cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: Mirror-image packing of d- and l-phenylalanine and d- and l-transition state analogs into the active site

Abstract The binding of substrate and product analogs to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) from maize has been studied by a protection method. The ligand dissociation constants, K L , were estimated from the variation with [L] of the pseudo-first-order rate constants for enzyme inactivation by nitromethane. The phenylalanine analogs d - and l -2-aminooxy-3-phenylpropionic acid showed K L , values over 20,000-fold lower than the K m for l -phenylalanine. From these and other K L values it is deduced that when the enzyme binds l -phenylalanine the structural free energy stored in the protein is higher than when it binds the superinhibitors. Models for binding d - and l -phenylalanine and the superinhibitors are described. The enantiomeric pairs are considered to have similar K L values because they pack into the active site in a mirror-image relationship. If the elimination reaction approximates to the least-motion course deduced on stereoelectronic grounds, the mirror-image packing of the superinhibitors into the active site mimics the conformation inferred for a transition state in the elimination. It appears, therefore, that structural changes take place in the enzyme as the transition state conformation is approached causing stored free energy to be released. This lowers the activation free energy for the elimination reaction and accounts for the strong binding by the above analogs.
Failure of Closed Chest Cardiac Massage to Produce Pulmonry Ventilation

SUMMARY (1)Rhythmic sternal pressure produced no tidal exchange in 30 curarized adults with a natural airway and the head unsupported, since lack of backward tilt of the head caused hypopharyngeal obstruction by the tongue. Even when the shoulders were elevated, in order to make the head assume a backward tilt, sternal compressions produced no tidal exchange in 16 of 30 subjects. (2)With a tracheal tube by-passing the upper airway obstruction, sternal compression produced an average tidal volume of 156 ml. (0 to 390 ml.). (3)In patients with cardiac arrest closed chest cardiac massage produced no tidal exchange even with the use of a tracheal tube, while intermittent positive pressure ventilation produced tidal volumes of over 1000 ml. (4)Rhythmic sternal compression failed to reoxygenate five of six hypoxic curarized adults. (5)Closed chest cardiac massage should be accompanied by positive pressure ventilation of the lungs. One of several possible combinations consists of following each lung inflation by four sternal compressions, at one second intervals.
Retinal vasculitis associated with chickenpox.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report retinal vasculitis in a young, immunocompetent Asian female adult with chickenpox. METHODS: Interventional case report. A 32-year-old woman had chickenpox 2 weeks before blurred vision in the left eye. The visual acuity was 20/20 for the right eye and 30/50 for the left eye. The left eye presented keratic precipitates, moderate (2+) cells in the anterior chamber and numerous cells (3+) in the vitreous. The disk was normal. Perivenous exudation was noted mainly in the inferior retina. The sheathed retinal vessels showed late staining but no remarkable leakage on fluorescein angiography. The right eye was normal. RESULTS: After treatment with acyclovir for 10 days, the visual acuity in the left eye improved to 20/20, and the vasculitis resolved. CONCLUSION: Retinal vasculitis may present as a complication of primary varicella infection in an immunocompetent adult.
Dynamic T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging of interstitial laser photocoagulation in the liver: Observations on in vivo temperature sensitivity

Background and Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging's (MRI) potential to monitor interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) has been previously demonstrated and is further tested here with improved spatial and temporal resolution. Study Design/Materials and Methods: In vivo experiments employed fiber-delivered 1,064 nm light (3.0 W, 150 sec) in six rabbit livers monitored under T1-weighted FSE MRI as 1 image/10 sec and a 3 mm thick 8 cm FOV. Image signal intensities (SI) were compared with temperatures (T) at 7,10, and 15 mm from the fiber. Results: Data showed 33°C < T < 60°C. SI did not vary inverse-linearly with T; changes in the tissue altered the MRI signal interfering with the SI changes due to temperature. Conclusion: MRI cannot map SI-derived temperatures over the entire treatment site. The role of MRI's temperature sensitivity must be coordinated with organ- and dose-specific tissue changes.
End of Life Issues in Patients with AIDS: Clinical and Research Considerations

SUMMARYThis paper examines some clinical and research considerations that are important in understanding end of life issues in patients with AIDS. Pain and other medical symptoms, neuropsychiatric complications and psychosocial factors are discussed that impact upon the views such patients may have of palliative care, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia and the desire to hasten death. The importance of increasing physicians' ability to diagnose and treat depression, anxiety, organic mental syndromes, pain and other distressing symptoms is stressed. The possible impact that such treatment may have on obviating the desire to hasten death that stems from unrecognized suffering is discussed. The great social diversity of the AIDS population, and the challenge it poses to palliative care specialists, and a number of social factors that affect end of life issues in our clinical experience and research are described.
Nitric oxide production: a mechanism of Chlamydia trachomatis inhibition in interferon-γ-treated RAW264.7 cells

IFN-γ and/or LPS induced nitrite production and inhibition of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) replication in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between nitrite production and inhibition of CT replication (correlation coefficients: −0.93, P < 0.001). l-NMMA specifically inhibited nitrite production and restored CT replication (55–71%). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was analyzed by Northern and dot blot hybridization with an iNOS cDNA probe. A strong correlation between iNOS mRNA expression and inhibition of CT replication also was observed (correlation coefficient: −0.97, P < 0.05). Furthermore, anti-TNF-α antibody, which completely neutralized biological activity of the secreted TNF-α, neither inhibited nitrite production nor restored CT replication in the LPS- and/or IFN-γ-treated RAW264.7 cells. In mouse peritoneal macrophages treated with IFN-γ, both l-NMMA and anti-TNF-α antibody inhibited nitrite production and restored CT replication. However, l-NMMA and the antibody had no effect upon nitrite production and CT inhibition in LPS-treated peritoneal macrophages. These data indicate that NO production is one mechanism for inhibition of CT replication in IFN-γ-activated murine macrophages.
Seedling growth of Mora gonggrijpii, a large seeded climax species, under different soil and light conditions

Mora gonggrijpii seedlings were harvested on two soil types in small gaps and in the forest understorey. The seedlings appear to be intolerant of lateritic soil with poor drainage either as a result of poor aeration or reduction of the soil which is rich in iron and aluminium. Biomass allocation is not greatly affected on the lateritic soil as compared to the better drained sandy soil. During the initial two months light has no effect on the growth of the seedlings but soil type does. In the same period cotyledon depletion is equal, suggesting higher turnover rates or respiration rates on the poorly drained lateritic soil. From the second to the seventh month light stimulates growth, but Mora gonggrijpii seedlings are not plastic in their morphology. Leaf area remains constant during this period, and no branching is observed in the higher light environment. Specific leaf area, leaf area ration, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate are all among the lowest thus far reported for tree seedlings. Evidence is presented that these characteristics are found often in large seeded (climax) species.
An evaluation of the Decisional Conflict Scale for measuring the quality of end-of-life decision making.

Abstract Objective Researchers and clinicians acknowledge the complexity of planning for future medical treatment desired in the event of incapacitation. Unfortunately, many attempts to evaluate the quality of such difficult planning have been stymied by the lack of measures that can be shown to have validity. This study examines the psychometric characteristics of the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) when used as a measure of patients’ evaluation of their end-of-life decision-making process. Methods This evaluation used the combined data from two independent samples in which 59 outpatients with a life-threatening illness and their surrogate decision makers were assigned to receive, a decision aid intervention, the patient-centered advance care planning (PcACP), or usual care only. Results Internal consistency for the DCS in the end-of-life decision-making context was high. The DCS demonstrated convergent, construct, and discriminant validity based on the total scale scores. Conclusion The DCS appears to be a viable research instrument for measuring the quality of end-of-life decision making. However, the uncertainty subscale showed a weak discriminating ability and lack of association with the two other subscales, the modifiable factors contributing to uncertainty and the effectiveness of the decision making. Practice implications The findings of the study can be useful for measuring decisional conflict in individuals with serious illness facing end-of-life decision making.
Regulation of hepatic growth hormone receptors in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).

Factors potentially regulating hepatic growth hormone (GH) receptors in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) have been investigated. From December to June of the first year, relative changes in hepatic 125I-sGH binding and 35SO4 incorporation by ceratobranchial cartilage were similar. Stunted salmon, which in seawater have elevated plasma GH yet fail to grow, showed lower hepatic 125I-sGH binding than did normally growing seawater salmon. However, MgCl2 treatment of stunts' membranes to reveal total specific binding of 125I-sGH indicated receptor occupation by endogenous sGH. Total specific 125I-sGH binding was low in seawater stunts and remained low if these fish remained unfed after return to fresh water, but increased approximately twofold upon feeding. Total specific binding in fasted salmon in fresh water showed a trend toward decreased levels by 1 week; by 3 weeks, binding was 40% lower than in fed fish. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.600) between condition factor and total specific binding in fed and fasted salmon in fresh water. Two weeks after hypophysectomy total speck binding was 50% lower than in sham-operated control salmon, indicating pituitary regulation of GH receptors. GH treatment reduced both free and total 125I-sGH binding in salmon examined 24 hr after treatment. Treatment with recombinant bovine insulin-like growth factor I, thyroxine, or cortisol did not affect free 125I-sGH binding. Both the pituitary and nutrition appear to be prime regulators of hepatic GH receptors in coho salmon.
Regulation of synaptic structure and function by palmitoylated AMPA receptor binding protein

AMPA receptor binding protein (ABP) is a multi-PDZ domain scaffold that binds and stabilizes AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluR2/3 subunits at synapses. A palmitoylated N-terminal splice variant (pABP-L) concentrates in spine heads, whereas a non-palmitoylated form (ABP-L) is intracellular. We show that postsynaptic Sindbis viral expression of pABP-L increased AMPAR mediated mEPSC amplitude and frequency and elevated surface levels of GluR1 and GluR2, suggesting an increase in AMPA receptors at individual synapses. Spines were enlarged and more numerous and nerve terminals contacting these cells displayed enlarged synaptophysin puncta. A non-palmitoylated pABP-L mutant (C11A) did not change spine density or size. Exogenous pABP-L and endogenous GRIP, a related scaffold, colocalized with NPRAP (delta-catenin), to which ABP and GRIP bind, and with cadherins, which bind NPRAP. Thus postsynaptic pABP-L induces pre and postsynaptic changes that are dependent on palmitoylation and likely achieved through ABP association with a multi-molecular cell surface signaling complex.
Mechanisms of interfacial adhesion in metal–polymer composites – Effect of chemical treatment

Hybrid materials featuring thermoplastic polymer composites in conjunction with metals are being increasingly used as structural materials in military and commercial transport vehicles, and for protection of buildings and infrastructure. Hybrid materials offer improved options compared to its constituents; however the compatibility of the interface between a metal and polymer/composite strongly influences the structural response. This study focuses on the effect of surface treatment to improve adhesion between organic polymer(s) with steel reinforcement. The primary approaches to provide maximize interfacial adhesion are via surface modification to create greater surface area, and to impart free radical surfaces to create new surface bonds with the introduced chemical functionalities. Plasma activated chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) was used to impart silicon, carbon and hydrogen radicals to the metal surface. Thermoplastic polymers namely polypropylene (PP), polypropylene maleic anhydride (PP-MA), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were used to investigate the effect of polar groups (NH, CO and OH) on the surface energy and adhesion. In addition, a thermoset resin embedded with fullerene was also considered to evaluate the interfacial adhesion. The degree of modification of the polymers was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) for the absorption of polar groups. Plasma coating was analyzed by energy dispersive spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (EDS/SEM). The increment in surface energy was determined by contact angle measurements. This work establishes the basis that polar groups and free radicals improve adhesion between a thermoplastic polymer and a metal surface.
Xanthine oxidase as a source of free radical damage in myocardial ischemia.

A growing body of evidence implicates oxygen-derived free radicals as playing an important role in tissue damage incurred as a result of myocardial ischemia (1). The identity of the mediators of cellular damage and especially those responsible for the critical transition from reversible to irreversible injury remains controversial. Over the years ATP depletion, calcium overload, and phosphorylase have all been considered, but recently, the oxygen derived free radicals, superoxide and the hydroxyl radical, have been added to that list. Myocardial damage following a period of ischemia can be divided into two categories. The first of these includes cell death in the region of the heart rendered ischemic. The second type of injury is the electrical instability which gives rise to life-threatening dysrhythmias that often accompany ischemia. Free radicals seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of both types of injury.
Explaining the Effects of Powerless Language Use on the Evaluative Listening Process: A Theory of Implicit Prototypes

Abstract This study examined the effects of forewarning and discounting messages on the evaluational consequences of powerless language use. The specific forewarning message contained information on types of powerless language (including hesitations) and their effects. The general forewarning message excluded mention of hesitations. The discounting message cautioned against making trait attributions based on powerless language behaviors. In Experiment #1, listeners exposed to the specific and general forewarning messages gave lower competence ratings to the lecturer and were less likely to recommend that he be hired as an instructor. The discounting message did not moderate negative evaluations of the lecturer. In Experiment #2, a one week delay was inserted between the forewarning and discounting messages and the oral presentation. No significant differences were found between the activation conditions and the control condition. The results of this study suggest that the theory of implicit prototypes may...
Effect of parathyroidectomy on aluminum toxicity and azotemic bone disease in the rat

In maintenance dialysis patients, low-turnover osteomalacia and aplastic bone disease are generally attributed to aluminum toxicity. Both groups of patients have a relative deficiency of PTH. The reason for the development of osteomalacia versus aplastic bone disease is unclear. The present study was performed to evaluate whether parathyroidectomy (PTX) modifies the effect of aluminum administration on bone histology in renal failure. Seven groups of pair-fed rats were studied: normals (N); renal failure (RF); RF + PTX; PTX; RF + aluminum (AL); RF + PTX + AL; and PTX + AL. Aluminum was administered intraperitoneally 5 days/week for 6 weeks. All groups were sacrificed at 6 weeks. Renal failure increased the serum calcium in both the parathyroid intact (RF versus N, 11 + 0.1 versus 10 + 0.3 mg/dl, X + SEM, P < 0.05) and calcium-supplemented PTX groups (PTX + RF versus PTX, 9.7 + 0.2 versus 9.2 + 0.2 mg/dl, P <0.05). After PTX, aluminum administration increased the serum calcium (PTX + AL versus PTX, 9.8 + 0.3 versus 9.2 + 0.2, P < 0.05, and PTX + RF + AL versus PTX + RF, 10.8 + 0.1 versus 9.7 + 0.2 mg/dl, P < 0.05). In rats with renal failure receiving aluminum, PTX decreased osteoid volume and surface but not osteoid thickness. Rats receiving aluminum did not mineralize bone. Additionally, in PTX rats receiving aluminum, renal failure per se increased osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, osteoid volume, and osteoclast number. In conclusion, (1) aluminum administration in the absence of PTH produced a bone disease that resembled aplastic bone disease, (2) both renal failure and aluminum administration independently increased the serum calcium concentration, and (3) in aluminum-loaded rats, the presence of renal failure independent of PTH resulted in an increase in cellular activity and osteoid deposition.
A modified accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC®) with capabilities for handling gaseous samples under vacuum or an inert atmosphere ☆

A simple modification was made to the accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC®), which has allowed for gaseous samples to be tested without the introduction of air. The modified ARC® can also be used to test solids, liquids, or mixtures of two phases under a particular atmospheric environment with more convenience than in the original ARC®. After the experiment, the gaseous products and/or any unreacted gaseous sample can easily be collected for further characterization. This facilitates one's ability to understand the mechanism of the exothermal reactions. The utility of this modified ARC® was demonstrated by examining the thermal properties and polymerization of 1,1-difluoroethylene.
The Fortuitous Arch: Reconstructing Classical and Christian Interpretations of Sexuality in Kleist's Das Erdbeben in Chili

Kleist's novella, Das Erdbeben in Chili [The Earthquake in Chile], brings together various religious and literary traditions usually seen as mutually exclusive in an exploration of how human sexuality – the physicality of the sexual act, birth and its connection to death – can be known and understood. Among the religious and literary traditions explored in Kleist's novella are the classical notion of sexuality as idyll (pastoral); the Christian idea of sexuality as a fallen state; the Aristotelian notion of tragedy, which posits that (sexual) knowledge leads to change in fortune for the characters, and ultimately towards deeper understanding on the part of the audience; and the Christian notion of drama as revealing abstract spiritual truths in physical actions. Das Erdbeben in Chili unites these apparently contradictory modes of interpretation through the evocation of an architectural feature, the arch, which takes on symbolic significance in relation to the novella's tripartite structure and allows for ...
Endoscopic Resection of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma: A Meta-analysis

Objectives Endoscopic resection has become an increasingly popular method of treating sinonasal inverted papillomas. The literature on endoscopic approaches to inverted papilloma consists primarily of relatively small case series (grade C evidence). This study aims to systematically review and integrate the available literature to objectively compare success rates of endoscopic versus nonendoscopic tumor resection techniques. Study design A systematic review of the literature on resection of inverted papillomas. Methods Comprehensive review of the English-language literature on resection of inverted papillomas was performed. The reports were subdivided into endoscopic approaches versus nonendoscopic approaches, applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our institution’s experience with endoscopic treatment of inverted papilloma was also included. Studies from the era of endoscopic sinus surgery (1992-2004) formed a “contemporary” cohort and were compared with a “historical” cohort developed from the literature between 1970 and 1995. Results Thirty-two studies were included in the contemporary cohort, comprising 714 patients treated endoscopically and 346 patients treated nonendoscopically. Thirteen studies in the historical cohort yielded 692 patients treated nonendoscopically. There was a significantly lower recurrence rate in the contemporary cohort compared with the historical cohort (15% v 20%, P = 0.02). Within the contemporary cohort, endoscopically treated patients had significantly lower recurrences than nonendoscopically treated patients (12% v 20%, P Conclusions A systematic review of the literature supports endoscopic resection as a favorable treatment option for most cases of sinonasal inverted papilloma. EBM rating: B-3a
Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic resolution of the polypeptides of rat liver mitochondria and the outer membrane.

Abstract The proteins of highly purified rat liver mitochondria were resolved by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and detected by staining with either Coomassie blue or silver. Approximately 250 polypeptides were detected with silver staining which is 2- to 3-times that observed with Coomassie blue. Silver staining was especially more effective than Coomassie blue for detecting polypeptides of less than 50 000 daltons. A two-dimensional gel pattern of rat liver microsomes was distinct from that of the mitochondria. The mitochondrial outer membrane was prepared from purified mitochondria either with digitonin or by swelling in a hypotonic medium. As assessed by marker enzymes, the latter method yielded a considerably purer outer membrane preparation (20-fold purification) than the former (2.6-fold purification). Approximately 50 polypeptides were observed in a two-dimensional gel (pH 3—10) of the highly purified outer membrane fraction. Three isoelectric forms of the pore (VDAC) protein were observed with P I values of 8.2, 7.8 and 7.1. Monoamine oxidase was identified as a polypeptide of M r 60 000. About 50 polypeptides were also resolved in a reverse polarity non-equilibrium pH gradiet electrophoresis gel of the outer membrane, pH 3—10, with at least six isoelectric forms of VDAC protein observed under these conditions. The six isoforms of the VDAC protein were also observed in a non-equilibrium gel with 2 μg of the purified protein.
Polymorphism of the cardiac manifestations in dermatomyositis

Cardiac involvement in polymyositis and dermatomyositis usually is asymptomatic and rarely the principal clinical feature at the time of initial presentation. We describe a patient with dermatomyositis who presented with overt acute pericarditis which has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported. Acute pulmonary edema resulting from documented acute myocarditis developed during a second exacerbation. Long-term follow-up failed to demonstrate new cardiac complications during subsequent exacerbations, adding to the known polymorphism of the heart involvement in these systemic disorders.
Direct and Indirect Immunofluorescence as a Diagnostic Adjunct in the Interpretation of Nonneoplastic Medical Lung Disease

Fresh open lung biopsy material from 57 patients was incubated with fluoresceinated complement and immunoglobulin antisera. An indirect immunofluorescent assay using neonatal lung as substrate was conducted as well. Direct immunofluorescent patterns could be categorized into interalveolar septal capillary deposition, large vessel wall localization, alveolar basement membrane localization, or a pauci-immune immunofluorescence pattern. With respect to the septal capillary pattern, endothelial cell decoration was seen with scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, anti-Ro-associated lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, humoral allograft rejection, and patients with isolated pulmonary fibrosis in whom autoantibodies were established, including antiphospholipid antibodies. A similar pattern of endothelial cell staining was seen in these cases via the indirect assay. Granular mural septal capillary deposition was seen in the aforesaid settings along with rheumatoid factor-positive rheumatoid arthritis, type II cryofibrinogenemia, and mixed cryoglobulinemia and, in some cases, light microscopically corresponded to a neutrophilic capillaritis. Isolated vascular IgA corresponded with rheumatoid arthritis corresponding to IgA-specific antiendothelial cell antibodies, celiac disease-associated pulmonary hemorrhage, Schonlein-Henoch purpura and with IgA antiphospholipid antibodies. Alveolar wall deposition was seen with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease.
Developmental regulation of central spindle assembly and cytokinesis during vertebrate embryogenesis.

Summary Mitosis and cytokinesis not only ensure the proper segregation of genetic information but also contribute importantly to morphogenesis in embryos [1–4]. Cytokinesis is controlled by the central spindle, a microtubule-based structure containing numerous microtubule motors and microtubule-binding proteins, including PRC1 [4–8]. We show here that central spindle assembly and function differ dramatically between two related populations of epithelial cells in developing vertebrate embryos examined in vivo. Compared to epidermal cells, early neural epithelial cells undergo exaggerated anaphase chromosome separation, rapid furrowing, and a marked reduction of microtubule density in the spindle midzone. Cytokinesis in normal early neural epithelial cells thus resembles that in cultured vertebrate cells experimentally depleted of PRC1 [5, 6, 9, 10]. We find that PRC1 mRNA and protein expression is surprisingly dynamic in early vertebrate embryos and that neural-plate cells contain less PRC1 than do epidermal cells. Expression of excess PRC1 ameliorates both the exaggerated anaphase and reduced midzone microtubule density observed in early neural epithelial cells. These PRC1-mediated modifications to the cytokinetic mechanism may be related to the specialization of the midbody in neural cells [11–15]. These data suggest that PRC1 is a dose-dependent regulator of the central spindle in vertebrate embryos and demonstrate unexpected plasticity to fundamental mechanisms of cell division.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC ALTERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICALLY "SILENT" AREAS OF MYOCARDIUM.

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to describe some instances in which there may be loss of electromotive force (emf) from myocardial tissue without biologic death of the tissue. Myocardial tissue which is electrically inactive although viable is considered to be electrically silent. Electrically silent myocardial tissue may, under the proper circumstances, regain electrical activity. The development of areas of electrical silence within the myocardium may be associated with electrocardiographic alterations, particularly pathologic Q waves. Such Q waves disappear after the area of electrical silence recovers. It is important to recognize the fact that loss of cardiac emf is not synonymous with tissue death. Judgment concerning the extent of a myocardial infarction or the significance of pathologic Q waves (or other changes in the QRS complex) in patients with tachycardia, angina pectoris, or electrolyte disturbances should take into consideration the possibility of the presence of electrically silent areas. Furthermore, awareness of the electrocardiographic alterations associated with electrically silent areas of myocardium provides an understanding of some difficult electrocardiographic problems and makes it unnecessary to invoke alterations in rotation, position, or sequence of depolarization to explain electrocardiographic findings which do not correlate with the autopsy data.
Syntheses and structural analyses of variable-stoichiometric Au–Pt–Ni carbonyl/phosphine clusters, Pt3(Pt1−xNix)(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3and Pt2(Pt2−yNiy)(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2, with ligation-induced site-specific Pt/Ni substitutional disorder within butterfly-based Pt3(Pt1−xNix)Au2and Pt2(Pt2−yNiy)Au2core-geometries

In ongoing attempts of directed synthesis of high-nuclearity Au–Pt carbonyl/phosphine clusters with [Ni6(CO)12]2− used as reducing agent and CO source, we have isolated and characterized two new closely related variable-stoichiometric trimetallic clusters, Pt3(Pt1−xNix)(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3 (1) and Pt2(Pt2−yNiy)(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2). Their M4Au2 cores may be envisioned as substitutional disordered butterfly-based M4Au2 frameworks (M = Pt/Ni) formed by connections of the two basal MB atoms with both (Au–Au)-linked Au(PPh3) moieties. Based upon low-temperature CCD X-ray diffraction studies of eight crystals obtained from different samples, ligation-induced site-specific Pt/Ni substitutional disorder (involving formal insertion of Ni in place of Pt) in a given crystal was found to occur only at the one OC-attached basal MB site in 1 or at both OC-attached basal MB sites in 2 corresponding to a crystal composite of the Pt3(Pt1−xNix)Au2 core in 1 or of the Pt2(Pt2−yNiy)Au2 core in 2; the Ph3P-attached MB site (MB = Pt) in 1 and two wingtip Mw sites (Mw = Pt) in 1 and 2 were not substitutionally disordered. The resulting variable stoichiometry of the M4Au2 core in 1 may be viewed as a crystal composite of two superimposed individual stereoisomers, Pt4(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3 (1a) and Pt3Ni(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3 (1b), in the averaged unit cell of a given crystal. Likewise, 2 represents the crystal-averaged composite of three individual stereoisomers, Pt4(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2a), Pt3Ni(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2b), and Pt2Ni2(AuPPh3)2(µ2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2c). Formal Ni substitution for Pt at only the basal MB site(s) in the four crystal composites each of 1 and 2 was found to vary widely from 17% to 79% Ni in 1 and from 21% to 95% Ni in 2. Nevertheless, reasonably close Pt/Ni occupancy factors were found within each of the four pairs of composite crystals selected from samples obtained from duplicate syntheses. Both 1 and 2 may be formally derived from the electronically equivalent classic butterfly Pt4(µ2-CO)5(PPh3)4 cluster by replacement of its bridging µ2-CO ligand spanning the basal MB–MB edge with two one-electron donating (Au–Au)-linked AuPPh3 moieties along with the substitution of a terminal CO in place of one or both MB-attached PPh3 ligands in 1 and 2, respectively; site-specific Pt/Ni substitutional disorder occurs only at the CO-attached MB sites. The variable-stoichiometric 1 and 2 are also electronically equivalent and geometrically related to the crystal-ordered butterfly-based Pt4(µ2-CO)4(PR3)4(µ3-HgX)2 clusters (R3 = Ph3, MePh2; X = CF3, Br, I).
Axisymmetric Free Vibrations Of Homogeneous And Laminated Piezoelectric Cylinders

Abstract A numerical method is presented for finding approximate solutions to static and axisymmetric vibration problems for piezoelectric cylinders, including those composed of more than one material. The weak or variational forms of the general equations of piezoelectricity are solved using the Ritz method with elements of power series and Fourier series used as the approximating functions. The procedure was applied to discs, long rods, hollow cylinders, composite cylinders and thinly layered transducers. Good agreement is obtained with results reported from the literature of frequencies, displacements and electric potential.
Optimization Techniques to Improve Training Speed of Deep Neural Networks for Large Speech Tasks

While Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have achieved tremendous success for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) tasks, training these networks is slow. Even to date, the most common approach to train DNNs is via stochastic gradient descent, serially on one machine. Serial training, coupled with the large number of training parameters (i.e., 10-50 million) and speech data set sizes (i.e., 20-100 million training points) makes DNN training very slow for LVCSR tasks. In this work, we explore a variety of different optimization techniques to improve DNN training speed. This includes parallelization of the gradient computation during cross-entropy and sequence training, as well as reducing the number of parameters in the network using a low-rank matrix factorization. Applying the proposed optimization techniques, we show that DNN training can be sped up by a factor of 3 on a 50-hour English Broadcast News (BN) task with no loss in accuracy. Furthermore, using the proposed techniques, we are able to train DNNs on a 300-hr Switchboard (SWB) task and a 400-hr English BN task, showing improvements between 9-30% relative over a state-of-the art GMM/HMM system while the number of parameters of the DNN is smaller than the GMM/HMM system.
“Bring the Newbie Into the Fold”: Politeness Strategies of Newcomers and Existing Group Members Within Workplace Meetings

This study investigates politeness strategies within meetings of designers who met face-to-face and technical communicators who met via teleconference and, more specifically, politeness strategies of existing members toward group newcomers and vice versa. Based on the results of this study, I suggest that issues of power and social distance affect politeness strategies by both groups during their initial interactions and suggest that technical communication educators should better prepare students by teaching benefits, detriments, and realities of particular linguistic politeness choices.
Study of a possible structural relationship between thymopoietin and the facteur thymique serique

Background peptide chemistry, and the known 49-amino acid sequence of thymopoietin and the known 9-amino acid sequence of the facteur thymique serique (FTS) allowed the concept that Arg49 of thymopoietin might be linked to Gln1 of FTS in a new 58-amino acid peptide in tissue. Cleavage between Arg49 and Gln50 adjacent to the unique Lys48-Arg49 moiety could liberate thymopoietin and the [H-Gln1]-FTS which could cyclize to FTS by the known reaction. In support of, rather than negating, this concept, synthetic FTS and the new dodecapeptide consisting of Val-Lys-Arg linked to the N-terminal of [H-Gln1]-FTS showed comparable immune stimulating activity, in vivo; both peptides appeared more active than synthetic thymopoietin II.
From nano-optics to street lights.

Nanocrystal quantum dots are excellent emitters of light, but energizing that emission electrically has proved difficult. A newly discovered non-radiative energy-transfer process that allows electron–hole pairs to be generated in quantum wells, and then transferred into quantum dots, could lead to a new generation of ultra-high-efficiency light sources for use at scales ranging from nano-optics to a city block.
Bargaining unit determination: Does the cleric belong?

In 79 percent of the cases the respondentsincluded clerics in the bargaining unit without question. The remaining institutions did so with the help of legal judication. The major criteria used were: full-time teaching status, eligibility for tenure, written contracts, and amount of administrative duties. The teaching of the questionnaire and court decisions is that when a cleric is employed in the same capacity as a layman the cleric does not lose his constitutional right to belong to a collective bargaining unit. And precisely those criteria used to decide whether non-clerics should be included/excluded have been applied to the clerics.
Humility, Civility, and Vitality: Papal Leadership at the Turn of the Seventh Century

Pope Gregory I’s reconstruction of the church’s presence in Rome, and reassertion of Rome’s influence in Italy make his pontificate (590–604) significant for the history of Italian leadership. His ...
Modeling the Ames test

Abstract Despite the value and widespread use of the Ames test, little attention has been focused on standardizing quantitative methods of analyzing these data. In this paper, a realistic and statistically tractable model is developed for the evaluation of Ames-type data. The model assumes revertant colony formation at a any dose follows a Poisson process, while the mean number of revertants per plate is a nonlinear functions of up to 4 parameters. An exponential decay term can be included in the model to adjust for toxicity. The resultant system of nonlinear equations is solved using a modified Gauss-Newton iterative scheme to obtain maximum likehood estimates of the model parameters. Significance of the key parameters is tested by fitting reduced models and using likelihood ratio tests. The model's performance is demonstrated on data from organic extracts of various environmental contaminants. Among the advantages of the proposed model are (1) no data is discarded in the parameter estimation process, (2) no arbitrary constants need to be added to zero counts or doses, and (3) no mathematical transformation of the data is required.
An efficient search method for job-shop scheduling problems

We present an efficient search method for job-shop scheduling problems. Our technique is based on an innovative way of relaxing and subsequently reimposing the capacity constraints on some critical operations. We integrate this technique into a fast tabu search algorithm. Our computational results on benchmark problems show that this approach is very effective. Upper bounds for 11 well-known test problems are thus improved. Through the work presented We hope to move a step closer to the ultimate vision of an automated system for generating optimal or near-optimal production schedules. The peripheral conditions for such a system are ripe with the increasingly widespread adoption of enterprise information systems and plant floor tracking systems based on bar code or wireless technologies. One of the remaining obstacles, however, is the fact that scheduling problems arising from many production environments, including job-shops, are extremely difficult to solve. Motivated by recent success of local search methods in solving the job-shop scheduling problem, we propose a new diversification technique based on relaxing and subsequently reimposing the capacity constraints on some critical operations. We integrate this technique into a fast tabu search algorithm and are able to demonstrate its effectiveness through extensive computational experiments. In future research, we will consider other diversification techniques that are not restricted to critical operations.
Fear of pain in pediatric headache

ObjectiveThe current study provides the first measure of pain-related fear for pediatric headache patients.MethodsFrom a large pediatric headache clinic, a cross-sectional cohort of 206 children and adolescents completed measures of pain-related fear, anxiety sensitivity, catastrophizing, pain acceptance, functional disability, and school functioning.ResultsThe two-factor solution of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FOPQ) was confirmed from the originally derived structure with pediatric headache patients. Simultaneously regressing FOPQ subscales fear of pain and activity avoidance on theorized construct validity measures demonstrated that fear of pain was more closely linked with anxiety sensitivity and pain catastrophizing while activity avoidance had a strong negative association with pain acceptance (activity engagement and pain willingness). Pain-related fear was not significantly associated with pain level. After controlling for demographic factors and pain, fear of pain and activity avoidance accoun...
Attachment style and presence of a romantic partner as moderators of psychophysiological responses to a stressful laboratory situation

The effects of attachment style and presence of a romantic partner on psychophysiological responses to a stressful laboratory situation were examined in a sample of 34 college women involved in serious dating relationships. In two separate laboratory sessions, one with romantic partner present and one with partner absent, participants were led to anticipate a stressful situation. Heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were recorded during baseline and stress periods in each condition. Significant three-way interactions showed that both avoidant and anxious participants in the partner-present condition evinced elevated psychophysiological responses to the stressor (relative to baseline), in contrast to these groups in the partner-absent condition and secure and nonanxious participants in both conditions. Findings are compared to those of previous research on attachment-style differences in proximity-seeking behavior in a similar laboratory situation, and they are interpreted in terms of the approach-avoidance conflict experienced by insecure people when faced with a stressful situation in the presence of their romantic partners.
Analysis and Particle Swarm Optimization of Correlator Antenna Arrays for Radio Astronomy Applications

A novel design methodology is presented for correlator antenna arrays in radio astronomy applications. In order to characterize the spatial-filter-like performance of a correlator array, an analyzer is developed to calculate its - coverage and synthesized beam, along with the capability to simulate the Earth rotation effect and the image retrieval process. On the other hand, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is applied to determine the locations of antenna elements in typical open-ended and closed array configurations (such as the ldquoYrdquo and the Reuleaux triangle), in order to achieve either the maximum - coverage or a synthesized beam with the lowest sidelobe level (SLL). Optimized arrays are observed to outperform uniform arrays and representative existing designs.
A New Dietary Inflammatory Index Predicts Interval Changes in Serum High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

Inflammation is associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Reducing inflammation may help prevent or treat these conditions. Diet has consistently been shown to modulate inflammation. To facilitate research into the inflammatory effect of diet on health in humans, we sought to develop and validate an Inflammatory Index designed to assess the inflammatory potential of individuals' diets. An Inflammatory Index was developed based on the results of an extensive literature search. Using data from a longitudinal observational study that carefully measured diet and the inflammatory marker, serum high-sensitivity (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP), in ∼600 adults for 1 y, we conducted analyses to test the effect of Inflammatory Index score on hs-CRP as a continuous and dichotomous (≤3 mg/L, >3 mg/L) indicator of inflammatory response, while controlling for important potential confounders. Results based on continuous measures of hs-CRP suggested that an increasing Inflammatory Index score (representing movement toward an antiinflammatory diet) was associated with a decrease in hs-CRP. Analyses using hs-CRP as a dichotomous variable showed that an antiinflammatory diet was associated with a decrease in the odds of an elevated hs-CRP (P = 0.049). The results are consistent with the ability of the Inflammatory Index to predict hs-CRP and provide additional evidence that diet plays a role in the regulation of inflammation, even after careful control of a wide variety of potential confounders.
Architectures for distributed smart cameras

This paper describes our new multiple-camera architecture for real-time video analysis. This architecture uses an array of relatively inexpensive cameras to gather images in order to provide high resolution at low cost. The system also uses a hierarchy of cameras, including both wide-angle and telephoto views. Wide-angle cameras are responsible for camera coordination while telephoto cameras are primarily responsible for detailed processing of parts of the scene.
Design and characterization of parallel prefix adders using FPGAs

Parallel-prefix adders (also known as carry-tree adders) are known to have the best performance in VLSI designs. However, this performance advantage does not translate directly into FPGA implementations due to constraints on logic block configurations and routing overhead. This paper investigates three types of carry-tree adders (the Kogge-Stone, sparse Kogge-Stone, and spanning tree adder) and compares them to the simple Ripple Carry Adder (RCA) and Carry Skip Adder (CSA). These designs of varied bit-widths were implemented on a Xilinx Spartan 3E FPGA and delay measurements were made with a high-performance logic analyzer. Due to the presence of a fast carry-chain, the RCA designs exhibit better delay performance up to 128 bits. The carry-tree adders are expected to have a speed advantage over the RCA as bit widths approach 256.
Filtration of green algae and cyanobacteria by freshwater mussels in the partitioned aquaculture system.

.— The freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata was provided water containing green algae and cyanobacteria delivered from the Partitioned Aquaculture System (PAS) at eight flow rates to determine algal filtration rates as mg of particulate organic carbon (POC)/kg wet tissue weight per h. The dominant taxon in cyanobacterial waters was Microcystis while the dominant taxa in green algal waters were Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus. The cell counts of Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus were the only algal taxa that were significantly different between the incoming water and water filtered by mussels. Filtration rates of POC obtained from green algal water were significantly greater than from cyanobacteria-dominated waters at all flow rates. A significant increase in mean filtration rate was observed as flow rates increased. The filtration rate of green algae increased as POC concentration increased, peaking at 28 mg C/L. A maximum filtration rate was not observed with cyanobacterial waters.
Colloidosomes: Selectively Permeable Capsules Composed of Colloidal Particles

We present an approach to fabricate solid capsules with precise control of size, permeability, mechanical strength, and compatibility. The capsules are fabricated by the self-assembly of colloidal particles onto the interface of emulsion droplets. After the particles are locked together to form elastic shells, the emulsion droplets are transferred to a fresh continuous-phase fluid that is the same as that inside the droplets. The resultant structures, which we call "colloidosomes," are hollow, elastic shells whose permeability and elasticity can be precisely controlled. The generality and robustness of these structures and their potential for cellular immunoisolation are demonstrated by the use of a variety of solvents, particles, and contents.