cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous differentiation of trophoblast cells along the spongiotrophoblast cell pathway : expression of members of the placental prolactin gene family and modulation by retinoic acid

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine part of the trophoblast cell multilineage pathway and its modulation by retinoic acid. A method for studying trophoblast cell differentiation along the spongiotrophoblast cell pathway in vitro was established and characterized. Cells were isolated from junctional zones of Day 13 rat chorioallantoic placentas via mechanical dissection, enzymatic digestion, and enrichment through a Percoll cushion. The cells were cultured up to 8 days and analyzed for their purity, morphology, and ability to express members of the placental prolactin (PRL) family. Cell preparations contained minimal mesenchymal contamination as estimated by immunocytochemical analysis for vimentin. The cells expressed PRL-like protein-A (PLP-A), PLP-B, PLP-C, and placental lactogen-I variant (PL-Iv) indicative of their differentiated spongiotrophoblast cell phenotype. Expression of members of the PRL family increased markedly during culture. Temporally the increase in PLP-A expression preceded the increased expression of PLP-B (0.9 kb), PLP-C, and PL-Iv. These in vitro observations paralleled the behavior of spongiotrophoblast cells developing in situ. Same differences were evident, including the immediate activation of PLP-B (1.2 kb) following enzymatic isolation of the cells. These cells were also susceptible to experimental manipulation, Exposure to retinoic acid influenced the morphology of the cells and the profile of members of the placental PRL family expressed by in vitro differentiated cells. In summary, a culture system has been devised to examine the control of spongiotrophoblast cell differentiation and the regulation of expression of members of the placental PRL gene family. Spongiotrophoblast cells spontaneously differentiate in vitro through discrete developmental phases that are susceptible to modulation by retinoic acid.
Collisional quenching of metastable hydrogen by ground-state hydrogen atoms

Abstract The quenching of the 2s metastable state of hydrogen by hydrogen atom impact appears to be controlled, at low incident energies, by a single 2s-2p transition, with subsequent decay to the 1s state rather than by direct de-excitation to the ground state. With further increase of impact energy, excitations of both target and projectile atoms to p states, which spontaneously emit to the ground state, begin to dominate the quenching process.
Optofluidics: Fluidics Enabling Optics and Optics Enabling Fluidics

Optical devices which incorporate liquids as a fundamental part of the structure can be traced at least as far back as the 18th century where rotating pools of mercury were proposed as a simple technique to create smooth mirrors for use in reflecting telescopes. Modern microfluidic and nanofluidics has enabled the development of a present day equivalent of such devices centered on the marriage of fluidics and optics which we refer to as “Optofluidics.” In this review paper we will present an overview of our approach to the development of three different optofluidic devices. In the first of these we will demonstrate how the fusion of novel nanophotonic structures with micro- and nanofluidic networks can be used to perform ultrasensitive, label free biomolecular analysis. This will be done in the context of our newly developed devices for screening of Dengue and Influenza virus RNA. For the second class of device I will discuss and demonstrate how optical forces (scattering, adsorption and polarization) in solid and liquid core nanophotonic structures can be used to drive novel microfluidic processes. Some of the advanced analytical, numerical and experimental techniques used to investigate and design these systems will be discussed as well as issues relating to integration and their fabrication.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Sustained Effects of Nitroglycerin Ointment in Patients with Angina Pectoris

Cutaneous absorption of nitroglycerin is a well-documented phenomenon which may have unique advantages for the sustained prophylaxis of angina pectoris. Therefore, we have examined the effects of nitroglycerin ointment and placebo on exercise capacity in 14 patients with angina pectoris. Nitroglycerin ointment produced a significant increase in exercise capacity which persisted for at least three hours. Concomitant sustained changes in systolic blood pressure and resting heart rate were observed. Electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia was significantly reduced. Chronic administration in six patients did not reduce the effects of either nitroglycerin ointment or sublingual nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin ointment appears to be a truly long-acting nitrate. While evidence of nitrate toxicity or tolerance was not observed in the present study, additional information is required before the widespread use of this agent can be recommended.
Rank determination algorithm by current comparing for rank modulation flash memories

Rank modulation is a new data representation method for flash memories that uses the relative orders of memory cell levels. With this innovative approach, flash memory reliability and storage capacity are improved at the same time. Previous rank modulation hardware used winner-take-all circuits for rank determination. In this paper a new rank determination strategy using current-mode comparison is proposed. Instead of a complex array of winner-take-all circuits, this scheme utilizes one row of current-mode comparators for the rank determination. The proposed flash memory circuits are less complicated, more area efficient, and require less power than the winner-take-all array approach.
Nanoparticle encapsulation in thin film micellar structures: A physical method for functional materials design

We investigate the confinement of gold nanoparticles, onto which poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) are end-tethered, within diblock copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) micelles in a polystyrene (PS) host. The micellar nanocomposites were prepared by spin casting mixtures of the nanoparticles, the copolymer and the homopolymer chains onto a substrate, to form films approximately 110 nm thick. The samples were then annealed above the glass transitions of the polymers, resulting in the formation of spherical micelles, composed of inner cores of the P2VP segments and outer coronas comprising the PS blocks, throughout the PS homopolymer thin film host. All nanoparticles were encapsulated within micelle cores; on average each micelle contains one, or no, nanoparticle. The micelles exhibited a strong tendency to self-organize at interfaces when the PS homopolymer chain length is large compared to the PS corona chain length; they otherwise remain distributed throughout the film. In comparison to pure PS-b-P2VP/PS blends, the nanoparticle/PS-b-P2VP/PS blends contain a higher density of, on average, smaller micelles. This sample fabrication procedure is straightforward and compliments the current “toolbox” used to create functional materials from block copolymer–nanoparticle systems.
Personality traits in effective clinical teachers

This study looks at the teaching effectiveness of clinical instructors in a professional college of optometry from the viewpoint of students, colleagues, and the teachers themselves. It was asked whether certain measurable personal qualities could differentiate highly rated teachers from their less effective peers. It was found that teachers given high ratings on their clinical teaching effectiveness were distinguished by a constellation of measurable personality traits including self-confidence, assertiveness, personal and intellectual drive, tolerance, and a liking for personal interaction. These traits appear to be common ingredients which contribute to high quality teaching in clinical settings such as that encountered in a health profession school like optometry.
Three-dimensional modeling of canopy tree interception of wind-driven rainfall

Abstract Field measurement of interception loss from rainforest vegetation in the cyclone-prone tropics is complicated by high wind speeds that cause incident rainfall to be inclined from vertical fall paths. Given the characteristic roughness of tropical rainforest canopies, we hypothesized that the more prominent canopy tree crowns create lateral rainshadows and intercept greater volumes of rainwater per unit projected crown area than less prominent neighboring canopy trees under inclined rainfall conditions. This hypothesis was tested by: (1) modeling the three-dimensional (3-D) geometry of a tropical rainforest canopy surface in northeast Queensland, Australia, using photogrammetrically derived crown elevation data; (2) computing the inclination angles and azimuths of wind-driven rainfall for raindays on which net rainfall was measured from selected canopy trees; (3) creating and applying a ray-tracing program to the 3-D canopy model to quantify lateral rainshadows and the effective rainfall-intercepting crown areas of the selected canopy trees; (4) calculating the C e C index (effective rainfall-intercepting crown area/projected crown area ratio) of each tree; (5) analyzing the relationship between the C e C index values and the measured net rainfall totals after correcting for differences in the trees' interception storage capacities. A significant correlation (P
Recognition of Herpes Simplex Viruses: Toll-Like Receptors and Beyond

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are human pathogens that establish lytic and latent infections. Reactivation from latency occurs intermittently, which represents a lifelong source of recurrent infection. In this complex process, HSV triggers and neutralizes innate immunity. Therefore, a dynamic equilibrium between HSV and the innate immune system determines the outcome of viral infection. Detection of HSV involves pathogen recognition receptors that include Toll-like receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors, and cytosolic DNA sensors. Moreover, innate components or pathways exist to sense membrane fusion upon viral entry into host cells. Consequently, this surveillance network activates downstream transcription factors, leading to the induction of type I interferon and inflammatory cytokines. Not surprisingly, with the capacity to establish chronic infection HSV has evolved strategies that modulate or evade innate immunity. In this review, we describe recent advances pertinent to the interplay of HSV and the induction of innate immunity mediated by pathogen recognition receptors or pathways.
Band offsets and strain in CdTe-GaAs heterostructures

CdTe(111)-GaAs(001) and CdTe(001)-GaAs(001) heterostructures were synthesized through molecular-beam epitaxy. In situ monochromatic x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and reflection high-energy electron diffraction, together with ex situ cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, were exploited to probe the relation between overlayer orientation, residual strain, and the band discontinuities. CdTe(001)-GaAs(001) heterostructures appear fully relaxed even at the lowest overlayer thicknesses explored through the formation of a misfit dislocation network. Correspondingly, the valence-band maximum in the CdTe(001) overlayer is found 0.07--0.09 eV below that of GaAs(001). In CdTe(111)-GaAs(001) heterostructures, we find that residual strains are gradually accommodated within a 200-\AA{}-thick CdTe layer near the interface. The average position of the valence-band maximum in CdTe(111) is 0.09--0.11 eV above that of GaAs(001) at the interface. The difference in valence-band discontinuity for the two interfaces is qualitatively consistent with that expected from the effect of the residual strain on the valence-band maximum of CdTe(111).
Analog Data Recording with a Video Cassette Recorder

A multichannel, analog data storage system is presented which utilizes a compact video cassette recorder. Typical video cassette recorders operate at 3?ips and consequently allow up to one hour of continuous recording. The rotary two-head, helical-scan system employed yields a relative head-to-tape speed of 404.3 ips and a bandwidth of 3 to 4 MHz. The analog recording system described herein consists of an encoder which multiplexes and digitizes eight analog signals, a video recorder for storage of the digital data, and a decoder which demultiplexes and recovers the analog information. One unique feature of this system is that digital words which are generated consist of the channel number as well as the analog information present on that channel at the time of sampling. All information is combined serially and recorded with each word uniquely separated by a special "sync pulse." Another system feature is the ability to individually select the data bandwidth of each analog channel from values between approximately 25 kHz to 3 Hz. Design, fabrication, and evaluation is given. Interfacing to computing systems and microprocessors is discussed. An eight channel system with eight bit data words is described yielding approximately one-half percent resolution. However, the system is readily expandable to any number of channels and up to 16 bit data words yielding more resolution or higher signal-to-noise ratio.
Photoisomerization of dimyristoylindigo: rates in various solvents

Abstract The hydrophobic indigo derivative N,N ′-dimyristoylindigo (DMI) is tested as a probe for photochemistry in hydrocarbons and other non-aqueous media. Quantum yields of trans → cis and cis → trans photoisomerization and dark cis → trans reversion rates were determined when possible in 26 organic solvents of various types. The trans → cis isomerization quantum yield is highest in hydrocarbons and low in strongly polar solvents; the cis → trans quantum yield varies less with solvent type. There are significant differences among trans → cis quantum yields at different wavelengths in benzene and acetonitrile. The trans -DMI visible band position and intensity show some dependence on solvent type but little on refractive index or dielectric constant per se . The dark reversion rate is highest in alcohols but variable in all solvents, suggesting that cis conformers of varying degrees of stability are formed.
Resistance anomaly near the superconducting transition temperature in short aluminum wires

We report a systematic experimental study of the superconducting resistive transition in one-dimensional Al wires of length 0.6 to 110 \ensuremath{\mu}m. Shorter wires show a peak in resistance as a function of temperature near ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$, with a value above the normal-state resistance. Near the peak, the resistance decreases sharply in a magnetic field of only a few Oe. In the same regime, the current-voltage characteristic resembles that of a superconductor-insulator-normal tunnel junction. These new results may be a manifestation of coherent effects in small superconducting samples.
Performance of two overlay strategies under heavy vehicle simulator trafficking

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has two primary strategies for the overlay of flexible pavements: overlay with dense-graded asphalt concrete (DGAC) and overlay with asphalt rubber hot mix gap graded (ARHM-GG). Caltrans ARHM-GG overlays typically are designed to be about half the thickness of DGAC overlays for a given set of conditions. The results of a study using heavy vehicle simulator trafficking to evaluate the relative performance of the two strategies for typical California conditions and to analyze the distress mechanisms are presented. The study showed that the half-thickness ARHM designs used by Caltrans are reasonable and that the primary distress mechanism is reflection cracking. Continued hardening of the asphalt-bound and unbound layers was shown to occur in the overlaid pavements. Details of deflection studies are included.
Fine structure of rat incisor ameloblasts during enamel maturation.

Incisors of adult rats were fixed by a glutaraldehyde-OsO 4 procedure. The enamel organs were separated from the incisors and embedded in Araldite. Adjacent to the enamel, the ameloblasts have an apical labyrinth which consists of tightly interlocking cell processes and is associated with a group of mitochondria. Droplets of dense material which may correspond to enamel proteins being resorbed are present within the extracellular spaces of the apical labyrinth and in underlying vesicles. An extensive Golgi area contains large vesicles related to lysosomes and two types of coated vesicles, with diameters of 1000 and 500 A, respectively. Microtubules and tonofibrils, the latter forming a central fiber in the apex of the cell, extend lengthwise through the ameloblast. Desmosomes, five-layered junctions, microvilli, and instances of micropinocytosis are found along the lateral cell membranes of ameloblasts. Apical and basal terminal bars correspond to zonulae adhaerentes. Each ameloblast has one basal process which projects into the underlying papillary layer and is connected to it by desmosomes and five-layered junctions. Ameloblasts are exposed to the extracellular space of the papillary layer almost exclusively near the basal terminal bars. Some of these features change with advancing enamel maturation. The findings are discussed in relation to the known functions of the ameloblasts.
Regulation of hormone biosynthesis in cultured islet cells from anglerfish.

The effects of glucose and arginine on islet hormone biosynthesis were investigated using primary cell cultures prepared from islets of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus). After dispersion under sterile conditions, islet cells were maintained at 23° C in medium containing RPMI 1640 with Hanks' buffer, pH 7.5, modified by the adjustment of glucose (to 0.56 or 5.6 mM) and arginine (to 0.1, 1.15, or 10 mM) with the addition of 10% fetal bovine serum (dialyzed, heat inactivated) and penicillin/streptomycin. After 48 h, media were replaced by incorporation media containing [14C]isoleucine and [3H]tryptophan and incubated for an additional 8 h under otherwise identical conditions. Culture samples (cells plus media) were extracted, desalted, and gel filtered to identify and quantitate [14C]insulin, [3H]glucagon(s) plus [3H]somatostatin-28, and [3H]somatostatin-14 were In some experiments, [14C]insulin, [3H]glucagon(s), [3H]somatostatin-28, and [3H]somatostatin-14 were separated by high performance liquid chromatography. Raising the medium glucose from 0.56 (control) to 5.6 mM resulted in an augmentation in incorporation of [14C]isoleucine into insulin and an augmentation of [3H]tryptophan into glucagon(s) and somatostatin-14, but no change in incorporation of [3H]tryptophan into somatostatin-28. Raising the concentration of arginine from 0.1 to 1.15 or 10 mM resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of labeled amino acid incorporation into all hormones except somatostatin-28. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the culture system for studying the modulation of hormone biosynthesis in anglerfish islet cells.
Microstructure of a plasma-sprayed superalloy coating/substrate

Five different specimen preparation techniques were employed to characterize the microstructure of a cross-section of plasma-sprayed Rene′ 125 coating on a Rene′ 125 turbine blade substrate. These methods included optical microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy on three types of replicas and on thin foils. Interface and matrix precipitates were indentified using electron diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometry, with HfO2 and (Hf, Zr)O2 the predominant phases at the coating/blade interface, and both (Ti, Ta)C and HfO2 present in the coating. Those blade precipitates examined contained Hf and Ta, with some Ti and a little Co. A unique dendritic structure of γ′ was also found intermittently along the interface. The combination of the five techniques provides a wide variety of information, and is a strong tool for characterizing complex microstructures.
A Half-Space Boundary Element Method for Acoustic Problems With a Reflecting Plane of Arbitrary Impedance

Abstract In this paper, the boundary element method (BEM) is used to model acoustic radiation and scattering from bodies of arbitrary shape in close proximity of an infinite plane that has a general impedance boundary condition. A new half-space Green's function for positive reactance boundary conditions is derived and incorporated in the boundary element formulation so that there is no need to model the infinite plane. Attempt is also made to derive the Green's function for negative reactance boundary conditions. However, the derived Green's function for negative reactance boundary conditions contains a term that is not known a priori. Only an approximate Green's function for negative reactance boundary conditions is used in the BEM. Several numerical examples are given to verify this new formulation.
The PIRLA Project (Paleoecological Investigation of Recent Lake Acidification): Preliminary Results for the Adirondacks, New England, N. Great Lakes States, and N. Florida

The PIRLA project is an interdisciplinary paleoecological study designed to provide reconstructions of the recent acidification histories of a representative set of lakes in four acid-sensitive regions in North America. We are trying to determine if lakes in the study regions have acidified, and if so, to what extent, over what time period and why. Sediment cores from 5 to 15 lakes in each region are being analyzed for several characteristics. Diatoms and chrysophytes are being used to reconstruct lakewater pH. Results for three Adirondack lakes with current pH of 4.8 to 5.0 indicate a decrease in pH beginning in the 1930’s–1950’s. Increased atmospheric deposition of strong acids appears to be the primary factor responsible for the pH decline. Two lakes (pH 4.4 and 4.7) in New England show clear evidence of acidification probably due to acidic deposition. Preliminary reconstructions for two lakes in Michigan (pH 4.4 and 5.6), one in Wisconsin (pH 5.3), and one in Minnesota (pH 6.8) suggest no recent pH decrease. For, the one Florida lake (pH 4.4) analyzed, inferred pH decreases by about 0.5 unit, beginning in the 1950s; the cause has not been determined.
Melanoma/skin cancer screening in Michigan

The Michigan Dermatological Society sponsors free skin cancer detection clinics annually. In 1985, fifty-four volunteer dermatologists screened 1,909 patient-participants. In 1986, following establishment of the program and structure discussed here, 102 volunteer dermatologists screened 4,431 patient-participants.
Saturation of Optical Transitions in Organic Compounds by Laser Flux

Results of a comprehensive theoretical treatment of saturated absorption are presented. An expression for the transmittance as a function of incident radiant-flux density is derived for an energy-level model including excited-state absorption. This expression is found to be a general result, applicable to any model with two transitions absorbing the laser flux under steady-state conditions. The variation of transmittance with incident-flux density was measured and fitted to this expression for cryptocyanine in methanol and the amylose–iodine–iodide complex, as examples. Also, the time-dependent saturation phenomena are analyzed numerically for optically thick absorbers, and results are presented using model parameters appropriate to chloroaluminum phthalocyanine in pyridine. The temporal shaping of the laser pulse transmitted by the cryptocyanine solution was observed and fitted to the time-dependent computer solution.
Determination of simultaneous turnover of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the telencephalon of unrestrained behaving rats.

Abstract Rats received an injection of tritiated tryptophan and tyrosine via a chronic indwelling jugular catheter, and at 60 and 90 minutes post-injection, were killed by near-freezing. The three biogenic monoamines were separated by ion exchange and thin layer chromatographyand were quantitated with respect to radioactivity and content. The decline in specific activities can be used to calculate rate constants and turnover of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine concurrently in unrestrained behaving animals.
From Sensors to Silencers: Quinoline- and Benzimidazole-Sulfonamides as Inhibitors for Zinc Proteases

Derived from the extensive work in the area of small molecule zinc(II) ion sensors, chelating fragment libraries of quinoline- and benzimidazole-sulfonamides have been prepared and screened against several different zinc(II)-dependent matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The fragments show impressive inhibition of these metalloenzymes and preferences for different MMPs based on the nature of the chelating group. The findings show that focused chelator libraries are a powerful strategy for the discovery of lead fragments for metalloprotein inhibition.
The differential response of tissue catalase activity to chronic alcohol administration in the rat.

Sprague-Dawley male rats maintained on the Lieber/ DeCarli liquid alcohol diet for 40 days showed an increase in heart, decrease in liver, and no change in erythrocyte or skeletal muscle catalase levels when compared to pair-fed controls.
Ultrafast Nonlinear Optical Processes In 4BCMU-Polydiacetylene

ABSTRACT Using picosecond and femtosecond laser spectroscopy, the third order optical nonlinearity, relaxation kinet­ ics and ultrafast optical logic circuits of 4BCMU polydiacetylene in polymethylmethacrylate matrix films and CH2C12 solutions have been measured. Our efforts will lead to the future generation of photonic and computer instrumentation and devices with operational times in the picosecond and femtosecond regimes. INTRODUCTION Today's technology frontier of electronics and photonics is aiming for high speed and better performance. The future generation of nonlinear optics devices for optical information and signal processing, optical compu­ tation, optical telecommunication, and integrated optics requires nonlinear optical materials with properties which cannot be met by conventional inorganic dielectrics and semiconductors1""*. Recently, it was recognized that organic polymeric materials have extremely large nonlinear effects due to the delocalized IT electron system as in contrast to inorganic condensed matter systems5-11*. In some polymers like polydiacetylene, the nonlinearity was much larger and faster than some inorganic electrooptic materials (i.e. GaAs, Ge)1 . Thus, organic materials can give rise to extremely large and rapid nonlinear response for high frequency applica­ tions in the several hundreds GHz. The third order nonlinearity (x3) can lead to a whole host of processes leading to optical devices for real time ultrafast signal processing, optical computation, logic storage, and imaging15. From previous measurements of optical nonlinearity of polymers, polydiacetylene (PDA) was found to have one of the largest x3 with subpicosecond response time1 ' 6. Crystalline structures of PDA are often used to optimize x3- The net x3 from a crystal polymer can avoid the reduction of optical nonlinearity due to angle averaging and disorders in structure conformation8. However, there are potential problem in the use of crystalline structure for the design of optical components. For example, a birefringent crystal can only be used along selective axes for an optical Kerr switch15, and the uniformity of the crystal strucutre can affect the magnitude of the optical nonlinearity.In this paper, we report the ultrafast nonlinear optical processes of ^-Butoxycarbonylmethylurethane poly­ diacetylene in polymethylmethacrylate (4BCMU-PDA in PMMA) matrix films and liquid CH2C12 solutions. The third order optical nonlinearity x3> response speed, emission properties and digital optical computation applications of this polymer have been measured using picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses and techniques.
Relationships between extratropical sea level pressure variations and the central Pacific and eastern Pacific types of ENSO

Abstract This study examines the linkages between leading patterns of interannual sea level pressure (SLP) variability over the extratropical Pacific (20°–60°N) and the eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) types of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode of the extratropical SLP anomalies represents variations of the Aleutian low, and the second EOF mode represents the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) and is characterized by a meridional SLP anomaly dipole with a nodal point near 50°N. It is shown that a fraction of the first SLP mode can be excited by both the EP and CP types of ENSO. The SLP response to the EP type is stronger and more immediate. The tropical–extratropical teleconnection appears to act more slowly for the CP ENSO. During the decay phase of EP events, the associated extratropical SLP anomalies shift from the first SLP mode to the second SLP mode. As the second SLP mode grows, subtropical SST anomalies are induced beneath via surface...
Metabolic Functions of the Two Pathways of Oleate β-Oxidation Double Bond Metabolism During the β-Oxidation of Oleic Acid in Rat Heart Mitochondria

Unsaturated fatty acids with odd-numbered double bonds, e.g. oleic acid, can be degraded by β-oxidation via the isomerase-dependent pathway or the reductase-dependent pathway that differ with respect to the metabolism of the double bond. In an attempt to elucidate the metabolic functions of the two pathways and to determine their contributions to the β-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, the degradation of 2-trans,5-cis-tetradecadienoyl-CoA, a metabolite of oleic acid, was studied with rat heart mitochondria. Kinetic measurements of metabolite and cofactor formation demonstrated that more than 80% of oleate β-oxidation occurs via the classical isomerase-dependent pathway whereas the more recently discovered reductase-dependent pathway is the minor pathway. However, the reductase-dependent pathway is indispensable for the degradation of 3,5-cis-tetradecadienoyl-CoA, which is formed from 2-trans,5-cis-tetradecadienoyl-CoA by Δ3,Δ2-enoyl-CoA isomerase, the auxiliary enzyme that is essential for the operation of the major pathway of oleate β-oxidation. The degradation of 3,5-cis-tetradecadienoyl-CoA is limited by the capacity of 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase to reduce 2-trans,4-trans-tetradecadienoyl-CoA, which is rapidly formed from its 3,5 isomer by Δ3,5,Δ2,4-dienoyl-CoA isomerase. It is concluded that both pathways are essential for the degradation of unsaturated fatty acids with odd-numbered double bonds inasmuch as the isomerase-dependent pathway facilitates the major flux through β-oxidation and the reductase-dependent pathway prevents the accumulation of an otherwise undegradable metabolite.
Theory of Optimum Drilled Scintillation Collimators for X-Ray Astronomy

In order to study unambiguously the X-ray spectra from single celestial X-ray sources located amid several closely spaced sources, some form of angular collimation must be used on an X-ray telescope flown at balloon altitudes or higher. A popular design featuring high background rejection consists of closely spaced holes drilled through a block of scintillator material. The present paper explores several general cross-sectional geometries for these holes, presenting features in mathematical and graphical form such as transmission efficiency; angular resolution; residual detector area after collimation; and optimum spacing between detector and collimator. The influence of the hole shape on collimator "leakage" and on signal to background ratio is discussed. Collimator geometries to fulfill specific needs are deduced from the curves. A symmetric "hourglass" hole shape is shown to provide most nearly an optimum compromise of desirable features.
Older Women Living with Intimate Partner Violence

The golden years are not so golden for some older women who experience intimate partner violence. Often the relationship has been abusive for years, for some the abuse began with a physical or mental health status change, for others the relationship may be a new relationship following a divorce or widowhood. Older women were forgotten by both the domestic violence and aging support agencies, until the combined efforts of the American Association of Retired Persons, advocates concerned about the welfare of older domestic violence victims, sociologists and a handful of researchers around the world created awareness and services for older abused women in a number of communities. Providing services for this population requires consistent coordination between the aging and domestic violence agencies. This partnership is not typical but, with nurturing, has occurred. The large number of aging baby boomers will bring about a substantial demand for these services. It is imperative to secure resources so that abus...
Applying an evaluability assessment tool to community-based programs in pittsburgh

In the city of Pittsburgh, in 1994, of the approximately 53% of the 2,916 delinquency cases disposed by the juvenile court, about 70% involved African American Youth. This disproportionality is magnified by the time youths reach the correctional system, and recent efforts to address the problem have stressed the need to intervene before offenders initially enter the system. The purpose of this article is threefold. First, it attempts to provide some insight into three community-based prevention programs that were funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to address the problem of minority overrepresentation. Second, it discusses the obstacles associated with evaluating the programs and provides recommendations for overcoming them. Finally, it describes a tool that was used in early process evaluations for the three programs using experiences in those programs as case studies illustrating the hazards of conducting outcome studies in any setting in the absence of preliminary evaluabilit...
Millimeter continuum observations of a massive protostellar core in Sagittarius B2

The Hat Creek interferometer has been used to map 3.4 mm continuum emission from Sgr B2 with 4.5 x 2 arcsec resolution. The fluxes of two of the detected sources are substantially higher at 3.4 mm than at 1.3 cm; both sources are coincident with centroids of water maser clusters to less than 1 arcsec. In one, the flux can be attributed to free emission with a turnover frequency greater than 23 GHz; in the other, 3.4 mm emission comes mainly from hot dust grains in a dense protostellar core containing two embedded ultracompact H II regions. The amount of molecular material within 0.1 pc of the embedded protostars is at least one order of magnitude greater than within 0.1 pc of any of the other dozen ultracompact H II regions in Sgr B2. The observations indicate that ultracompact H II regions are much more common than the dense cores from which they presumably form, and that they survive long after most of the surrounding gas has been dispersed by outflow. 21 references.
The State of the State: Comparing Governance in China and the United States

How do two world powers with starkly different governing systems share common accountability problems, and why? Does the cycle of administrative reform produce additional need for reforms that come full circle, eventually exacerbating problems without solution? Yongfei Zhao and B. Guy Peters of the University of Pittsburgh examine governance in the United States and China and point out that conflicts in government functions unique to each country result in strikingly similar accountability issues.
TGFBIp: more than meets the eye?

After damage to the endothelium, platelets prevent excessive bleeding by adhering to the exposed ECM. In this issue of Blood , Kim and colleagues 1 describe a novel function of TGFBIp that potentiates platelet adhesion and activation, a protein with a previously established role in corneal dystrophies. 2
AUDIOVISUAL VERSUS QUASI-COUNSELING ANALOGUES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Summmy.-Using clients' responses as dependent measures, this study investigated difference~ in perceptions of counselors among subjects who engaged in dyadic interaction or observed chat interaction. Counselors of three levels of training and experience conducted brief interviews with students and were simultaneously. observed by other students via either closed-circuit television or a one-way mirror. Results from this "quasi-counseling" vs "audiovisual" analogue showed that raters' status had little effect on subjects' relative judgments of the three counselors. Since the observational vantage point of the subjects in this study seemed unimportant in determining their relative ratings of counselors, the use of audiovisual analogue research seems warranted in studies of perceptions of counselors' behavior. Several suggestions were made for increasing the likelihood of unambiguous data. In a recent review Munley ( 1974) noted the steady increase of reports on research on counseling analogues and discussed the advantages and shortcomings of such research. While stating that the ideal might be replication of the results of each of these analogue studies in the counseling situation, he suggests that research comparing results obtained in different analogue situations might be more profitable at this time. It was in this vein that the present study was undertaken. Specifically we investigated the differences in perceptions of counselors among students who engaged in dyadic interaction with a counselor and those who observed that interaction. In Munley's ( 1974) classification scheme we were comparing results obtained in a "quasi-counseling" analogue with those from an "audiovisual" using "clients"' responses as dependent
Comment on Krohn's “Inequality, Unemployment and Crime: A Cross‐National Analysis”

(1978). Comment on Krohn's “Inequality, Unemployment and Crime: A Cross-National Analysis”. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 340-342.
Study of fluorine bombardment on the electrical properties of AlGaN∕GaN heterostructures

The effects of fluorine ion bombardment on the channel transport properties of AlGaN∕GaN heterostructures have been investigated. Ion bombardment of the heterostructure was carried out within a CF4 plasma in a reactive ion etching system at various self-bias voltages. Hall mobility and sheet electron concentration for the two-dimensional electron gas showed strong dependence on bombardment duration and postbombardment annealing. A systematic study of the behavior of implanted fluorine ions in the annealed heterostructure reveals diffusion followed by accumulation of the ions at the heterointerface. Implications of such behavior on the performance of high electron mobility transistors are briefly discussed.
Ultrastructural characterization of maize (Zea mays L.) kernels exposed to high temperature during endosperm cell division

This study reports the ultrastructural changes in maize endosperm that result from exposure to high temperature during cell division. Kernels were grown in vitro at 25 °C continuously (control) and at 5 d after pollination (DAP) subsamples were transferred to continuous 35 °C for either 4 or 6 d. The 4 d treatment reduced kernel mass by 40% and increased kernel abortion three-fold. The 6-d high-temperature treatment resulted in a 77% reduction in kernel mass and a 12-fold increase in kernel abortion. Evaluation of the kernels at 11 DAP using scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the reduced kernel mass and/or abortion was associated with the disruption of cell division and amyloplast biogenesis in the periphery of the endosperm. This was further confirmed by the presence of an irregular-shaped nucleus, altered size of the nucleolus, highly dense nucleoplasm, and a decrease in the number of proplastids and amyloplasts. Thus, the endosperm cavity was not filled, the total number of endosperm cells was reduced by 35 and 70%, and the number of starch granules was decreased by 45 and 80% after exposure to 4 and 6 d of high-temperature treatments, respectively. This also resulted in a 35-70% reduction in total starch accumulation. KI/I 2 staining and light microscopy revealed that starch accumulation in the peripheral endosperm cells was reduced more severely than in the central zones. However, the scanning electron micrographs of cells from the central endosperm showed that the number and the size of apparently viable amyloplasts were reduced and isolated granules were smaller and/or showed enhanced pitting. These ultrastructural data support the hypothesis that high temperature during endosperm cell division reduces kernel sink potential and subsequently mature kernel mass, mainly by disrupting cell division and amyloplast biogenesis in the peripheral and central endosperm.
Designing a resident research program

Purpose The development of a resident research program and the role of the residency research advisory board (RRAB) in the program are described. Summary Over the past decade, there have been numerous barriers to successfully implementing a residency research program. An RRAB was subsequently developed to assist with research mentoring to help prepare residents to incorporate research into future positions. Within this board, one clinical pharmacy practitioner or preceptor serves as the research coordinator and acts as chair and liaison to the institutional review board (IRB) and research and development (R&D) committee. All members of the RRAB function as research experts in various aspects of the research process. The RRAB comprises three members to navigate IRB and R&D paperwork, generate and develop research ideas, create relationships with institutional research committees, educate pharmacy residents in a consistent manner on research methods in a longitudinal fashion, provide mentorship to preceptors, and facilitate service-related communication on our research timelines, plans, local and distant presentations, and other related efforts. The development of the resident research program and the RRAB have resulted in an improvement in the level of research conducted by our residents and preceptors. Due to the support of the RRAB, residents are submitting and presenting posters at local, state, and national meetings as well as submitting manuscripts to and publishing manuscripts in health care journals. Conclusion Development of an RRAB increased residents’ manuscript publication and poster presentation rates and facilitated the research process.
High Resolution Imaging with AEOS

The U.S. Air Force Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) which includes a 941 actuator adaptive optics system on a 3.7 m telescope has recently been made available for astronomical programs. Operating at a wavelength of 750 nm, the diffraction-limited angular resolution of the system is 0".04; currently, the magnitude limit is V approximately 7 mag. At the distances of nearby open clusters, diffraction- limited images should resolve companions with separations as small as 4 - 6 AU - comparable to the Sun-Jupiter distance. The ability to study such close separations is critical, since most companions are expected to have separations in the few AU to tens of AU range. With the exceptional angular resolution of the current AEOS setup, but restricted target magnitude range, we are conducting a companion search of a large, well-defined sample of bright early-type stars in nearby open clusters and in the field. Our data set will both characterize this relatively new adaptive optics system and answer questions in binary star formation and stellar X- ray activity. We will discuss our experience using AEOS, the data analysis involved, and our initial results.
Herbicide Distribution and Variability Across Goodwater Creek Watershed in North Central Missouri

One objective of the Missouri Management Systems Evaluation Area was to monitor and assess surface water quality, including spatial and temporal variability in herbicide concentrations within the 7250 ha Goodwater Creek Watershed. Stream water was sampled at all stream-road intersections across the watershed on 10 occasions in 1993 and 1994. Maps of herbicide distribution established that widespread, seasonal contamination of streams in Goodwater Creek Watershed was due to nonpoint sources (e.g., widespread, but normal farm use) rather than from point sources. Box plots documented concentration variability over time. Concentrations of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine), deethylatrazine [2,4-diamino-6-chioro-N-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine], deisopropylatrazine [2,4-diamino-6-chloro-N-ethyl-1,3,5-triazine] and metolachlor 12-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] were also monitored at least weekly from 1993 to 1994 at three V-notch weirs through which 16.7, 43.4, and 100% of the watershed drained. Atrazine, deethylatrazine, and metolachlor were detected year round at concentrations above 0.1 μg/L. Atrazine concentrations observed at weirs were occasionally >100 μg/L and were similar to edge-of-field concentrations observed elsewhere shortly after spraying in May to June, probably because the watershed's poorly drained, silt loam soils contain a restrictive claypan horizon that limits infiltration and encourages surface runoff.
Effective conductivity by fluid analogy for a porous insulator filled with a conductor

By combining of identities relating effective conductivity to tortuosity and tortuosity to induced mass, a general formula for the effective (electrical or thermal) conductivity of a porous insulator filled with a conductor is obtained. This formula depends on an induced-mass factor which arises by treating of the conducting material as an inviscid fluid. This induced-mass factor can be estimated with the use of an effective-medium theory. For random arrays of equal spheres, the estimates of conductivity obtained with the use of this fluid analogy are in good agreement with recent exact values derived for periodic arrays of insulating spheres to closest packing.
Cyberassault on Estonia

Security & Privacy's associate editor in chief considers the recent cyberattack on Estonia.