cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple memory mechanisms in the cerebellum

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are arguably two of the most widely discussed cellular plasticity mechanisms for learning and memory. However, the extent to which they are required for behavioral plasticity and learning is not clear. In this issue of Neuron, Boyden et al. use mice lacking CaMKIV and Hansel et al. use mice lacking alphaCaMKII to assess the contribution of LTD to cerebellar learning.
ITEM BANKS: WHAT, WHY, HOW

In this paper, we discuss curricular implications of item banking and its practical value to teachers and students, and list a variety of working banks with their sources. We also review the psychometric basis of item banking, outline a family of computer programs for accomplishing banking, and give the equations necessary to build a bank. We conclude with a discussion of item quality control and examples of items that misfit because of miskeying, guessing, or carelessness.
Opponent-color detection threshold asymmetries may result from reduction of ganglion cell subpopulations.

Thresholds for psychophysically opposite stimuli—light and dark, or equiluminous red and green, or equiluminous blue and yellow—are usually nearly equal. This color threshold symmetry is sometimes violated in subjects who have optic nerve hypoplasia, a congenital loss of retinal ganglion cells. We describe a subject who has optic nerve hypoplasia, who exhibits large red-green and blue-yellow detection threshold asymmetries for equiluminous spots. Temporal and spatial integration for equiluminous red and green test spots also differed from normal; static perimetric thresholds for equiluminous green, blue, and yellow (but not red) spots lacked the normal “V” shaped minimum at the fovea. These asymmetries may relate to a developmental paucity of some ganglion cell subtypes. Optic nerve hypoplasia may allow the contributions to detection made by individual ganglion cell subtypes to be isolated psychophysically, in analogy to the study of cone spectral sensitivity in dichromats.
Life history theory and female readers ofpornography

Abstract This study explores the possibility that female interest in pornography might signal amore male-like reproductive strategy. According to life history theory, early attachmentexperiences have the effect of setting reproductive strategies as restrictive or unrestrictive. It wasfound that female readers of pornography were significantly more likely to be from divorcedhomes, to be divorced themselves, to assess their parental attachment less positively and to reportless positive affect than female non-readers. Female readers were also found to scoresignificantly closer to males than to female nonreaders on six of eight sexuality-related indices.On the two occasions when they differed significantly from males, they also differed from femalenon-readers. Male readers and non-readers did not differ on any of the indices of sexuality, butthey did report less positive attachment experiences.
In situ STM imaging of ammonia oxydehydrogenation on Cu(110): the reactivity of preadsorbed and transient oxygen species

Abstract Dissociative adsorption of oxygen on Cu(110) forms isolated, added CuO rows at low coverages and p(2 × 1)-O islands at high coverages. The reactivity of both types of species for ammonia oxydehydrogenation has been investigated quantitatively by in situ imaging with an atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscope. We find that oxygen in both forms is reactive with ammonia. At low coverages all oxygen adatoms are consumed readily, while at high precoverages reaction proceeds from the boundaries of oxygen islands. Though the reaction can be initiated from both the end and the side of the CuO rows, the reactivity appears to be anisotropic, being higher along the [001] direction. The reactivity of transient oxygen species formed during the exposure of the surface to a mixture of ammonia and oxygen is estimated to be comparable to that of the reactivity of preadsorbed oxygen at low coverages.
The synthesis of some glycidic esters as potential antispasmodics

When tropine is esterified with an appropriate acid, an active antispasmodic results. In order to study a change in the linkage between the nitrogen ring system and the acid moiety, a series of glycidic esters was prepared utilizing tropinone as the starting ketone in the Darzens condensation. Another series was prepared utilizing 1-methyl-4-piperidone.
Erwinia pel gene homology survey in selected bacteria.

A 2.1 kb Bam H1 DNA fragment encoding a pectate lyase (PL) enzyme was isolated from an Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica (Eca) cosmid library. The fragment was labeled with 32P-CTP and hybridized to total DNA digests from selected bacteria which included plant-invasive as well as plant associative organisms. The pel gene probe hybridized to E. carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) DNA under all conditions tested. Hybridization to DNAs from Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas marginalis was observed at low stringency conditions (45°C). No hybridization was observed between the pel gene probe and six other DNA samples.
Loading acetoxymethyl ester fluorescent dyes into the cytoplasm of Arabidopsis and Commelina guard cells

Summary • Cytosolic calcium and pH changes are integral components of guard cell signal transduction. Acetoxymethyl (AM) ester-linked Ca2+ sensitive dyes are usually degraded before loading by extracellular esterases or partitioned into plant vacuoles using standard techniques, thereby preventing cytoplasmic Ca2+ imaging. • Here a method is described for improved loading of the calcium sensitive fluorescent dyes Calcium Green-1 and Fura-2 AM ester into the cytoplasm of Commelina and Arabidopsis guard cells in epidermal strips, allowing fluorescence from several guard cells in an epidermal strip to be imaged and measured simultaneously. • Calcium Green-1 based imaging, external Ca2+ buffering and Mn2+ quenching in Commelina guard cells suggest that abscisic acid stimulates plasma membrane Ca2+ influx. The Ca2+ sensitive dye Fura-2 was loaded into the cytoplasm of Arabidopsis guard cells, allowing ratiometric analyses of these cells. Data indicated that intact Ca2+ homeostasis mechanisms were present in Fura-2 AM loaded cells. • Loading of acetoxymethyl ester dyes provides a viable alternative method to cameleon imaging, which will be useful in loading Arabidposis mutants that are difficult to transform. This method may also be applicable to loading other ester linked dyes into the cytoplasm of plant cells.
MANAGEMENT OF AXILLARY SHOOT GROWTH AND MALEIC HYDRAZIDE RESIDUES WITH DIFLUFENZOPYR IN FLUE-CURED TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACUM)

Abstract Maleic hydrazide (MH) controls axillary shoot (sucker) growth in tobacco and is used on more than 90% of the tobacco acreage in North Carolina. Residues of MH on flue-cured tobacco often exceed residue limits set by foreign purchasers of U.S. leaf. Research was conducted at the Central Crop Research Station (CCRS) near Clayton, NC and the Border Belt Tobacco Research Station (BBTRS) near Whiteville, NC in 2003 and 2004 to evaluate diflufenzopyr, (2-(1-[([3,5-difluorophenylamino] carbonyl)-hydrazono}ethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid) (BAS 654 H and BASF 131) for the control of sucker growth. Diflufenzopyr was evaluated alone and in tank mixtures with the registered rate of flumetralin, and registered and reduced rates of MH. Treatments were arranged in a factorial design with MH at four rates (0, 0.6, 1.3, and 2.5 kg ai ha−1), flumetralin at two rates (0 and 0.7 kg ai ha−1), and diflufenzopyr at two rates (0 and 0.017 kg ai ha−1). All treatments were applied approximately ten days after the removal...
Accuracy of free energies of hydration using CM1 and CM3 atomic charges.

Absolute free energies of hydration (ΔG h y d ) have been computed for 25 diverse organic molecules using partial atomic charges derived from AM1 and PM3 wave functions via the CMI and CM3 procedures of Cramer, Truhlar, and coworkers. Comparisons are made with results using charges fit to the electrostatic potential surface (EPS) from ah initio 6-31G* wave functions and from the OPLS-AA force field. OPLS Lennard-Jones parameters for the organic molecules were used together with the TIP4P water model in Monte Carlo simulations with free energy perturbation theory. Absolute free energies of hydration were computed for OPLS united-atom and all-atom methane by annihilating the solutes in water and in the gas phase, and absolute ΔG h y d values for all other molecules were computed via transformation to one of these references. Optimal charge scaling factors were determined by minimizing the unsigned average error between experimental and calculated hydration free energies. The PM3-based charge models do not lead to lower average errors than obtained with the EPS charges for the subset of 13 molecules in the original study. However, improvement is obtained by scaling the CMIA partial charges by 1.14 and the CM3A charges by 1.15, which leads to average errors of 1.0 and 1.1 kcal/mol for the full set of 25 molecules. The scaled CMIA charges also yield the best results for the hydration of amides including the E/Z free-energy difference for N-methylacetamide in water.
Assessing the validity of memory complaints: Performance of brain‐damaged and normal individuals on Rey's task to detect malingering

Rey (1964) proposed a brief screening test to assess the validity of memory complaints and hypothesized that the ease of the task would mislead malingerers to perform more poorly even than persons with impaired memory due to brain injury. Lezak (1983) suggested cut-offs, but only one empirical report on Rey's task could be located in the literature. That study by Goldberg and Miller (1986) supported Lezak's cut-offs; however, the criterion groups were psychiatric and mentally retarded inpatients. In the present study, Rey's test, along with other neuropsychological tests designed to determine various types of memory dysfunction, was administered to brain-damaged (n = 18) and comparison (n = 16) groups. The results again generally supported Lezak's cut-offs.
Moduli spaces of quadratic differentials

The cotangent bundle ofJ (g, n) is a union of complex analytic subvarieties, V(π), the level sets of the function “singularity pattern” of quadratic differentials. Each V(π) is endowed with a natural affine complex structure and volume element. The latter contracts to a real analytic volume element, Μπ, on the unit hypersurface, V1(π), for the Teichmuller metric. Μπ is invariant under the pure mapping class group, γ(g, n), and a certain class of functions is proved to be Lp(Μπ), 0 <p < 1, over the moduli space V1(π)/γ (g, n). In particular, Μπ(V1(π)/γ(g, n)) < ∞, a statement which generalizes a theorem by H. Masur.
Studies on the leukocytopenia due to acute effects of supernatant fluids of Bordetella pertussis cultures.

SummarySupernatant fluid of a liquid culture medium growing phase I Bordetella pertussis strain 3779 B was found to possess a marked leukocytosis stimulating property when injected intravenously in sheep, calves, and goats. At high doses, the animals also showed anaphylactoid reactions and death. Doses which produced a leukocytosis also caused a marked leukocytopenia and transient fever within the first 3 hr following injection. This acute, transient leukocytopenia was mainly due to a severe neutropenia. Arterial blood leukocyte counts were lower than the venous blood counts during the initial leukocytopenic phase in the sheep. Aggregations of leukocytes were found surrounding the alveoli and the bronchioles in the lung of sheep at the time of blood leukocytopenia. These animals had been given tritiated thymidine prior to pertussis supernatant; and the tritium radioactivity in the lungs, liver, and bone marrow was found to be significantly higher at 3 hr post-pertussis dose compared to the saline-treated ...
A statistical model of transport in a vacuum

Abstract The problem of particle transportinan evacuated pipe is considered. This problem is modeled by treating the distance between pipe wall collisions as a “mean free path”, and using the reciprocal of this as a “cross section” in a transport equation. Such a cross setion is angularly dependent. Thus we are led to the study of a planar geometry linear transport equation with o(μ) = (1-μ2)1/2. Both the Wiener-Hopf method and a singular eigenfunction treatment are used to analyze the semi-infinite pipe problem. Comparisons are made with exact transport calculations, and two refinements are suggested to improve the accuracy of the models presented here.
Ideological and Party Constraints on Immigration Attitudes in Europe

Immigration has become one of the most dynamic and challenging issues facing policy-makers in a Europe of changing boundaries. While the divisions in the immigration debate have been elusive, there have been contending views about the viability of traditional political alignments. This article assesses the relevance of ideological orientations and party affiliations in structuring elite attitudes towards the immigration issue. Using survey questionnaires (n=168) and in-depth interviews with 54 members of the European Parliament, the study identifies traditional party and national affinities and evolving transnational allegiances. The findings suggest that although nation-specific factors, European institution-building and the promotion of a common European identity affect traditional sources of attitude polarizations, the left–right construct has been reinvented in the emergent Europe. Ideological and party constraints on immigration remain significant in Europe after the Union.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis : epidemiology, natural history, and prognosis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality that continues to draw attention from investigators worldwide. Epidemiologic studies indicate that its annual incidence remains stable, although more asymptomatic cases are being diagnosed. Nevertheless, even asymptomatic cases can progress to end-stage liver disease, albeit at a highly variable rate. Moreover, patients are predisposed to several malignancies, especially cholangiocarcinoma, which contributes to their decreased survival. On the other hand, a subgroup of patients with the so-called small-duct variant may have a better prognosis, and those with overlap syndromes with autoimmune hepatitis may respond well to immunosuppressants. Otherwise, efficient treatment is not available for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Thus, even though it occurs rarely, this disease is commonly an indication for liver transplantation. Fortunately, transplantation outcomes are excellent, with overall 5-year survival rates of approximately 80%.
An Examination of the Indian Child Welfare Act Section of State Title IV-B Child and Family Services Plans

The current study examined a nationwide sample of the ICWA section within state Title IV-B Child and Family Services Plans. Content analysis was performed to examine whether states were meeting ICWA mandates and federal requirements and interviews with regional/central Administration for Children and Families administrators and state officials were conducted. Major findings included ACF program instructions lacked detail and clarity as to what should be included, a majority of states reported consulting with tribes in the CFSP development, and over half of all state CFSPs did not reference any of the three specific measures outlined in ACF guidelines. Implications of findings are discussed and recommendations are offered to develop measurable outcomes to evaluate ICWA compliance and improve the federal monitoring processes.
The Effect of Deuterium Oxide on the Fluorescence of Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Free in Solution and in Complexes with Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Abstract The fluorescence emission intensity at 460 nm of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in solution is increased in the presence of deuterium oxide over that observed in water. The increase in fluorescence intensity is a linear function of D2O concentration, and in 75 volume % D2O equals 20%. A similar increase is observed with N-methyl-dihydronicotinamide, reduced 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide, and phosphodiesterase-hydrolyzed NADH. The D2O perturbation of NADH fluorescence is reduced in binary complexes of NADH-alcohol dehydrogenase and in ternary complexes of NADH-alcohol dehydrogenase-inhibitor. The data indicate that the altered sensitivity of the bound coenzyme to D2O results from an interaction of the nicotinamide moiety with the enzyme protein and is not simply the result of unfolding of the coenzyme molecule with complex formation.
PAPILLARY RENAL CELL CARCINOMA SIX YEARS AFTER RENAL CYSTECTOMY

A papillary renal cell carcinoma developed in this patient in the same position that six years previously had undergone unroofing of a benign cyst. The discussion includes a brief review of the relationship between renal cyst and carcinoma.
Post‐Traumatic Headache with Scintillating Scotoma Treated with Phenytoin (Dilantin)

A post-traumatic headache patient was experiencing "flashing lights" in her visual field that correlated with sharp waves on the EEG. Phenytoin markedly improved the symptoms. The value of the EEG in post-traumatic headaches is reviewed. The use of phenytoin in headache syndromes and in prevention of post-traumatic epilepsy is discussed.
Noise-induced threshold shift dynamics measured with distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and auditory evoked potentials in chinchillas with inner hair cell deficient cochleas.

Abstract Chinchillas ( n =6) were treated with carboplatin and, following a 30-day recovery period, were exposed to a 115 dB peak SPL impact noise presented at a rate of 1/s for 6 h/day for 10 days. A second group ( n =6) received only the noise treatment. Cubic distortion product otoacoustic emissions (2f 1 −f 2 ) and auditory evoked potential (AEP) detection thresholds in response to tone bursts were measured before and 30 days after drug treatment and following the first and 10th day of the noise exposure. Thirty days after the final exposure day, permanent changes in AEP detection thresholds and emissions were measured and cochleograms constructed. The drug treatment eliminated over 80% of the inner hair cells (IHC) in the cochlea, leaving the outer hair cell (OHC) population essentially intact prior to the interrupted noise exposure. The drug treatment alone had very little or no effect on AEP detection thresholds and emission metrics. Following the noise exposure, the IHC-deficient animals showed clear `toughening' effects in the AEP and emission measures which were the same as measured in the group receiving only the noise. After a 30-day post-exposure recovery period, AEP thresholds were elevated about 10 dB at the low frequencies in the drug-noise group whereas emissions returned to near normal despite the massive IHC losses. These results are consistent with the idea that an intact OHC population is required for toughening. However, sound-evoked efferent pathways activated by the few remaining IHCs (∼20%) which, in this preparation, are distributed throughout the cochlea, may still contribute significantly to the toughening phenomena.
Electronic Patient Registries Improve Diabetes Care and Clinical Outcomes in Rural Community Health Centers.

ABSTRACT: Context: Diabetes care is challenging in rural areas. Research has shown that the utilization of electronic patient registries improves care; however, improvements generally have been described in combination with other ongoing interventions. The level of basic registry utilization sufficient for positive change is unknown. Purpose: The goal of the current study was to examine differential effects of basic registry utilization on diabetes care processes and clinical outcomes according to level of registry use in a rural setting. Methods: Patients with diabetes (N = 661) from 6 Federally Qualified Health Centers in rural West Virginia were entered into an electronic patient registry. Data from pre- and post-registry were compared among 3 treatment and control groups that had different levels of registry utilization: low, medium, or high (for example, variations in the use of registry-generated progress notes examined at the point-of-care and in the accuracy of registry-generated summary reports to track patients' care). Data included care processes (annual exams, screens to promote wellness, education, and self-management goal-setting) and clinical outcomes (HbA1c, LDL, HDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure). Findings: The registry assisted in significantly improving 12 of 13 care processes and 3 of 6 clinical outcomes (HbA1c, LDL, cholesterol) for patients exposed to at least medium levels of registry utilization, but not for the controls. For example, the percent of patients who had received an annual eye exam at follow-up was 11%, 34%, and 38% for the low, medium, and high utilization groups, respectively; only the latter groups improved. Conclusions: As an initial step to achieving control of diabetes, basic registry utilization may be sufficient to drive improvements in provider-patient care processes and in patient outcomes in rural clinics with few resources.
Chemotherapeutic Strategies for Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases

Colon cancer remained the third leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women in 2008. Of the patients who develop metastatic disease, approximately 60% will present with metachronous disease and 40% will present with synchronous disease.
Fast Tdc for on-Line Tof Using Monolithic Flash a/D Converter

A fast TDC has been developed for a polarization experiment at LASL using a flash A/D converter to digitize the time information. The TDC operates on a time interval in the region of 0-5 ns producing an output in one of 16 bins. The 16 time bins are logically OR'ed into 8 channels, which may be used as components of a trigger. The system resets itself and may be operated at rates to 15 Mc. Preliminary experimental results will be included.
Origin and Development of the Philippine Sea

The Central Basin Fault, an extinct mid-oceanic ridge, was probably connected by a long transform fault with the major ridge system (Kula-Pacific Ridge) which submerged under the Japanese and Kurile Arcs in late Cretaceous. When the direction of the motion of the Pacific plate changed from NNW to WNW during Eocene time, the Philippine ridge became extinct and WNW dipping subduction started at the transform fault which turned into an island arc. Then extensional openings of inter-arc basins followed to form basins to the east. The Kuyshu-Palau Ridge is probably the remnant of the old transform fault.
Single-crystal nanocastles of ZnO

Abstract As a result of switching the growth from hexagonal disks to nanorods/nanobelts, single-crystalline ‘nanocastles’ of ZnO have been synthesized. This new structure was constructed by two basic parts: a sheet-like hexagonal crystal base and vertical nanorods/nanobelts surrounding the base as the ‘walls’ of the castle. Moreover, for the first time, ZnO nanorods with a triangular and diamond cross-sections were found growing on top of the nanocastles. The whole nanocastle structure was enclosed by the (0 0 0 1) and {01 1 ¯ 0} facets. This configuration is a new member in the family of ZnO nanostructures. The in situ morphology switching mechanism would be an useful technique for fabricating high quality heterostructures or interconnects at nanometer scale.
Childhood manifestations of allergic adults; prelude to allergy.

Summary 1. The allergic design or pattern often begins in infancy. 2. Many of the characteristics of the allergic pattern have long been recognized by pediatrists and classified as “exudative diathesis” and arthritism.” 3. A knowledge of the early characteristics of the allergic constitution permits a possible interpretation of many of the symptoms and signs of allergy long before major signs have developed. 4. Attention is called to a few less commonly recognized manifestations in the childhood prelude to allergy.
Fusion by the information-based complexity approach

A relational template matching ATR algorithm, a specialization of a more general algorithm design approach under the name of information-based complexity, has recently demonstrated promising results for simulated terrain board imagery. The merit of this approach is a design principle exemplified as follows. The estimation of auxiliary unknowns, e.g., boundary estimation, are not made prematurely on partial information such as low level image structure. Instead, the algorithm process considers an appropriate set of provisional boundaries which are economically represented by taking advantage of any structure present in this set. At each stage, the relative uncertainty of each boundary in the set is expressed by a probability. This uncertainty is refined by updating these probabilities by an intelligent choice of additional relevant information consisting of data and target-and-clutter model structure. This process is such that the optimal information about the auxiliary unknowns such as boundary is obtained simultaneously with the classification decision of the image region (e.g., ID). Thus, the design principle governs the intelligent choice of new information based on previous processing results, and economically represents any auxiliary information or unknowns by learning their hidden structure in the preprocessing or solution development stage. The objective of this paper is to describe the natural extension of this paradigm to multisensor imagery.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Free radical theory of aging: Consequences of mitochondrial aging

Mitochondria may serve as biologic clocks. This paper provides plausible explanations, based on mitochondrial aging, of some aging phenomenon: a) the inverse relationship between basal metabolic rate and life span; b) the antioxidants studies thus far which increase the average life span of mice, depress body weight and fail to lengthen maximum life span; c) the association of degenerative diseases with the terminal part of the life span; d) the exponential nature of the mortality curve, and e) the beneficial effect of caloric restriction on degenerative diseases and life span. A short discussion is also presented of the effect of exercise on life span and aging of muscle mitochondria.
Role of Protein Conformational Mobility in Enzyme Catalysis: Acylation of α-Chymotrypsin by Specific Peptide Substrates†

To probe the mechanistic origins of convex Eyring plots that have been observed for α-chymotrypsin (α-CT)-catalyzed hydrolysis of specific p-nitroanilide substrates [Case, A., and Stein, R. L. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 3335−3348], we determined the temperature-dependence of 15N-kinetic isotope effects for the α-CT-catalyzed hydrolysis of N-succinyl-Phe p-nitroanilide (Suc-Phe-pNA). To provide an interpretational context for these enzymatic isotope effects, we also determined 15N-KIE for alkaline hydrolysis of p-nitroacetanilide. In 0.002 and 2 N hydroxide (30°C), 15N-KIE values are 1.035 and 0.995 (±0.001), respectively, and are consistent with the reported [HO-]-dependent change in rate-limiting step from leaving group departure from an anionic tetrahedral intermediate in dilute base, to hydroxide attack in concentrated base. For the α-CT-catalyzed hydrolysis of Suc-Phe-pNA, 15N-KIE is on kc/Km and thus reflects structural features of transition states for all reaction steps up to and including acylation o...
Evaluation of the ultrasound influence in the cutaneous penetration of d-panthenol: test in vitro.

Summary Background d-panthenol is a popular additive in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. However, in order for this vitamin to provide skin benefits, it must penetrate the stratum corneum. Objective To verify the penetrability of d-panthenol in the skin and evaluate the effect of ultrasound on the cutaneous penetration of this vitamin. Methods The diffusion cell technique with pig skin as the membrane, distilled water as the receptor solution, and a hydrophilic d-panthenol gel were used for the research. The experimental groups were gel + d-panthenol (10%) and gel + d-panthenol (10%) + ultrasound. The receptor solution was collected at predetermined times and the amount of d-panthenol was determined by using a spectrophotometer at 406 nm. Results Ultrasound resulted in a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in the penetration of d-panthenol at 2, 60, and 240 min. Conclusion d-panthenol penetration through the pig's skin is enhanced through the use of ultrasound.
Affinity thermoprecipitation and recovery of biotinylated biomolecules via a mutant streptavidin-smart polymer conjugate.

A system has been developed for reversibly binding and thermoprecipitating biotinylated macromolecules. A high off-rate Ser45Ala (S45A) streptavidin mutant has been covalently conjugated to poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), a temperature-responsive polymer. The resulting conjugate is shown to coprecipitate biotinylated immunoglobulin G (IgG) and a biotinylated oligonucleotide in response to a thermal stimulus. Thermally precipitated biotinylated macromolecules can be released from the S45A−PNIPAAm conjugate by simple treatment with excess free biotin. This release step has been shown to be unique to the mutant streptavidin conjugatea conjugate of wild type (WT) streptavidin and PNIPAAm does not release bound biotinylated molecules upon treatment with excess free biotin. The capture efficiency (fraction of target molecule precipitated from solution) of the S45A−PNIPAAm conjugate is similar to that of the WT−PNIPAAm conjugate for the biotinylated IgG target molecule (near 100%), but significantly small...
Nanomedicine: is the wave cresting?

The field of nanomedicine has grown rapidly in recent years, but several issues are emerging that could constrain its future evolution, particularly if they are not appropriately acknowledged and the potential of nanomedicine is oversold.
Laser-induced surface ablation as a probe of optical surface damage mechanisms

Abstract The phenomenon of laser surface damage is briefly reviewed, with an emphasis on the fundamental physical mechanisms of the interaction of laser light with the surface. Recent measurements of laser ablation of charged and neutral surface constituents and impurities are described, and it is shown that these experiments can he used to investigate optical damage mechanisms. Crystalline ZnS is used as the primary example of this work.
10 MeV Au ion irradiation effects in an MgO-HfO2 ceramic-ceramic (CERCER) composite

Abstract Room temperature ion irradiation damage studies were performed on a ceramic composite intended to emulate a dispersion nuclear fuel. The composite is composed of 90-mole% MgO and 10-mole% HfO 2 . The as-synthesized composite was found to consist of Mg 2 Hf 5 O 12 (and some residual HfO 2 ) particles embedded in an MgO matrix. X-ray diffraction revealed that nearly all of the initial HfO 2 reacted with some MgO to form Mg 2 Hf 5 O 12 . Ion irradiations were performed using 10 MeV Au 3+ ions at room temperature over a fluence range of 5 × 10 16 –5 × 10 20 Au/m 2 . Irradiated samples were characterized using both grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the latter using both selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and micro-diffraction (μD) on samples prepared in cross-sectional geometry. Both GIXRD and TEM electron diffraction measurements on a specimen irradiated to a fluence of 5 × 10 20 Au/cm 2 , revealed that the initial rhombohedral Mg 2 Hf 5 O 12 phase was transformed into a cubic-Mg 2 Hf 5 O 12 phase. Finally, it is important to note that at the highest ion fluence used in this investigation (5 × 10 20 Au/m 2 ), both the MgO matrix and the Mg 2 Hf 5 O 12 second phase remained crystalline.
Synthesis and properties of axially-chiral N-(2,6-disubstituted)phenyl triazolones

Certain ortho-substituted phenyl triazolone compounds are fungicidal. When two ortho-substituents are present, stable atropisomers can be isolated. Several methods for resolving racemic intermediates into the enantiomers are described, including separations of diasteromeric ester derivatives and diasteromeric salts. The intermediates were converted into products in which the absolute configuration can be correlated to biological activity.
The proposed use of a 'screening test' to assess oxygenator performance.

This study aimed to assess whether the use of the physiological shunt equation could (within the first five minutes of initiating CPB) serve as a 'screen' to differentiate normal and dysfunctional oxygenator performance. If dysfunction severe enough to require replacement was necessary, the normothermic patient could be weaned from CPB and replacement would be carried out under safe, controlled conditions. This technique would require postponing the induction of hypothermia (if used), aortic cross-clamping, and arresting the heart until after this screen was completed. This study demonstrates that a strong negative correlation exists between the degree of blood shunting and the membrane's O2 transfer performance (r = -0.874). This relation enables us to predict O 2 transfer performance when only the shunt fraction is known. Of the 41 oxygenators used in this study, 40 demonstrated normal, or below-normal, shunt fractions. Oxygen transfer performance at or above predicted levels would be anticipated for th...
Paleoecology of Marine Foraminifera in the Pluvial Estancia Valley, Central New Mexico

Abstract Two species of marine Foraminifera have been identified in the Quaternary pluvial sequence of the Estancia Valley, central New Mexico. Besides being an unusual occurrence of marine organisms in an inland body of water remote from the marine environment, the Foraminifera yield useful paleolimnological and paleoclimatological information about two major late Wisconsin pluvial lakes. In addition, the geographic location of the Estancia Valley relative to the closest marine environment requires foraminiferal introduction by avian means. Paleontologic evidence verifies the freshwater nature of the pluvial maxima of Late Lake Estancia (18,000-10,500 BP) and Lake Willard (8500-6000 BP) but early lake conditions were considerably different. The occurrence of foraminifers Cribroelphidium selseyense and Protelphidium orbiculare , both extant species, in the sediments from the early part of each pluvial stand indicates that initial lake development was characterized by a salinity range of 25 to 35%.. At these times lake depth approximated 6 m. By comparison, the freshwater maximum of Late Lake Estancia attained a minimum depth of 90 m. The modern holarctic distribution of the Foraminifera could suggest a mean August lake temperature of 10°C during the developmental stages of Late Lake Estancia and Lake Willard. Because of the shallow-water nature of the lake basins it is likely that this temperature was reflective of mean August air temperature. Therefore, a lowering of mean August air temperature of 9.7°C from that of the present is possible.
Developing Computerized Business Gaming Simulations

A paradigm for developing computerized business gaming simulations is discussed. Simulation is defined as a replicable representation of a process. Phenotypical representation, or modeling, is dist...
The synthesis of vafzelin and syncarpin, constitutents of

Abstract Efficient syntheses of vafzelin and syncarpin, unusual plant metabolites from Uvaria afzelii , are described.
Mass entrainment, momentum flux, and length of buoyant turbulent gas diffusion flames

Abstract Literature data on buoyant gas turbulent diffusion flames—flame length, momentum flux, and mass entrainment—is interpreted through a simple integral theory for a flame, and the nondimensional analytical frame associated with the theory. In Blake and McDonald [1] the theory is used to analyze data of Becker and Yamazaki [2] for flames in the momentum and buoyancy influenced regimes. It is applied herein to data on buoyancy-dominated flames from Zukoski et al. [3] , Cetegen [4] , Cetegen et al. [5] , Delichatsios and Orloff [6] , and Zukoski [7] . In addition to interpreting the data within the context of the theory, this work provides a numerical solution of the theory, and a reformulation of the theory for comparison with semiempirical relations in the literature.
2pi ambiguity-free optical distance measurement with subnanometer precision with a novel phase-crossing low-coherence interferometer

We report a highly accurate phase-based technique for measuring arbitrarily long optical distance with subnanometer precision. The method employs a Michelson interferometer with a pair of harmonically related light sources, one cw and the other low coherence. By slightly detuning (~2 nm) the center wavelength of the low-coherence source between scans of the target sample, we can use the phase relationship between the heterodyne signals of the cw and the low-coherence light to measure the separation between reflecting interfaces with subnanometer precision. As this technique is completely free of 2pi ambiguity, an issue that plagues most phase-based techniques, it can be used to measure arbitrarily long optical distances without loss of precision. We demonstrate one application of this technique, the high-precision determination of the differential refractive index.
Measuring quality of life at the end of life: validation of the QUAL-E.

Objectives: To validate the QUAL-E, a new measure of quality of life at the end of life. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the instrument’s psychometric properties, including the QUAL-E’s associations with existing measures, evaluation of robustness across diverse sample groups, and stability over time. The study was conducted at the VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, in 248 patients with stage IV cancer, congestive heart failure with ejection fraction #20%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with FEV1 # 1.0 l, or dialysis-dependent end stage renal disease. The main outcome measures included QUAL-E and five comparison measures: FACIT quality of life measure, Missoula-VITAS Quality of Life Index, FACIT-SP spirituality measures, Participatory Decision Making Scale ~MOS!, and Duke EPESE social support scales. Results: QUAL-E analyses confirmed a four-domain structure ~25 items!: life completion ~a 5 0.80!, symptoms impact ~a 5 0.87!, relationship with health care provider ~a 5 0.71!, and preparation for end of life ~a 5 0.68!. Convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated with multiple comparison measures. Test‐retest reliability assessment showed stable scores over a 1-week period. Significance of results: The QUAL-E, a brief measure of quality of life at the end of life, demonstrates acceptable validity and reliability, is easy to administer, performs consistently across diverse demographic and disease groups, and is acceptable to seriously ill patients. It is offered as a new instrument to assist in the evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of interventions targeting improved care at the end of life.
The helium ion-induced fission of 181Ta at 41 and 65 MeV

Abstract A radiochemical study has been made of the 41 and 65 MeV helium ion-induced fission of 181 Ta. The fission fragment mass distribution curves are Gaussian-shaped but appear to be narrow with values of the width at half-maximum of 2 ± 1 atomic mass units and 4 ± 1 atomic mass units at helium ion energies of 41 and 65 MeV respectively. The total fission cross-sections after being corrected for charge distribution effects were approximately 0·1 μbarns and 23 μbarns at the above two energies.
Analysis of a Cartesian PML approximation to acoustic scattering problems in R2 and R3

We consider the application of a perfectly matched layer (PML) technique applied in Cartesian geometry to approximate solutions of the acoustic scattering problem in the frequency domain. The PML is viewed as a complex coordinate shift (''stretching'') and leads to a variable complex coefficient equation for the acoustic wave posed on an infinite domain, the complement of the bounded scatterer. The use of Cartesian geometry leads to a PML operator with simple coefficients, although, still complex symmetric (non-Hermitian). The PML reformulation results in a problem whose solution coincides with the original solution inside the PML layer while decaying exponentially outside. The rapid decay of the PML solution suggests truncation to a bounded domain with a convenient outer boundary condition and subsequent finite element approximation (for the truncated problem). This paper provides new stability estimates for the Cartesian PML approximations both on the infinite and the truncated domain. We first investigate the stability of the infinite PML approximation as a function of the PML strength @s"0. This is done for PML methods which involve continuous piecewise smooth stretching as well as piecewise constant stretching functions. We next introduce a truncation parameter M which determines the size of the PML layer. Our analysis shows that the truncated PML problem is stable provided that the product of [email protected]"0 is sufficiently large, in which case the solution of the problem on the truncated domain converges exponentially to that of the original problem in the domain of interest near the scatterer. This justifies the simple computational strategy of selecting a fixed PML layer and increasing @s"0 to obtain the desired accuracy. The results of numerical experiments varying M and @s"0 are given which illustrate the theoretically predicted behavior.
Unusual iron-mediated C–N bond formation and synthesis of the Fe(III) complex of a polypyridine ligand with one carboxamide group

Abstract A high-spin iron(III) chloro complex [(PaPPy 3 )Fe(Cl)](ClO 4 ) ( 1 , where PaPPy 3 - = N , N -bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine- N -propyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide) has been synthesized via the “template effect” and structurally characterized. The template reaction leads to the formation of a new carbon–nitrogen bond from coupling of a primary alkyl chloride with a secondary amine.
Substrate specificities of the two genetically distinct human brain β-galactosidases

Abstract The two human brain β-galactosidases were solubilized and fractionated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, free from each other. Substrate specificities of the two enzymes were examined for galactosylceramide, lactosyl-[N-steraroyl]ceramide, lactosyl-[N-lignoceroyl]ceramide, galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-[N-acetylneuraminyl]galactosyl-glucosylceramide (GM1-ganglioside), galactosyl-N-acetygalactosaminyl-galactosyl-glucosylceramide (asialo GM1-ganglioside), and 4-methylumbelliferyl β-galactoside. Under appropriately optimized conditions, either of the two β-galactosidases could hydrolyze all of the substrates, although with widely varying rates. Relative specific activities of galactosylceramide β-galactosidase toward galactosylceramide, lactosyl-[N-stearoyl]ceramide, lactosyl-[N-lignoceroyl]ceramide, GM1-ganglioside, asialo GM1-ganglioside, and 4-methylumbelliferyl β-galactoside were 100, 510, 250, 39, 41 and 120, respectively. Relative specific activities of GM1-ganglioside β-galactosidase toward the same series of the substrates were 0.3, 78, 19, 100, 150 and 240. However, the optimal assay conditions for any given natural substrate were sufficiently different for each β-galactosidase so that diagnostic assays for the two genetic diseases due to β-galactosidase deficiencies could be carried out in whole tissues. Since the relative distribution of the two enzymes vary greatly in different tissues, contributions by the two enzymes to degradation of the natural glycosphingolipids in vivo may well vary in different organs. These findings may have an important bearing on the biochemical pathogenesis of these genetic disorders.
Gender and emergent water governance: comparative overview of neoliberalized natures and gender dimensions of privatization, devolution and marketization

This article provides a critical reading of some of the gendered dimensions of emergent water governance regimes, specifically those related to the privatization, marketization and devolution of water resources management. After first providing an overview of recent nature–society contributions related to neoliberalization processes, the article comparatively evaluates insights with respect to the gender dimensions of recent shifts in water governance. I make several arguments at the intersection of relevant literatures. First, there is a need for gender theorists interested in water resources and nature–society debates to engage more with issues, theories and processes associated with neoliberalization. Second, there is a need for more attention to gender, feminist theory and approaches to inequality and socio-spatial difference in discussions of neoliberalized natures. Third, reading these literatures together reveals that there is a need to be self-reflexive and critical of elements of the gender and w...
Beta-lactam biosynthetic genes.

Article de synthese sur les genes impliques dans la biosynthese des beta-lactam; clonage moleculaire et expression chez E. coli, nomenclature des genes deduite
On pair rotation in the computer science course

In a course environment, pairing a student with one partner for the entire semester is beneficial, but may not be optimal. We conduct a study in two undergraduate level courses to observe the advantages and disadvantages of pair rotation whereby a student pairs with several different students throughout the semester. We summarize teaching staff and student perceptions on the viability of pair rotation. Teachers find pair rotation valuable because the teaching staff can obtain multiple peer evaluations on each student and because dysfunctional pairs are regularly disbanded. However, pair rotation adds to the burden of assigning pairs multiple times per semester. The majority of students in the study perceived pair rotation to be a desirable approach. Additionally, most students considered peer evaluation to be an effective means of providing feedback to teaching staff. However, they did not significantly believe that peer evaluation was an effective means for motivating students.
APOD-based control of linear distributed parameter systems under sensor/controller communication bandwidth limitations

The synthesis of a model-based control structure for general linear dissipative distributed parameter systems (DPSs) is explored in this manuscript. Discrete-time distributed state measurements (called process snapshots) are used by a continuous-time regulator to stabilize the process. The main objective of this article is to identify a criterion to minimize the communication bandwidth between sensors and controller (snapshots acquisition frequency) using linear systems analysis and still achieve closed-loop stability. This objective is addressed by adding a modeling layer to the regulator. Theoretically, DPSs can be well described by low dimensional ordinary differential equation models when represented in functional spaces; practically, the model accuracy hinges on finding basis functions for these spaces. Adaptive proper orthogonal decomposition is used to identify statistically important basis functions and establish locally accurate reduced order models which are then used in controller design. The proposed approach is successfully applied toward thermal regulation in a tubular chemical reactor. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 434–447, 2015
Assessment of Steady-State Free Formaldehyde in Durable Press Cotton Fabrics:

A systematic study has been conducted of the rate and extent of formaldehyde extracted from durable press finishes from a variety of agent-catalyst systems. Deter mination of the steady-state free formaldehyde released from fabrics during water extractions was investigated. The relationships between available formaldehyde, tem perature, and time of incubation were established. The steady-state free formaldehyde levels were compared for fabrics containing only free (applied) formaldehyde and those containing formaldehyde as part of a durable press finish. Influences of variables such as temperature of extraction and ease of finish hydrolysis are discussed.