cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Boranes in Organic Chemistry

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses boranes in organic chemistry, diborane as a reducing agent, volatile compounds of uranium, the alkali metal hydride approach to diborane, and alkali metal borohydrides. The search for solvents led to the discovery of sodium borohydride's being an excellent reducing agent for aldehydes and ketones. The search for catalysts to enhance the reducing power of sodium borohydride led to an anomalous result in the reduction of ethyl oleate. Investigation of this anomalous result led to the discovery of hydroboration. Hydroboration made the organoboranes readily available for the first time. This led to a systematic exploration of the chemistry of the organoboranes and established the fact that they constitute the most versatile organometallic available currently. The chapter describes molecular addition compounds and steric strains, steric assistance in solvolysis, the nonclassical ion problem, selective reductions, hydroboration, and versatile organoboranes. On the theoretical side, study of the dissociation of addition compounds of amines with trimethylborane, boron trifluoride, and borane provides a new quantitative approach to steric strains. These studies quickly removed doubts as to the importance of steric effects in chemical behavior and led to the study of related carbon compounds and the establishment of steric effects as an important factor in their behavior. One phase of these studies involved steric assistance to ionization in highly branched tertiary halides and related derivatives.
Amniotic fluid osmolality in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

Abstract Amniotic fluid osmolality (AF Osm) was studied in 247 patients whose pregnancies were complicated by maternal diabetes. Significant increases in mean AF Osm accompanied pre-existing fetal as well as subsequent perinatal death. Abnormal increases in AF Osm were associated with a significant increase in risk of perinatal compromise with cumulative morbidity and mortality rates of 54 per cent. These data suggest that serial evaluation of AF Osm enables detection of a “higher risk” group of diabetic pregnancies in which perinatal death is more than doubled.
Antigen modulation of the immune response. V. Generation of large memory cells in antigen draining lymph nodes.

Abstract We have studied the distribution of memory B cell subpopulations by using 1 g velocity sedimentation and adoptive transfer. When the non-antigen-draining mesenteric lymph nodes were examined 4 weeks after intraperitoneal immunization with DNPBGG, large memory cells were present in only very low numbers. However, when the draining parathymic nodes were removed, a significant enrichment of large memory cell activity was seen. When these results were corrected for the cell yields in each 1 g separated fraction we found that 59% of the total memory cells were small, 36% medium and 5% large in the mesenteric lymph node preparations and 40% were small, 46% medium and 14% large in the parathymic lymph node suspensions. When popliteal lymph nodes were removed after footpad immunization, 32% of the total memory cell activity was in the small cell fraction while 49% was in the medium fraction and 18% in the large cell fraction. Control experiments were also run to show that the shift in the velocity sedimentation profile of the various memory cell populations was not an artifact of the adoptive transfer system nor a result of selective antigen triggering. From these results it would appear that the size distribution of memory cells depends upon the source of cells studied, large memory cells being found predominantly only in lymph nodes draining the site of antigen injection. Since the large memory cells can also be found in the thoracic duct lymph after footpad immunization but not after intraperitoneal immunization, it is suggested that the larger cells can circulate to other lymphoid tissues but cannot recirculate.
Reviewing the need for technological and other expansions of evidence-based parent training for young children

Abstract This conceptual review addresses the need for a “portfolio of models of delivery” for parent training services for young children, with a focus on two bodies of literature: barriers that prevent traditional parent training and emerging and novel approaches to parent training that overcome barriers. Traditional, face-to-face parent training programs have an abundance of empirical support for promoting positive parenting and treating mental health conditions in young children, particularly disruptive behavior disorders. Yet available research suggests that only a small minority of those who could benefit from evidence-based parent training actually receives them. Numerous barriers, discussed in one section of the review, prevent families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges from completing, connecting with, and seeking parent training services. For example, parents' negative perceptions of services, unavailability of services, and stigma are all salient barriers that limit the reach of traditional parent training. In the next section of the review, we review preliminary empirical investigations evaluating emerging novel approaches to parent training including modifications to traditional delivery formats, self-directed parent training programs and delivery of parent training in pediatric care settings. For each of these approaches, technology shows promise for expanding the reach of parent training services. If fully developed, this portfolio of models for delivering parent training has the potential to overcome many barriers that prevent parents from receiving parent training information. Ultimately, the purpose of the review is to articulate the need to add additional focus on developing and evaluating novel approaches that can increase the reach of parent training. Next steps for expanding the reach of parent training services are considered.
A Dark-Brown Serum Sample

A 65-year-old woman with congestive heart failure presented for a mitral valve replacement. She experienced excessive bleeding and thrombosis during surgery, with subsequent hemolytic anemia. Serum samples were abnormally dark (Fig. 1). The hemolysis and icteric indices were not increased above the laboratory's threshold for electrolyte measurement; however, the lipemia index was. Upon visual inspection, the sample was not milky or turbid …
A qualitative analysis of reflective and defensive student responses in a software engineering and design course

For students encountering difficult material, reflective practice is considered to play an important role in their learning. However, students in this situation sometimes do not behave reflectively, but in less productive and more problematic ways. This paper investigates how educators can recognize and analyze students' confusion, and determine whether students are responding reflectively or defensively. Qualitative data for the investigation comes from an upper-level undergraduate software engineering and design course that students invariably find quite challenging. A phenomenological analysis of the data, based on Heidegger's dynamic of rupture, provides useful insight to students' experience. A clearer understanding of the concepts presented in this paper should enable faculty to bring a more sophisticated analysis to student feedback, and lead to a more informed and productive interpretation by both instructor and administration.
From uncertainty to belief: inferring the specification within

Automatic tools for finding software errors require a set of specifications before they can check code: if they do not know what to check, they cannot find bugs. This paper presents a novel framework based on factor graphs for automatically inferring specifications directly from programs. The key strength of the approach is that it can incorporate many disparate sources of evidence, allowing us to squeeze significantly more information from our observations than previously published techniques.We illustrate the strengths of our approach by applying it to the problem of inferring what functions in C programs allocate and release resources. We evaluated its effectiveness on five codebases: SDL, OpenSSH, GIMP, and the OS kernels for Linux and Mac OS X (XNU). For each codebase, starting with zero initially provided annotations, we observed an inferred annotation accuracy of 80--90%, with often near perfect accuracy for functions called as little asfive times. Many of the inferred allocator and deallocator functions are functions for which we both lack the implementation and are rarely called---in some cases functions with at most one or two callsites. Finally, with the inferred annotations we quickly found both missing and incorrect properties in a specification used by a commercial static bug-finding tool.
PtM/C catalyst prepared using reverse micelle method for oxygen reduction reaction in PEM fuel cells

Synthesis of carbon-supported PtM/C catalysts (M = Co, Cr, or Fe) using a new preparation technique, a reverse micelle method, is reported. The catalysts were characterized by different surface techniques:? X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Surface characterization showed that Pt/M nanoparticles on catalysts were synthesized using the reverse micelle method. Pt/M nanoparticles were observed to be uniform spherical objects. The performance of the PtM/C catalysts was tested by the rotating disk electrode technique. A trend of catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was obtained:? PtCo/C(T, 500) PtCo/C(S) > PtCr/C(S) > PtFe/C(S) Pt/C > PtFe/C(T, 500) PtCr/C(T, 500), showing that PtCo/C-type catalysts had a higher catalytic activity for ORR.
World Trade Organization sanctions, implementation, and retaliation

This is the first empirical paper to investigate the response of shareholders to the application of WTO-authorized trade retaliation. We compare shareholder gains stemming from illegal trade subsidies with the losses generated by subsequent WTO-authorized retaliatory measures. Results indicate that the average increase in share returns of U.S. firms receiving subsidies provided by the “Byrd Amendment” exceeded the share declines experienced by firms targeted with associated retaliatory tariffs. Our results also suggest that retaliatory threats have a smaller impact on targeted firms when there is less certainty that protection will actually be implemented. In general, we believe that the relatively subdued response toward retaliation diminished pressure on U.S. policymakers to strike down the Byrd Amendment, as was mandated by the WTO. Apathy toward retaliation along with associated delays in WTO compliance by the U.S. may reflect a potential weakness on the part of WTO-authorized retaliation in serving as an effective political counterweight to pro-antidumping forces in the U.S.
Routes for formation of S-nitrosothiols in blood.

S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) are involved in post-translational modifications of many proteins analogous to protein phosphorylation. In addition, RSNO have many physiological roles similar to nitric oxide (•NO), which are presumably involving the release of •NO from the RSNO. However, the much longer life span in biological systems for RSNO than •NO suggests a dominant role for RSNO in mediating •NO bioactivity. RSNO are detected in plasma in low nanomolar levels in healthy human subjects. These RSNO are believed to be redirecting the •NO to the vasculature. However, the mechanism for the formation of RSNO in vivo has not been established. We have reviewed the reactions of •NO with oxygen, metalloproteins, and free radicals that can lead to the formation of RSNO and have evaluated the potential for each mechanism to provide a source for RSNO in vivo.
Adenosine up-regulation of the mucin gene, MUC2, in asthma.

SPECIFIC AIMSMucus hypersecretion is an important clinical feature of asthma. While the etiology is not well understood, hypersecretion has been linked to the presence of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 in the inflamed airway. Recent work has shown that IL-13-associated events in the asthmatic airway of IL-13 transgenic mice are dependent on adenosine accumulation and altered expression of adenosine receptors. Although the abundant adenosine present in asthmatic airways has been recognized for its contributions to airway hyperreactivity and inflammation, no studies have yet implicated adenosine in mucus hypersecretion. In this study, we examined the possibility that adenosine contributes to asthmatic mucus hypersecretion.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Ligation of an adenosine receptor stimulates MUC2 gene expressionAlthough most asthma models focus on the mucin gene MUC5AC, we focus here on the mucin gene MUC2. Recent work has shown that MUC2 is up-regulated in asthmatic airways. Due to the relative i...
Characterization of EIAV LTR variability and compartmentalization in various reservoir tissues of long-term inapparent carrier ponies

Dynamic genomic variation resulting in changes in envelope antigenicity has been established as a fundamental mechanism of persistence by equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), as observed with other lentiviruses, including HIV-1. In addition to the reported changes in envelope sequences, however, certain studies indicate the viral LTR as a second variable EIAV gene, with the enhancer region being designated as hypervariable. These observations have lead to the suggestion that LTR variation may alter viral replication properties to optimize to the microenvironment of particular tissue reservoirs. To test this hypothesis directly, we examined the population of LTR quasispecies contained in various tissues of two inapparent carrier ponies experimentally infected with a reference EIAV biological clone for 18 months. The results of these studies demonstrated that the EIAV LTR is in fact highly conserved with respect to the infecting LTR species after 1.5 years of persistent infection and regardless of the tissue reservoir. Thus, these comprehensive analyses demonstrate for the first time that the EIAV LTR is highly conserved during long-term persistent infection and that the observed variations in viral LTR are associated more with in vitro adaptation to replication in cultured cells rather than in vivo replication in natural target cells.
On the performance of a silicon nitride cutting tool in machining steel

Abstract The wear rate of a silicon nitride cutting tool used to machine gray cast iron measures two orders of magnitude lower than it does when the same cutting tool is used to machine AISI 1045 steel. The extremely high tool wear rate occurring with steel is attributed in great part, to both the diffusion of iron into and the diffusion of silicon and yttrium out of the silicon nitride tool—as indicated by an energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) analysis of the cutting tool after machining, in a direction away from the cutting edge. This results in a depletion of the tool material close to the interface of silicon and yttrium. By comparison, the extent of diffusion when machining cast iron is much smaller than when machining steel. Machining in an inert atmosphere obtained by directing a jet of argon at the cutting area proved to have no effect on the wear rate. But a jet of prechilled carbon dioxide that also was directed at the cutting area reduced the waer rate for some time. During that period, the chips formed while machining the steel changed from continuous to segmented chips; they again became continuous, however, when the cooling effect was counteracted by the excessive heat generated by the machining process.
Protein synthesis in a cell-free system prepared from human placenta II. pH 5 enzyme inefficiency due to defects in tRNA charging with resulting loss of elongation factor 1

Abstract Washed ribosomes and the pH 5 fraction of cell sap were isolated from human placenta and from rat liver and used for preparing a system for in vitro amino acid incorporation. In such a system, ribosomes prepared from human placenta and from rat liver showed the same capacity for amino acid incorporation, but the placental pH 5 fraction was one-third as effective as the pH 5 fraction of rat liver. In order to identify limiting factors in the placental pH 5 enzyme, its efficiency in attaching amino acids to tRNA and subsequently transferring amino acids from aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes was examined. Crude preparations of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were made from placenta and from rat liver and were compared for their capacity to charge rat liver tRNA with amino acids. The placental synthetase preparation was inferior in charging activity. In addition, tRNA isolated from full-term placenta had a reduced capacity for accepting amino acids in the presence of rat liver synthetase and especially in the presence of the placental synthetase preparation. Thus defective charging of tRNA contributes to the inefficiency of the placental pH 5 fraction in cell-free protein synthesis. The pH 5 fractions of human placenta and of rat liver were then compared for their ability to promote peptide chain elongation by transfer of amino acids from pre-formed aminoacyl-tRNA to nascent protein chains on rat liver ribosomes. The placental pH 5 fraction was much less effective in carrying out transfer, but could be fully corrected by adding elongation factor 1 to the preparation. The deficiency of elongation factor 1 in the placental pH 5 fraction was confirmed by comparing the ability of the pH 5 enzyme from placenta and from rat liver to stabilize aminoacyl-tRNA against spontaneous hydrolysis in vitro. Since only part of the elongation factor 1 of cell sap precipitates at pH 5, the amount of elongation factor 1 remaining in the supernatant fraction was assayed with stripped ribosomes. The supernatant fraction left after precipitation of the placental cell sap at pH 5 was found to have 70% of the elongation factor 1 content of the same fraction prepared from rat liver. Since the transfer capacity of the pH 5 enzyme fraction made from the placental cell sap was much more severely reduced, this suggested failure of elongation factor 1 to precipitate at pH 5 from placental cell sap. This was confirmed and shown to be due to the lack of charged tRNA in placental cell sap noted above. When rat liver tRNA was added to the placental cell sap before adjusting to pH 5, the precipitate obtained at pH 5 now contained more elongation factor 1, while the supernatant fraction had less elongation factor 1 activity. This effect was found to be specific for charged tRNA. A scheme is proposed whereby the amounts of certain cell sap factors may be coordinated in vivo in relation to the charging of tRNA.
Marker chromosomes in direct preparations of human large bowel tumors

A survey of 257 marker chromosomes in 48 primary human large bowel adenocarcinomas showed that 44% were markers with recognized patterns. Chromosomes #1, #3, #5, #8, #9, #13, and #17 were involved most frequently. Markers related to chromosomes #7 and X were not seen in any recognizable form. The unidentified chromosomes were classified as markers with abnormal banding regions. In correlating tumor location and stage of invasion with markers, there were fewer markers in tumors from the right side. However, there was little difference in the number of markers seen in the left-sided tumors, irrespective of histopathologic stage, suggesting that function and microenvironmental conditions between various parts of the colon may be related to these differences. The most striking observation is that 21% of all tumors analyzed were without any obvious markers.
Cloning of genomic DNA of Lactococcus lactis that restores phage sensitivity to an unusual bacteriophage sk1-resistant mutant.

An unusual, spontaneous, phage sk1-resistant mutant (RMSK1/1) of Lactococcus lactis C2 apparently blocks phage DNA entry into the host. Although no visible plaques formed on RMSK1/1, this host propagated phage at a reduced efficiency. This was evident from center-of-infection experiments, which showed that 21% of infected RMSK1/1 formed plaques when plated on its phage-sensitive parental strain, C2. Moreover, viable cell counts 0 and 4 h after infection were not significantly different from those of an uninfected culture. Further characterization showed that phage adsorption was normal, but burst size was reduced fivefold and the latent period was increased from 28.5 to 36 min. RMSK1/1 was resistant to other, but not all, similar phages. Phage sensitivity was restored to RMSK1/1 by transformation with a cloned DNA fragment from a genomic library of a phage-sensitive strain. Characterization of the DNA that restored phage sensitivity revealed an open reading frame with similarity to sequences encoding lysozymes (β-1,4-N-acetylmuramidase) and lysins from various bacteria, a fungus, and phages of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus and also revealed DNA homologous to noncoding sequences of temperate phage of L. lactis, DNA similar to a region of phage sk1, a gene with similarity to tRNA genes, a prophage attachment site, and open reading frames with similarities to sun and to sequences encoding phosphoprotein phosphatases and protein kinases. Mutational analyses of the cloned DNA showed that the region of homology with lactococcal temperate phage was responsible for restoring the phage-sensitive phenotype. The region of homology with DNA of lactococcal temperate phage was similar to DNA from a previously characterized lactococcal phage that suppresses an abortive infection mechanism of phage resistance. The region of homology with lactococcal temperate phage was deleted from a phage-sensitive strain, but the strain was not phage resistant. The results suggest that the cloned DNA with homology to lactococcal temperate phage was not mutated in the phage-resistant strain. The cloned DNA apparently suppressed the mechanism of resistance, and it may do so by mimicking a region of phage DNA that interacts with components of the resistance mechanism.
Solitary intracranial plasmacytoma

A case of solitary plasmacytoma involving the left cerebral convexity, dura mater, falx, and sagittal sinus is reported. After undergoing subtotal excision, followed by radiation, the patient was still doing well seven years after diagnosis. The importance of electrophoretic studies of the cerebrospinal fluid protein and the serum protein is discussed. The literature on solitary intracranial plasmacytoma is reviewed.
Inactivation of tulare apple mosaic virus by o-quinones

Abstract Purified Tulare apple mosaic virus (TAMV) preparations lost infectivity rapidly when exposed to chlorogenic acid and tyrosinase. Tyrosinase alone did not inactivate TAMV. The amount of virus inactivated in oxidizing chlorogenic acid solutions was directly proportional to the substrate concentration, the enzymatic activity, and the interval of exposure to oxidation. The rate of virus inactivation closely paralleled the formation of the o -quinone of chlorogenic acid. o -Benzoquinone, tetrachloro- o -benzoquinone, and tetrabromo- o -benzoquinone isolated by chemical procedures each caused immediate and total inactivation of TAMV while their catecholic equivalents had no effect. When approximately 1 μg of tetrachloroquinone was present for every 34 μg of virus, total inactivation occurred, but few or no changes were detected in the virus ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrum, serological activity, sedimentation in sucrose density-gradient tubes, or solubility in acetate buffer. At virus to quinone ratios between 17:1 and 0.7:1 virus inactivation was accompanied by changes in UV absorption spectrum, the rate of serological reaction, the rate of sedimentation, and the location of visible zones in sucrose density-gradient tubes and solubility of virus pellets in acetate buffer. Each of the changes determined was consistent with the hypothesis that a virus-quinone complex was formed at the higher quinone concentrations. However, the evidence indicates that o -quinones cause loss of infectivity without affecting some of the biophysical properties of the virus. Inactivation of TAMV by exposure to tetrasubstituted o -quinones suggests that oxidation reduction reactions are directly involved in the loss of biological activity. This was supported by inactivation of TAMV by exposure to silver oxide.
The thermal stability of TiB2 in Ni-43 a% Al

The intermetallic compound NiAl has been suggested for use as a matrix for high temperature composites. Interest in this compound is derived from its low density compared to conventional superalloys, high melting point, and excellent oxidation resistance. It has been demonstrated that a composite of stoichiometric NiAl and TiB[sub 2] is stable when exposed at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time. However, it has been shown that a composite consisting of Ni[sub 3]Al and TiB[sub 2] is not stable in the same temperature range. In the case of Ni[sub 3]Al, the TiB[sub 2] particles dissolve and the matrix is enriched with Ti and transforms to Ni[sub 3](Al,Ti) and NiTi. If stoichiometric NiAl reinforced with TiB[sub 2] is used in a high temperature oxidizing atmosphere, then there is also a possibility that the Al may be depleted as it is oxidized. If this occurs, the composition of the matrix may shift to nickel-rich NiAl or even to Ni[sub 3]Al. This work was conducted to determine if TiB[sub 2] is used in a high temperature oxidizing atmosphere, then there is also a possibility that the Al may be depleted as it is oxidized. If this occurs, the composition of the matrixmore » may shift to nickel-rich NiAl or even to Ni[sub 3]Al. This work was conducted to determine if TiB[sub 2] is stable in nickel-rich NiAl. The Ni-Al phase diagram is shown, and the composition of NiAl used in this study is indicated.« less
Harnessing the Power of Loneliness: A Social Functional Approach to Loneliness at Work

Much of the current theoretical and empirical research exploring the behavioral outcomes of loneliness is based on chronic loneliness. However, nearly everyone has experienced transient feelings of...
General chemical etchants for microstructures and defects in silicates

A series of chemical etchants and etching procedures useful for characterizing the microstructure and defects in most silicate minerals is described.
Biochemical and Biophysical Analyses of Recombinant Forms of Human Topoisomerase I

Amino acid sequence comparisons of human topoisomerase I (Topo I) with seven other cellular Topo I enzymes reveal that the enzyme can be divided into four major domains: the unconserved NH2-terminal domain (24 kDa), the conserved core domain (54 kDa), a poorly conserved linker region (5 kDa), and the highly conserved COOH-terminal domain (8 kDa), which contains the active site tyrosine. To investigate this predicted domain organization, recombinant baculoviruses were engineered to express the 91-kDa full-length enzyme, a 70-kDa NH2-terminally truncated enzyme that is missing the first 174 residues, and a 58-kDa NH2- and COOH-terminally truncated core fragment encompassing residues 175-659. The specific activity of the full-length and Topo70 enzymes are indistinguishable from the native human Topo I purified from HeLa cells. Each protein is inhibited by camptothecin, topotecan, and 9-aminocamptothecin, but not by ATP. Activity is stimulated by Mg2+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, spermine, and spermidine. The magnitude of the stimulatory effect of Mg2+ is inversely proportional to the salt concentration. Furthermore, at KCl concentrations of 300 mM or greater, the addition of Mg2+ is inhibitory. The effects of Mg2+ and the polycations spermine and spermidine are partially additive, an indication that the stimulatory mechanisms of the two substances are different. Activity was strongly inhibited or abolished by Ni2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Co2+. An examination of the hydrodynamic properties of full-length Topo I, Topo70, and Topo58 demonstrates that the core, linker, and COOH-terminal domains fold into a globular structure, while the NH2-terminal domain is highly extended. A comparison of the circular dichroism spectra of full-length Topo I and Topo70 demonstrates that residues 1-174 (approximately 21 kDa) of Topo I are largely if not completely unfolded. This observation is consistent with the fact that the NH2-terminal domain is dispensable for activity.
How Are Childhood Thyroid Nodules Discovered: Opportunities for Improving Early Detection

In a retrospective analysis of childhood thyroid nodules, 18% were radiographic incidentalomas and 41% were discovered by a clinician's palpation; 40% were discovered by patients' families. The latter group had the largest nodules and highest rates of thyroid cancer metastasis, suggesting opportunities for earlier detection through annual well-child visits.
Dissipative Acoustic Reflection Coefficients in Gases by Ultrasonic Interferometry

Reflection coefficients for ultrasonic waves in gases, much lower than allowed by the dynamical theory of sound, first evaluated for a single frequency by J. C. Hubbard, and found by R. W. Curtis to have a frequency dependence, are satisfactorily explained by the new heat conduction theory of acoustic reflection developed by K. F. Herzfeld. This paper presents a modification of the theory of the acoustic resonator interferometer so as to include dissipative losses by emission and reflection at the source as well as losses by reflection at the reflector. The analysis of previously obtained and new data for C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, air, and He shows excellent agreement with Herzfeld's theory in all cases showing minimum losses. The requirements for securing such data, including the plane parallelism of source and reflector and modes of vibration of the source have been studied by optical, electrical and acoustical methods. The parallelism requirement is most rigorous and of a higher order of magnitude than for velocity determinations. Slight departures result in apparent losses of great magnitude. This requirement is best fulfilled by adjustment for maximum acoustic reaction, or peak height, while the interferometer is in actual operation. The sensitivity of the interferometer is greatly increased by blocking out unused radiation by reflecting plates at a quarter wave-length distance from the source.
Focal macroscopic fat deposition within the right ventricular wall in asymptomatic patients undergoing screening EBCT coronary calcium scoring examinations.

Macroscopic focal fat deposition within the wall of the right ventricle (RV) has been historically associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). We attempt to characterize the incidence of macroscopic RV fat detected as an incidental imaging finding on electron beam computer tomography (EBCT). A total of 165 patients were imaged. Their electronic medical records and imaging studies were reviewed for age, gender, body-mass index, the presence of focal fat in the RV wall, and additional thoracic fatty proliferation. A set of 28 patients (17%) had macroscopic fat along the RV wall. The mean age of the patients with fatty deposition was 58.6 ± 9.9, compared with 54.4 ± 9.9 for patients without it. The difference in incidence of the finding by mean age was statistically significant (P-value = 0.045). When grouped according to their Body Mass Index (BMI), there was no statistical association between the BMI category and the presence of focal fat deposition (P = 0.23). Macroscopic fatty deposition of the RV wall is a common incidental imaging finding in up to 17% of patients that increases in prevalence as age advances.
Reductive coupling of [(RO)2Ti(L2)2] complexes containing a chelating bis(aryloxide) ligand with ketones (L2 = bpy, dmbpy, or phen)

The reactivity of [(RO)2Ti(L2)2] complexes (L2 = bpy, dmbpy, or phen; (RO)2 = DMSC or MBMP) with ketones was investigated (DMSC = 1,2-alternate dimethylsilyl-bridged p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene dianion; MBMP = 2,2‘-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) dianion). The molecular structures of [(DMSC)Ti(bpy)2] (6a) and [(DMSC)Ti(bpy)2] (7a) were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Their structural data taken together with UV−visible and magnetic susceptibility data suggest some electron transfer into the LUMO (π* orbital) of the diimine ligands. [(RO)2Ti(L2)2] complexes undergo light-assisted reaction with aromatic ketones in a reversible manner to afford Ti-η2-ketone complexes [(RO)2Ti(η2-OCArR)(L2)] (Ar = aryl while R = aryl or alkyl), which undergo further reaction with ketone to give the corresponding 2-aza-5-oxa-titanacyclopentene. Qualitatively, the efficacy of the formation of 2-aza-5-oxa-titanacyclopentene [(RO)2Ti(L2)2] complexes increased with increasing ketone concentration and in the order L...
Successful Withdrawal of Biventricular Assist Devices After Assessment of Left Ventricular Function by Transesophageal Echocardiography and Automatic Border Detection

A case of cardiogenic shock after mitral valve repair that was successfully treated with a ventricular assist device is reported. Evaluation of left ventricular function performed on line by serial trans-esophgeal echocardiography (TEE) with automatic border detection (ABD) showed improvement in left ventricular function from day 2 to day 6 (fractional area change 7% at day 2; 38% at day 6). TEE with ABD is a promising new approach for online evaluation of ventricular function, and has a promising role in determining the timing for successful removal of mechanical assist devices after surgical intervention.
Current options in the management of conjunctival melanomas

Based on clinical experience with and a review of recent literature, the authors present their current recommendations for management of conjunctival malignant melanomas. Depending upon the locatio...
Bragg-case neutron interferometry

The successful experimental test of a two-crystal Bragg-case neutron interferometer that is topologically equivalent to a Jamin interferometer is reported. The intensity distributions behind the interferometer are found to be in excellent agreement with those expected from dynamical diffraction theory. The distinguishing feature of this interferometer type is the absence of Borrmann spreading in one of the interfering beams. This would facilitate the use of very narrow beams in neutron interferometry.
Influence of quench medium on the structures and gas permeation properties of polysulfone membranes made by wet and dry/wet phase inversion

Abstract Essentially defect-free integrally-skinned asymmetric polysulfone membranes were fabricated by a dry/wet phase inversion process using forced-convective evaporation. The choice of the quench medium is of utmost importance for the formation of gas separation membranes having high selectivities combined with high gas fluxes. The integrally-skinned asymmetric membranes were characterized by gas permeation measurements and field emission scanning electron microscopy. This study indicates that the phase separation and vitrification processes occurring during the wet phase inversion step should be as rapid as possible to generate the highest performance gas separation membranes.
Construction of cloning vectors using the Vibrio harveyi luminescence genes luxA and luxB as markers.

Abstract A synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide harboring four new restriction sites was inserted into the luxB gene of Vibrio harveyi . This insertion did not disrupt the reading frame. An active β-subunit was synthesized since a plasmid with both the luxA and mutated luxB genes conferred upon Escherichia coli the bacterial luciferase (Lux) phenotype in the presence of an aldehyde. Ligation of a piece of foreign DNA at these new cloning sites in the vector extinguish the Lux phenotype of the transformed bacteria. Therefore, the plasmid was used as a cloning vector, and recombinant DNA-containing bacteria were detected by the loss of bioluminescence. To create more versatile plasmids, the intergenic region of phage f1 was inserted outside of the lux genes. The selection by loss of bioluminescence presents several advantages over the white/blue selection of the lacZ gene on indicator plates.
Electrochemical Properties of Alkali Metals in 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Hexafluorophosphate

Formal potentials and diffusion coefficients of the alkali metal couples of lithium, sodium, and potassium hexafluorophosphate salts dissolved in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate were determined using a hanging mercury drop electrode as the working electrode. Chronoamperometry was used to determine the diffusion coefficients, which ranged from 1.4 X 10 -8 to 4.5 × 10 -8 cm 2 /s for the Na and K cations, respectively. Formal reduction potentials of -2.96 ± 0.01 V and -3.35 ± 0.01 V vs. the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple were obtained for sodium and potassium using normal pulse voltammetry. The presence of adsorption maxima in the lithium normal pulse voltammograms necessitated the use of chronopotentiometry to determine a lithium formal potential of -2.45 ± 0.02 V.
PUNISHING POLITICAL OFFENDERS: THE EFFECT OF POLITICAL MOTIVE ON FEDERAL SENTENCING DECISIONS*

Although political motive is frequently avoided as an issue in the prosecution of terrorists, previous research indicates that these offenders consistently receive longer sentences than nonterrorists convicted of similar offenses (Smith, 1994). This study assesses the ability of three theoretical models (consensus, conflict, and structural-contextual) to explain these differences in sentencing patterns. Data on terrorists (N = 95), provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and the U.S. Sentencing Commission, is matched with data on a sample of similarly convicted nonterrorists from the Federal Court Cases Integrated Data Base, 1970-1991 (N = 403). Controlling for a number of demographic and sentencing-related variables, the results indicate that the official label of “terrorist” is not only a significant predictor of sentence length, but emerges as the dominant explanatory variable in the analysis. The results provide general support for both consensus and conflict hypotheses, but only partial support for structural-contextual theory. The findings also raise procedural questions regarding the extensive variation in sentencing between similarly situated defendants when political motive is used as a primary criterion for sentence enhancements.
Synthesis and 11C-labelling of (E,E)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxystyryl)-4-(3′-methoxy-4′-hydroxystyryl) benzene for PET imaging of amyloid deposits†

Carboxylic acid derivatives of the amyloid-binding dye Congo red do not enter the brain well and are thus unable to serve as in vivo amyloid-imaging agents. A neutral amyloid probe, (E,E)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxystyryl)-4-(3′-methoxy-4′-hydroxystyryl)benzene (3), devoid of any carboxylate groups has been designed and synthesized via a 12-step reaction sequence with a total yield of 30%. The unsymmetric compound 3 has also been labelled with C-11 via [11C]methyl iodide ([11C]CH3I) methylation of a symmetric 4,4′-dimesyl protected precursor followed by deprotection. Preliminary evaluation indicated that compound 3 selectively stained plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in post-mortem AD brain, and exhibited good binding affinity (Ki=38±8 nM) for Aβ(1–40) fibrils in vitro. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated that [11C]3 exhibited higher brain uptake than its carboxylic acid analogs and good clearance from normal control mouse brain. [11C]3 also exhibited specific in vivo binding to pancreatic amyloid deposits in the NOR-beta transgenic mouse model. These results justify further investigation of 3 and similar derivatives as surrogate markers for in vivo quantitation of amyloid deposits. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human Skin Permeation of Branched-Chain 3- O -Alkyl Ester and Carbonate Prodrugs of Naltrexone

Purpose. Physicochemical characterization and in vitro human skin diffusion studies of branched-chain ester and carbonate prodrugs of naltrexone (NTX) were compared and contrasted with straight-chain ester and carbonate NTX prodrugs.
Methyl Bromide In Preindustrial Air: Measurements From an Antarctic Ice Core

[1] This paper presents the first ice core measurements of methyl bromide (CH3Br). Samples from a shallow Antarctic ice core (Siple Dome, West Antarctica), ranging in mean gas dates from 1671 to 1942, had a mean CH3Br mixing ratio of 5.8 ppt. These results extend the existing historical record derived from air and Antarctic firn air to about 350 years before present. Model simulations illustrate that the ice core results are consistent with estimates of the impact of anthropogenic activity (fumigation, combustion, and biomass burning) on the atmospheric CH3Br burden, given the large current uncertainties in the modern atmospheric CH3Br budget. A preindustrial scenario assuming no fumigation, no combustion, and a 75% reduction in biomass-burning sources yields a Southern Hemisphere mean mixing ratio of 5.8 ppt, in good agreement with the ice core results. There is a significant imbalance between the known CH3Br sources and sinks in the modern atmospheric CH3Br budget. The ice core data do not sufficiently constrain the model to determine how much of the “unknown source” was present in the preindustrial budget. The results do indicate that most of the southern hemispheric component of this “unknown source” is not anthropogenic.
eagle-i: An Ontology-Driven Framework For Biomedical Resource Curation And Discovery

The eagle-i Consortium ("http://www.eagle-i.org/home":www.eagle-i.org/home) comprises nine geographically and ethnically diverse universities across America working to build a federated network of research resources. Biomedical research generates many resources that are rarely shared or published, including: reagents, protocols, instruments, expertise, organisms, training opportunities, software, human studies, and biological specimens. The goal of eagle-i is to improve biomedical research by helping researchers more easily find scientific resources that are difficult to discover, reducing time-consuming and expensive duplication of resources. Now in early development, the system will ultimately expand to include research resources at other universities following the end of the two-year pilot phase. An application ontology is being developed to enable representation of core facility and research lab resources in the eagle-i repository, leading to more effective searches and better linkage between data types. The eagle-i ontology will guide users to valid queries via auto-suggestion, ontology browsing, concept-based search, and synonym expansion. The ontology development effort is being guided by active discussions within the ontology community and brings together relevant preexisting ontologies in a logical framework. Components of the data entry and search interfaces are generated directly from the ontology, which allows rapid change in response to user needs and ontology evolution. Each eagle-i institution will populate and manage a local repository using data collection and curation tools. To enhance the quantity and quality of data, the data tools will take advantage of the ontology to support semi-automated annotation of resources. NIH/NCRR ARRA award U24RR029825.
The effect of donor age on the processing of UV-damaged DNA by cultured human cells: Reduced DNA repair capacity and increased DNA mutability

Aging in humans carries an increased risk of skin cancer, a disorder linked to somatic mutations in sun damaged skin. DNA repair plays a major role in protection against sun damage. We found an age-related decline in post-UV DNA repair capacity (measured by the ability to repair a UV-treated plasmid (pCMVcat)) of-0.6% per year (p = 0.0001) in cultured primary skin fibroblasts from normal donors from the first to the tenth decade of life. There was a corresponding age-related increase in post-UV mutability (measured as mutations introduced into a transfected, UV-treated plasmid (pSP189)) of +0.6% per year (p = 0.001) in lymphoblastoid cell lines from normal donors of the same age range. This study indicates that aging in humans is associated with decreasing ability to process new UV-induced DNA damage and this age-related reduction in DNA repair capacity and increase in DNA mutability is reflected in cultured skin and blood cells.
A stability-enhancing two-step method for fluid flow calculations

An extension is presented of semi-implicit methods such as the implicit continuous Eulerian (ICE) technique for modeling fluid flow. This new approach eliminates the material Courant stability limit associated with semi-implicit methods at little additional computational cost.
In vivo photometric analysis of hemoglobin

Since virtually all the oxygen carried by blood at normal hematocrit is reversibly bound to red blood cell hemoglobin, the distribution of oxygen within the microcirculation can be determined from measurements of hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in vessels of the network. Photometric methods that rely on light absorption and scattering properties of blood are described. Criteria for selecting the wavelengths needed to analyze hemoglobin in the microcirculation are specified. Two theoretical descriptions of light absorption and scattering, multiple scattering theory and photon diffusion theory, are applied to the problem. Practical approaches to the determination of hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in the microcirculation follow from these theoretical formulations. Technical aspects of microscope photometry including light sources, microscopy, and detection systems are described with special emphasis on the problem of glare. The importance of in vitro as well as in vivo calibrations is stressed, and several recent applications of a working system are discussed. Current problems as well as future developments of this methodology are delineated as a guide to future work in this area.
Pandemic and seasonal H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin-specific T cell responses elicited by seasonal influenza vaccination

Understanding whether seasonal influenza vaccines can elicit antibody and T cell responses against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain is important. We compared T cell and antibody responses elicited by trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in healthy adults. Both vaccines boosted pre-existing T cells to the seasonal and pandemic hemagglutinin (HA) but responses were significantly greater following immunization with LAIV. Antibody titers were significantly boosted only by TIV. The relationship between antibody and T cell responses and the effect of the magnitude of pre-existing immunity on vaccine-induced responses were also evaluated. Cross reactive T cell responses to the pandemic H1N1 HA existed among the cohort before the circulation of the virus to varying degrees and these responses were boosted by seasonal vaccination.
Basic Concepts in Early Childhood Educational Standards: A 50-State Review

The incidence of basic concepts in early childhood educational standards is explored across all 50 US states. Concept inclusion in state standards is described in terms of the representation of the universe of basic concepts, representation of concept categories, the depth and breadth of individual concept inclusion, and unique examples. Developmental basic concept acquisition and instructional sequence is illustrated for each of eleven conceptual categories to highlight the systematic nature in which concept instruction should proceed. A state by state examination of the extent to which more than 300 basic language concepts are embedded in early childhood state standards is made, with examples from a variety of states cited for each category. Conclusions are made about the need for comprehensive and systematic inclusion of the universe of basic concepts in early childhood education to ensure that all children have the basic descriptive language needed to describe the world around them and comprehend and discuss subject matter in all content areas.