cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical pacing counteracts intrinsic shortening of action potential duration of neonatal rat ventricular cells in culture

Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between the functional electrophysiological properties of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) and the ability of the substrate to induce and sustain arrhythmia. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of chronic pacing at a constant rate akin to that in vivo, on the functional electrophysiological properties of NRVM monolayers. Confluent NRVM monolayers grown on 20 mm diameter cover slips were left either unpaced or were stimulated at 3 Hz for the duration of the culture, and were optically mapped on days 4, 6, or 8. Action potential duration at 80% repolarization (APD80), conduction velocity (CV), and Kv4.3 (Ito) and NCX protein expression were measured. The effects of the excitation-contraction uncoupler 2,3-butadione monoxime (BDM) were also investigated. The 2 Hz APD80 of non-paced monolayers decreased significantly on days 6 (137.1+/-13.9 ms) and 8 (109.8+/-9.0 ms) compared with day 4 (197.0+/-11.8 ms), while that of paced monolayers did not (206.8+/-9.7, 209.1+/-9.2, and 210.6+/-9.9 ms, respectively). The 2 Hz CV of non-paced monolayers increased significantly on days 6 (26.0+/-1.6 cm/s) and 8 (26.5+/-1.0 cm/s) compared with day 4 (20.0+/-1.0 cm/s), while that of paced monolayers did not change significantly (26.0+/-2.0, 26.0+/-1.0, and 23.8+/-1.2 cm/s, respectively). The restitution curves of APD80 and CV of paced monolayers were also unchanging from days 4 through 8. Despite the unchanging APD80 and CV, a decrease in Kv4.3 expression and an increase in NCX expression were observed in paced compared with non-paced monolayers. Cessation of pacing or administration of BDM caused a reversal of phenotype back to that of non-paced monolayers. In summary, chronic electrical stimulation of confluent NRVM monolayers results in stabilization of APD80 and an advancement of the developmental rise of CV that is mediated by electromechanical coupling. These effects produce a steadier functional phenotype that may be beneficial for electrophysiological studies.
Evidence that glucose 6-phosphate is transported intact in Escherichia coli

Abstract Conservation of the 3 H 32 P ratio in [23-H]glucose 6-[32P]phosphate transported by Escherichia coli strain DF2000 indicates that the Glc-6-P molecule is transported intact, without a sequential mechanism involving hydrolysis and rephosphorylation.
A novel fast-neutron detector for space applications

Laboratory and space tests of a fast-neutron spectrometer that uses a new borated plastic scintillator are described. The sensor is composed of four close-packed rods of plastic scintillator loaded with 5 mass% of natural boron. Each rod is 7.6 cm in diameter and 20.3 cm long; the total package has a maximum sensitive area of 380 cm2, weighs 18.2 kg, and draws 10 W. Special features that qualify the detector for many new space and field applications are an inherently rugged design and the capability for: 1) positive neutron identification; 2) high detection efficiency per unit sensor weight; 3) directional resolution; 4) an energy range spanning 0.5 to 20 MeV, 5) moderate energy resolution; 6) long-term operation; and 7) operation under microprocessor control.
Enhanced neurogenesis in the rodent hippocampus following traumatic brain injury.

Recent studies have shown that neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the rodent hippocampus continues throughout life. Several physiological and pathological conditions have been reported to alter the rate of progenitor cell division resulting in the increased production of mature granule neurons. Excitotoxic and mechanical lesions of the granule cell layer also stimulate the proliferation of precursor cells suggesting that the death of pre-existing granule neurons may act as a trigger for enhanced neurogenesis. Hippocampal pyramidal neurons, and to a lesser extent granule neurons, have been reported to die as a result of traumatic brain injury in rodents. To determine if the proliferation of precursor cells is enhanced as a result of brain injury in rodents, newly divided cells were labeled with the thymidine analog, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Traumatic brain injury increased the production of BrdU-labeled cells in the dentate gyrus with a maximal rate observed at 3 days post-injury. These cells, a proportion of which co-localize with the immature neuronal marker TOAD-64, implanted themselves into the granule cell layer where they accumulated over time. When examined 1 month post-injury, the majority of BrdU-labeled cells co-labeled with the mature neuronal marker calbindin. These findings show that traumatic brain injury increases neurogenesis in the granule cell layer and suggests that these new cells may contribute to the function of the hippocampus.
Online learning system for teaching basic skills to people with developmental disabilities

We report an online learning system for adults with developmental disabilities (DD) developed in collaboration with Imagine!, a Colorado based organization that provides support services to people with developmental and cognitive disabilities. Our HTML5 online application includes lessons to teach adults with DD of all ages about numbers, letters and currency. We implemented the application on an iPad to take advantage of the simplicity of touch-based interactions. Our preliminary user evaluation suggests that the system is well-received by its intended users, and unlike competitor systems that teach basic skills, is not considered childish and boring.
A predictive model for the early identification of patients at risk for a prolonged intensive care unit length of stay

Background Patients with a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay account for a disproportionate amount of resource use. Early identification of patients at risk for a prolonged length of stay can lead to quality enhancements that reduce ICU stay. This study developed and validated a model that identifies patients at risk for a prolonged ICU stay.
Maximum clenching force of patients with moderate loss of posterior tooth support: A pilot study☆☆☆★★★♢♢♢♦

Abstract Statement of Problem. Patients who have lost moderate posterior tooth support may also lose clenching force as a result of sensitivity to increased loading to the remaining teeth and possibly a loss of muscle strength, because clenching forces are limited to avoid stress to the remaining teeth. Few studies have correlated moderate posterior tooth loss with maximum clenching force. Purpose. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that moderate loss of posterior tooth support will have a significant effect on maximum clenching force. Material and Methods. The maximum clenching force of 44 adults, ages 28 to 76 (mean 46), with posterior tooth loss was compared with the maximum clenching force of a control group of 20 healthy full dentition adults, ages 18 to 55 (mean 30), by use of a bilateral strain-gauged transducer. The transducer consisted of 2 stainless steel plates separated by a steel sphere that balanced occlusal forces between right and left sides. Acrylic resin pads were fabricated for each patient to protect the cusps of the teeth. The overall accuracy was found to be within 2.3% of full scale over a range of 0 to 4000 N (0 to 900 lbs). The calibration reliability of the system was checked frequently by use of a dead weight of 222 N (50 lbs). Clenching forces were supported by first and second molars and second premolars when possible. The instrumentation, methods, and operator were the same for both groups. A 2-tailed Student t test (α=0.01) and a pooled estimate of the mean were used to determine possible statistical significance. To test for possible correlations between clenching force and lost tooth support and between clenching force and age, a linear regression correlation coefficient R was calculated. Results. For the 44 subjects with posterior tooth loss, the mean clenching force was 462 N (104 lbs), with a range of 98 to 1031 N (22 to 232 lbs). This compares with a mean of 720 N (162 lbs) with a range of 244 to 1243 N (55 to 280 lbs) for the full-dentition subjects. A 2-tailed t test showed that the average difference of 258 N (58 lbs) between the 2 groups was significant ( P ≤.01). There was only a moderate negative association between clenching strength and loss of mandibular tooth support (R = −0.35). Clenching force was not well correlated with age as indicated by low R values (R = 0.21, missing tooth group and R=−0.03, full dentition group). Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study the maximum clenching force was less ( P ≤.01), by 258 N (58 lbs) on average, in subjects with moderate loss of posterior tooth support. Loss of maximum clenching force was associated with a modest negative correlation to the number of missing teeth in the mandibular arch (R = −0.35). The range of clenching force was surprisingly large for both the missing tooth (98 to 1031 N) and full dentition (244 to 1243 N) groups. (J Prosthet Dent 2002;88:498-502.)
The use of polymixin B as a urethral lubricant to reduce the post-instrumental incidence of bacteriuria in females. An exploratory study

CATHETERIZATION and care of the indwelling catheter is an ubiquitous nursing responsibility, with grave consequences for patient care. Studies on which to base nursing recommendations and action will provide the scientific documentation and objective referents to support argument. In general, the following study was undertaken to provide some “hard data” concerning the assertion that antibiotic lubrication of catheters improved care by reducing the hazard of infections of the bladder. Instrumentation as a predisposing factor to bacteriuria has been well documented for several years. Despite many efforts to restrict the use of the indwelling catheter, patient care still requires utilization of this instrument. Alternate methods for preventing infections of the urinary tract after instrumentation are being investigated. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of polymixin B placed in the urethra prior to insertion of a sterile indwelling catheter upon the frequency of occurrence of bacteriuria when the drainage system was closed and free from concomitant lavage.
Role of Nrf2 dysfunction in uremia-associated intestinal inflammation and epithelial barrier disruption.

Background Gut inflammation is prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and likely contributes to systemic inflammation via disruption of the epithelial tight junction with subsequent endotoxin and bacterial translocation. Aims To study the expression profile of inflammatory and tight junction proteins in the colon from CKD rats compared to healthy controls, and demonstrate the role of Nrf2 (transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) using a potent Nrf2 activator. Methods CKD was induced via 5/6 nephrectomy in Sprague‐Dawley rats, and dh404 (2 mg/kg/day) was used to study the effects of systemic Nrf2 activation. The experimental groups included sham, CKD and CKD? dh404 rats. Blood and colon tissues were analyzed after a 10-week study period. Results Colon from CKD rats showed histological evidence of colitis, depletion of epithelial tight junction proteins, significant reduction of Nrf2 and its measured target gene products (NQO1, catalase, and CuZn SOD), activation of NFkB, and upregulation of pro-inflammatory molecules (COX-2, MCP-1, iNOS, and gp91 phox ). Treatment with dh404 attenuated colonic inflammation, restored Nrf2 activity and levels of NQO1, catalase and CuZn SOD, decreased NFkB and lowered expression of COX-2, MCP1, iNOS, and gp91 phox . This was associated with restoration of colonic epithelial tight junction proteins (occludin and claudin-1). Conclusions CKD rats exhibited colitis, disruption of colonic epithelial tight junction, activation of inflammatory mediators, and impairment of Nrf2 pathway. Treatment with an Nrf2 activator restored Nrf2 activity, attenuated colonic inflammation, and restored epithelial tight junction proteins.
Comment on “A reexamination of the ‘Stratospheric Fountain’ Hypothesis” by A. E. Dessler

Dessler (1998) analyzed 60,000 radiosonde profiles to re-examine an analysis done nearly 20 years earlier by Newell and Gould-Stewart (1981) (hereafter: NGS). Contrary to NGS, Dessler finds that the mean tropical tropopause saturation mixing ratio (SMR) is sufficient to explain stratospheric dryness and that there is no need to assume a seasonal or regional preference for water vapor entering the stratosphere. However, in using the SMR to compute the water vapor amount, he implicitly assumes that the air is saturated, since only under this condition are temperature and water vapor physically connected. If the air is not saturated, the average computed by Dessler will overestimate the amount of water crossing the tropical tropopause ([H2O]e), while supersaturation and the presence of ice particles will underestimate [H2O]e. These processes, which are likely to have different regional and temporal distributions, may have fortuitously canceled each other in Dessler's analysis. NGS studied the distribution of tropopause temperatures and focused on the regions and seasons, in which dehydration is more likely to take place. Recent studies indicate that the tropical tropopause has been cooling over the last 25 years and show that the years used by Dessler have the coldest tropical tropopause temperatures. Thus his conclusion may have been different if other years had been studied. These differing viewpoints emphasize the need for a detailed understanding of the stratospheric dehydration mechanism.
Isolated Prostate Cancer Recurrence Presenting as Pelvic Mass Nine Years After Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

Pelvic seeding from radical retropubic prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate is uncommon. We describe a patient who presented with a prostate-specific antigen recurrence and was found to have a solitary metastasis adjacent to his pubic bone 9 years after radical prostatectomy. Computed tomography scanning followed by surgery documented the pelvic recurrence.
Normal stress effects in viscoelastic fluid lubrication

Abstract Non-Newtonian flow effects are evaluated in a slider-bearing configuration. The material model taken is that of the Coleman—Noll second-order fluid. An explicit result is given for the portion of the bearing load supported by the non-Newtonian normal stresses as well as that portion resulting from the usual lubrication theory (Newtonian effect). Particular attention is given to the non-Newtonian effect of a high-polymer additive applied to a Newtonian base stock. The non-Newtonian effect has a particular dependence on the bearing geometry as well as a dependence on the relaxation time of the addtive and the amount by which the additive increases the viscosity. The strength of the non-Newtonian effect is assessed in realistic conditions of bearing operation. We find that under certain conditions the non-Newtonian effect could provide a significant load-supporting capability. However, with slight changes in the conditions of the bearing operation, the non-Newtonian load support is negligible. These results are interpreted and qualified with respect to the limitations of the second-order theory, which does not include shear thinning effects.
A nationwide analysis of risk factors for in-hospital myocardial infarction after total joint arthroplasty.

Despite acute myocardial infarction (AMI) being a feared medical complication and currently a major cause of death after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), little is known about its peri-operative associated factors. Data for this retrospective cohort study were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2008–2011. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was performed to determine peri-operative factors associated with the development of inpatient AMI following THA/TKA. An estimated 3,096,791 procedures were identified. Perioperative AMI rates were 0.25 % for THA and 0.18 % for TKA. Patients with AMI had significantly greater comorbidity burden, higher peri-operative mortality rates, longer length of hospital stay and increased complication rates. Independent risk factors for the development of AMI comprised advance age, male gender [odds ratio (OR) 1.4, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.4–1.5], THA surgery (OR 1.3, 95 % CI 1.3–1.4), low household income (OR 1.3, 95 % CI 1.2–1.4), history of cardiac disease (coronary artery disease: OR 4.9, 95 % CI 4.6–5.2; congestive heart failure: OR 2.6, 95 % CI 2.4–2.8; valvular disease: OR 1.2, 95 % CI 1.1–1.3), diabetes (OR 1.1, 95 % CI 1.1–1.2), pulmonary circulation disorders (OR 1.4, 95 % CI 1.2–1.6), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.3, 95 % CI 2.0–2.6), peripheral vascular disorders (OR 1.5, 95 % CI 1.4–1.7), coagulopathy (OR 1.4, 95 % CI 1.2–1.5), AIDS/HIV infection (OR 7.9, 95 % CI 4.5–13.9), deficiency anaemia (OR 1.4, 95 % CI 1.3–1.5), fluid and electrolyte disorders (OR 1.9, 95 % CI 1.8–2.0) and the occurrence of concomitant postoperative complications. Our findings can be used to better identify patients at high risk of AMI and to develop strategies aimed at diminishing its incidence, which could in turn translate to improved hospital efficiency and quality of care.
Immunohistochemistry as a predictor of clinical outcome in patients given postoperative radiation for subtotally resected pituitary adenomas

There is general agreement that postoperative radiation therapy is beneficial for patients with subtotally resected pituitary adenomas. We have identified 41 such patients treated during a 20-year period who received postoperative irradiation for a pituitary adenoma. The usual dose was 5040 cGy in 28 fractions. The mean follow-up time was 10.3 years. On routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, there were thirty-three chromophobe, seven eosinophilic, and one basophilic adenoma. Tissue blocks were stained for growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin (PRL), and/or adrenocorticotropin ACTH) using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Routine H&E staining was a poor predictor of the IHC stain. While most patients with a known clinical endocrine syndrome stained positive on IHC for the suspected offending hormone, many patients without a clinical syndrome also stained positive indicating the presence of hormonally occult adenomas in this locally invasive group. The IHC stain results were compared to clinical outcome. The presence of positive GH IHC staining decreased the 15-year progression-free survival (PFS) from 100% to 64% compared to GH negative adenomas (p=0.06). There was a trend toward decreased 15-year PFS in patients who did not stain for LH. Positive staining for prolactin, ACTH, or TSH had no influence on the progression-free survival. We conclude that additional prognostic information can be obtained in this subset of patients (by performing IHC analysis) that is not known by the clinical presentation or appearance on H&E stain.
Adrenergic agents as possible regulators of liver regeneration.

Abstract 1. 1. This review will be concerned with the possible regulatory role of the sympathetic nervous system in the stimulation of hepatocellular proliferation. 2. 2. Marked inhibition of the process of liver regeneration has been reported with various denervation techniques such as chemical denervation, spinal transection and vagotomy. 3. 3. Work with adrenergic receptor and neuron blocking agents have suggested possible biochemical mechanisms for this reduction in the regenerative process through alterations in key cell-cycle events. 4. 4. This article is written primarily to stimulate discussion in this field and although presenting a considerable quantity of accrued data is not designed to come to definite conclusions but to remain spectulative.
ECS-induced retrograde amnesia is not due to increased sensitivity to sources of ordinary forgetting

A series of experiments was conducted with rats to determine if the amount of potentially interfering information presented to a rat immediately following training and electroconvulsive shock (ECS) influenced the magnitude of ECS-induced amnesia. Using one-trial passive avoidance, multitrial active avoidance, one-trial active approach, and appetitive delayed alternation tasks, ECS intensity thresholds were established for each task (Experiments 1, 3, 5, and 7, respectively). Then some subjects were exposed to task-irrelevant high environmental stimulation (of low affective value) immediately following ECS of an intensity that was normally just below the amnestic threshold. Simultaneously, other subjects were exposed to sensory isolation immediately following ECS of an intensity that was normally just above the amnestic threshold (Experiments 2, 4, 6, and 7, respectively). The posttraining environment in the absence of ECS had no effect on passive avoidance, a nonsignificant tendency towards an effect on active avoidance and active approach, and a strong effect on delayed alternation. When the posttraining environment did have an effect, high stimulation impaired retention and sensory isolation enhanced retention. In no case was there evidence that retroactive stimulus interference was more than algebraically additive with respect to ECS-induced amnesia.
Electrostatic atomization of hydrocarbon fuels and bio-alcohols for engine applications

Abstract Electrostatically assisted sprays of butanol were established and compared with the ones of fuels of automotive interest, namely ethanol and heptane. First, electrospray phenomenology was investigated through high-speed visualization for a variety of conditions. Then, spray structure was studied through droplet size and velocity measurements, using Phase Doppler Anemometry, for a wide range of flow rates and applied voltages. Particular emphasis was placed on the determination of the dependence of droplet size and velocity on mass flow rate and applied electric field. Visualization and measurements of droplet size and speed revealed an unstable and polydisperse electrospray behavior for most conditions. Several factors were identified as responsible for this unstable behavior and were investigated experimentally for the butanol case. These included: oscillations of e-spray menisci, droplet disruption due to Coulombic fission and secondary droplet break-up because of high Weber numbers.
Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation of a Fischer–Tropsch Packed Bed Reactor and Its Thermal Management for Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuel Production using Biomass Syngas

A mathematical modeling and numerical simulation study has been carried out for a liquid hydrocarbon production system using syngas from biomass gasification. The system is based on a Fischer–Tropsch packed bed reactor with an external heat removal sink. To ensure the accurate prediction of exothermic heat release, the chemical reaction kinetics is modeled with a comprehensive product distribution scheme based on a novel carbon number dependent chain growth concept and stoichiometric relationship between the syngas and hydrocarbons produced. The Fischer–Tropsch synthesis involves a three-phase phenomenon: gaseous phase—syngas, water vapor and light hydrocarbons; liquid phase—heavy hydrocarbon; solid phase—catalyst. A porous medium model has been used for the two-phase flow through an isotropic packed bed of spherical catalyst pellets. An Eulerian multiphase continuum model has been applied to describe the gas–liquid flow through the porous medium. Heterogeneous catalytic chemical reactions convert syngas ...
Comparative stability of oxytetracycline and tylosin in sugar syrup

L'hydrochlorure d'oxytetracycline (OTC) est utilise depuis le debut des annees 50 pour prevenir et traiter la loque americaine et la loque europeenne des abeilles melliferes (Apis mellifera L.). C'est actuellement le seul produit de traitement autorise pour ces maladies aux Etats-Unis. La tylosine est un autre antibiotique qui a ete mentionne comme candidat pour traiter la loque en 1970, mais il n'est pas encore autorise pour cet usage. Les premieres mesures de stabilite dans les produits de nourrissement, sirop, poudre ou pâte, reposaient sur des methodes non specifiques, qui comprenaient les tests d'inhibition bacteriennes pour les deux produits et la fluorescence pour l'OTC. Nous avons mesure la stabilite de l'OTC et de la tylosine dans le sirop a l'aide de la chromatographie liquide haute performance (HPLC). A 34 °C et a l'obscurite, l'OTC dans du sirop de saccharose a 70 % tres purifie a une demi-vie de 7,6 j (figure la) et aucun autre pic n'apparait dans la zone d'analyse. Dans les memes conditions la tylosine est beaucoup plus stable, ne diminuant que de 25 % en trois mois. (figure 2a). Sa demi-vie est estimee a 186 j environ, une partie de la diminution correspondant a la decomposition en d'autres substances du complexe de la tylosine presents dans le produits de depart. Dans ces conditions la demi-vie du complexe global de la tylosine est d'environ 287 j. Dans du sirop prepare a partir de saccharose du commerce, les deux produits sont moins stables : l'OTC a une demi-vie de 6,3 j et la tylosine d'environ 75 j (figure 3a). Les donnees microbiologiques confirment les resultats de l'HPLC : un test sur plaques contre Paenibacillus larvae montre une decroissance rapide de la zone d'inhibition avec l'OTC et une persistance de l'inhibition avec la tylosine (figure 2b, 3b).
Diastereoselective Diels-Alder reactions of nonracemic 3- and 4-amino furans bound to polystyrene. A comparison of these reactions to their solution state analogues

Abstract The potassium enolates of the 3 and 4-amino furanones 4 and 12 have been silylated with polymer 3 . The resulting polymer-bound nonracemic amino furans 5 and 11 were found to undergo the Diels-Alder reaction with a variety of dienophiles. The endo -adducts derived from methyl acrylate were both directly cleaved from the polymer and or synthetically manipulated and then cleaved from the polymer to demonstrate their formation in >99% de .
Infants' Recognition of the Sound Patterns of Their Own Names

Among the earliest and most frequent words that infants hear are their names. Yet little is known about when infants begin to recognize their own names. Using a modified version of the head-turn preference procedure, we tested whether 4.5-month-olds preferred to listen to their own names over foils that were either matched or mismatched for stress pattern. Our findings provide the first evidence that even these young infants recognize the sound patterns of their own names. Infants demonstrated significant preferences for their own names compared with foils that shared the same stress patterns, as well as foils with opposite patterns. The results indicate when infants begin to recognize sound patterns of items frequently uttered in the infants' environments.
Bypass graft for coronary arterial stenosis following radiation therapy.

A 48-year-old man developed symptoms of progressive angina pectoris leading to myocardial infarction 12 years after two large doses of radiation for treatment of superior vena caval syndrome. Angiographic studies showed an isolated critical stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery, for which a successful surgical procedure for saphenous vein bypass graft was performed. Coronary arterial stenosis following radiation therapy has been reported rarely, but this case supports the thesis that such lesion can be treated surgically.
Long-Term Potentiation in the CA1 Hippocampus Induced by NR2A Subunit-Containing NMDA Glutamate Receptors Is Mediated by Ras-GRF2/Erk Map Kinase Signaling

Background: NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) are major contributors to long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity implicated in the process of learning and memory. These receptors consist of calcium-permeating NR1 and multiple regulatory NR2 subunits. A majority of studies show that both NR2A and NR2B-containing NMDARs can contribute to LTP, but their unique contributions to this form of synaptic plasticity remain poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we show that NR2A and NR2B-containing receptors promote LTP differently in the CA1 hippocampus of 1-month old mice, with the NR2A receptors functioning through Ras-GRF2 and its downstream effector, Erk Map kinase, and NR2B receptors functioning independently of these signaling molecules. Conclusions/Significance: This study demonstrates that NR2A-, but not NR2B, containing NMDA receptors induce LTP in pyramidal neurons of the CA1 hippocamus from 1 month old mice through Ras-GRF2 and Erk. This difference add new significance to the observation that the relative levels of these NMDAR subtypes is regulated in neurons, such that NR2Acontaining receptors become more prominent late in postnatal development, after sensory experience and synaptic activity.
Electronic Structure and Spectra of Actinyl Ions

Actinyl complexes are shown, on the basis of known theoretical and experimental results, to be weak-field complexes in 4/7 of the 5f orbital space, the other 3/7 of this space being strongly affected by bonding to the -yl oxygens. The interactions present in these complexes are placed in order of size so that a coupling scheme (Λ-S), including the choice of quantum numbers of varying quality, can be specified. Electronic spectra in the near-infrared and visible regions are discussed in general terms, including different choices of both the lower and upper orbitals (or spin−orbitals) involved in the excitations. For the isolated ions, all transitions in this region are forbidden by electric-dipole selection rules, but the interactions with equatorial ligands can make such transitions allowed.
Factors influencing consumers' online shopping in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of the factors influencing Chinese consumers to shop online by exploring the effects of user demographic characteristics and media characteristics on shopping intention.Design/methodology/approach – A nationwide online survey of 503 Chinese consumers was carried out to test the proposed conceptual model of online shopping intention using hierarchical regression. The results support most of the proposed hypotheses.Findings – Chinese consumers' age, income, education and marital status, and their perceived usefulness are significant predictors of online shopping intention.Research limitations/implications – Future research should use actual online purchases as the dependent variable and explore the effects of product characteristics, merchants and intermediate characteristics, as well as environmental influences in online shopping behavior.Practical implications – Consideration of individual differences in explaining Chinese consumers' onlin...
Effect of the lipophilicity of model ingredients on their location and reactivity in emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to use electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to investigate the distribution and chemical reactivity of small molecules with varying lipophilicities [lipophilic: 4-phenyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazoline-1-oxyl nitroxide (PTMIO), amphiphilic 16-doxyl-stearic acid (16-DS) and hydrophilic 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPOL)] in protein-stabilized emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). PTMIO in emulsions was distributed between the lipid and aqueous phases but in SLN was excluded from the droplets to the aqueous phase. 16-DS in emulsions was distributed between the lipid phase and interface but in SLN was excluded from the droplets to the interface. TEMPOL was present exclusively in the aqueous phase in both emulsions and SLN. The probes were all highly mobile except for the 16-DS at the interface. The rate of reduction of the nitroxide group of the probes by ascorbate anions was much faster when the probe molecules were mainly located in the aqueous whereas the anchoring of 16-DS molecules at the interface resulted in the highest chemical stability, which was independent of the oil's physical state. This work shows that the location and mobility of small molecules is determined by their structure and the physical state of the lipid in emulsions, and thus greatly affects their chemical stability.
Changes in the Nature of Sentence Production During the Period of Grammatical Development

The sentence production capabilities of young children undergo major changes during the same period in which grammar develops. This article reports data from a cross-sectional sample of 52 children between the ages of 1;10 (years; months) and 4;0, and looks specifically at the dichotomy between stalls, sentence disruptions that are the result of glitches in sentence production, and revisions, sentence disruptions that involve self-monitoring and the rapid replacement of words or morphosyntactic alternatives. It was found that revision rate increased with level of grammatical development, but that stall rate was not related to grammatical development. These results indicate that children's capacities for self-monitoring and maintenance of multiple linguistic alternatives increase during the period of grammatical development.
Chemische und technische Voraussetzungen zur Herstellung von isomerisierten Glucosesirupen

Chemical and Technological Conditions for the Isomerization of Glucose Syrups. The production of enzymatic isomerized glucose syrups has attained not only scientific interest but also economical importance. The influence of different process parameters upon the enzymes and the consequences for the isomerization process strongly influence the economy of the iso-syrup production. Enzymes, their origin, properties and their application in batch and continuous isomerizations are discussed.
Wake Dynamics of a Yawed Cylinder

A theoretical and computational study is reported of the effect of cylinder yaw angle on the vorticity and velocity field in the cylinder wake. Previous experimental studies for yawed cylinder flows conclude that, sufficiently far away from the cylinder ends and for small and moderate values of the yaw angle, the near-wake region is dominated by vortex structures aligned parallel to the cylinder. Associated with this observation, experimentalists have proposed the so-called Independence Principle, which asserts that the forces and vortex shedding frequency of a yawed cylinder are the same as for a cylinder with no yaw using only the component of the freestream flow oriented normal to the cylinder axis. The current paper examines the structure, consequences and validity for yawed cylinder flows of a quasi-two-dimensional approximation in which the velocity and vorticity have three nonzero components, but have vanishing gradient in the direction of the cylinder axis. In this approximation, the cross-stream velocity field is independent of the axial velocity component, thus reproducing the Independence Principle. Both the axial vorticity and axial velocity components are governed by an advection-diffusion equation
Dispersal and gene flow in a butterfly with home range behavior: Heliconius erato (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Heliconius butterflies have been found to have low rates of dispersal in previous mark-recapture studies, and this lack of movement is due home-range behavior. An experiment on Heliconius erato was designed to investigate movement from the site of pupal eclosion. It was found that most of the movement occurs before the first capture of an individual in a mark-recapture study. After incorporating this early movement, the dispersal parameter, σ, is estimated to be at least 296 m (±30 m jackknifed standard error), and the "neighborhood population size", N, is about 50-150 individuals. These estimates of σ and N are more than 2 and 5 times larger, respectively, than estimates based on standard mark-recapture data, though they are small compared with estimates from other butterfly species. Severe limitations of using dispersal experiments to estimate gene flow and neighborhood size are discussed. Genetic data from color pattern loci in hybrid zones and from electrophoresis suggest that, if anything, the estimates of σ and N that I have obtained are still too low. Genetic and dispersal data together show that kin selection is an unlikely mechanism for the evolution of warning color and other supposed altruisms in Heliconius, unless occasional genetic drift is also involved.
Numerical simulations of driving beam dynamics in the plasma wakefield accelerator

Novel plasma based acceleration devices have become the subject of active research because of their ability to support acceleration gradients in excess of 10 GeV/m. The plasma wakefield accelerator (PWFA) is one such device which consists of an intense electron beam (the primary beam) whose purpose is to excite a plasma wave which, in turn, accelerates a trailing electron bunch (the secondary beam). Two issues of current interest in the PWFA are 1) the equilibrium and stability of the driving beam and 2) the effect of the wakefield on the quality of the trailing electron bunch. The PWFA is currently the subject of experiments to be performed at the Argonne National Laboratory and the University of California, Los Angeles. >
60-GHz hybrid transmit/receive switch using p-n diode and MOS transistors

A single-pole-double-throw transmit/receive switch operating at 57~66 GHz frequency band is realized using a shunt p-n diode and shunt NMOS transistors in 130-nm CMOS technology. The switch exhibits insertion loss of ~2 dB and 3 dB for TX and RX mode at 60 GHz. Measured input 1-dB compression point is limited by the measurement setup and higher than 13 dBm, and isolation is ~20 dB at 60 GHz.
Identification of a Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase homologue, EaZIP, differentially expressed in variegated Epipremnum aureum ‘Golden Pothos’ is achieved through a unique method of comparative study using tissue regenerated plants

Variegated plants provide a valuable tool for studying chloroplast biogenesis by allowing direct comparison between green and white/yellow sectors within the same leaf. While variegated plants are abundant in nature, the mechanism of leaf variegation remains largely unknown. Current studies are limited to a few mutants in model plant species, and are complicated by the potential for cross-contamination during dissection of leaf tissue into contrasting sectors. To overcome these obstacles, an alternative approach was explored using tissue-culture techniques to regenerate plantlets from unique sectors. Stable green and pale yellow plants were developed from a naturally variegated Epipremnum aureum ‘Golden Pothos’. By comparing the gene expression between green and pale yellow plants using suppression subtractive hybridization in conjunction with homologous sequence search, nine down-regulated and 18 up-regulated genes were identified in pale yellow plants. Transcript abundance for EaZIP (Epipremnum aureum leucine zipper), a nuclear gene homologue of tobacco NTZIP and Arabidopsis CHL27, was reduced more than 4000-fold in qRT-PCR analysis. EaZIP encodes the Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase, one of the key enzymes in the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. Examination of EaZIP expression in naturally variegated ‘Golden Pothos’ confirmed that EaZIP transcript levels were correlated with leaf chlorophyll contents, suggesting that this gene plays a major role in the loss of chlorophyll in the pale yellow sectors of E. aureum ‘Golden Pothos’. This study further suggests that tissue-culture regeneration of plantlets from different coloured sectors of variegated leaves can be used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of variegation.
B cells in epithelial and perivascular compartments of human adult thymus.

The thymus is the site of T-cell differentiation. However, the relatively recent observation that B cells are also present in the human thymus has prompted studies to determine the origin and function of these B cells. Our studies show that phenotypically distinguishable B cell populations are located within both the thymic medulla and the thymic perivascular space and that cellular trafficking occurs between these compartments, including B cells trafficking from the periphery. The numbers of thymic B cells increase with age, correlating with increases in lymphocyte-rich regions of thymic perivascular space that are prominent between ages 10 and 50 years. B cells within both thymic epithelial and perivascular compartments contain mutated immunoglobulin VH sequences characteristic of post-germinal center B cells, suggesting that the B cells that most often give rise to thymic B-cell lymphomas may originate from either the thymic medulla or perivascular space.
Algorithm-based error-detection schemes for iterative solution of partial differential equations

Algorithm-based fault tolerance is an inexpensive method of achieving fault tolerance without requiring any hardware modifications. For numerical applications involving the iterative solution of linear systems arising from discretization of various PDEs, there exist almost no fault-tolerant algorithms in the literature. We describe an error-detecting version of a parallel algorithm for iteratively solving the Laplace equation over a rectangular grid. This error-detecting algorithm is based on the popular successive overrelaxation scheme with red-black ordering. We use the Laplace equation merely as a vehicle for discussion; we show how to modify the algorithm to devise error-detecting iterative schemes for solving linear systems arising from discretizations of other PDEs, such as the Poisson equation and a variant of the Laplace equation with a mixed derivative term. We also discuss a modification of the basic scheme to handle situations where the underlying solution domain is not rectangular. We then discuss a somewhat different error-detecting algorithm for iterative solution of PDEs which can be expected to yield better error coverage. We also present a new way of dealing with the roundoff errors which complicate the check phase of algorithm-based schemes. Our approach is based on error analysis incorporating some simplifications and gives high fault coverage and no false alarms for a large variety of data sets. We report experimental results on the error coverage and performance overhead of our algorithm-based error-detection schemes on an Intel iPSC/2 hypercube multiprocessor.
EFFECTS OF PHOTOPERIOD AND PREY TYPE ON DIAPAUSE TENDENCY AND PREOVIPOSITION PERIOD IN PERILLUS BIOCULATUS (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE)

Attempts at using Perillus bioculatus (F.) for control of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), have been hampered by an incomplete understanding of the predator’s over-wintering biology. This study determined the effects of photoperiod and life stage of prey (Colorado potato beetle) on tendency for adult females to enter reproductive diapause, duration of the preoviposition period, and mortality of females. Perillus bioculatus showed an increasing tendency to enter diapause rather than to initiate reproductive activities as day length decreased. Females that were fed large beetle larvae (mid to late fourth instar) showed a significant increase in the number of individuals entering diapause compared with females that were fed a mix of beetle eggs and small larvae (first to third instar). Probit analysis was used to estimate the photoperiod that caused 50% of females to enter diapause; these estimates were 15L:9D for females feeding on large larvae, and 14.5L:9.5D for females feeding on eggs and small larvae. Females that were fed large larvae also showed a longer preoviposition period and had a slightly significant higher rate of mortality than those fed eggs and small larvae.
Acts of Resistance: Student (In)visibility:

This paper argues that public school structures are oppressive for all students. Because of racial, class and gender biases, school environments are often especially problematic for African American and working-class/working-poor students. Boys and girls also experience school differently because of gender roles. These intersecting problems include facing dominant narratives based on stereotypes and discrimination. The current study took place in a school building that serves predominately African American and low-income students. The questions examined include: how does school silence children, and how do children resist being silenced? Observational and interview data indicate that children are disciplined into invisibility by treating them stereotypically and consequently demanding uniformity in their behavior as a way to control their mostly colored bodies. Children resist such treatment through creative and collaborative acts that promote their voice and visibility and which critique the dominant nar...
Synthesis of highly monodisperse porous manganese oxide spheres using a butyric acid microemulsion

Porous manganese oxide spheres form readily from a reaction between KMnO4 and n-butanol in aqueous butyric acid under ambient conditions. Spheres have uniform size, tuneable diameters and high surface areas. The material is an active catalyst for the oxidation of isopropanol to acetone.
Transcriptional downregulation of S1pr1 is required for the establishment of resident memory CD8+ T cells

Cell-mediated immunity critically depends on the localization of lymphocytes at sites of infection. While some memory T cells recirculate, a distinct lineage (resident memory T cells (T(RM) cells)) are embedded in nonlymphoid tissues (NLTs) and mediate potent protective immunity. However, the defining transcriptional basis for the establishment of T(RM) cells is unknown. We found that CD8(+) T(RM) cells lacked expression of the transcription factor KLF2 and its target gene S1pr1 (which encodes S1P1, a receptor for sphingosine 1-phosphate). Forced expression of S1P1 prevented the establishment of T(RM) cells. Cytokines that induced a T(RM) cell phenotype (including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin 33 (IL-33) and tumor-necrosis factor) elicited downregulation of KLF2 expression in a pathway dependent on phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) and the kinase Akt, which suggested environmental regulation. Hence, regulation of KLF2 and S1P1 provides a switch that dictates whether CD8(+) T cells commit to recirculating or tissue-resident memory populations.
Nanostructure by high- energy X-ray diffraction

Detailed knowledge of the atomic-scale structure is needed to understand and predict properties of materials. For ordinary crystals, this information is obtained by traditional (Bragg) X-ray diffraction. It is difficult to use this approach on materials structured at the nanoscale because their diffraction patterns show few, if any, Bragg peaks, and have a pronounced diffuse component. A non traditional approach based on high-energy X-ray diffraction and atomic pair distribution function data analysis may be used instead. This article describes the essentials of this approach and its great potential. The purpose is to encourage the nanoscience community go beyond traditional X-ray diffraction.