cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphine Inhibits Purkinje Cell Survival and Dendritic Differentiation in Organotypic Cultures of the Mouse Cerebellum

Abstract The effects of morphine on the morphogenesis and survival of calbindin-D28k-immunoreactive Purkinje cells were studied in organotypic explant cultures isolated from 1- or 7-day-old mouse cerebella. To reduce experimental variability, bilaterally matched pairs of organotypic cultures were used to compare the effects of opiate drug treatment. One explant within each pair was untreated, while the remaining explant was continuously treated for 7 to 10 days with morphine, morphine plus naloxone, or naloxone alone. In explants derived from 1-day-old mice, morphine treatment significantly reduced Purkinje cell dendritic length compared to symmetrically matched untreated control explants. The concentration of morphine estimated to cause a half-maximal reduction (EC50) in dendritic length was 4.9 × 10-8M. At higher concentrations (EC50 = 3.6 × 10-6M), morphine also significantly decreased the number of Purkinje cells in explants from 1-day-old mice compared to untreated explants. Electron microscopy identified increased numbers of degenerating Purkinje cells in explants derived from 1-day-old mice. This showed that high concentrations (10-5M) of morphine reduced Purkinje cell numbers by decreasing their rate of survival. In explants derived from 7-day-old mice, morphine (10-5M) neither affected Purkinje cell dendritic length nor cell numbers compared to symmetrically matched untreated (control) explants. Collectively, these findings suggest that morphine per se, through a direct action on the cerebellum, can affect Purkinje cell differentiation and survival. The results additionally suggest that there is a critical period during development when Purkinje cells are especially vulnerable to the effects of morphine.
Age 70 retirement for faculty: An institutional approach

Postponed faculty retirements, combined with declining student enrollments and persistent inflation, are causing increasing concern in higher education. The 1978 Amendments to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act establish the mandatory retirement age at 70, but exempt tenured faculty from this provision until 1982. The legislation focuses attention on the retirement aspect of the problem, and researchers are busy analyzing the issue to help the industry plan for the impact of the new law. Most analysts approach the task from the aggregate perspective, and apply industry norms to individual institutions. The variations among institutions undermines the validity of this approach. This article demonstrates the problems of the aggregate analysis, and offers an alternative for individual institutions.
Solving the nonlinear least square problem: Application of a general method

An algorithm for solving the general nonlinear least-square problem is developed. An estimate for the Hessian matrix is constructed as the sum of two matrices. The first matrix is the usual first-order estimate used by the Gauss method, while the second matrix is generated recursively using a rank-one formula. Test results indicate that the method is superior to the standard Gauss method and compares favorably with other methods, especially for problems with nonzero residuals at the solution.
A review of binary laminar boundary layer characteristics

Abstract Available analyses of the binary laminar boundary layer are examined in some detail. It is demonstrated that the exact predictions of heat transfer and skin friction in the presence of masstransfer cooling with a foreign gas can be approximated by simple expressions which should be of value for engineering design calculations.
Nonionizing photoacoustic cystography in vivo.

We demonstrate the feasibility of a novel and nonionizing process for bladder imaging in vivo, called photoacoustic cystography (PAC). Using a photoacoustic imaging system, we have successfully imaged a rat bladder filled with clinically used Methylene Blue (MB) dye. An image contrast of ~8 was achieved. Further, spectroscopic PAC confirmed the accumulation of MB in the bladder. Using a laser pulse energy of less than 1 mJ/cm2 (1/20 of the ANSI safety limit), a deeply (1.2 cm) positioned bladder in biological tissues was clearly visible in the PA image. Our results suggest that PAC can potentially provide a nonionizing, relatively cheap, and portable tool for bladder mapping. Among our clinical interests, nonionizing PAC with an injection of MB can potentially monitor vesicoureteral reflux in children.
Comparative study of organosolv lignin extracted from prairie cordgrass, switchgrass and corn stover.

Abstract Lignin extracted from prairie cordgrass, switchgrass, and corn stover (using ethyl acetate–ethanol–water organosolv pretreatment) was analyzed and characterized using several methods. These methods included analysis of purity (by determination of Klason lignin, carbohydrate, and ash contents), solubility (with several organic solvents), phenolic group analysis (ultraviolet ionization difference spectra, and nitrobenzene oxidation), and general functional group analysis (by 1H NMR). Results showed that all the examined lignin samples were relatively pure (contained over 50% Klason lignin, less than 5% carbohydrate contamination, and less than 3% ash), but switchgrass-derived lignin was observed to be the purest. All the lignins were found to contain high amounts of phenolic groups, while switchgrass-derived lignin was the most phenolic, according to the ionization difference spectra. Nitrobenzene oxidation revealed that all the lignin samples contained available guaiacyl units in high amounts.
Transformation of protoplasts and intact cells from slowly growing embryogenic callus of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A procedure for culturing protoplasts from slowly growing embryogenic calli of wheat was developed. The procedure was dependent on the ability to isolate large numbers of culturable protoplasts from slowly growing embryogenic callus. Approximately 68% of the isolated protoplasts divided, and 22% formed colonies; of the latter, 67% continued to proliferate. Plating efficiency was reduced when protoplasts were transformed by polythylene glycol, electroporation, and/or Agrobacterium. Intact cells were also directly transformed by electroporation. Direct electroporation of the Agrobacterium binary vector into intact cells resulted in a significant increase of GUS activity over the control.
Posttraumatic Migraine as a Predictor of Recovery and Cognitive Impairment After Sport-Related Concussion

Background:Although previous research has demonstrated that patients with posttraumatic migraine (PTM) after concussion report more symptoms and cognitive deficits after injury than do those without PTM, it is not known whether these effects persist beyond the first week of injury or whether PTM predicts recovery time.Purpose:To determine whether PTM during the first week after injury predicts (1) cognitive impairment and symptoms in the second week after injury and (2) overall recovery time.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:Participants were 138 male high school football players with a mean age of 15.96 years (SD, 1.18 years; range, 13-19 years). They were classified into 3 groups: PTM (headache, nausea, and photosensitivity or phonosensitivity), headache (headache without the other PTM symptoms), or no headache (no headache or PTM symptoms). The Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) was used to assess cognitive performance and symptoms at baseline, postin...
Cooperative robust localization against malicious anchors based on semi-definite programming

Location awareness for wireless sensor networks has attracted significant interests in recent years. In hostile environments, there may be malicious attacks to mislead the location estimation of target nodes. In this paper, we propose a novel secured localization method by applying cooperative semi-definite programming (SDP) algorithm. We also introduce residual normalization to improve the SDP approximation. Cooperation enhances the capability to identify the compromised anchors and the accuracy of location estimation. SDP improves the reliability of the algorithm and the out-of-convex-hull performance. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the aforementioned improvements.
RESEARCH ARTICLES: In Their Own Words: Perceptions of Climate Change Adaptation from the Great Lakes Region's Resource Management Community

In response to observed and projected changes in climate, efforts to promote climate change adaptation to key stakeholder groups have been rapidly increasing. To help us understand the perceptions of resource managers in the Great Lakes region, we conducted a Web-based survey. We asked respondents to define climate change adaptation and to provide examples of both feasible and current adaptation actions. Responses from 441 individuals indicate that many did not have a clear, proactive concept of climate change adaptation. Only 74% provided a definition, and, of those, only 43% described adaptation as a proactive process. Nearly one third (30%) gave purely reactive descriptions, and 27% failed to convey the concept of intentionally responding to climate change impacts; half of these described climate change mitigation or evolutionary adaptation. Examples of feasible actions covered a range of current conservation practices and some adaptation-specific ideas (e.g., research on potential species' range shifts, managed relocation of species), along with such actions as updates to infrastructure. In comparison to feasible actions, actions identified as under way were biased toward early stages in adaptation, such as science and planning, increasing awareness, and capacity building. We suggest that targeted outreach can help catalyze movement from early-stage actions toward implementation of change: collaborative work with stakeholders to refine and customize the concept of adaptation and develop visions of successful adaptation is vital to the long-term conservation of the Great Lakes ecosystem.Environmental Practice 15:377–392 (2013)
Entropic factor in the solubility of small particles.

A mechanistic basis for the dependence of solubility on particle size was investigated. The solubility difference between a crystalline and microcrystalline solid was determined; the microcrystalline solid had a greater solubility than the crystalline. The heat of solution, as determined from a Van't Hoff plot, was found to be independent of particle size. The observed solubility difference was interpreted to be due to a relatively greater entropy of solution for the microcrystalline solid as compared to the crystalline solid.
Metabolically convertible lipophilic derivatives of pH-sensitive amphipathic photosensitizers.

We propose the use of acetoxymethyl esters of pH-sensitive amphipathic photosensitizers (PS) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). These compounds may be applicable for PDT involving endocytosis of lipophilic carriers leading to lysosomal uptakc of the esterified PS by target cells. Partial and/or total enzymatic de-esterification may result in the extralysosomal distribution of the photoactive agents, possibly culminating in a multisite photochemical response. We report here the synthesis and properties of chlorin e6 triacetoxymethyl ester (CAME) and pheophorbide a acetoxymethyl ester (PAME). Chlorin e6 and pheophorbide a are photocytotoxic chlorins that possess free carboxylate groups and exhibit optimum wavelengths of excitation substantially red shifted relative to hematoporphyrin derivative. Acetoxymethyl esterification of chlorin e6 and pheophorbide a was accomplished with bromomethyl acetate. High-performance liquid chromatography allowed for the purification of PAME, in 87% purity, and CAME, in 63% yield and 94% purity, as well as the detection of the presumed mono- and diesters of chlorin e6 as transient intermediates in the synthesis of CAME. The ultraviolet-visible absorption, fluorescence excitation and emission, NMR and mass spectra of the chlorin e6 tnester are consistent with those expected for CAME. The pH-sensitive amphipathicity of pheophorbide a and chlorin e6 but not CAME was demonstrated using a water/1-octanol partition assay. The production of pheophorbide a from PAME and the sequential formation of the di- and monoesters and free chlorin e6 from CAME, by the action of lysosomal esterases obtained from cancer cells, demonstrate the potential of cellular enzymes to convert the lipophilic esters to pH-sensitive amphipathic PS. It is expected that the product of the esterases' action in the acidic lysosome will be hydrophobic and tend to diffuse into the organelle membrane. Contact with the neutral pH of the adjacent cytosol will result in conversion of the PS to a more hydrophilic anionic species, presumably allowing for it lo diffuse into that compartment and partition throughout the lipophilic and aqueous compartments of the cell.
Quantitative genetic study of the adaptive process

The additive genetic variance with respect to absolute fitness, VA(W), divided by mean absolute fitness, , sets the rate of ongoing adaptation. Fisher's key insight yielding this quantitative prediction of adaptive evolution, known as the Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection, is well appreciated by evolutionists. Nevertheless, extremely scant information about VA(W) is available for natural populations. Consequently, the capacity for fitness increase via natural selection is unknown. Particularly in the current context of rapid environmental change, which is likely to reduce fitness directly and, consequently, the size and persistence of populations, the urgency of advancing understanding of immediate adaptive capacity is extreme. We here explore reasons for the dearth of empirical information about VA(W), despite its theoretical renown and critical evolutionary role. Of these reasons, we suggest that expectations that VA(W) is negligible, in general, together with severe statistical challenges of estimating it, may largely account for the limited empirical emphasis on it. To develop insight into the dynamics of VA(W) in a changing environment, we have conducted individual-based genetically explicit simulations. We show that, as optimizing selection on a trait changes steadily over generations, VA(W) can grow considerably, supporting more rapid adaptation than would the VA(W) of the base population. We call for direct evaluation of VA(W) and in support of prediction of rates adaptive evolution, and we advocate for the use of aster modeling as a rigorous basis for achieving this goal.
The Reaction of 1, 2-Disubstituted-3-Benzylglycerols and Trimethylsilyl Iodide (TMSI). Improved Method for the Preparation of 1, 2-Dialkylglycerols

Abstract A new efficient preparation of 1, 2-dialkylglycerols is reported. The method involves the reaction of the appropriate benzyl ether with trimethylsilyl iodide (TMSI).
Histopathological characterization and in situ detection of Callinectes sapidus reovirus

A reovirus (tentatively designated as Callinectes sapidus reovirus, CsRV) was found in the blue crabs C. sapidus collected in Chesapeake Bay in 2005. Histological examination of hepatopancreas and gill from infected crabs revealed eosinophilic to basophilic, cytoplasmic, inclusions in hemocytes and in cells of connective tissue. A cDNA library was constructed from total RNA extracted from hemolymph of infected crabs. One clone (designated as CsRV-28) with a 532-bp insert was 75% identical in nucleotide sequence (and 95% similar in translated amino acid sequence) to the quanylytransferase gene of the Scylla serrata reovirus (SsRV). The insert of CsRV-28 was labeled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP and hybridized to sections of hepatopancreas and gill of infected C. sapidus, this probe reacted to hemocytes and cells in the connective tissue. No reaction was seen in any of the tissues prepared from uninfected crabs. Thus, this in situ hybridization procedure can be used to diagnose CsRV.
The chemical properties of bimetallic surfaces: Importance of ensemble and electronic effects in the adsorption of sulfur and SO2

Abstract The understanding of the interaction of sulfur with bimetallic surfaces is a critical issue for preventing the deactivation of hydrocarbon reforming catalysts and for the design of better hydrodesulfurization catalysts. The alloying or combination of two metals can lead to materials with special chemical properties due to an interplay of “ensemble” and “electronic” effects. In recent years, several new interesting phenomena have been discovered when studying the interaction of sulfur with bimetallic surfaces using the modern techniques of surface science. Very small amounts of sulfur are able to induce dramatic changes in the morphology of bimetallic surfaces that combine noble metals (Cu, Ag, Au) and transition metals. This phenomenon can lead to big modifications in the activity and selectivity of bimetallic catalysts used for hydrocarbon reforming. In many cases, bimetallic bonding produces a significant redistribution of charge around the bonded metals. The electronic perturbations associated with the formation of a heteronuclear metal–metal bond can affect the reactivity of the bonded metals toward sulfur. This can be a very important issue to consider when trying to minimize the negative effects of sulfur poisoning (Sn/Pt versus Ag/Pt and Cu/Pt catalysts) or when trying to improve the performance of desulfurization catalysts (Co/Mo and Ni/Mo systems). Clearly much more work is necessary in this area, but new concepts are emerging that can be useful for designing more efficient bimetallic catalysts.
Crystallization and preliminary structural analysis of Bacillus subtilis adenylosuccinate lyase, an enzyme implicated in infantile autism

Adenylosuccinate lyase (ASL) from Bacillus subtilis has been crystallized and structural analysis by X-ray diffraction is in progress. ASL is a 200-kDa homotetramer that catalyzes two distinct steps of de novo purine biosynthesis leading to the formation of AMP and IMP; both steps involve the beta-elimination of fumarate. A single point mutation in the human ASL gene has been linked to mental retardation with autistic features. In addition, ASL plays an important role in the bioprocessing of anti-HIV therapeutics. B subtilis ASL, which shares 30% sequence identity and 70% sequence similarity with human ASL, has been crystallized and data to 3.3 A have been collected at 100 K. The space group is P6(1)22 or P6(5)22 with a = b = 129.4 A; the length of the c-axis varies between 275 and 290 A, depending on the crystal. An analysis of solvent content indicates a dimer in the asymmetric unit, although a self-rotation function and an analysis of native Pattersons failed to identify unambiguously the location of any noncrystallographic symmetry axes. Structure determination by isomorphous replacement is in progress.
Optimum least-cost design of a truss roof system

Abstract An algorithm is presented encompassing the application of optimization methods to the least-cost elastic design of roof systems composed of rigid steel trusses, web joists and steel roof deck. The method is capable of designing rigid trusses that can be fabricated from various grades of steel and several types of standard sections. The selection of open web joist is presently limited to standard H-series, and decking material is standard 22 gage. The design is based upon AISC allowable values where combined stresses resulting from axial forces and secondary bending moments are considered. The effective column lengths are computed using the characteristic buckling equation for a member whose ends are elastically restrained against rotation. The procedure developed considers changes in the mechanical properties of the members, geometric variations in the truss configuration and changes in topology. Selected sets of members may be chosen to be identical, and chord members may be defined as continuous over several panels. Also investigated is the problem of finding the design containing the optimum number of trusses. A number of examples are presented which demonstrate the flexibility and generality of the design approach developed.
Engendering migration studies: the case of new immigrants in the United States.

This review highlights contributions made by scholars who have treated gender as a central organizing principle in migration and suggests some promising lines for future inquiry. Many significant topics emerge when gender is brought to the foreground, such as how and why women and men experience migration differently and how this contrast affects settlement, return, and transmigration. A gendered perspective demands a scholarly reengagement with those institutions and ideologies immigrants create and encounter in order to determine how patriarchy organizes family life, work, law, public policy, and so on. It encourages an examination of the ways that migration simultaneously reinforces and challenges patriarchy in its multiple forms. Several migration scholars have replaced early feminist frameworks in which gender hierarchy was privileged with more comprehensive and flexible models. These map the simultaneity of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, class, and legal status on the lives of immigrant and n...
Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ-mediated Transcriptional Up-regulation of the Hepatocyte Growth Factor Gene Promoter via a Novel Composite cis-Acting Element

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleotropic polypeptide that can function as a morphogen, motogen, mitogen, angiogen, carcinogen, and tumor suppressor, depending on the target cell and tissue. Previous studies from our laboratory using transgenic mice have shown that HGF gene expression is tightly regulated at the transcriptional level and that the upstream regulatory elements are crucial for the control of HGF gene transcription. In the present study, we have identified and characterized one of these elements as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma)-responsive element. This regulatory element was localized at -246 to -233 base pairs upstream from the transcription start site of the HGF gene promoter having the sequence GGGCCAGGTGACCT. Gel mobility shift and supershift assays demonstrated that this cis-acting element strongly binds to the PPARgamma isoforms as well as to chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor, a member of the orphan nuclear receptor subfamily. Mutational analysis and gel mobility band shift assays indicated that the binding site is an inverted repeat of the AGGTCA motif with two spacers (inverted repeat 2 configuration) and that the two spacers are important for PPARgamma binding. This binding site overlaps with functional binding sites for activating protein-2, nuclear factor 1, and upstream stimulatory factor, and together, they constitute a multifunctional composite binding site through which these different transcription factors exert their regulatory effects on HGF promoter activity. Functional assays revealed that PPARgamma, with its ligand, 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2, strongly stimulates HGF promoter activity. On the other hand, nuclear factor 1, activating protein-2, and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor transcription factors repress the stimulatory action of PPARgamma by competing with PPARgamma for their overlapping binding sites. Furthermore, for the first time, our studies demonstrate that the PPARgamma ligand, 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2, induces endogenous HGF mRNA and protein expression in fibroblasts in culture.
Ophthalmologic complications due to treatment with pegylated interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Ophthalmologic complications due to treatment with pegylated interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Modular Open Network ARCHitecture (MONARCH): Transitioning plug-and-play to aerospace

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) developed an initial plug-and-play (PnP) capability for spacecraft, similar to USB on personal computers, which better defines hardware and software interfaces and incorporates self-discovery and auto-configuration in order to simplify spacecraft development and reduce cost and schedule. PnP technology was matured through a suborbital PnP flight experiment in September 2007 and a secondary Spacecraft Avionics Experiment (SAE) payload on the TacSat-3 satellite, which launched in May 2009. AFRL developed and submitted a complete set of PnP standards through the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 2011. Space electronics to adapt existing satellite components and implement full PnP on satellites in accordance with these AFRL standards was independently developed in alternate hardware implementations by Goodrich Corp under AFRL and by Northrop Grumman under Operationally Responsive Space (ORS). In 2011, AFRL conducted a cost-benefit analysis of PnP and assembled a collaborative review board (CRB) in Sept 2011 to evaluate PnP. This CRB was comprised of representatives from Space and Missiles Center (SMC), National Reconnaissance Organization (NRO), Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), John Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), The Aerospace Corporation, and several large commercial and DOD satellite developers. This CRB laid out a transition path to develop and implement PnP standards for implementation in large (>1000 kg) DOD and commercial satellites. Transition of PnP technology into operational systems continues in PnP architecture studies for SMC, PnP products from multiple space industry vendors, commercial implementations of PnP, and the Northrop Grumman ORS-2 spacecraft currently project to fly in 2014–2015. This paper provides details related to development of PnP technology, AFRL's cost-benefit analysis of PnP, recommendations of the PnP CRB, and on-going efforts to mature and fly PnP technology.
Toxicity of Uranium to Microbial Communities in Anaerobic Biofilms

Microbial processes have shown promise for the remediation of uranium and nitrate in groundwater impacted by uranium mine tailings. This study investigated the inhibitory impact of uranium(VI) towards different microbial populations in anaerobic biofilms, including methanogenic, denitrifying, and uranium-reducing microorganisms, which are commonly found at uranium bioremediation sites. Results of batch activity bioassays indicated a very distinct level of toxicity depending on the targeted microbial community. U(VI) caused severe inhibition of acetoclastic methanogenesis as indicated by a 50 % inhibiting concentration (IC50) of only 0.16 mM. Denitrifying populations were also impacted by uranium, but their sensitivity depended on the electron donor utilized. Sulfur-oxidizing denitrifiers were the least affected (IC50 for denitrification activity = 0.32 mM), followed by H2- and acetate-utilizing denitrifiers (IC50 of 0.20 and 0.15 mM, respectively). In contrast, exposure to U(VI) concentrations up to 1.0 mM did not inhibit the rate of U(VI) bioreduction with H2 as electron donor in the presence or absence of nitrate. On the contrary, a considerable increase in the uranium-reducing activity of the denitrifying and methanogenic mixed cultures was observed with increasing uranium concentrations. The results suggest that microorganisms responsible for U(V) reduction could tolerate much higher uranium concentrations compared to the other microbial populations assayed.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A=205

Abstract Evaluated nuclear structure and decay data for all nuclei within the A=205 mass chain are presented. This work supersedes the earlier evaluation by S. Rab (1993Ra10), published in Nuclear Data Sheets 69 , 679 (1993).
The challenges for joining to keep pace with advancing materials and designs

Abstract Virtually every design requires that materials be joined into devices or components, and that devices or components can be joined into packages, assemblies or structures to achieve function and/or allow manufacture. For this reason, it is critical that the methods and processes and procedures for joining evolve at least as fast as the available materials and application demands. This has historically not been the case. Therefore, the state of joining both traditional and advanced materials for advanced applications is overviewed to provide better understanding of the issues, options, impediments, and opportunities for keeping pace and making needed progress.
Exact boundary controllability of a Rao-Nakra sandwich beam

We consider a three layer Rao-Nakra sandwich beam with damping proportional to shear included in the core layer. We prove that eigenvectors of the beam form a Riesz basis for the natural energy space. In the damped case, we are able to give precise conditions under which solutions decay at a uniform exponential rate. We also consider the problem of boundary control using bending moment and lateral force control at one end. We prove that the space of exact controllability has finite co-dimension and provide sufficient conditions (related to small damping) for exact controllability to a zero energy state.
Microcomputer-aided design of optimal filters

Deals with optimal synthesis of an RC high-pass ladder network. It shows how to obtain a network with the maximum possible gain and minimum total series capacitance. The current transfer function, source and load conductances are specified. Lagrange multipliers method is used to obtain optimization. The entire process is completed using a microcomputer which can handle a large number of poles and can perform the optimization in a very short time.
Adsorption and desorption kinetics of tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium and dimethylamine on TiN surfaces

Titanium nitride (TiN) can be deposited using the organometallic precursor tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium (Ti[N(CH3)2]4) (TDMAT). Deviations from conformal TiN film growth have been observed in trench structures using TDMAT. This nonconformal deposition may be associated with readsorption and site blocking by the dimethylamine (HN(CH3)2) (DMA) reaction product. To understand the deviations from conformal TiN deposition in trench structures, the adsorption and desorption kinetics for TDMAT and DMA were measured on a sputter-deposited TiN surface using laser induced thermal desorption (LITD) techniques. The LITD measurements revealed that DMA has a higher sticking coefficient than TDMAT. The sticking coefficients for both TDMAT and DMA were also dependent on surface coverage. The initial sticking coefficient for TDMAT is S0=0.23 with a coverage-dependence approximated by S(θ)=0.25 exp(−4.7 θ) where θ is the normalized surface coverage. The initial sticking coefficient for DMA is S0=0.70 and the coverage-dependence is approximated by S(θ)=0.86 exp(−3.7 θ). The observed desorption kinetics of DMA following TDMAT and DMA exposures on TiN were also coverage-dependent. The isothermal desorption measurements could be fit using a simple first-order desorption rate expression, kd=νdexp[−Ed(θ)/RT] where E(θ) is the coverage-dependent desorption energy, Ed(θ)=E0−E1θ. Assuming a desorption preexponential of νd=1×1013 s−1, the observed isothermal desorption measurements for DMA desorption following both TDMAT and DMA exposures could be fit using E0=29.1 kcal mol−1 and E1=8.2 kcal mol−1. These measured adsorption and desorption kinetics are consistent with DMA readsorption as a major contributor to nonconformal TiN growth in trench structures using TDMAT.
Reactions of cyclopentadienylmetal-2-alkenyl carbonyl complexes with sulfur dioxide. Isolation and characterization of 2-alkene-S-sulfinato products

Abstract Transition metal 2-aIkenyl complexes η5-C5H5Fe(CO)2CH2C(R)CR′R″ (R, R′ and R″ = H and/or CH3) and η5-C5H5Mo(CO)3CH2CHCH2 react rapidly with liquid SO2 at −10 °C or below to afford the corresponding zwitterions, η5-C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2CH2C(R)C(R′)(R″)SO−2) and η5C5H5Mo+(CO)3(η2-CH2CHCH2SO−2) respectively. There zwitterions were characterized by infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy and, in the case of η5-C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2-CH2CHCH2SO−2), also by conductivity measurements and alkylation with (CH3)3OBF4 and (C6H5)3CCl to give [η5-C5H5(CO)2(η2-CH2CHCH2S(O)2R]+X− (R = CH3 and (C6H5)3C) Upon storage in liquid SO2 the zwitterions were found by infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy to rearrange to the corresponding S-sulfinato complexes in the approximate order η5-C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2-CH2CHC(CH3)2SO−2) ⩾ η5-C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2-CH2C(CH3)CH2SO−2) > η5C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2-CH2CHCH(CH3)SO−2) > η5-C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2-CH2CHCH2SO−2) and η5-C5H5Mo+(CO)3(η2-CH2CHCH2SO−2) > η5-C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2-CH2CHCH2SO−2). The rearrangement of η5-C5H5Fe+(CO)2(η2-CH2CHCH2SO−2) to the S-sulfinate η5-C5H5Fe(CO)2S(O)2CH2CHCH2 occurs concomitantly with the formation of a cycloaddition product, formulated at η5-C5H5Fe(CO)2 CHCH 2 S(O)2C H2. This cycloadduct is unstable toward dimerization and/or trimerization, especially in solution, yielding a readily isolable [η5-C5H5Fe(CO)2(C3H5SO2)]2 or 3. The molybdenum zwitterion η5-C5H5Mo+(CO)3(η2CH2CHCH2SO−2) displays a parallel behavior in rearrangement. Various factors that affect the formation of these products and possible mechanisms of these reactions are presented and discussed.
The reaction of uranium hexafluoride with silver fluoride in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and the chemical properties of the product Ag2UF8

Abstract UF6 reacts with AgF dissolved in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride to precipitate Ag2UF8. Ag2UF8 has some unexpected properties: On reaction with water it produces O2 and reduced uranium. No adequate explanation could be found of why UF6 and AgF combined in this manner should produce a powerful oxidant. Raman spectra and chemical properties of the solid products are given.
Pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of DMXBA (GTS‐21), a compound enhancing cognition

DMXBA (3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine, also known as GTS-21) is currently being tested as a possible pharmacological treatment of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, plasma and brain pharmacokinetics as well as urinary excretion of this compound have been evaluated in adult rats. DMXBA concentrations were determined by HPLC. Following a 5 mg kg-1 iv dose, DMXBA plasma concentration declined bi-exponentially with mean (+/- SE) absorption and elimination half-lives of 0.71 +/- 0.28 and 3.71 +/- 1.12 h, respectively. The apparent steady state volume of distribution was 2150 +/- 433 mL kg-1, total body clearance was 1480 +/- 273 mL h-1 kg-1, and AUC0-infinity was 3790 +/- 630 ng h mL-1. Orally administered DMXBA was rapidly absorbed. After oral administration of 10 mg kg-1, a peak plasma concentration of 1010 +/- 212 ng mL-1 was observed at 10 min after dosing. Elimination half-life was 1.740 +/- 0.34 h, and AUC0-infinity was 1440 +/- 358 ng h mL-1. DMXBA peak brain concentration after oral administration was 664 +/- 103 ng g-1 tissue, with an essentially constant brain-plasma concentration ratio of 2.61 +/- 0.34, which indicates that the drug readily passes across the blood-brain barrier. Serum protein binding was 80.3 +/- 1.1%. Apparent oral bioavailability was 19%. Renal clearance (21.8 mL h-1 kg-1) was less than 2% of the total clearance (1480 +/- 273 mL h-1 kg-1); urinary excretion of unchanged DMXBA over a 96 h period accounted for only 0.28 +/- 0.03% of the total orally administered dose. Our data indicates that DMXBA oral bioavailability is primarily limited by hepatic metabolism.
The Buzz in Chronic Wound Treatment

Honey is all the buzz lately in treating chronic skin infections, thanks to recent research by Lu and colleagues. Many chronic infections show only limited response to traditional antibiotics, and some antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains are fully tolerant of these drugs. Lu and coauthors now show that honey may be a sweet solution to preventing bacterial growth commonly associated with skin wound infections. Honey is known to exhibit antimicrobial activities that are distinct from the actions of traditional antibiotics. The authors examined New Zealand honey samples made from nectar of kanuka, manuka, and clover flowers for growth inhibition of four different bacterial species: Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli (hemorrhagic strain O157:H7), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Growth of all species was inhibited by honey, but P. aeruginosa was the least affected. Manuka honeys that contained the greatest amounts of the reactive molecule called methylglyoxal appeared to stop bacterial growth more than did other varieties. After examining the bacterial cells in more detail, Lu et al. found that honey promoted a shortening of cell length, and for the Gram-positive bacteria ( B. subtilis and S. aureus ), treatment with honey led to condensing of their chromosomal DNA. This study suggests that honey may be a useful addition to dressings of chronic wounds to limit the growth of bacteria. Before moving into people, the mechanism of honey action needs to be explored further, especially to determine which honey varieties have greater efficacy against all pathogens. Nonetheless, this natural product holds promise as a new antimicrobial strategy to treat the growing number of resistant chronic wounds and other topical bacterial infections. J. Lu et al ., The effect of New Zealand kanuka, manuka and clover honeys on bacterial growth dynamics and cellular morphology varies according to the species. PLoS ONE 8, e55898 (2013). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0055898
Alternative signals to RAS for hematopoietic transformation by the BCR-ABL oncogene

Biological function of the BCR-ABL oncogene is dependent on its activated tyrosine kinase. Mutations that inactivate the SRC homology 2 (SH2) domain, the GRB2-binding site in BCR, or the major autophosphorylation site of the kinase domain selectively disrupt downstream signaling but not tyrosine kinase activity. Despite a loss of fibroblast transformation activity, all three mutants retain the ability to render hematopoietic cell lines growth factor independent and transform primary bone marrow cells in vitro. In vivo tests of malignant potential reveal a most critical role for signals dependent on the BCR-ABL SH2 domain. The efficiency of both fibroblast and hematopoietic transformation by BCR-ABL is strongly affected by increased dosage of the SHC adapter protein, which can connect tyrosine kinase signals to RAS. The BCR-ABL oncogene activates multiple alternative pathways to RAS for hematopoietic transformation.
Object Clitic Omission in Child Spanish: Evaluating Representational and Processing Accounts

This study explores the widely documented difficulty children have with object clitics in the acquisition of Romance languages. It reports on two experiments: a production task and a comprehension task. Results from the elicitation task confirm that object omission occurs at nonnegligible rates in 2- and 3-year-olds. Findings from the sentence-picture matching task show that children do not sanction a grammar with referential null objects, as suggested by previous research, and that children do not always assign a transitive interpretation to clitic constructions. Further analysis reveals that both the frequency of object omissions in production as well as the results in the clitic conditions of the receptive task are strongly negatively correlated with an independent measure of verbal working memory (nonword repetition task), consistent with the hypothesis that object clitic omission is affected by linguistic processing and short-term memory limitations.
Quantifying the robustness of the English sibilant fricative contrast in children

Purpose Four measures of children's developing robustness of phonological contrast were compared to see how they correlated with age, vocabulary size, and adult listeners' correctness ratings. Meth...
Longevity mutation in SCH9 prevents recombination errors and premature genomic instability in a Werner/Bloom model system

Werner and Bloom syndromes are human diseases characterized by premature age-related defects including elevated cancer incidence. Using a novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae model system for aging and cancer, we show that cells lacking the RecQ helicase SGS1 (WRN and BLM homologue) undergo premature age-related changes, including reduced life span under stress and calorie restriction (CR), G1 arrest defects, dedifferentiation, elevated recombination errors, and age-dependent increase in DNA mutations. Lack of SGS1 results in a 110-fold increase in gross chromosomal rearrangement frequency during aging of nondividing cells compared with that generated during the initial population expansion. This underscores the central role of aging in genomic instability. The deletion of SCH9 (homologous to AKT and S6K), but not CR, protects against the age-dependent defects in sgs1Δ by inhibiting error-prone recombination and preventing DNA damage and dedifferentiation. The conserved function of Akt/S6k homologues in lifespan regulation raises the possibility that modulation of the IGF-I–Akt–56K pathway can protect against premature aging syndromes in mammals.
MESENTERIC VENOUS THROMBOSIS

Mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) is a rare but potentially lethal form of mesenteric ischemia. The presentation may vary from an entirely asymptomatic clinical scenario to intestinal infarction and shock. It was first described by Elliot 9 in 1895 as "thrombosis of the porto-mesenteric venous system," which disallowed venous drainage from the gut leading to bowel infarction. Warren and Eberhard 29 in 1935 characterized MVT as a distinct clinical entity and emphasized its lethality. These authors reported a 34% mortality rate following intestinal resection for venous thrombosis. Fortunately, it comprises only 5% to 15% of all reported acute mesenteric ischemia cases in the modern literature. 16,22 In a review by Abdu et al, 1 only 372 patients with MVT were identified in the literature from 1911 to 1984. In the Mayo Clinic series, only 72 patients with MVT were identified from 1972 to 1993. 24 This group comprised 6.2% of the 1167 patients treated for mesenteric ischemia at the institution during the 22-year study period. Ottinger and Austen 22 found that MVT comprised only 0.006% of hospital admissions and less than 2% of autopsy cases. Kazmers 17 estimated that intestinal infarction due to MVT is encountered in less than 1 in 1000 laparotomies for acute abdomen. Patients with MVT can be classified into acute and chronic presentations for treatment purposes. Acute MVT is defined as the process that exists in those patients with presenting symptoms of less than 4 weeks' duration. Those with symptoms greater than 4 weeks' duration, but without bowel infarction, or those with MVT diagnosed as incidental and clinically insignificant findings on abdominal imaging can be classified as having chronic MVT.
Current-driven metamaterial homogenization

A current-driven homogenization (CDH) approach to calculating all 36 linear constitutive parameters of a metamaterial crystal is presented. Spatial dispersion is accounted for by evaluating the constitutive parameters as a function of frequency and wavenumber. For two-dimensional centrosymmetric crystals spatial dispersion is shown to result in bianisotropy. The accuracy of the CDH constitutive parameters is verified by comparing the radiation efficiencies of a simple directional antenna embedded inside the homogenized and un-homogenized metamaterial slabs.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Chemical Reactors: Application of in Situ Adaptive Tabulation to Methane Thermochlorination Chemistry

Recently, a novel algorithmin situ adaptive tabulationhas been proposed to effectively incorporate detailed chemistry in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for turbulent reacting flows. In this work, detailed tests performed on a pairwise-mixing stirred reactor (PMSR) model are presented implementing methane thermochlorination chemistry to validate the in situ adaptive tabulation (ISAT) algorithm. The detailed kinetic scheme involves 3 elements (H, C, Cl) and 38 chemical species undergoing a total of 152 elementary reactions. The various performance issues (error control, accuracy, storage requirements, speed-up) involved in the implementation of detailed chemistry in particle-based methods (full PDF methods) are discussed. Using an error tolerance of etol = 2 × 10-4, sufficiently accurate results with minimal storage requirements and significantly less computational time than would be required with direct integration are obtained. Based on numerous test simulations, an error tolerance in the ...
Force constant analysis of molecular groups in apatite solids

Abstract The results of normal coordinte analyses demonstrate that the simple Urey-Bradley force field gives a reasonable representation of the potential-energy function of PO43− in pyromorphite (Pb10(PO4)6Cl2) but is unsatisfactory for AsO43− and VO43− in mimetite (Pb10(AsO4)6Cl2) and vanadinite (Pb10(VO4)6Cl2). respectively. Theoretical band assignments are made for PO43− in pyromorphite using simple Urey-Bradley force field and based on a good frequency fit, a physically reasonable set of molecular force constants and some experimental confirmation. The general order of magnitude and trends in force constants are physically realistic. The theoretical analysis provides additional confirmation for the assignment of the v2 bending mode to a higher-frequency, lower-intensity band at 436 cm−1 in the infrared. Eigenvector calculations allow determination of which internal coordinates are major contributors to the various normal modes.
Microstructure of film growth from filtrating mono-dispersed particle suspension

The deposition mechanism that determines the microstructure of colloidal films was investigated using a constant-filtration-rate procedure. In particular, we studied the dependence of the grain size on the filtration rate and the volume fraction of the particles in liquid. We correlated the surface diffusion distance to the final grain size and identified a processing window for large-grain colloidal films. The necessary conditions for homoepitaxy of colloidal crystals were successfully identified. In particular, the surface diffusion distance of deposited particles before embedment emerged as an important parameter for film microstructural control. Sufficiently long the diffusion distances correlated well with the slow deposition rates often required for crystal growth. Low deposition rates allowed more time for depositing particles to sample surface sites for low-energy configurations. This surface diffusion model for microstructure control has universal application to other film deposition methods for mono-dispersed particles.
A left knee wound complication by non-Hodgkins lymphoma in bilateral total knee arthroplasties

A 70-year-old woman with a history of bilateral primary knee osteoarthritis presented with a left knee wound complication, a non-Hodgkins lymphoma, after bilateral total knee arthroplasties. After exploring several etiologies, the evidence in this unusual case suggests a coincidental preexisting lymphoma.
Internet forewarning effects on ratings of attraction

This study investigates interpersonal attraction and the use of forewarning messages on the Internet. Male and female participants observed four photographs of the opposite sex on-line. Half of the participants were given a forewarning about the use of deception on the Internet before they rated the person depicted in the target photo. The control group was not exposed to the forewarning but instead read a general statement describing the Internet. Participants rated the photos for attractiveness, how likely they would be to engage in an on-line conversation with the person in the photo, and how likely they would be to accept a date with the person in the photo. The target photo's attractiveness and socioeconomic status were varied. The results indicated that a forewarning message might induce cautiousness among those using the Internet. Experimental group participants rated target photos as less attractive compared to those who were not shown a forewarning message, and were less likely to want to converse with or date the people depicted in the on-line photos. The implications of these findings in regard to Internet social behavior are discussed.