary is relatively resistant to sensitive period effects.
Evidence for exchange effects in inelastic scattering processes from angular correlation data

Abstract It is shown that the behaviour of the angular correlation function symmetry angle φ 0 at backward scattering angles can be taken as evidence for exchange effects in inelastic scattering processes. The observed behaviour of φ 0 for θ > 140° in data from 12 C( α , α ′ γ 4.43 ) and 28 Si( α , α ′ γ 1.77 ) at a bombarding energy of 22.5 MeV is similar to that which has been observed for the exchange mode in mass-transfer reactions. That the corresponding α′ angular distribution data can be well represented by a PWBA exchange mode theory in this region supports this conclusion.
Packed column supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry with particle beam interface aided with particle forming solvent

Abstract The particle beam interface aided with particle forming solvent was evaluated for packed column supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometric coupling. Fundamental studies on the effects of various operational parameters were undertaken. Factors influencing aerosol formation (nebulizing capillary I.D., particle solvent type and flow-rate) were evaluated. Pure CO 2 and methanol-modified CO 2 were utilized with equal success. The sensitivity of the system was evaluated in terms of limit of detection (LOD). The electron impact scan and single ion monitoring modes were determined to be 10 and 1 ng for caffeine, respectively. These LODs are 10 to 100 times better than previous reported estimates. Separations of carbamate pesticides and polyaromatic hydrocarbons are shown as examples of the system's utility. Electron impact spectra were artifact-free and comparable to on-line library spectra.
Properties of bulk-polymerized thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites

The thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of bulk-polymerized thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites of reactive and non-reactive layered silicate clay were characterized as a function of the state of dispersion of particles. True exfoliated nanocomposites were produced by mixing reactive clay particles with polymer chains carrying residual isocyanate groups. On the other hand, non-reactive clay particles yielded only intercalated composites. Most significant improvement in mechanical properties were obtained when clay particles were fully exfoliated, e.g. 110% increase in tensile modulus, 170% increase in tensile strength, 110% increase in tear strength, 120% increase in fracture toughness, and 40% increase in abrasion resistance over pristine polyurethane with 5 wt% clay. In addition, the terminal dynamic rheological data showed strong dependence on the clay content, indicating substantial hindrance to chain relaxation by tethering clay particles. The peak location and the area under the peak of hydrogen-bonded carbonyl showed two distinct zones of temperature dependence, which indicate additional hydrogen bonding between polymer chains and organic modifier of reactive clays.
Effects of Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Humans

Physical exercise is promoted as one of the primary therapeutic strategies available to increase insulin sensitivity in individuals deemed at risk from insulin resistance and its attendant hyperinsulinism. Subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) represent the major clinical population in which physical training is promoted as a treatment modality to improve insulin sensitivity. This manuscript reviews both the acute effects of muscular contractions and the effects of physical training on insulin sensitivity in NIDDM and insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) human subjects. Additionally, the effects of localized (regional) muscular contractions on insulin-mediated glucose disposal in previously exercised and nonexercised muscle groups will be discussed briefly.
κ-Opioid receptor-mediated enhancement of the hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) through mobilization of intracellular calcium in rat nucleus raphe magnus

The hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) is important in the control of resting membrane potential, in the regulation of network firing pattern and in the modulation of presynaptic transmitter release in central neurons. Recent studies on native and cloned Ih channels have demonstrated that the Ih channel is commonly modulated by cAMP through a positive shift in its voltage dependence without a change in its maximum current. The present study demonstrates that activation of κ-opioid receptors enhances Ih by increasing its maximum current in brainstem neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus. Agents that interfere with the release of intracellular calcium from calcium stores altered the maximum Ih and significantly attenuated the κ-receptor-mediated enhancement of Ih. These results suggest that κ-opioid receptors enhance the maximum Ih by mobilizing intracellular calcium from calcium stores. This provides a physiological function for κ-receptor-stimulated calcium release and may suggest another Ih-regulating mechanism by intracellular calcium in central neurons.
Structure-binding relationship of quinuclidinyl benzilate analogs on N4TG1 neuroblastoma muscarinic receptors.

By Scatchard plot analysis of [3H]QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate) binding, there are 2×105 muscarinic sites/cell with aK d about 10 nM in N4TG1 neuroblastoma cells. We have now examined a group of compounds structurally related to aprophen and QNB for their ability to compete with the binding of QNB to the muscarini receptor. Using this structure-inhibition relationship, the functional groups of the muscarinic ligand necessary for binding were partially characterized. It was found that the quinuclidinyl ring structure of QNB can be substituted by either alkane, H, or pyrrolidine at the N without loosing their ability to bind. The addition to the quinuclidinyl ring increases the bulk of the structure and decreases binding. Like the benzilate in QNB, a similar hydrophobic structure is apparently required for the binding.