cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investor Attitudes, Investment Screen Use, and Socially Responsible Investment Behavior

There is an increasing demand for socially responsible investment (SRI), and SRI screens are an important source of information for investors. Yet, little is known about the relationship between investors’ attitudes, use of SRI screens, and actual SRI behavior. To examine this relationship, we gathered data on investors’ environmental attitudes, use of SRI screens, and SRI behavior. We find that four out of five components of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, a measure of basic environmental attitudes, are associated with specific attitudes towards environmentally responsible investment. These specific attitudes in turn are positively associated with SRI screen use, and SRI screen use is positively associated with the percentage of investors’ portfolio held in SRIs. There is also a significant direct relationship between specific environmentally responsible investment attitudes and SRI holdings. Our results suggest that there are complex, multi-dimensional relationships between investor attitudes, SRI screen use, and investment behavior.
Steady shape analysis of tomographic pumping tests for characterization of aquifer heterogeneities

[1] Hydraulic tomography, a procedure involving the performance of a suite of pumping tests in a tomographic format, provides information about variations in hydraulic conductivity at a level of detail not obtainable with traditional well tests. However, analysis of transient data from such a suite of pumping tests represents a substantial computational burden. Although steady state responses can be analyzed to reduce this computational burden significantly, the time required to reach steady state will often be too long for practical applications of the tomography concept. In addition, uncertainty regarding the mechanisms driving the system to steady state can propagate to adversely impact the resulting hydraulic conductivity estimates. These disadvantages of a steady state analysis can be overcome by exploiting the simplifications possible under the steady shape flow regime. At steady shape conditions, drawdown varies with time but the hydraulic gradient does not. Thus transient data can be analyzed with the computational efficiency of a steady state model. In this study, we demonstrate the value of the steady shape concept for inversion of hydraulic tomography data and investigate its robustness with respect to improperly specified boundary conditions.
Chronic Losartan Treatment Up-Regulates AT1R and Increases the Heart Vulnerability to Acute Onset of Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Male Rats.

Inhibition of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is an important therapy in the management of hypertension, particularly in the immediate post-myocardial infarction period. Yet, the role of AT1R in the acute onset of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury still remains controversial. Thus, the present study determined the effects of chronic losartan treatment on heart ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats. Losartan (10 mg/kg/day) was administered to six-month-old male rats via an osmotic pump for 14 days and hearts were then isolated and were subjected to ischemia and reperfusion injury in a Langendorff preparation. Losartan significantly decreased mean arterial blood pressure. However, heart weight, left ventricle to body weight ratio and baseline cardiac function were not significantly altered by the losartan treatment. Of interest, chronic in vivo losartan treatment significantly increased ischemia-induced myocardial injury and decreased post-ischemic recovery of left ventricular function. This was associated with significant increases in AT1R and PKCδ expression in the left ventricle. In contrast, AT2R and PKCe were not altered. Furthermore, losartan treatment significantly increased microRNA (miR)-1, -15b, -92a, -133a, -133b, -210, and -499 expression but decreased miR-21 in the left ventricle. Of importance, addition of losartan to isolated heart preparations blocked the effect of increased ischemic-injury induced by in vivo chronic losartan treatment. The results demonstrate that chronic losartan treatment up-regulates AT1R/PKCδ and alters miR expression patterns in the heart, leading to increased cardiac vulnerability to ischemia and reperfusion injury.
Mapping turbulent diffusivity associated with oceanic internal lee waves offshore Costa Rica

Abstract. Breaking internal waves play a primary role in maintaining the meridional overturning circulation. Oceanic lee waves are known to be a significant contributor to diapycnal mixing associated with internal wave dissipation, but direct measurement is difficult with standard oceanographic sampling methods due to the limited spatial extent of standing lee waves. Here, we present an analysis of oceanic internal lee waves observed offshore eastern Costa Rica using seismic imaging and estimate the turbulent diffusivity via a new seismic slope spectrum method that extracts diffusivities directly from seismic images, using tracked reflections only to scale diffusivity values. The result provides estimates of turbulent diffusivities throughout the water column at scales of a few hundred meters laterally and 10 m vertically. Synthetic tests demonstrate the method's ability to resolve turbulent structures and reproduce accurate diffusivities. A turbulence map of our seismic section in the western Caribbean shows elevated turbulent diffusivities near rough seafloor topography as well as in the mid-water column where observed lee wave propagation terminates. Mid-water column hotspots of turbulent diffusivity show levels 5 times higher than surrounding waters and 50 times greater than typical open-ocean diffusivities. This site has steady currents that make it an exceptionally accessible laboratory for the study of lee-wave generation, propagation, and decay.
Training-based SLM-realizable composite filter design

Majority-granted nonlinearity-based training for the synthesis of a composite filter is proposed. The motivation is the limited modulation capability of the spatial light modulator (SLM) which is incorporated as a design constraint in the form of a simple thresholding scheme. The technique is simple, and less computationally extensive nevertheless resulting in a robust enough SLM-realizable distortion-invariant correlator. Simulation results are provided for the case of rotation invariant character recognition, which shows better correlation discrimination and robust recognition for a range of distorted characters.
Foxp3 + Regulatory T Cells Impede the Priming of Protective CD8 + T Cells

T cell activation is controlled by incompletely defined opposing stimulation and suppression signals that together sustain the balance between optimal host defense against infection and peripheral tolerance. In this article, we explore the impacts of Foxp3 + regulatory T cell (Treg) suppression in priming Ag-specific T cell activation under conditions of noninfection and infection. We find the transient ablation of Foxp3 + Tregs unleashes the robust expansion and activation of peptide-stimulated CD8 + T cells that provide protection against Listeria monocytogenes infection in an Ag-specific fashion. By contrast, Treg ablation had nonsignificant impacts on the CD8 + T cell response primed by infection with recombinant L. monocytogenes . Similarly, nonrecombinant L. monocytogenes administered with peptide stimulated the expansion and activation of CD8 + T cells that paralleled the response primed by Treg ablation. Interestingly, these adjuvant properties of L . monocytogenes did not require CD8 + T cell stimulation by IL-12 produced in response to infection, but instead were associated with sharp reductions in Foxp3 + Treg suppressive potency. Therefore, Foxp3 + Tregs impose critical barriers that, when overcome naturally during infection or artificially with ablation, allow the priming of protective Ag-specific CD8 + T cells.
Comparative Accuracy of Selected Multiple Scattering Approximations

Doubling method computational results which have yielded plane albedo, total transmission and fractional absorption for plane-parallel atmospheres composed of cloud droplets are presently compared with data obtained with selected radiative transfer approximations. The relative and absolute accuracies of asymptotic theory for thick layers and delta-Eddington, Meador-Weaver (1980) and Coakley-Chylek (1975) approximations are compared as a function of optical thickness, solar zenith angle, and single scattering albedo. The delta-Eddington approximation is the most accurate for conservative scattering when the solar zenith angle is small, while Meador-Weaver is the most accurate for nonconservative scattering.
THE SECRETORY DYNAMICS OF GROWTH HORMONE IN PATIENTS WITH CUSHING DISEASE

Growth retardation to complete growth arrest is the hallmark of Cushing syndrome in children. The major mechanism for this has been considered the glucocorticoid-induced resistance of target-tissues to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and other growth factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the growth hormone (GH) secretory dynamics of patients with Cushing disease before and up to 12 months after their cure by transsphenoidal adenomectomy. In fourteen patients, every 20 minutes blood sampling during 24h for determination of plasma GH was performed. These patients also underwent arginine infusion and L-Dopa stimulation tests. Fourteen sex-and pubertal stage- matched normal volunteers were used as controls. Prior to therapy, the patient group had an increased BMI (31.5 ± 5 kg/m2) and markedly decreased plasma 24h GH mean, peak amplitude and peak area values, with pulse frequency similar to that of the controls. GH values after arginine and L-Dopa stimulation were also subnormal in many of these patients with 2 out of 8, and 8 out of 10 failing to show GH responses greater than 7 ng/ml in the respective test. Surprisingly, the same pattern of GH suppression was observed in the patients who were studied 10-11 days, 3 months and 6 to 12 months after their cure, when their BMIs were respectively, relatively stable, 26.9 ± 3.8 kg/m2, and 24.8 ± 3.3 kg/m2. These findings suggest that patients with Cushing disease have marked GH suppression during their illness, which continues for at least a year during their convalescence. We conclude that frank GH deficiency may be another important mechanism for the growth retardation observed in children with Cushing syndrome. In view of the persistent GH suppression after curative removal of the pituitary adenomas, patients should be clinically evaluated for the potential need for GH replacement.
Crystal morphology evolution in film growth: A general approach

Most crystal growth processes involve many competing mechanisms, all of which can affect the observed morphology evolution. This paper provides a framework for understanding growth competition and determining which mechanisms dominate the morphology under different conditions. The approach is based upon the development of a generalized growth law combined with asymptotic analysis. Next, we show how this model unifies many of the physical processes that are known to be of importance in film growth. Next, we provide a graph theoretic method for analyzing growth competition and identifying the morphology-determining processes and parameters. As an example, we apply the present approach to the case of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of GaN. Finally, we examine how the mechanisms that control morphology evolution change as the crystal grows larger.
An overview of clinically significant drug interactions between medications used to treat psychiatric and medical conditions

Prescription rates and polypharmacy are increasing, resulting in a greater potential for drug interactions. Psychiatric patients frequently have co-morbid medical conditions, which further increases the risk of polypharmacy and drug interactions. Drug interactions that affect drugs with narrow therapeutic windowsare of particular concern. This review presents some of these drug interactions and provides strategies for identifying and resolving them.
Internal and External Factors in the Structural Organization in Cocrystals of the Mixed-Metal Endohedrals (GdSc2N@Ih-C80, Gd2ScN@Ih-C80, and TbSc2N@Ih-C80) and Nickel(II) Octaethylporphyrin

Structural characterizations of three new mixed-metal endohedrals, GdSc2N@Ih-C80, Gd2ScN@Ih-C80, and TbSc2@Ih-C80, have been obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on GdSc2N@Ih-C80·NiII(OEP)·2C6H6, Gd2ScN@Ih-C80·NiII(OEP)·2C6H6, and TbSc2N@Ih-C80·NiII(OEP)·2C6H6. All three have Ih-C80 cages and planar MM′2N units. The central nitride ion is positioned further from the larger Gd3+ or Tb3+ ions and closer to the smaller Sc3+ ions. The MM′2N units show a remarkable degree of orientational order in these and related compounds in which the endohedral fullerene is cocrystallized with a metalloporphyrin. The MM′2N units are oriented perpendicularly to the porphyrin plane and aligned along one of the N−Ni−N axes of the porphyrin. The smaller Sc3+ ions show a marked preference to lie near the porphyrin plane. The larger Gd3+ or Tb3+ ions assume positions further from the plane of the porphyrin. The roles of dipole forces and electrostatic forces in ordering these cocrystals of endohedral fullerenes and metal...
Closed-Loop Control of Fed-Batch Bioreactors: A Shrinking-Horizon Approach

The fed-batch mode of bioreactor operation is commonly used in the chemical and biopharmaceutical industries. Bioreactors typically are characterized by highly nonlinear behavior occurring on both a macroscopic reactor scale and a microscopic cellular scale. This nonlinearity, coupled with the dynamic nature of the fed-batch mode, makes for a challenging control problem. In this work, a multiscale model1 describing the growth of yeast in an aerobic fed-batch mode is employed to address both the offline and online optimization and control issues for the fed-batch fermentation problem. Nonlinear optimization techniques are used offline to generate an optimal substrate feed profile for the nominal problem that maximizes the end of the batch ethanol concentration; shrinking-horizon nonlinear quadratic dynamic matrix control is used online for closed-loop trajectory tracking and disturbance rejection. Nominal performance is admirable, resulting in final ethanol concentrations within 1% of the open-loop optimal...
The effect of intraspinal microinjection of dopamine on the C-fiber reflex in the acute decerebrate spinal cat.

Abstract Dopamine microinjection (10 μg) into the ventral spinal cord gray matter of the L 7 segment of the spinal cord facilitated the C-fiber reflex; however, facilitation occurred after a latency of 15 min. In contrast norepinephrine (10 μg) microinjections facilitated the C-fiber reflex after a shorter latency (2 min). Treatment of the cat with a dopamine s-hydroxylase inhibitor prevented the facilitatory effect of dopamine. These observations indicate that microinjected dopamine facilitates C-fiber reflexes by serving as a precursor for norepinephrine.
Disulfide Bonds of GM2 Synthase Homodimers ANTIPARALLEL ORIENTATION OF THE CATALYTIC DOMAINS

GM2 synthase is a homodimer in which the subunits are joined by lumenal domain disulfide bond(s). To define the disulfide bond pattern of this enzyme, we analyzed a soluble form by chemical fragmentation, enzymatic digestion, and mass spectrometry and a full-length form by site-directed mutagenesis. All Cys residues of the lumenal domain of GM2 synthase are disulfide bonded with Cys429 and Cys476 forming a disulfide-bonded pair while Cys80 and Cys82 are disulfide bonded in combination with Cys412 and Cys529. Partial reduction to produce monomers converted Cys80 and Cys82 to free thiols while the Cys429 to Cys476 disulfide remained intact. CNBr cleavage at amino acid 330 produced a monomer-sized band under nonreducing conditions which was converted upon reduction to a 40-kDa fragment and a 24-kDa myc-positive fragment. Double mutation of Cys80 and Cys82 to Ser produced monomers but not dimers. In summary these results demonstrate that Cys429 and Cys476 form an intrasubunit disulfide while the intersubunit disulfides formed by both Cys80 and Cys82 with Cys412 and Cys529 are responsible for formation of the homodimer. This disulfide bond arrangement results in an antiparallel orientation of the catalytic domains of the GM2 synthase homodimer.
Cullin-4A·DNA Damage-binding Protein 1 E3 Ligase Complex Targets Tumor Suppressor RASSF1A for Degradation during Mitosis

Tumor suppressor RASSF1A (RAS association domain family 1, isoform A) is known to play an important role in regulation of mitosis; however, little is known about how RASSF1A is regulated during the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. In the present study, we have identified Cullin-4A (CUL4A) as a novel E3 ligase for RASSF1A. Our results demonstrate that DNA damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1) functions as a substrate adaptor that directly interacts with RASSF1A and bridges RASSF1A to the CUL4A E3 ligase complex. Depletion of DDB1 also diminishes intracellular interactions between RASSF1A and CUL4A. Our results also show that RASSF1A interacts with DDB1 via a region containing amino acids 165–200, and deletion of this region abolishes RASSF1A and DDB1 interactions. We have found that CUL4A depletion results in increased levels of RASSF1A protein due to increased half-life; whereas overexpression of CUL4A and DDB1 markedly enhances RASSF1A protein ubiquitination resulting in reduced RASSF1A levels. We further show that CUL4A-mediated RASSF1A degradation occurs during mitosis, and depletion of CUL4A markedly reverses mitotic-phase-stimulated RASSF1A degradation. We also note that overexpression of CUL4A antagonizes the ability of RASSF1A to induce M-phase cell cycle arrest. Thus, our present study demonstrates that the CUL4A·DDB1 E3 complex is important for regulation of RASSF1A during mitosis, and it may contribute to inactivation of RASSF1A and promoting cell cycle progression.
A surface brightness correlation between carbon monoxide and nonthermal radio continuum emission in the galaxy

The relation between the projected face-on velocity-integrated CO (1-0) brightness ICO and the 20 cm nonthermal radio continuum brightness T20 is examined as a function of radius in the Galactic disk. Averaged in 1 kpc annuli, the ratio ICO/T20 is nearly constant with a mean value of 1.51 +/- 0.34 km/s from 2 to 10 kpc. The manner in which ICO and T20 are derived for the Galaxy is different in several significant respects from the more direct observational determinations possible in nearby galaxies. The fact that the Galaxy also follows this correlation further strengthens the generality of the result.
A quadratically-convergent algorithm for general nonlinear programming problems

This paper presents an algorithm for solving nonlinearly constrained nonlinear programming problems. The algorithm reduces the original problem to a sequence of linearly-constrained minimization problems, for which efficient algorithms are available. A convergence theorem is given which states that if the process is started sufficiently close to a strict second-order Kuhn—Tucker point, then the sequence produced by the algorithm exists and convergesR-quadratically to that point.
Reductive Dehalogenation of PCE and TCE NAPLs with TBOS Using a Binary Mixed Culture

(2002). Reductive Dehalogenation of PCE and TCE NAPLs with TBOS Using a Binary Mixed Culture. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 489-489.
Blood glucose discrimination training and metabolic control in insulin-dependent diabetics.

Abstract Nine insulin-dependent diabetic adults were exposed to a blood glucose discrimination training program. Following baseline, during which Ss estimated their blood glucose levels twice daily, Ss received immediate feedback regarding the accuracy of their estimates. The procedure resulted in a large increase in accuracy of blood glucose estimation. Improvements in the ability to detect changes in blood glucose levels in the absence of chemical assessment, however, did not have a significant effect on long-term metabolic control. The implications of these findings are discussed.
The porcine humoral response to detergent extracted Aujeszky's disease (pseudorabies) virus antigens

Twenty Aujeszky's disease (AD) virus antigens were demonstrated by crossed immunoelectrophoresis in a Triton-X-100 detergent extract of virus-infected PK-1a cells. Eight of these antigens were shown to be glycosylated based on their ability to be specifically bound by the lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin II. Pigs nasally infected with AD virus showed a significant serum antibody titer to seven of the known glycosylated antigens and to four additional antigens. The antibody titer to these antigens persisted for at least 116 days. Pigs which were vaccinated parenterally with the whole detergent extract survived a nasal challenge of 10(8 . 5) PFU of virulent AD virus. The antibody response of these vaccinated pigs on the day of challenge was essentially identical to the recovery response previously observed in non-vaccinated nasally infected pigs. These results indicate that the optimum components of future AD virus subunit vaccines and their complementary diagnostic reagents should be selected from these 11 antigens.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF CHICKEN EMBRYO LETHAL ORPHAN VIRUS.

SummaryThe chicken embryo lethal orphan (CELO) virus is 73 mμ in diameter and the distance between the centers of adjacent capsomeres is 76 A. The virus is a regular icosahedron (cubic symmetry) having 252 capsomeres and without an envelope. The CELO virus could be classified in the adenovirus group.
New quantum numbers in collision theory. II. Angular momentum diagrams and interpretation

Geometrical relationships illustrate the significance of the transformation between new and orbital quantum numbers. The semiclassical analysis of 6j-italic coefficients by Ponzano and Regge clarifies the geometrical relationships and identifies a classically forbidden range, which can be singled out for its small contribution to the summation over the partial waves relevant to observable parameters (differential cross section and orientation).
Influence of body composition on the accuracy of reported energy intake in children.

Objective: Mis-reporting dietary intake is a substantial barrier to understanding the role of dietary behavior in disease. Work with adults indicates that heavier individuals under-report dietary intake and that under-reporting may be macronutrient-specific. Whether weight status and macronutrient intake influence the accuracy of dietary reports among children, however, is less clear. This research evaluated children's dietary reporting accuracy as a function of their relative weight, body composition, and macronutrient intake. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants included 146 4- to 11-year-old children. Reported energy intake was determined by interviewing children in the presence of parents, using three multiple pass, 24-hour recalls. Children were classified as having had an under-reported, accurately reported, or over-reported dietary intake relative to total energy expenditure, as measured by doubly labeled water. Reporting accuracy was examined as a function of children's body weight, body composition (using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), and macronutrient intake. Results: Average reported intake was, on average, 14% greater than children's estimated expenditure (p < 0.01). Reporting accuracy varied as a function of children's relative weight and body composition; under-reporting tended to occur among heavier children, having the highest body fat content (p < 0.0001) and relative weight (p < 0.0001). Discussion: These findings suggest that weight status influences the accuracy of dietary reports made by children and their parents. More research is needed to address possible psychological and social factors that introduce bias in reporting children's dietary data.
Effect of Aggregation on the Optical and Charge Transport Properties of an Anionic Conjugated Polyelectrolyte

The steady-state optical and charge transport properties of the anionic polythiophene, poly[3-(potassium-4-butanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl], are reported. The degree of interchain aggregation in solution and in the film state can be controlled by solution processing conditions and the introduction of bulky organic counterions. Disruption of interchain contacts leads to significant changes in the absorption and emission properties. Scanning probe microscopy reveals various surface morphologies, depending on the solution history. Attempts to determine electronic charge carrier mobilities by using steady-state current−voltage (I−V) measurements using hole-only diodes gives rise to light-emitting electrochemical cell behavior, indicating ion motion and/or redistribution within the films. The use of a pulsed I−V method operating at frequencies higher than the ion response times allows measurements of electronic carrier mobilities in hole-only diodes. Hole mobilities in films with different degrees of chain aggreg...
Isolation and culture of protoplasts from embryogenic suspension cultures of red fescue (Festuca rubva L.).

Protoplasts were isolated from fast-growing embryogenic suspension cultures of red fescue cv. Dawson (Festuca rubra L.) without agitation. The enzyme isolation solution was highly efficient at releasing protoplasts of greater than 95% viability (5×106−107 protoplasts per ml of packed cell volume). A three step procedure was followed for washing and transferring protoplasts from a solution high in inorganic salts to a medium containing glucose and sucrose. The addition of 30 mM sodium thiosulfate to the wash and culture media was found to be helpful in reducing the number of lysed protoplasts. Isolated protoplasts began to divide within 48–72 h when protoplasts were plated in agarose squares and surrounded by nurse cells (mixed nurse plating technique). Maximum colony formation (plating efficiency) was approximately 1%. Many of the colonies continued to grow and produced embryos when transferred to a medium consisting of half-strength MS salts, 4 mg/l 2,4-D, 3 g/l casein hydrolysate and 30 g/l sucrose. Upon transfer to hormone-free medium and exposure to light 16 h/day, many of the embryos germinated to produce green leaves and roots.
The Search for Leviathan Revisited

This empirical study explores the relationship between public sector size (in fiscal terms) and the degree of fiscal centralization at the national level of government. A cross-sectional model is e...
The Effects of Snow, Soil Microenvironment, and Soil Organic Matter Quality on N Availability in Three Alaskan Arctic Plant Communities

Climate warming in The Arctic may lead to a shift from graminoid to shrub dominance, which may, in turn, alter the structure and function of the ecosystem through shrub influences on the abiotic and/or biotic controls over biogeochemical cycles of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). In Arctic tundra, near Toolik Lake, Alaska, we quantified net N-mineralization rates under ambient and manipulated snow treatments at three different plant communities that varied in abundance of deciduous shrubs. Our objective was twofold: (1) to test whether the amount of snow that can accumulate around Arctic deciduous shrubs maintains winter soil temperatures high enough to stimulate microbial activity and increase soil N levels (effect of soil microclimate) and (2) to compare the relative effects of snow versus shrubs on N availability via effects on the main drivers of N-mineralization: SOM quality versus microclimate. Winter snow addition had a positive effect on summer, but not winter, N-mineralization rates. Soil organic matter quality had a nine times larger effect on N-mineralization than did soil microclimate in the summer season and only SOM quality had a detectable effect on N-mineralization in the winter. Here we conclude that on a short time scale, shrub interactions with snow may play a role in increasing plant available N, primarily through effects on the summer soil microenvironment. In addition, differences in SOM quality can drive larger differences in net N-mineralization than changes in soil microclimate of the magnitude of what we saw across our three sites.
Biosynthesis of trans-geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate in endosperm of Echinocystis macrocarpa greene

Abstract 14 C- trans -Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate has been identified as a product formed from 2- 14 C-mevalonate in a soluble enzyme fraction of an homogenate of endosperm tissue of immature Echinocystis macrocarpa seed. A method based on published procedures has been developed for the purification of this material from incubation mixtures. This depends on (1) collidine (2-methyl-5-ethylpyridine) extraction of the incubation mixture, (2) transfer of the pyrophosphate ester to 0.01 m sodium bicarbonate solution from a collidine-ether mixture, and (3) chromatography of the bicarbonate extract on a DBAE-Sephadex A-25 column developed with an ammonium bicarbonate gradient. trans -Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate was identified as the major radioactive component on the basis of the following characteristics: (1) geranylgeraniol and geranyllinalool were identified as the principal radioactive products of acid hydrolysis; (2) geranylgeraniol was identified as the radioactive product of hydrolysis with bacterial alkaline phosphatase; and (3) two moles of phosphate per mole of suspected geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate were released after hydrolysis in 1 m HCl at 100 ° for 10 minutes. The biosynthesized trans -geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate was converted in yields as high as 90% to the cyclic diterpene (−)-kaurene in the presence of enzyme preparations from E. macrocarpa . Inclusion of the plant growth retardant Amo 1618 (2′-isopropyl-4′-(trimethylammonium chloride)-5′-methylphenyl piperidine-1-carboxylate) in the incubation medium increased the level and duration of accumulation of trans -geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. The evidence suggests that this is a normal intermediate in the formation of (−)-kaurene and geranylgeraniol in the endosperm tissue.
Strategies for the design of novel thrombolytic and antithrombolytic agents

Recent advances in our understanding of thrombosis and thrombolysis have led to the design of new thrombolytic agents and regimens that may offer improved efficacy. In general, these new approaches specifically target pivotal steps in thrombus formation or lysis. The goal is to reduce adverse side effects (such as bleeding complications) that result from development of a lytic state or that result from a failure to maintain patency (as characterized by rethrombosis). The points in the coagulation cascade that are susceptible to inhibition, as well as the proposed agents for intervention, are discussed in this review.
Methanolysis of olive oil for biodiesel synthesis over ZnO nanorods

ZnO nanorods synthesized via a wet chemistry approach were used as catalysts for the production of biodiesel via methanolysis of olive oil. Conversions of the oil to biodiesel as high as ~95 % were observed at 150 °C. A kinetic study was conducted to evaluate the reaction rate parameters. Interestingly, at short reaction times, the overall rate was dominated by mass transfer limitations. Then, reaction kinetics dominated at moderate to longer times. In the reaction kinetics regime, a pseudo-first order reaction rate constant with respect to the oil of ~0.51 h−1 was observed.
Green tea and breast cancer

The identification of modifiable lifestyle factors that could reduce the risk of breast cancer is a research priority. Despite the enormous chemopreventive potential of green tea and compelling evidence from animal studies, its role in breast cancer development in humans is still unclear. Part of the uncertainty is related to the relatively small number of epidemiological studies on green tea and breast cancer and that the overall results from case-control studies and prospective cohort studies are discordant. In addition, the mechanisms by which green tea intake may influence risk of breast cancer in humans remain not well studied. We review the human studies that have evaluated the relationship between green tea intake and four biomarkers (sex steroid hormones, mammographic density, insulin-like growth factor, adiponectin) that are believed to be important in breast cancer development. Results from these biomarker studies are also inconclusive. Limitations of observational studies and areas of further investigations are discussed.
Water-Free Proton-Conducting Polysiloxanes: A Study on the Effect of Heterocycle Structure

Proton-conducting, thermally and electrochemically stable, heterocycle-grafted polysiloxanes have been synthesized via hydrosilylation of vinyl or allyl functionalized weakly basic heterocyclic motifs with a polymethylhydrosiloxane precursor. The basicity of the amphoteric heterocycles was tuned by introducing electron- withdrawing groups, whose presence also produced a decrease in the polymers' glass transition temperature. The proton conductivity depended strongly on the Tg of the polymer matrix and the volume fraction of proton carriers, while the effect of reducing the pKa of the heterocycle was less pronounced. The resulting polymers showed the highest reported proton conductivities of up to 0.1 mS/cm at temperatures below 80 °C and up to 5 mS/cm at 180 °C when doped with trifluoroacetic acid.
Reversible neuronal and muscular toxicity of caffeine in developing vertebrates.

This study utilizes zebrafish embryos to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of caffeine toxicity in developing vertebrate embryos. By using a high concentration of caffeine, we observed almost all the phenotypes that have been described in humans and/or in other animal models, including neural tube closure defect, jittery, touch insensitivity, and growth retardation as well as a drastic coiled body phenotype. Zebrafish embryos exposed to 5mM caffeine exhibited high frequent movement, 10 moves/min comparing with around 3 moves/min in control embryos, within half an hour post exposure (HPE). They later showed twitching, uncoordinated movement, and eventually severe body curvature by 6HPE. Exposure at later stages resulted in the same phenotypes but more posteriorly. Surprisingly, when caffeine was removed before 6HPE, the embryos were capable of recovering but still exhibited mild curvature and shorter bodies. Longer exposure caused irreversible body curvature and lethality. These results suggest that caffeine likely targets the neuro-muscular physiology in developing embryos. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the motorneurons in treated embryos developed shorter axons, abnormal branching, and excessive synaptic vesicles. Developing skeletal muscles also appeared smaller and lacked the well-defined boundaries seen in control embryos. Finally, caffeine increases the expression of genes involved in synaptic vesicle migration. In summary, our results provide molecular understanding of caffeine toxicity on developing vertebrate embryos.
Pregnancy and Multiple Sclerosis

In this review, we summarize the available information on the short- and long-term effects of pregnancy on the course of multiple sclerosis (MS). Published studies that used established criteria for the diagnosis of MS were given more weight than studies in which the criteria for diagnosis were unstated or unclear. Population-based studies were emphasized more than clinic-based studies, unless the clinic base was well defined and thought to be reasonably representative of the MS population in the geographic area. For completeness, small studies were also included but weighted accordingly in our overall conclusions. Methodologic limitations and biases inherent in the study methods are discussed. We conclude that patients with relapsing MS have an increased risk of relapse during the initial 6-month postpartum period. This increased risk does not seem to have a detrimental effect on the rate of developing sustained disability. In fact, a full-term pregnancy may increase the time interval to reaching a common disability endpoint- walking with the aid of a cane or crutch—or to having a secondarily progressive course. Evidence indicates that pregnancy may alter T -lymphocyte functions and cause clinically relevant consequences. The specific biochemical mechanisms responsible for these observations, however, remain undefined. Because of limitations of current knowledge, our conclusions are tentative at best. The data are most applicable to patients with relapsing-remitting MS in its early stages. MS is an unpredictable disease and is only one of many factors that patients must consider when a pregnancy is contemplated.
Rejecting violence: Sacrifice and the social identity of trading communities

In recent decades Agravāl leaders have been promoting a centre for caste pilgrimage at Agroha, the supposed place of Agravāl origin, and an associated Agravāl origin myth. Analysis reveals that this origin myth belongs to a class of similar origin myths found among North Indian trading castes. The central element in these myths is the ancient rite of sacrifice. The origin myths of the Khandelvāl Vaiśyas, Māheśvarīs, and Khandelvāl Jains all attempt to show how the caste in question acquired its current identity and social persona because of an alienation from the sacrifice, followed by a restoration to the rite on a new basis (or in the case of the Jains, a shift to an alternative ritual order). Variants of the Agravāl origin myth being publicised currently are often presented in a context suggesting social and scientific modernity, but underlying contemporary retellings the same sacrificial symbolism seen in the myths of other trading castes is found.
Kolmogorov's condition for the square potential spherical pendulum

Abstract The square potential spherical pendulum is a classical mechanical system describing the motion of a particle on the two-sphere S2 under the influence of the potential field U= 1 2 z 2 . In this note, we prove Kolmogorov's condition is satisfied for the square potential spherical pendulum, which is essential for applying KAM theory to this system.
EVALUATION OF AN EXPLODED-WIRE AEROSOL GENERATOR FOR USE IN INHALATION STUDIES.

Abstract An exploded wire aerosol generator was evaluated using test aerosols derived from silver wires and results were compared with existing published information on exploded wire particles. Aerosol properties relevant to inhalation studies were emphasized. Primary particles were spherical, metallic, and distributed nearly lognormally by volume (geometric standard deviation about 1·5) with count median diameters between 0–05 and 0–008 μm. The primary particle size decreased as the explosion energy per unit mass of wire was increased. Primary particles rapidly formed agglomerates of up to hundreds of spherical units but an air blast aimed at and synchronized with the wire explosion was successful in reducing agglomeration. Agglomerate aerosols with submicron aerodynamic diameters were produced by rapidly diluting the explosion zone after the air blast. Agglomerates of 0–026 μm count median diameter primary particles had measured specific surfaces of 16−4 m 3 /g and solubility rate constants of 10 μg/cm 2 per day in a lung fluid simulant containing protein. The relevance of exploded wire agglomerates to inhalation studies is briefly discussed.
In Vivo Experimental Study of Rat Brain and Spinal Temperatures During Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Hypothermia Using a Cooling Pad

Traumatic injury causes mechanical tissue disruption that immediately follows a traumatic event. After the initial event, secondary injury often occurs. It is a cellular and molecular response to external trauma, including ischemia, inflammation, apoptosis, necrosis, and edema in the central nervous system (CNS). Since secondary injuries can lead to paralysis and permanent neurological damage, most current treatment are devoted to delaying or preventing secondary neurological injury.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Determination of phenols by liquid chromatography using reductive electrochemical detection via precolumn derivatization

Abstract A reductive amperometric detection method has been developed for the high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of phenols in aqueous samples. The phenols were derivatized to form the corresponding quinoneimines employing the 4-aminoantipyrine reaction prior to reversed-phase chromatographic separations. In contrast to the conventional oxidative detection of phenols with a high applied potential of over +0.95 V, a low potential of −0.20 V vs. AG/AgCl was used successfully to detect the derivatized phenols with a glassy carbon electrode. The principal advantage of this method is that oxygen removal from the mobile phase is not required. This is because the applied potential is so low that oxygen reduction is not detectable at this potential. A linear dynamic range of concentrations between 10−7M and 10−4M was observed for some selected phenols.
Counting and timing models in psychophysics and the conjoint Weber's law

Abstract J. C. Falmagne, G. Iverson, and S. Marcovici ((1979). Psychological Review , 86 , 25–43) proposed a generalization of Weber's law, which they called the conjoint Weber's law. Empirically, the law sometimes holds. When it fails, the data satisfy a relation that Falmagne et al. identify as the conjoint Weber's inequality. This paper investigates the ability of counting and timing models of psychophysics to predict Weber's law and the conjoint Weber's law. It is shown that although the timing model naturally predicts both laws to hold, all reasonable counting models predict them to fail. Instead, counting models naturally predict Weber's inequality and the conjoint Weber's inequality.
Structure, doping and superconductivity in HgBa2CaCu2O6+δ (Tc ⩽ 128 K)

Abstract We have studied the defect structure and superconducting propertiess of HgBa2CaCu2O6+δ by neutron powder diffraction, AC susceptibility and DC resistivity. An as-synthesized sample has an onset Tc of 128 K, the highest yet reported for this material. The critical temperature decreases slightly (126 K) after oxygenation, and drops to 92 K after reduction in flowing argon. Neutron diffraction data give evidence that the primary doping mechanism in this material is provided by oxygen atoms in an interstitial position, similar to the case of the one-layer compound HgBa2CuO4+δ. The occupancy of this site varies from 0.08 (1) for the argon-reduced sample to 0.22 (1) for the oxygenated sample. Unlike the case of the one-layer compound, no evidence of an additional defect site was found in these samples. HgBa2CaCu2O6+δ has remarkably long copper-apical oxygen distances and almost perfectly flat CuO2 planes.
Algebraic orbifold conformal field theories

Abstract The unitary rational orbifold conformal field theories in the algebraic quantum field theory and subfactor theory framework are formulated. Under general conditions, it is shown that the orbifold of a given unitary rational conformal field theory generates a unitary modular category. Many new unitary modular categories are obtained. It is also shown that the irreducible representations of orbifolds of rank one lattice vertex operator algebras give rise to unitary modular categories and determine the corresponding modular matrices, which has been conjectured for some time.
Mental Models of Elementary and Middle School Students in Analyzing Simple Battery and Bulb Circuts

Written assessment items were developed to probe students’ understanding of a variety of direct current (DC) resistive electric circuit concepts. The items were used to explore the mental models that grade 3–8 students use in explaining the direction of electric current and how electric current is affected by different configurations of simple battery and bulb circuits. Consistency of applying mental models in different, but equivalent, circuits was also analyzed. Students analyses of current flow direction was categorized into one of two mental models: (1) bidirectional and (2) unidirectional. We found an increase in the consistency of current flow direction mental model use coinciding with grade 4 instruction of batteries and bulbs, however, the proportion of students using a bidirectional flow model was similar in grades 3–8.
Characterization of a collagenous cementum-derived attachment protein

We report further characterization of a cementum-derived protein that promotes the adhesion and spreading of periodontal cells. The cementum attachment protein (CAP) was extracted from bovine cementum, separated by diethylamino ethyl (DEAE)-cellulose chromatography, and purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and C18 reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The purified preparation contained a single protein band migrating with M(r) 56,000. It did not cross-react with polyclonal antibodies to osteopontin, vitronectin, or other attachment proteins. The attachment activity was resistant to chondroitinase ABC digestion. An internal amino acid sequence of six peptides was determined by microsequencing, and the peptide sequences were not present in other attachment proteins described in cementum. Four sequences contained Gly-X-Y repeats typical of collagen helix. One 17 amino acid peptide had 82% homology with a type XII collagen domain. However, bovine type XII collagen did not promote fibroblast attachment. Although another 19-amino-acid-long peptide had 95% homology to bovine alpha 1 [I], two other peptides were only 74% and 68% homologous, and the CAP was not recognized by anti-type I collagen antibody. The attachment activity of CAP was susceptible to bacterial collagenase. The CAP did not cross-react with antibodies to type V, XII, and XIV collagens. These data and our previous immunostaining data indicate that the CAP is not related to other collagens or attachment proteins and that it is a collagenous attachment protein localized in cementum.
Indirect effect of conjugate vaccine on adult carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae: an explanation of trends in invasive pneumococcal disease.

Background. Use of heptavalent protein-polysaccharide pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has been associated with decreases in PCV7-type invasive pneumococcal disease and nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage in children. Vaccine use has also indirectly decreased the rate of invasive disease in adults, presumably through decreased transmission of pneumococci from vaccinated children to adults. Methods. We conducted NP carriage surveys in 8 villages in Alaska in 1998-2004. Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were characterized by serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility. We analyzed trends in serotype distribution, antibiotic resistance, and factors associated with adult carriage of PCV7-serotype pneumococci before and after the introduction of PCV7 in 2001. Results. We collected 15,598 NP swabs; overall, 52% of adults living in the villages surveyed participated in the colonization study. The proportion of adult carriers with PCV7-type pneumococcal carriage decreased from 28% of carriers in 1998-2000 to 4.5% of carriers in 2004 (P<.0001). Among adults, the proportion of colonizing isolates that were resistant to penicillin decreased from 13% in 1998-2000 to 6% in 2004 (P =.05), whereas the percentage of isolates with intermediate susceptibility to penicillin increased from 12% in 1998-2000 to 19% in 2004 (P<.01). Adults were more likely to carry PCV7-type pneumococci if they lived with a child <5 years old or if they lived with a child who had not been age-appropriately vaccinated with PCV7. Conclusions. Pediatric vaccination with PCV7 has resulted in decreased PCV7-type pneumococcal carriage among adults and helps to explain recent decreases in the rate of PCV7-type invasive pneumococcal disease among adults.