cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental regulation of tryptophan catabolism in Drosophila

Abstract The levels of tryptophan oxygenase and kynurenine formamidase present during Drosophila development were measured. The pattern of activity for both enzymes during development is bimodal. The activity of kynurenine formamidase exceeds that of tryptophan oxygenase by about 100 fold and maximal levels of tryptophan oxygenase are reached somewhat later than kynurenine formamidase. These observations indicate that tryptophan oxygenase is rate limiting in the catabolism of tryptophan. Activities were also measured in a number of eye color mutants. Some of these have elevated tryptophan oxygenase activity, as compared to wild type, in adults shortly after emergence. Assays of mixed extracts showed that the activity differences are not due to the presence of inhibitors or activators. Genetic analyses using two of the eye color mutants, ca and w , showed that the activity differences segregate with the eye color mutant loci. These data led us to hypothesize that tryptophan oxygenase activity is elevated in these mutants due to kynurenine accumulation. This hypothesis was confirmed by showing that tryptophan oxygenase activity in wild type animals is proportional to the concentration of tryptophan or kynurenine added to the media. Kynurenine accumulation in ca and w was show to be greater in the mutants, specifically at the time when the activity differences between these mutants and wild type were greatest. We have concluded from these studies that tryptophan oxygenase activity in Drosophila can be controlled by the concentration of kynurenine.
A Pathological Condition of the Fowl Testis

Abstract During the routine histological examination of the testes of a group of Barred Rock cockerels which had been used in a study of the relation of dubbing to semen production a peculiar pathological condition was observed in one of the males. This condition is of unusual interest because semen had been secured by the massage method of Burrows and Quinn three times weekly for a period of two months prior to autopsy. This male was hatched in November, 1941, and was autopsied on June 29, 1942. A maximum body weight of 5.6 pounds was observed on June 9, and a steady weight loss to 4.9 pounds at the time of slaughter occurred. The average weight of the males in the same experimental group was 5.7 pounds. Three weeks prior to autopsy this male was classified as an excellent semen producer, but during the two week period preceding death there had . . .
Global and regional putamen volume loss in patients with heart failure.

Aims Heart failure (HF) is accompanied by diminished cognitive, motor, learning, emotional, and planning deficits, which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A basal ganglia structure, the putamen, serves many functions that are affected in HF, but its global or localized structural integrity is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate global and regional putamen volume differences in HF over control subjects. Methods and results We collected two high-resolution T1-weighted scans from 16 HF patients (age, 54.1 ± 8.3 years; 12 males; left ventricular ejection fraction, 27.8 ± 6.8%) and 32 control subjects (52.4 ± 7.3 years; 24 males) using a 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. After realigning, averaging, and reorienting the T1-weighted volumes into a common space, the structures were manually outlined, tracings were normalized for head size, volumes calculated, and surface models generated. Demographic data were compared between groups with χ2 and independent samples t-tests, global putamen volumes were evaluated using independent samples t-tests, and regional differences were examined with surface morphometry. No significant differences in age or sex appeared between groups, but body mass index differed significantly (P = 0.008). Heart failure patients showed significantly lower left (controls vs. HF; 4842.1 ± 740.0 vs. 4224.1 ± 894.4 mm3, P = 0.014) and right (4769.3 ± 651.9 vs. 4193.7 ± 876.2 mm3, P = 0.014) global putamen volumes than controls, with localized reductions in bilateral rostral, mid-dorsal, and medial-caudal regions (left, P < 0.003; right, P < 0.0002). Conclusion Putamen structures showed global and localized volume reductions in HF over controls. The localized volume losses suggest deficits in motor and neuropsychological functions, which are evident in HF subjects, and may be due to hypoxic and ischaemic processes targeting these areas.
Efficacy and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Distal Blocks for Analgesia Without Motor Blockade After Ambulatory Hand Surgery

Purpose To assess the suitability of ultrasound-guided (USG), single-injection distal block(s) for pain management after outpatient hand and wrist bone surgery. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 125 of 198 consecutive ambulatory surgery patients who underwent hand and wrist bone surgery between June 2010 and January 2012. All patients received a USG axillary block using a short-acting local anesthetic (lidocaine) and secondary 1, 2, or 3 (median, radial, or ulnar) USG distal analgesic block(s) using a long-acting local anesthetic (ropivacaine). All patients were contacted by phone on the first postoperative day. All patients received a concomitant prescription of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with opioids as a rescue treatment. Effectiveness and duration of the distal nerve blocks, compliance with analgesic treatment and rescue opioids requirement, opioid-related side effects, prolonged upper limb motor block, quality of sleep on first postoperative night, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results Most distal analgesic blocks were effective (120 of 125; 96%), with an average duration of nearly 12 hours On the first day after surgery, 28 patients (23%) had a numeric verbal scale greater than 3, although 14 of them had taken the rescue opioids. No patient reported prolonged motor blockade or insensate limb. Opioid-related side effects occurred in 23% of patients. Conclusions After hand and wrist bone surgery, USG selective distal blocks using a long-acting local anesthetic, combined with oral analgesics, were effective in a large majority of patients. However, pain control was suboptimal for some especially painful procedures such as wrist surgery, trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis, and finger amputation. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Energy and water autarky of wastewater treatment and power generation systems

The energy-water nexus of the water supply, wastewater treatment and power generation systems has been well discussed. It is very clear that one source cannot be produced or supplied without involving the other source. Since the two systems are intertwined with mutual needs, it is difficult to resolve the issues associated with them in isolation. However, combined solutions through integrated approaches may not be feasible in all situations. Therefore, it is important to consider the energy or water autarky (self-sufficiency) of these systems. If these systems can achieve autarky for the energy and water needs independently, such configurations can be considered sustainable. This review paper presents the energy and water needs for water supply, wastewater treatment, and power generation systems and critically examines the potential opportunities for achieving energy and water autarky in these systems. A detailed view of the water supply and wastewater treatment systems’ energy footprint was presented and similarly the water footprint of various power plants. Different approaches for achieving energy autarky in the wastewater treatment systems as well as approaches for water autarky in the power generation systems were discussed. It is imperative that future developments should consider an integrated design approach to improve the overall system autarky by communicating between the two individual systems, by considering synergistic energy-water production, by collaborating resources planning and energy-water infrastructure synergies supported by science and system-based natural resource policies and regulations.
Neuroprotector effects of Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) used in Piglets after Hypoxic-Ischemic Insult |[dagger]| 1903

Magnesium sulfate has been proposed as a potential strategy for hypoxic-ischemic insult because its ability to block calcium entry through NMDA receptor. Objetive: the aim of this work was to examine the neuroprotector effect of MgSO4 in an experimental piglet model of hypoxic-ischemic insult when is administrated as a rescue strategy, 15 minutes after the insult. Methods: Piglets (5 days old) were assigned to (S) Sham (n=8), (SM) Sham+MgSO4 (n=8), (HI) hypoxic-ischemic (n=8), (HIM) hypoxic-ischemic+MgSO4 (n=8) group. In the groups HI and HIM temporary occlusion of carotid arteries during 30 minutes (FiO2 8%), and hemorragic hypotension (15 min) after 15 min of hypoxic insult was made. A loading dosis of 300 mg/kg of MgSO4 followed by 150 mg/kg/h iv were administrated during 12 h to SM and HIM groups. CSF neuron specific enolase(NSE) levels were measured by EIA. Cerebral neuropathologic examination was performed and graded following a score; neuronal necrosis was assesed in diferents regions of the brain. Results: Significant increase in CSF NSE levels in the inmediately before sacrifice were found in the HI and HIM groups (p<0.05). Severe brain damage was found in groups HI and HIM in all of the sections examined, mainly in cortex, basal ganglia and hippocampus.Conclusion: We did not find neuroprotector effect when MgSO4 was administrated 15 minutes after the hypoxic-ischemic insult in this experimental model.
Change Processes During Cognitive Bias Modification for Obsessive Compulsive Beliefs

Multiple studies have found that cognitive bias modification (CBM) can be an effective intervention to reduce maladaptive, anxiety-linked cognitive biases and symptoms, but little is known about how it achieves its effects. CBM is posited to work by altering contingency learning about potential threat cues, rather than via habituation of fear and arousal (as hypothesized for exposure-based interventions). In the current study, multi-level modeling was used to examine the trajectories of potential change processes over the course of CBM for interpretation bias in a sample high in obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms (n = 75). Psychophysiological arousal (heart rate and galvanic skin response), subjective fear, and the development of a learned contingency between ambiguity tied to threat and safe outcomes were measured before, during, and after CBM. Results showed that, compared to a control group, CBM was effective at reducing OC beliefs (though not responses to subsequent OC stressors). Additionally, as expected, only contingency learning significantly changed as a function of training condition, while subjective fear and arousal did not. Moreover, post-training indicators of contingency learning predicted the extent OC beliefs changed from pre- to post-training for the “positive” CBM group only (and not for the control group). This indicates that CBM is likely not operating similarly to habituation, but is instead marked by change in cognitive processing. However, change in contingency learning did not fully mediate the effect of this intervention on change in OC beliefs, suggesting more work is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying CBM.
New polymorphic microsatellite loci in two fish species: bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) and yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)

We identified four new polymorphic microsatellite loci in bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) and five loci in yellow bullheads (Ameiurus natalis). We screened 400 killifish from 20 populations and 180 bullheads from nine populations, finding a high degree of polymorphism (nine to 54 alleles per locus; average expected heterozygosity 0.678–0.976). We found no evidence for linkage disequilibrium. Three of the loci found in bluefin killifish show heterozygote deficiency; the other loci do not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg expectations.
Chaotic behavior in computer mediated network communication

Abstract The work examines the use of chaos theory in modelling time series data generated by computer mediated communication (CMC). Data generated by CMC bulletin boards is examined for the presence of chaotic behavior and to assess the variance which can be accounted for by the deterministic mechanism. The study regards the time series data generated from a CMC discussion group as the sum of two components. One is a deterministic “signal” which presumably obeys some unknown chaotic dynamics. The other component is truly random “noise”. The study's overall goal is to assess the relative importance of these two components, using techniques devised by Procaccia and Grassberger for studying chaos in time series data. Chaotic time series data had increasingly larger fractions of noise added until chaotic behavior was no longer found. Analysis of the data with added noise indicates that from 20 to 30% of the variation in the data is the result of noise. Conversely, 70 to 80% of the variation in the data can be accounted for by deterministic chaos. Implications for future research using chaos and CMC are discussed.
Microstructural influences on superplasticity in Ti-6AI-4V

The strong dependence of the superplastic behavior of metals and alloys on grain size has been demonstrated, and it is now well known that a fine grain size is normally a requirement for superplasticity. However, the microstructure of certain alloy systems such as Ti-6A1-4V cannot always be adequately characterized by a single parameter such as grain size. In two-phase α β alloys such as Ti-6A1-4V, other microstructural parameters such as volume fractions of the two phases, grain aspect ratio, grain size distribution and crystallographic texture may also influence superplasticity. For example, if “grain switching” is an important deformation mechanism in superplastic flow as suggested by Ashby and Verall, then factors such as grain aspect ratio and range of grain sizes would be expected to have an effect on superplastic behavior. In this study, these microstructural features were determined for several different heats of Ti-6Al-4V, and the corresponding superplastic properties were evaluated in terms of their fully characterized microstructure. The flow stress as a function of strain rate, strain rate sensitivity exponent (m) as a function of strain rate and total elongation on properties were found to be strongly influenced by microstructural parameters such as grain aspect ratios, grain size and grain size distribution.
Complementary Josephson-junction circuit: a fast flip-flop and logic gate

A logic circuit with Josephson junctions has been developed that operates as logic gate or as a flip-flop. Despite the latching-type characteristic of the Josephson tunnel junction, the complementary logic circuit is nonlatching. The test circuit has a power dissipation of 16.4 μW and a signal risetime of approximately 60 ps has been measured.
Critical current, film thickness and grain alignment for spray-pyrolyzed films of TlBa2Ca2Cu3Ox

Abstract X-ray diffraction rocking curves are used to measure the c axis alignment of TlBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x films grown on polycrystalline substrates with thickness varying from 3 to 10.5 μm. Films thicker than 3 μm are found to contain two layers: a well aligned (3.5° FWHM) bottom layer, and a poorly aligned (greater than 12° FWHM) top layer. Azimuthal scans show that the component with good long-range out-of-plane alignment retains its characteristic colony microstructure of local in-plane alignment as film thickness increases. The length dependence of the critical current density may be accounted for by assuming that all the supercurrent is carried by the well-aligned component.
The Confusion of Is and Ought in Game Theoretic Contexts

This paper explores the distinction between normative and positive theoretical statements in a game theoretic context from a Bayesian perspective. Normative and positive theoretical statements are often confused in decision making research. The confusion results from some unique epistemological and methodological problems associated with cognitive behavior as an object for scientific inquiry. The confusion persists because of poor model validation procedures which are themselves further complicated by the confusion. The confusion greatly impedes the development of more useful prescriptions for and predictions of human decision behavior. From a Bayesian perspective which acknowledges the importance of incomplete information and imperfect theories of behavior, the confusion is unnecessary.
Inhalation Toxicology and Histopathology of Ricin and Abrin Toxins

AbstractThe inhalation toxicology of ricin (supplied by Sigma) from the seed variety “Hale Queen” and abrin was examined following head-only exposure of rats to a range of concentrations of each toxin generated as an aerosol from solution using a constant-output nebulizer. The inhalation toxicity of an in-house preparation of ricin from a different seed type, Ricinus communis var. zanzibariensis (R. zanzibariensis), was also assessed for comparison. The approximate LCt50 values determined were very similar for the Sigma ricin and abrin (4.54–5.96 and 4.54 mg min m-3, respectively). However, the LCt50 of ricin toxin prepared in-house from seeds of the R. zanzibariensis variety was assessed to be 12.7 mg min m-3. Ricin prepared from this seed variety was therefore less toxic than Sigma ricin by a factor of almost threefold. Given that both ricin preparations were pure by silver-stained, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels, the data must reflect differences in specific toxicity between...
A diiron-ditungsten cluster supported by carbonyl and alkoxide ligands: Fe2W2(OPri)6(CO)5(py)

Abstract From the reaction between W2(OPri)6(py)2(MM) and Fe2(μ-S2)(CO)6 in hexane at room temperature the first heteronuclear mixed alkoxide-carbonyl cluster Fe2W2(μ3-S)2(OPri)6(CO)5(py) has been obtained and structurally characterized. The central planar distorted rhomboidal Fe2W2 unit is capped by μ3−S2− ligands. There are two Fe—W bonds, in addition to Fe—Fe and W—W bonds.
Ecology of migrant Black‐necked Grebes Podiceps nigricollis at Mono Lake, California

Autumnal migrant Black-necked or Eared Grebes Podiceps nigricollis begin arriving in large numbers at Mono Lake, California, in August. Juveniles appear to arrive later than adults, and the number of grebes at Mono Lake peaks in September and October. The grebes leave by November or December. Stomachs of 73 grebes collected in the Autumns of 1980 and 1981 reveal that brine shrimp Artemia monica comprise over 90% of the diet. The remainder of the diet is composed of the larvae, pupariaand adults of a brine fly Ephydra hians and small numbers of shore bugs Saldula arenicola and 5. opiparia and other terrestrial arthropods. The grebes do not feed at night but rest instead in large nocturnal aggregations over deep water. Grebe fat stores and total body-weight increase from August to October, and adults moult their regimes in August and September. In late autumn brine shrimp densities decline dramatically and the grebes leave the lake.
Linear robust control of very flexible one-link manipulator arm

In this sequel to work previously completed by Korolov and Chen, we design the end-point position control of a one-link flexible robot arm subjected to a wise spectrum of operational conditions. The linear control scheme designed here treats the possible variations of natural frequencies as uncertainties and is robust if the uncertainties stay inside specified bounds. The results of the simulation of this scheme are compared with simulations of the non-linear controller for the same arm.
Sex differences, weapon focus, and eyewitness reliability

Two aspects of eyewitness identification were tested: sex differences in eyewitness reliability and an explanation of the weapon focus effect that is based on object salience. One hundred ninety-one male and female American college students watched a slide sequence that depicted a male or female target person enacting a simple behavioral progression while holding various objects. Afterward, the subjects attempted to identify the target person in a photospread and to recall physical details about him or her on a questionnaire. The results confirmed a predicted own-sex identification bias effect (p < .001) but did not support the object salience hypothesis. An interaction between subject sex and object indicated that men and women attended to and were distracted by different types of objects (p < .009).
Synthesis and Characterization of One-Ended Perfluorocarbon-Functionalized Derivatives of Poly(ethylene glycol)s

PEG derivatives of molecular weights of approximately 5K and 10K and end-functionalized with C6F13 groups in aqueous solutions show strong association of the perfluorocarbon end groups into dimers as indicated by 19F NMR and reduced viscosity studies. In sharp contrast, the C8F17 derivatives in aqueous media appear to associate into micelles. Association of the C6F13 groups is favored by a lower PEG molecular weight, presumably due to excluded volume interactions. Addition of NaCl and increasing temperature favors association of the 5K C6F13 derivative, consistent with hydrophobic association. Increasing temperature also promotes hydrophobic association into dimers as indicated by a positive change in the entropy of association, S, of 21 cal mol-1 K-1 and a relatively large positive value of the change in the enthalpy of association, H, of 3.5 kcal/mol. Viscometric studies appear to be consistent with the fluorine-19 NMR studies but additionally suggest the occurrence of hydrophobic interactions of the pe...
Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: clinical findings, surgical treatment, and outcomes

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a rare disorder often misdiagnosed as a malignant ulcer. Histopathological features of SRUS are characteristic and pathognomonic; nevertheless, the endoscopic and clinical presentations may be confusing. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical findings, surgical treatment, and outcomes in patients who suffer from SRUS. A retrospective chart review was undertaken, from January 1989 to May 2005 for all patients who were diagnosed with SRUS. Data recorded included: patient’s age, gender, clinical presentation, past surgical history, diagnostic and preoperative workup, operative procedure, complications, and outcomes. During the study period, 23 patients were diagnosed with SRUS. Seven patients received only medical treatment, and in three patients, the ulcer healed after medical treatment. Sixteen patients underwent surgical treatment. In four patients, the symptoms persisted after surgery. Two patients presented with postoperative rectal bleeding requiring surgical intervention. Three patients developed late postoperative sexual dysfunction. One patient continued suffering from rectal pain after a colostomy was constructed. Median follow-up was 14 (range 2–84) months. The results of this study show clearly that every patient with SRUS must be assessed individually. Initial treatment should include conservative measures. In patients with refractory symptoms, surgical treatment should be considered. Results of anterior resection and protocolectomy are satisfactory for solitary rectal ulcer.
Chondrogenesis in peripheral fibromas of the gingiva. Histochemical demonstration of oxytalan fibers and mucopolysaccharides

Five lesions were studied to elucidate the histogenesis of cartilage in peripheral fibromas. Cytological features suggested direct transformation from fibroblast-like cells to chondrocyles (cartilaginous metaplasia). Supportive evidence for such differentiation was the presence of neutral and acid mucopolysaccharides in the loose stroma of the lesions as well as in the ground substance of the cartilaginous centers. In one instance, the metaplastic cartilage showed bone formation. An increased number of oxytalan fibers could be demonstrated in the fibroma and in the cartilage.
Mining the Royal Portrait Miniature for the Art Historical Context

The eleventh-century royal portrait miniature painting of King Gagik-Abas of Kars, Queen Goranduxt, and Princess Marem is an important image within the realm of Armenian art history. However, conflicting statements about art historical context have been drawn by human visual analysis. In this paper, we investigate a pattern classification algorithm to discover the historic context using the texture information of the art image. Specifically, our goal is using computer-aided techniques to provide the second opinion for the determination of whether the object held by the queen in the image is a silk cloth resembling the veil she wears. Experimental results showed that image data mining techniques is a possible solution to analyze the art image for interesting and useful patterns.
Edward Haistwell, F.R.S.

In a letter addressed from London Hospital Medical College, 3 October 1932, William Bulloch, Fellow of the Royal Society, and compiler of ‘The Roll of the Fellows of the Royal Society’ now in the library collection of that Society, replied to an enquiry from John Nickalls the Librarian of the Society of Friends in London. Nickalls’ letter of enquiry has not been preserved, but he apparently asked whether there might be a connexion between the Edward Haistwell who had been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1698, and the Quaker Edward Haistwell who had served for a time as the amanuensis of George Fox the founder of the Quaker movement. Bulloch’s reply was two-fold.
Parenteral Iron Therapy in the Pediatric Patient A Review

For more than 50 years, iron dextran has been the mainstay of parenteral iron therapy in the United States. In October 2009, the Food and Drug Administration expanded its existing black box warning that cautioned practitioners to administer a test dose first because of the risk of anaphylactic, often fatal adverse reactions. It further modified the warning, stating that fatal reactions can still occur even in patients who tolerated the test dose. As a result, health care providers have sought safer alternatives to parenteral iron dextran when oral iron repletion is not an option. The purpose of this review is to discuss the currently available formulations, with a focus on the needs of the pediatric patient, in whom there is limited experience in using products other than iron dextran.
Auditory motion aftereffects

Observers were adapted to simulated auditory movement produced by dynamically varying the interaural time and intensity differences of tones (500 or 2,000 Hz) presented through headphones. At lO-sec intervals during adaptation, various probe tones were presented for 1 sec (the frequency of the probe was always the same as that of the adaptation stimulus). Observers judged the direction of apparent movement (“left” or “right”) of each probe tone. At 500 Hz, with a 200-deg/sec adaptation velocity, “stationary” probe tones were consistently judged to move in the direction opposite to that of the adaptation stimulus. We call this result an auditory motion aftereffect. In slower velocity adaptation conditions, progressively less aftereffect was demonstrated. In the higher frequency condition (2,000 Hz, 200-deg/sec adaptation velocity), we found no evidence of motion aftereffect. The data are discussed in relation to the well-known visual analog-the “waterfall effect.” Although the auditory aftereffect is weaker than the visual analog, the data suggest that auditory motion perception might be mediated, as is generally believed for the visual system, by direction-specific movement analyzers.
Some theoretical implications of gay involvement in an urban land market

Abstract This paper examines the theoretical significance of gay involvement in the gentrification of a New Orleans neighborhood. A narrative describing three sets of events that were crucial in the neighborhood's transformation is presented and analyzed. These events featured key actors who were gay men but who represented a complex configuration of interests. Contrary to expectations, those most active in advancing gay community development were gay speculators and developers, while those most resistant to promoting a gay political and social agenda were gay neighborhood activists. The role of state actors is seen as relatively minimal. These findings suggest that, in some land markets, the class interests of those who treat land as a financial asset can be facilitated by forming cross-cultural and cross-class alliances with gay communities. Because gay involvement in the neighborhood was overwhelmingly that of males, the study further suggests that gay community development can, under certain circumstances, facilitate, rather than undermine, the economic and social dominance of males in the urban environment.
Oxidative Stress and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Oxidative insults, whether over-excitation, excessive release of glutamate or ATP caused by stroke, ischemia or inflammation, exposure to ionizing radiation, heavy-metal ions or oxidized lipoproteins may initiate various signaling cascades leading to apoptotic cell death and neurodegenerative disorders. Among the various reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in the living organism, hydroxyl and peroxynitrite are the most potent and can damage proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. It appears that some natural antioxidants (tocopherol, ascorbic acid and glutathione) and defense enzyme systems (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) may provide some protection against oxidative damage. Recent findings indicate several polyphenols and antioxidant drugs (probucol, seligilline) are effective in protecting the cells from ROS attack. Further development of these antioxidant molecules may be of value in preventing the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load in diabetes prevention--what can we learn from observational studies?

Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load in diabetes prevention—what can we learn from observational studies?
Performance of GIC-derived active RC biquads with variable gain

GIC-derived second-order active filter sections are known to be ‘optimal’ for a certain choice of element values that preset the filters' signal gain to a fixed value. Further investigations show that, owing to finite amplifier gain-bandwidth products, GIC-derived filters suffer from various deviations, such as severe Q-enhancement, if the gain must be adjustable, so that the optimal low-sensitivity design cannot be implemented. This paper examines this effect and proposes a simple passive compensation technique that requires only a single additional resistor and results in greatly improved GIC-type-filter performance for all gains.
Interphase and compatibilization of polymer blends

Polymer blends are mixtures of at least two polymers and/or copolymers comprising more than 2 wt% of each macromolecular component. Most blends are immiscible, and need to be compatibilized. The compatibilization must not only ensure improvement in performance, but it must be reproducible, insensitive to forming stresses and repeated processing. This review on compatibilization of polymer blends is prepared in three parts : (i) description of the interface/interphase; (ii) compatibilization by addition of a copolymer (with a special emphasis on the use of block copolymers) ; and (iii) reactive compatibilization.
Almost optimal convergence of the point vortex method for vortex sheets using numerical filtering

Standard numerical methods for the Birkhoff-Rott equation for a vortex sheet are unstable due to the amplification of roundoff error by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. A nonlinear filtering method was used by Krasny to eliminate this spurious growth of round-off error and accurately compute the Birkhoff-Rott solution essentially up to the time it becomes singular. In this paper convergence is proved for the discretized Birkhoff-Rott equation with Krasny filtering and simulated roundoff error. The convergence is proved for a time almost up to the singularity time of the continuous solution. The proof is in an analytic function class and uses a discrete form of the abstract Cauchy-Kowalewski theorem. In order for the proof to work almost up to the singularity time, the linear and nonlinear parts of the equation, as well as the effects of Krasny filtering, are precisely estimated. The technique of proof applies directly to other ill-posed problems such as Rayleigh-Taylor unstable interfaces in incompressible, inviscid, and irrotational fluids, as well as to Saffman-Taylor unstable interfaces in Hele-Shaw cells.
Economic-Threshold Dynamics of Black and Claybacked Cutworms (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Field Corn

The ability of the modified Missouri cutworm trap to predict cutworm damage in field corn was investigated in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa from 1979 to 1981. Black cutworms, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), and claybacked cutworms, Agrotis gladiaria (Morrison), were associated with stand cutting, whereas dingy cutworms, Feltia ducens Walker, had no discernible effect on the plant stand. Most plant damage occurred in the coleoptile (precollar) and the one-collar stage, with population maturity having a significant effect on the relative number of plants cut per leaf stage. The proportion of surface-cut plants (relative to subsurface-cut plants) declined as plants and cutworm populations matured. Survival of surface-cut plants was much greater than that of subsurface-cut plants. A regression model was developed that predicts yield loss by using as inputs the mean number of black and claybacked cutworms in the 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-, and 5th- and 6th-instar groups, the expected plant population, and the anticipated yield if no cutworms were present.
Student evaluation of a clinical assessment course and related interprofessional simulation exercises

Abstract Objectives Describe the planning and implementation of a clinical assessment course at our institution and evaluate pharmacy student feedback. In addition, student feedback from four different professions will be analyzed as it relates to interprofessional simulation exercises within the course. Methods A detailed description of the clinical assessment course and related evaluations is given. All pharmacy students in the course were asked to complete an online anonymous course and instructor evaluation. Pharmacy, nursing, medicine, and health professions students were also asked to complete an anonymous evaluation of a simulation experience within the course. Results All pharmacy students ( n = 17; 23% response rate) agreed or strongly agreed that the course contributed to their professional development and that course objectives were accomplished, with an average Likert scale score of 4.63 of 5.00. All students agreed or strongly agreed that the instructor was effective, with an average Likert scale score of 4.75 of 5.00. All interprofessional students ( n = 47; 31% response rate) agreed that the simulation exercise was either exceptional (78.7%) or good (21.3%). Conclusions Positive student feedback from multiple professions affirms continuation of interprofessional simulation exercises within this course. The clinical assessment course itself and instructor were also rated favorably by pharmacy students. Although coordinating and facilitating such a course is time consuming, it can be professionally rewarding and enable valuable research opportunities.
The mixed preschool market: Explaining local variation in family demand and organized supply

Abstract Prior research reveals wide variation in the number of independent preschools and child-care centers. Some analysts have alluded to supply “shortages”, while others attribute “uneven” center distribution to economic and demographically induced variations in demand. Combining a 100-county sample of preschools with 1990 census data, we address this classic identification issue by simultaneously estimating supply and demand. Price shows predictably negative effects on hours demanded. More are purchased in poorer counties with proportionately more black single-parents and rapid population growth. Supply responds to price. Also, hours supplied are greater in counties with more developed public sectors and where richer input mixes are used. Parents accept center accreditation as a quality indicator: it significantly increases demand. In contrast, regulations requiring accreditation depress supply. Finally, our results indicate that public provision crowds-out the number of private hours used, mainly through a weakly negative but significant impact on demand.
Reduction of vascular intimal-medial hyperplasia in polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafts via expression of an inhibitor of G protein signaling.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arteriovenous (AV) grafts are performed routinely for vascular access. The limited life span of PTFE grafts is a major cause of morbidity. Graft failure is attributed to venous outflow tract vascular smooth muscle (VSM) hyperplasia, which is linked to heterotrimeric G protein signaling. We proposed that expression of a peptide inhibitor of Gβγ signaling (βARKct) in the venous outflow of PTFE grafts would reduce hyperplasia and prolong graft patency. Left carotid to right external jugular vein PTFE AV grafts were placed in swine. The isolated external jugular vein was treated with an adenovirus encoding βARKct, empty adenovirus, or phosphate-buffered saline for approximately 25 min. After 7 or 28 days, flow probe analysis was performed and the vein was harvested and analyzed for cross-sectional area comparison. After both 7 and 28 days, when compared to controls, treated animals demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in VSM hyperplasia with a reduction in cross-sectional intimal and medial areas of >40% (p 50% reduction (p < 0.05) at 7 days. Further, treated grafts demonstrated significant improvement in graft patency at 28 days (100% vs. 12% for treated and untreated grafts, respectively). The inhibition of Gβγ signaling reduces intimal-medial hyperplasia and prolongs graft patency in PTFE AV grafts. This represents a novel molecular therapeutic strategy for improving the patency of vascular access grafts.
Nanosecond Electroporation: Another Look

As the medical field moves from treatment of diseases with drugs to treatment with genes, safe and efficient gene delivery systems are needed to make this transition. One such safe, non-viral, and efficient gene delivery system is electroporation (electrogenetherapy). Exciting discoveries using electroporation could make this technique applicable to drug and vaccine delivery in addition to gene delivery. Typically milli and microsecond pulses have been used for electroporation. Recently, the use of nanosecond electrical pulses (10-300 ns) at very high magnitudes (10-300 kV/cm) has been studied for direct DNA transfer to the nucleus in vitro. This article reviews the work done using high-intensity nanosecond pulses, termed as nanosecond electroporation (nsEP), in electroporation gene delivery systems.
Comparative study between REAP 200 and FEP171 CAR with 50-kV raster e-beam system for sub-100-nm technology

In this paper, a process established with a positive-tone chemically amplified resist (CAR) from TOK REAP200 and Fujifilm Arch FEP171 and 50kV MEBES system is discussed. This TOK resist is developed for raster scan 50 kV e-beam systems. It has high contrast, good coating characteristics, good dry etch selectivity, and high environmental stability. In the mask industries, the most popular positive tone CAR is FEP171, which is a high activation energy type CAR. REAP (Raster E-beam Advanced Process) 200 is low activation energy type and new acetal protecting polymer. In this study, we compared to these different type resists in terms of contrast, PAB and PEB latitude, resist profile, footing, T-topping, PED stability, LER, Global CDU (Critical Dimension Uniformity) and resolution. The REAP200 Resist obtained 75nm isolated lines and spaces, 90nm dense patterns with vertical profile, and a good stability of delay time.
Notes on a new chain condition for prime ideals

Abstract A chain condition intermediate to the catenary property and the chain condition for prime ideals (c.c.) is studied. Like the c.c., the condition is inherited from a semi-local domain R by integral extension domains, by local quotient domains, and by factor domains, and a semi-local ring that satisfies the condition is catenary. (Unlike the c.c., none of these statements is true when R is not semi-local.) A number of characterizations of a semi-local domain that satisfies the condition are given in terms of: integral (respectively, algebraic, transcendental) extension domains, Henselizations, completions, Rees rings, associated graded rings and certain discrete valuation over-rings. Then four of the catenary chain conjectures are characterized in terms of this condition.
Conformational and structural studies of 1-chloropropane and 1-bromopropane from temperature-dependant FT-IR spectra of rare gas solutions and ab initio calculations

Abstract Variable temperature (−55 to −150°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm −1 ) of 1-chloropropane (CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 Cl) and 1-bromopropane (CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 Br) dissolved in liquid krypton and xenon, respectively, have been recorded. Utilizing two conformer pairs in krypton solution for chloride and three conformer pairs in xenon solution for bromide, enthalpy differences of 52±3 cm −1 (0.62±0.06 kJ/mol) and 72±7 cm −1 (0.86±0.08 kJ/mol) were obtained for the chloride and bromide, respectively, with the gauche form being the more stable conformer for both molecules. From these data, it is estimated that 28 and 26% of trans form are present at ambient temperature for the chloride and bromide, respectively. The conformation stabilities, harmonic force constants, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities and Raman activities have been obtained from RHF/6-31G(d) and/or MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations for both halopropanes and these quantities have been compared to the experimental values when appropriate. The optimized geometries have also been obtained with several different ab initio basis sets with full electron correlation by the perturbation method up to MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p). The r 0 structural parameters of both halopropanes have been obtained by combining the ab initio data with the previously reported microwave rotational constants for both conformers. The quantities are compared to the corresponding results for some similar molecules.
Variations in the Heat Stability and Composition of Milk from Individual Cows during Lactation

Summary Milk samples from each of two cows were collected at intervals throughout a lactation period and analyzed for heat stability (over a range of pH), various inorganic constituents, and seven protein constituents (by electrophoresis). With all except a few early-lactation samples, a sharp maximum in heat stability could be demonstrated by adjusting the pH over a narrow range, usually between 6.6 and 6.7. The heat stability of the untreated milk appeared to be determined by the change in acidity (H + concentration) required to adjust the milk to the pH of maximum heat stability. When the data for both cows are considered, the heat stability of the original milk was not correlated with any constituent(s) of the milk. The maximum heat stability, on the other hand, was significantly correlated with the ratios: Calcium Ion/Soluble Inorganic Phosphorus, Soluble Calcium/Soluble Inorganic Phosphorus, and Soluble Calcium plus Soluble Magnesium/Soluble Inorganic Phosphorus plus Soluble Citrate.
Del ‘cortesano’ al ‘hombre fino’: una reflexión sobre la evolución de los ideales de conducta masculina en España desde el Renacimiento al siglo XIX

La diversidad de textos aparecidos a lo largo de la historia sobre la cortesia, las formas, la etiqueta y el gusto, lo que en la tradicion francesa se conoce como el savoir-vivre y en la espanola c...
Specific Inhibition of AQP1 Water Channels in Isolated Rat Intrahepatic Bile Duct Units by Small Interfering RNAs

Cholangiocytes express water channels (i.e. aquaporins (AQPs)), proteins that are increasingly recognized as important in water transport by biliary epithelia. However, direct functional studies demonstrating AQP-mediated water transport in cholangiocytes are limited, in part because of the lack of specific AQP inhibitors. To address this issue, we designed, synthesized, and utilized small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) selective for AQP1 and investigated their effectiveness in altering AQP1-mediated water transport in intrahepatic bile duct units (IBDUs) isolated from rat liver. Twenty-four hours after transfection of IBDUs with siRNAs targeting two different regions of the AQP1 transcript, both AQP1 mRNA and protein expression were inhibited by 76.6-92.0 and 57.9-79.4%, respectively. siRNAs containing the same percent of base pairs as the AQP1-siRNAs but in random sequence (i.e. scrambled siRNAs) had no effect. Suppression of AQP1 expression in cholangiocytes resulted in a decrease in water transport by IBDUs in response to both an inward osmotic gradient (200 mosm) or a secretory agonist (forskolin), the osmotic water permeability coefficient (P(f)) decreasing up to 58.8% and net water secretion (J(v)) decreasing up to 87%. A strong correlation between AQP1 protein expression and water transport in IBDUs transfected with AQP1-siRNAs was consistent with the decrease in water transport by IBDUs resulting from AQP1 gene silencing by AQP1-siRNAs. This study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing siRNAs to specifically reduce the expression of AQPs in epithelial cells and provides direct evidence of the contribution of AQP1 to water transport by biliary epithelia.
Modulating the Gelation Properties of Self-Assembling Peptide Amphiphiles

Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are self-assembling molecules that form interwoven nanofiber gel networks. They have gained a lot of attention because of their excellent biocompatibility, adaptable peptide structure that allows for specific biochemical functionality, and nanofibrous assembly that mimics natural tissue formation. However, variations in molecule length, charge, and intermolecular bonding between different bioactive PAs cause contrasting mechanical properties. This potentially limits cell-delivery therapies because scaffold durability is needed to withstand the rigors of clinician handling and transport to wound implant sites. Additionally, the mechanical properties have critical influence on cellular behavior, as the elasticity and stiffness of biomaterials have been shown to affect cell spreading, migration, contraction, and differentiation. Several different PAs have been synthesized, each endowed with specific cellular adhesive ligands for directed biological response. We have investigated mec...
Cognitive control of conditioned emotional responses: An extension of behavior therapy to include the experimental psychology of cognition

The present paper explores implications of the experimental psychology of information processing and concept learning for the etiology and treatment of neuroses, thus extending the scope of behavior therapy to include data relating to cognitive processes. An experiment was conducted to demonstrate the dependence of conditioned emotional responses (CER) upon cognition. Twenty college students were pretrained to sort complex stimuli into positive and negative instances on the basis of the biconditional rule. Subjects were then shown a unique population of stimuli to sort and were shocked following all positive instances of the concept. No stimulus was ever repeated in the experiment. Results show significantly higher anticipatory GSR to stimuli that were positive instances than to those which were negative.