cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elucidation of consistent enantioselectivity for a homologous series of chiral compounds in homochiral metal-organic frameworks.

The members of a homologous series of chiral compounds often show inconsistent enantioselectivities when separated on the same chiral stationary phase. The reasons behind this are subject to debate due to the lack of an efficient way to probe the molecular level separation mechanisms on conventional chiral stationary phases. Homochiral metal–organic frameworks (HMOFs) are a family of new porous, crystalline materials that can be used as chiral stationary phases. The regular structures of HMOFs make possible the detailed interrogation of chiral separation mechanisms through molecular modeling. In this report, molecular modeling techniques were used to study the enantioselectivities of a homologous series of chiral compounds in two different HMOFs. We demonstrate that a shift in the adsorption site is one reason for the lack of a correlation between the enantioselectivities of a homologous series of chiral compounds. In addition, we demonstrate that a smooth HMOF pore can help preserve the adsorption site and the separation mechanism, and hence achieve consistent enantioselectivity for a homologous series of chiral compounds.
Antiovulatory antagonists of LHRH related to antide

We report 104 analogues of the potent antiovulatory antagonist of LHRH, N-Ac-D-Nal-D-Cpa-D-Pal-Ser-Lys(Nic)-D-Lys(Nic)-Leu-Ilys-Pro-D-Ala- NH2, Antide. We replaced the Nic group in Antide with other acyl substituents to modulate size, hydrophilicity or basicity of the molecule, we also replaced the Lys residues with shorter basic amino acids, and made cyclic 5/6 analogues as well as position 5 or 6 dimers. We substituted Ilys8 with other alkyl groups and acyl derivatives. When injected in 0.1% DMSO in water in a typical antiovulatory (AO) assay. Antide gives six rats ovulating out of eight (6/8) at 2 micrograms, 4/8 at 4 micrograms, and in the histamine release assay (HRA). ED50 is > 300 micrograms/ml; [Lys(N-Isobutyl)8]Antide gave 2/8 at 2 micrograms/rat; [Lys (8-Qis)5]Antide gave 1/8 at 1 microgram, and 0/8 at 2 micrograms, and in the HRA ED50. 22 micrograms/ml; [D-Lys(8-Qis)5]Antide gave 4/8 at 1 microgram and 0/8 at 2 micrograms, and in the HRA, ED50 was 27 micrograms/ml; [Lys(8-Qic)8] gave 5/8 at 1 microgram 1/8 at 2 micrograms/ [Lys(2-Pyc)6]Antide gave 3/8 at 1 microgram, and 0/8 at 2 micrograms, and in the HRA ED50 was 116 micrograms/ml; [D-Lys (2-Pyc)5]Antide gave 5/8 at 1 microgram and in the HRA, ED50 was 100- > 300 micrograms/ml; [Lys(2-Pyc)5.D-Lys(2-Pyc)6]Antide gave 2/8 at 1 microgram. The substitutions of the Nic groups of Antide at Lys5 or D-Lys6 with 8-Qis or with 2-Pyc groups seem to give highly potent antiovulatory antagonists of LHRH and constitute significant new leads to generate potent antiovulatory compounds endowed with moderate or low histamine release.
Remembering and Forgetting: The Relationship Between Memory and the Abandonment of Graves in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Greek Cemeteries

This paper examines the concept of commemoration as an expression of social memory and its relationship to time and space as manifested through the mortuary evidence from Modern Greek cemeteries. Of particular interest is the act of commemoration itself: who remembers whom and the length of time that this type of memory endures. Based on evidence collected from a number of different cemeteries in northern Kythera and the eastern Corinthia, I argue that memory at the nuclear family level determines the length of time a grave is remembered as a physical location. Once this memory ceases to exist, the grave gradually enters a process of neglect, which ultimately leads to its abandonment. Some abandoned graves are recycled for use by other families who, in the absence of any recollection or memory of the grave, remove and destroy the old monuments (if they exist) and the remains of the previous occupants. Particular burial spaces are, thus, reclaimed by new groups.
Propagation of Sense Signals in Large-Scale Magnetic Thin Film Memories

A dynamic analysis has been made of the behavior of sense signals in large-scale magnetic thin film memories. The timed effects of attenuation, distortion, cross coupling and interconnection are superimposed on the transmitted waveforms. The computed signals can be used as a design guide to determine the length of sense lines, the number of intersecting word lines, the sense amplifier requirements, etc. The key limiting factors are the resistance of lines and the capacitance at the line intersections. Design criteria are discussed.
Sand pits as habitats for beetles (Coleoptera): does area affect species number and composition?

Species living in open sandy habitats are declining in northern Europe because of habitat loss and degradation. However, mining of sand creates potential new habitats for these species in the form of sand pits. In this study we investigated the beetle fauna in sand pits in order to determine what kind of sand pits are the most valuable for conservation, in terms of sand pit area (primarily) and the proportion of sand material, vegetation cover, tree cover and edge habitats. Thirteen sand pits in Uppsala County, Sweden, ranging in size from 0.02 to 18 ha, were included in this study. A total of 2,500 individuals of beetles, belonging to 256 species, were sampled by pitfall traps. Thirty-nine of the species were classified as specialized sand-dwelling species and two were Swedish Red List species. We found that the area of sand pits affects both species number and species composition of beetles. A positive species-area relationship was found, best explained by a quadratic power function, for the habitat-specific species (i.e., sand species). Our recommendation is to prioritize sand pits with areas between 0.3 and 5 ha, with preference towards the lower end of this range, for conserving sand-dwelling beetles.
Heavy traffic analysis of dynamic cyclic policies: a unified treatment of the single machine scheduling problem

This paper examines how setups, due dates, and the mix of standardized and customized products affect the scheduling of a single machine operating in a dynamic and stochastic environment. We restrict ourselves to the class of dynamic cyclic policies, where the machine busy/idle policy and lot-sizing decisions are controlled in a dynamic fashion, but different products must be produced in a fixed sequence. As in earlier work, we conjecture that an averaging principle holds for this queueing system in the heavy traffic limit, and optimize over the class of dynamic cyclic policies. The results allow for a detailed discussion of the interactions between the due-date, setup, and product mix facets of the problem.
Residual Stress Measurements in Welded and Plastically Deformed Target Structural Materials

Transmutation of spent nuclear fuels (SNF) is currently being considered to transform long-lived isotopes to species with relatively short half-lives and reduced radioactivity through capture and decay of minor actinides and fission products. This process is intended for geologic disposal of SNF for shorter durations in the proposed repository at the Yucca Mountain site. The structural material (Type 304L stainless steel/Alloy EP-823) surrounding the transmutation target will be subjected to welding operation and plastic deformation during fabrication, which could induce residual stresses in it. Destructive ring-core, and nondestructive x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and positron annihilation spectroscopic techniques were used to evaluate residual stresses in welded and cold-worked specimens of both materials. The results indicate that, in general, for a welded specimen consisting of Alloy EP-823 and Type 304L stainless steel on opposite sides, compressive and tensile residual stresses were observed in the former and latter materials, respectively. However, a welded specimen consisting of only Alloy EP-823 on both sides showed tensile residual stresses. The extent of residual stresses in cold-worked specimens was enhanced with increased level of cold-reduction. In case of a bent specimen, compressive and tensile residual stresses were noticed in the convex and concave sides, respectively.
Novel applications of topological indices. 3. prediction of the vapor pressure in polychlorinated biphenyls

In an attempt to correlate the vapor pressure of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds with their molecular structure, use was made of a number of topological indices. Included in our study were the Wiener index, W; the Balaban distance sum connectivity index; J; several of the Randic molecular connectivity indices, namely 0 χ through 2 χ, 3 χ p through 6χp, 3 χ c through 5 χ c, 4 χ pc through 6χpc and 6χCH (both simple and valence terms); and the chlorine number, n CI. Excellent correlations were obtained for two different temperatures, viz. 25°C and 100°C. It is demonstrated that the indices which correlate best at these two temperatures are in general not the same.
Caution About Overinterpretation of Symptom Indexes in Reflux Monitoring for Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Background & Aims Symptom index (SI) and symptom association probability (SAP) are indexes used to analyze data collected from ambulatory pH and/or impedance monitoring and quantify the association between symptoms and reflux events. However, their characteristics are not well defined. We measured factors that affect SI and SAP values to determine their utility in assessing patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 254 patients with poor responses to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Participants underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and wireless pH (n = 127) or impedance/pH monitoring when they were not receiving PPI therapy (n = 41) or impedance/pH monitoring while they received twice-daily PPI therapy (n = 86). SI and SAP values were calculated individually; ranges of values for each cell in the 2 × 2 contingency table were determined. Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to determine how varying reflux and symptom rates within the contingency table impacted the expected value and variability in SI and SAP. Results At best, only 33% of patients who were refractory to PPI therapy had positive SI or SAP scores for acid or nonacid reflux events. Abnormal SAP (>95%) and SI (>50%) scores required high rates of reflux. At reflux rates less than 10%, observed in 70% of the studied population, SI and SAP values were largely determined by chance occurrences, rather than the relationship between symptoms and reflux. The values for each index varied significantly day-to-day. Conclusions SI or SAP indexes can be overinterpreted, unless patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who are refractory to PPI therapy have high rates of reflux.
Endothelium-dependent responses in coronary arteries are changed with puberty in male pigs

In humans, cardiovascular disease begins in young adulthood and is more prevalent in males than females. However, little is known about vascular function during transition to adulthood in males. Th...
Patient-Specific Model of Iris Mechanics

Over 2 million Americans suffer from glaucoma [1]. Certain types of glaucoma are directly related to the iris contour. For example, some cases of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) involved with pupillary block, which the iris is abnormally positioned towards the anterior [2]. Generally, the iris contour is determined by two factors: external stresses arising from the flow of the aqueous humor (AH) and internal stresses due to the passive and active components of the constituent tissues.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Animal model for evaluating bone repair with and without adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO): comparing dose schedules.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the healing of standardized metaphyseal defects in the cortices of rat femurs was studied. The question was whether a known total amount of HBO given twice a day (BID) would have a different effect than once a day (QD) treatments. A microvascular casting technique was developed whereby vessel ingrowth at the repair site could be monitored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bone repair morphology was evaluated by light microscopy (LM) and various tissue components were quantified by histomorphometry (HM). Animals were sacrificed I, 2, 3, or 5 weeks postoperatively. SEM revealed that endosteal bone ingrowth was totally responsible for the repair of the cortical defects. Moreover, endosteal vessel ingrowth did not differ between controls and either group of HBO treated animals. LM displayed enchondral ossification in controls and BID treated animals and a pronounced osteoclastic activity in the latter group throughout the repair process. By contrast the QD trea...
DNA-binding domains of fibronectin probed using Western blots.

Abstract Human plasma fibronectin was subjected to limited proteolysis, and its DNA-reactive polypeptides were distinguished using the protein blot technique. The polypeptides were separated electrophoretically by SDS gel electrophoresis, transferred to nitrocellulose and probed with radiolabeled human lymphocyte DNA. The major DNA-binding domains identified by the protein blots were comparable to the polypeptides identified using affinity chromatography on DNA-cellulose.
Novel 5' exonuclease-based real-time PCR assay for the detection of t(14 ; 18) (q32 ; q21) in patients with follicular lymphoma

The exonuclease-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) exploits 5′→3′ exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase and measures PCR product accumulation as the reaction proceeds through a dual-labeled fluorogenic probe. The utility of this exonuclease-based PCR assay as a rapid alternative to conventional PCR for follicular lymphoma-associated t(14;18)(q32;q21) was evaluated in this study. The specificity of the assay for t(14;18) involving bcl-2 and immunoglobulin heavy-chain joining region ( JH ) genes was assessed by analyzing DNA from 53 patients (38 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and 15 nonneoplastic proliferations) and correlating the exonuclease PCR data with conventional PCR results. bcl-2/JH fusion sequences were detected by exonuclease-based PCR in 24 of 25 cases shown to be bcl-2 rearranged by conventional PCR. Fusion sequences were not detected in patients who were negative by conventional PCR. The overall concordance between the two assays was 98% (52 of 53 cases concordant positive or negative). In a serial dilution study using t(14;18)-positive cell line DNA, exonuclease-based PCR detected fusion sequences at DNA concentrations of 5 pg, equivalent to 0.6 to 0.8 genomes per reaction. Thus, this study demonstrated that exonuclease-based PCR for t(14;18) is both specific and highly sensitive. The elimination of the post-PCR amplicon detection steps and the ability to quantitate the input target DNA sequences make this assay ideal for routine diagnostics and monitoring minimal residual disease.
Novel technique for the characterization of photorefractive materials

A technique for real time direct measurement of both the amplitude and phase of photorefractive space charge fields during grating formation is presented. Photorefractive gratings are formed by the interference pattern of two intensity modulated beams. The two beams are single sideband modulated at the same RF frequency but are of opposite frequency shift. A detector tuned to the modulation frequency is used to monitor the time development of both the amplitude and phase of the photorefractive grating using a heterodyne detection scheme. This technique provides substantial dynamic range and the necessary sensitivity for the detection of refractive index changes as small as 10-8 and phase changes as small as 1 degree(s). Data is presented for the build-up of the amplitude and phase of the photorefractive space-charge fields. The photorefractive physical properties of these crystals including diffusion transport length, photovoltaic transport length, screening length, and the mobility free carrier lifetime product are determined.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vanadium (IV) benzenedicarboxylate: A novel adsorbent for selective separations

The crystal structure of VOBDC (BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) has a 1-dimensional channel system with apertures of ∼8 A, and shows remarkable flexibility upon adsorption/desorption of various guest molecules in the channels. VOBDC can selectively and rapidly adsorb organic molecules containing sulfur on exposure to a 5% CH4/He stream with different contents of thiophene or dimethyl sulfide at ambient temperature. Selective uptake of thiophene from liquid octane with thiophene concentrations from 2000 ppmw down to 100 ppmw is also observed. X-ray crystallographic data show that the adsorbed thiophene molecules adopt a herringbone packing arrangement within the channels of VOBDC while adsorbed dimethyl sulfide molecules are disordered among several positions in the channels with the sulfur atoms pointing toward the channel walls. The observed adsorptive capacities for thiophene and dimethyl sulfide are 155 mg and 208 mg sulfur per gram of VOBDC, respectively, consistent with the crystal structure data.
Half-lives of 90Sr and 137Cs

The half-lives of 90Sr and 137Cs have been measured both by specific activity and by direct decay over periods of 6–10 years. The results of the decay measurements are 28·0 ± 0·4 years for 90Sr and 29·9 ± 0·5 years for 137Cs; the values obtained by specific activity measurements are 28·5 ± 0·9 years for 90Sr and 30·9 ± 0·7 years for 137Cs. Recommended “best” values for these half-lives based on current literature values are 28·1 ± 0·3 years for 90Sr and 30·0 ± 0·2 years for 137Cs.
Efficient Monte Carlo trial moves for polypeptide simulations

A new move set for the Monte Carlo simulations of polypeptide chains is introduced. It consists of a rigid rotation along the (C(alpha)) ends of an arbitrary long segment of the backbone in such a way that the atoms outside this segment remain fixed. This fixed end move, or FEM, alters only the backbone dihedral angles phi and psi and the C(alpha) bond angles of the segment ends. Rotations are restricted to those who keep the alpha bond angles within their maximum natural range of approximately +/-10 degrees. The equations for the angular intervals (tau) of the allowed rigid rotations and the equations required for satisfying the detailed balance condition are presented in detail. One appealing property of the FEM is that the required number of calculations is minimal, as it is evident from the simplicity of the equations. In addition, the moving backbone atoms undergo considerable but limited displacements of up to 3 A. These properties, combined with the small number of backbone angles changed, lead to high acceptance rates for the new conformations and make the algorithm very efficient for sampling the conformational space. The FEMs, combined with pivot moves, are used in a test to fold a group of coarse-grained proteins with lengths of up to 200 residues.
Vertical natural convection flows in porous media: Calculations of improved accuracy

Abstract Higher-order corrections to the boundary layer solutions have been obtained for vertical natural convection flows in porous media. The analysis of Cheng and Chang [Lett. Heat Mass Transfer 6, 253–258 (1979)] has been extended to a uniform heat flux surface condition and to plane plume flows. Matched asymptotic solutions up to O(e2) have been obtained for these downstream temperature variations. For the isothermal surface condition, there was no correction in either temperature or velocity up to O(e). However, it has been found that the first eigenfunction for this condition coincides with the O(e2) term in the inner expansion. This makes the second-order correction indeterminate. For the uniform surface flux flow, the ratio of the corrected local Nusselt number to its value from the simplest boundary layer result is 1+0.3333e+0.0201e2. For the plane plume, the ratio of the downstream centerline temperature excess to its value for the simplest solution is l+0.4714e+0.4760e2, The Prandtl number is absorbed in the transformations. The new results are more accurate values of transport quantities for these flows, in the Rayleigh number range of practical interest.
Successful african American male youth: A psychosocial profile

This preliminary study was conducted to discern possible themes in the lives of adolescent African American males who demonstrate mastery of their environment. The investigation took place in an urban school system with five male youths who were nominated by school officials as being successful, both academically and socially. Findings suggest that there are a number of psychological and social themes in the lives of these young men that may contribute to their success.
WT1 peptide vaccinations induce CD4 and CD8 T cell immune responses in patients with mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer

The transcription factor, WT1, is highly overexpressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and immunohistochemical stains for WT1 are used routinely to aid in its diagnosis. Using computer prediction analysis we designed analog peptides derived from WT1 sequences by substituting amino acids at key HLA-A0201 binding positions. We tested the safety and immunogenicity of a WT1 vaccine comprised of four class I and class II peptides in patients with thoracic neoplasms expressing WT1. Therapy consisted of six subcutaneous vaccinations administered with Montanide adjuvant on weeks 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, with 6 additional monthly injections for responding patients. Injection sites were pre-stimulated with GM-CSF (70 mcg). Immune responses were evaluated by DTH, CD4 T-cell proliferation, CD8 T-cell interferon gamma release, intracellular cytokine staining, WT1 peptide MHC-tetramer staining, and cytotoxicity against WT1 positive tumor cells. Nine patients with MPM and 3 with NSCLC were vaccinated, with 8 patients receiving at least 6 vaccinations; in total, 10 patients were evaluable for immune response. Six out of nine patients tested demonstrated CD4 T-cell proliferation to WT1 specific peptides, and five of the six HLA-A0201 patients tested mounted a CD8 T-cell response. Stimulated T cells were capable of cytotoxicity against WT-1 positive cells. Vaccination also induced polyfunctional CD8 T cell responses. This multivalent WT1 peptide analog vaccine induces immune responses in a high proportion of patients with thoracic malignancies with minimal toxicity. A randomized trial testing this vaccine as adjuvant therapy in MPM is planned.
Signal peptides: exquisitely designed transport promoters

Prokaryotic proteins destined for transport out of the cytoplasm typically contain an N-terminal extension sequence, called the signal peptide, which is required for export. It is evident that many secretory proteins utilize a common export system, yet the signal sequences themselves display very little primary sequence homology. In attempting to understand how different signal peptides are able to promote protein secretion through the same pathway, the physical features of natural signal sequences have been extensively examined for similarities that might play a part in function. Experimental data have confirmed statistical analyses which highlighted dominant features of natural signal sequences in Escherichia coli: a net positive charge in the N-terminus increases efficiency of transport; the core region must maintain a threshold level of hydrophobicity within a range of length limitations; the central portion adopts an alpha-helical conformation in hydrophobic environments; and the signal cleavage region is ideally six residues long, with small side-chain amino acids in the -1 and -3 positions. This review focuses on the parallels between signal peptide physical features and their functions, which emerge when the results of a variety of experimental approaches are combined. The requirement for each property may be ascribed to a potential interaction that is critical for efficient protein export. The summation of the key physical features produces signal peptides with the flexibility to function in multiple roles in order to expedite secretion. In this way, nature has indeed evolved exquisitely tuned signal sequences.
Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during voluntary diving in Weddell seals: Evidence of preferred pathways from blood chemsitry and behavior

The salient features of this study in the order of significance as we perceive them are: 1. Post-dive arterial lactic acid concentrations were at no time different from resting levels unless the previous dive exceeded 20 to 25 min (Fig. 5). 2. Peak lactate concentration was correlated to dive durations (Fig. 6). 3. Only 2.7% of the dives of free-ranging seals exceed 26 min (Table 3 and Fig. 7). 4. There was a notable drop in body temperature during prolonged dives to as low as 34.9 ~ (Table 2). 5. Arterial hemoglobin concentrations immediately after dives (22.7 g%) were significantly higher than concentrations in resting animals (17.4g%) (Fig. 3). 6. Blood glucose after dives always rose above resting levels. 7. pH was in the normal mammalian range except after very long dives; in these cases the pH fell as low as 6.8 (Fig. 4). 8. Blood gases were in the normal mammalian range, but based upon resting apneic values Pao2 may drop to remarkably low levels during prolonged dives.
A Methodology for the Indirect Determination and Spatial Resolution of Shear Modulus of PDMS−Silica Elastomers

A methodology is described that allows for the spatial resolution of shear modulus in silica-filled PDMS elastomers via {sup 1}H relaxation measurements and stray-field imaging (STRAFI) techniques. Traditional Hahn echoes provide a simple, robust route to the extraction of a proton residual dipolar coupling constant (RDC), a direct measure of chain mobility and a parameter that can be corollated to numerous mechanical properties. Defining a dimensionless RDC eliminates any artifacts associated with low-field measurement and allows the RDC to become independent of field strength. A direct correlation between the NMR determined dimensionless RDC and results from dynamic mechanical analysis is presented, then employed via STRAFI to determine spatial variations in moduli associated with irradiated elastomeric materials. Reliable performance, despite poorly optimized STRAFI conditions, is demonstrated with an error of no more than 22% between the calculated shear modulus and the measured value via DMA.
UV dosimetry by ZnS electret discharge

Abstract A method of UV dosimetry is described which depends on electret depolarization in single crystal and powder specimens of ZnS by the incoming radiation. The residual polarization can be measured by optical or thermal readout procedures. In both cases, the mechanism is electronic. The dosimetric characteristics of these systems are described and comparisons made with corresponding dosimetric procedures based on pyroelectricity and current-glow. Measurements of the type described also yield information on trap distributions in insulators.
Sol-gel coating of fiber tows

The filaments of alumina fiber tows were continuously coated with many different oxides by passing them upward through a water-based sol with hexane floating on top, and then through a heat-treatment furnace. The sol wets the alumina-hexane interface and hexane probably wets the sol-air interface, which causes displacement of excess sol between the filaments.Therefore there was little bridging of coating between filaments and the tows were not cemented together. The coatings were characterized by optical microscopy, SEM, and TEM. Coating thicknesses ranged from 0.005 to 0.1 micron per pass, and 0.5 to 2.5-micron thicknesses were observed when thirteen coatings were applied sequentially. The major flaws in the coatings appeared to be caused by peeling and subsequent overcoating on later passes; this could probably be controlled by using sols that gel with higher green strength. 19 refs.
Light scattering for aerogel characterization

Abstract Light scattering is a useful tool to evaluate aerogel clarity, study its structure, pore size, mechanical strain, and examine the modes of sol–gel evolution that determine its microstructure. Ultraviolet–visible transmission spectroscopy can be used to study the wavelength dependent scattering to readily compare aerogels of differing origins, thickness, and to evaluate effects of residual contaminants. Infrared reflectance measurements can be used to determine the effective real and imaginary indices of refraction of porous aerogel materials for material property and radiant heat transfer studies. Measurements of scattering at a fixed angle can be used for quality control, to evaluate sources of scattering, and study inhomogeneities. Measurement of the Mueller matrix (describing the 16-element angle-dependent transformation of intensity and polarization of incident to scattered light) provides information about the anisotropy, large pore fraction, induced stresses, microstructure and inhomogeneities in the aerogel. The time evolution of scattering before and after gel formation gives information.
Longitudinal Models in the Behavioral and Related Sciences. K. van Montfort, J. Oud, & A. Satorra (Eds.)

Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., 2007, 447 pages, $52.50. This book consists of 17 chapters commissioned by the three editors to provide state-of-the-art presentations of longitudinal...
Isoflurane, but not mild hypothermia, depresses the human pupillary light reflex.

The pupillary light reflex is often evaluated in the perioperative period as a measure of cranial nerve and midbrain integrity. Although surgical concentrations of some anesthetic agents and severe hypothermia qualitatively alter the light reflex, confounding factors frequently present during postanesthetic recovery have not been specifically quantified. We therefore studied 12 volunteers to determine the effects of residual isoflurane concentrations and typical (mild) hypothermia on the human pupillary light reflex. Young, healthy volunteers were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) normothermic isoflurane-oxygen anesthesia; 2) isoflurane-oxygen anesthesia with 2.2 +/- 0.5 degree C central hypothermia; and 3) central hypothermia (1.6 +/- 0.3 degree C) without anesthesia, induced by internal jugular infusion of iced lactated Ringer's solution. In normothermic anesthetized volunteers, the amplitude of the light reflex was depressed 80-90% at end-tidal concentrations greater than 0.5% isoflurane: reflex (percent of control) = 14 - 67.log (percent isoflurane); r = -0.92. In the mildly hypothermic anesthetized volunteers, pupillary responses were not statistically different from those in anesthetized normothermic volunteers: reflex (percent of control) = 16 - 62.log (percent isoflurane); r = -0.97. Hypothermia alone did not alter the magnitude of the light reflex. Our data suggest that mild hypothermia does not depress the light reflex but that isoflurane reversibly depresses the light reflex in a dose-related manner.
Distribution of plasmids in groundwater bacteria

Bacteria isolated from groundwater aquifer core materials of pristine aquifers at Lula and Pickett, OK, and from a site with a history of aromatic hydrocarbon contamination and natural renovation located at Conroe, TX, were screened for the presence of plasmid DNA by alkaline or enzyme lysis and agarose gel techniques. Some of the isolates were also subjected to taxonomic tests in addition to screening for resistance to antibiotics, tolerance to heavy metal salts, and bacteriocin production. There was no significant difference in the distribution of the traits usually associated with plasmid occurrence in isolates from the three sites. These traits, which occurred at low frequencies, were not restricted to plasmid-bearing strains of the communities. Plasmids were found in isolates from all three sites, but on the average there was a significantly higher percentage of isolates containing plasmids in the samples from Conroe (19.4%) than from either Lula (1.8%) or Pickett (7.7%). The sizes of the plasmids found ranged between 3.5 and 202 kilobases but, for the Conroe samples, many more isolates (67%) contained smaller plasmids (<10 kb) rather than larger ones. No plasmids were found in bacteria recovered from naturally renovated aquifer material at the Conroe site.
TSV density-driven global placement for 3D stacked ICs

Via-first through-silicon vias (TSVs) are manufactured through bulk silicon and connected to landing pads in metal layers. Landing pads are made large enough to cover the top surface of TSVs entirely so that TSV-to-landing pad connections become invulnerable to uncertainties such as misalignment between TSVs and landing pads. Large landing pads, however, could lead to metal density mismatch problems, which result in nonuniform topography. In this paper, we investigate the metal density mismatch problem in 3D ICs and propose a TSV density-driven 3D global placement algorithm to minimize topography variation in 3D IC layouts. The experimental results show that we achieve 1.86× improvement in the range of metal 1 densities and 2.10× improvement in the maximum metal 1 density gradient with just 2.3% wirelength overhead. We also present additional studies such as the impact of landing pad size on metal density.
Electron trapping, nitride conduction, and forward gain instability in a lateral p-n-p device

The increase in the forward gain of a lateral p-n-p device under forward-bias stress conditions is discussed. The phenomenon has been characterized as a function of collector-base voltage, emitter current, and stress temperature. The results are interpreted as electron trapping at the interface between the passivation oxide and a silicon nitride overlayer. The trapping behavior is further modified by the finite conductivity of the silicon nitride. A quasi-empirical model for the effect incorporating the hot-electron injection and the nitride conduction has been developed. >
Adolescent oncology unit: An attempt at normalcy

M OST authorities believe that hospitalized children receive better care when they are grouped according to their developmental levels rather than diagnoses. Prior to the 196Os, state and national regulating agencies and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals reviewed requirements and standards of pediatric hospitals and units. The upper age designation for these areas varied from 1 1 years to 16 years, with little consistency or rationale. The developmental grey area for most health care institutions depended upon the disease, the physician’s specialty, and space availability and/or physical size. Even as late as 1978, the American Academy of Pediatrics did not strongly endorse the need for a separate adolescent unit. In more recent years, however, health care professionals have become aware of the degree to which the patient’s reaction to the disease dominates the ultimate outcome.’ As a result, the care of the adolescent has evolved into a recognized subspeciality. At the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, the adolescent unit has been in operation for over 4 years. In a Comprehensive Cancer Center, where units are designated by disease and/or therapy, the opportunity to open an adolescent unit with significant administrative and medical endorsement has been a unique and rewarding experience. Under the philosophical leadership of Dr Jan Van Eys, our goal was to create as normal an environment as possible for the hospitalized adolescent with cancer. This goal has contributed to the overall approach, structure, and design of the unit. Presently we are continuing to refine, enhance, and improve upon this concept. In fact, this year a “Kick-Off Party” will mark our continued efforts toward creating such a setting. Equal to the goal of effectively treating the ado-
Relationship between immunosuppression and osteoporosis in an outpatient liver transplant clinic

Background. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between immunosuppression, disease state, and osteoporosis in an outpatient liver transplant clinic. Methods. All liver transplant recipients visiting an outpatient transplant clinic received bone density scanning with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) device of the calcaneal bone after completing a questionnaire assessing risk and medications currently being used. Results. Of the 137 liver transplant (OLT) recipients completing questionnaires and receiving DEXA screening, patients with low bone density (n = 50) were older (56.6 ± 12.7 years vs 50.2 ± 10.1 years; P = .02) compared with normal density patients (n = 87) and were predominantely female (64.0% vs 35.6%; P = .01). Based on disease state, patients with cholestatic liver failure had lower bone calcaneal area (17.3 ± 1.3 cm 2 vs 18.9 ± 1.57 cm 2 ; P <.01). Patients taking tacrolimus (n = 112), as compared with cyclosporine (n = 25), had a tendency toward fewer findings of low bone density (37.5% [42 of 112] vs 56.0% [14 of 25]; P =.08) but had more risk factors (3.1 ± 1.2 vs 2.1 ± 0.8; P =.001) and a higher prednisone dose (4.4 ± 5.9 mg/d vs 2.1 ± 3.8 mg/d; P =.026). For patients weaned from prednisone, the tacrolimus patients were less likely to have low bone density (36.2% vs 68.8%; P =.02). Mycophenolate mofetil did not influence bone density or area measured. Conclusions. After liver transplantation, patients taking cyclosporine were more likely to have low bone density compared with those taking tacrolimus.
Designing, managing and evaluating organization development projects for improving the performance of rural development organizations

Abstract This paper delineates some of the normative principles for designing, executing and appraising organizational development (OD) projects in low-income countries. As a point of reference it describes aspects of change efforts aimed at improving the performance of a single rural development organization (e.g. Ministry of Agriculture). The central propositions developed here are: (a) that a successful OD project employs training and consulting methods that are highly experiential and interactive; (b) that a favourable OD project design permits flexibility in moving among various organizational units and/or organizations as opportune circumstances arise; (c) that suitable leaders for such projects are those who are exemplary managers and skilful organizational consultants; and (d) that useful project evaluation derives from an orientation that is more process focused than product focused.
Reverse calorimetry of a supercooled liquid: Propylene carbonate

Abstract Using propylene carbonate as an example for a glass-forming liquid with generic behaviour, a technique based on dielectric relaxation experiments at high electric fields is reviewed and explained in unprecedented detail. Analogous to microwave heating, the sample absorbs energy from the field, and the resulting configurational changes are measured and linked to the configurational modes of the heat capacity. Evidence is provided for the heterogeneous nature of the slow degrees of freedom that are responsible for the heat capacity step near T g . Moreover, the thermal and dielectric relaxation times are not only subject to the same overall dispersion, but are locally correlated and the dielectric and thermal time constants are identical within a 15% margin. Only for the fastest few percent of the thermal relaxation times can deviations from these correlations be found.
Developing and testing an online breastfeeding training among undergraduate nursing students

The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies have been well documented in the scientific literature, with new evidenceabout the benefits continuing to emerge. The Surgeon General’s call to action to support breastfeeding recommends mandatorybreastfeeding education and training for all healthcare providers that deliver care to mothers and babies. The purpose of thisstudy is to analyze the development of an online computer based breastfeeding training (BT) and the preliminary outcomesof this training. The development of this training included consultation with content and technology experts. The collectionof preliminary outcomes related to breastfeeding knowledge data and evaluation of the online BT was pre and posttest study.Eighty six undergraduate nursing students completed the online BT using Blackboard Learn. The online component of the BTconsisted of five modules with a combined length of approximately 16 hours. After the completion of the modules, the studentsincreased their levels of knowledge related to breastfeeding and the majority believed that they were fully able to perform skillsto support breastfeeding. The results of this study indicate that a successful BT for nursing students can be effectively designed,which can in the future be disseminated to other healthcare providers and students. In addition, this online BT was cost-efficientand effective in improving students’ knowledge and skills to support breastfeeding.
A Symbolic Interactionist Analysis of Politics

The purpose of this article will be to outline a symbolic interactionist approach to the study of politics in the United States. In the course of this presentation, the basic assumptions and concepts of the interactionist perspective will be presented, culminating in a model of society as a negotiated order. This model in conjunction with definitions of power and politics will provide the basis for analyzing the processes of power. The article will focus on and emphasize two mechanisms of power, information flow control and symbolic mobilization of support, which have previously been unrecognized and unan-alyzed. In the conclusion, the strengths and weaknesses of the approach will be discussed.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Supersonic Compression-Ramp Flow by High-Order Method

A high-order method is used to perform large-eddy simulations of a supersonic compression-ramp flowfield. The procedure employs an implicit approximately factored finite difference algorithm, which is used in conjunction with a 10th-order nondispersive filter. Spatial derivatives are approximated by a sixth-order compact scheme, and Newton-like subiterations are applied to achieve second-order temporal accuracy. In the region of strong shock waves, the compact differencing of convective fluxes is replaced locally by an upwind-biased scheme. Both the Smagorinsky and dynamic subgrid-scale stress models are incorporated in the simulations. Details of the method are summarized, and a number of computations are carried out. Comparisons are made between the respective solutions as well as with available experimental data and with previous numerical results
Mechanical Behavior of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Plutonium

Abstract Plutonium is a highly unusual metal displaying six allotropic phases between room temperature and 550 Centigrade. The crystal structures present vary from low-density high-symmetry cubic phases to high-density low-symmetry monoclinic phases, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for the researcher. In addition, the properties of plutonium may change over time due to radioactive decay, introducing radiation damage and causing changes in chemistry.Castings of high-density Plutonium were created as part of a research and development effort at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The as-cast material was characterized using a variety of techniques, including resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS), dilatometry, and quasi-static mechanical testing. A brief overview of the experimental technique of RUS as it applies to plutonium will be presented, along with discussion of the elastic moduli of alpha plutonium measured in the newly as-cast state. Compression tests of alpha plutonium and tensile tests of beta and gamma phase plutonium will be presented and compared with previous literature and experiments including older alpha plutonium specimens by previous authors.
Optimized universal color palette design for error diffusion

Currently, many low-cost computers can only simultaneously display a palette of 256 colors. However, this palette is usually selectable from a very large gamut of available colors. For many applications, this limited palette size imposes a significant constraint on the achievable image quality. We propose a method for designing an optimized universal color palette for use with halftoning methods such as error diffusion. The advantage of a universal color palette is that it is fixed and therefore allows multiple images to be displayed simultaneously. To design the palette, we employ a new vector quantization method known as sequential scalar quantization (SSQ) to allocate the colors in a visually uniform color space. The SSQ method achieves near-optimal allocation, but may be efficiently implemented using a series of lookup tables. When used with error diffusion, SSQ adds little computational overhead and may be used to minimize the visual error in an opponent color coordinate system. We compare the performance of the optimized algorithm to standard error diffusion by evaluating a visually weighted mean-squared-error measure. Our metric is based on the color difference in CIE L *a *b , but also accounts for the lowpass characteristic of human contrast sensitivity.
Post-Translational Modifications of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Regulatory Proteins – SUMO and KSHV

KSHV latency can be envisioned as an outcome that is balanced between factors that promote viral gene expression and lytic replication against those that facilitate gene silencing and establish or maintain latency. A large body of work has focused on the activities of the key viral regulatory proteins involved in KSHV latent or lytic states. Moreover, recent studies have also begun to document the importance of epigenetic landscape evolution of the KSHV viral genome during latency and reactivation. However, one area of KSHV molecular virology that remains largely unanswered is the precise role of post-translational modifications on the activities of viral factors that function during latency and reactivation. In this review, we will summarize the post-translational modifications associated with three viral factors whose activities contribute to the viral state. The viral proteins discussed are the two major KSHV encoded transcription factors, K-Rta (KSHV replication and transcriptional activator) and K-bZIP (KSHV basic leucine zipper) and the viral latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA). A special emphasis will be placed on the role of the sumoylation pathway in the modulation of the KSHV lifecycle. Newly uncovered small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-associated properties of LANA and K-Rta will also be presented, namely LANA histone targeting SUMO E3 ligase activity and K-Rta SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase function.
Ultrafast polarization-dependent spectral hole-burning in a nearly amorphous fluoro-aluminum phthalocyanine thin film

Abstract We report the observation of a polarization-dependent spectral hole burned in the Q-band absorption peak of a nearly amorphous fluoro—aluminum phthalocyanine thin film by 130 fs optical pulses at room temperature. The hole is spectrally coincident with the pump pulse and observed only when the pump and probe pulses are temporally overlapped and polarized parallel. Coherent coupling effects appear to be responsible for the spectral hole. The observation of the polarization-dependent spectral hole implies that the two orthogonal polarization states of the system are decoupled, unlike inorganic semiconductors. The initially polarized population created by the pump pulse rapidly relaxes to the bottom of the excited-state manifold and depolarizes.