cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fully kinetic simulations of strong steady-state collisional planar plasma shocks

We report on simulations of strong, steady-state collisional planar plasma shocks with fully kinetic ions and electrons, independently confirmed by two fully kinetic codes (an Eulerian continuum and a Lagrangian particle-in-cell). While kinetic electrons do not fundamentally change the shock structure as compared with fluid electrons, we find an appreciable rearrangement of the preheat layer, associated with nonlocal electron heat transport effects. The electron heat-flux profile qualitatively agrees between kinetic- and fluid-electron models, suggesting a certain level of ``stiffness,'' though substantial nonlocality is observed in the kinetic heat flux. We also find good agreement with nonlocal electron heat-flux closures proposed in the literature. Finally, in contrast to the classical hydrodynamic picture, we find a significant collapse in the ``precursor'' electric-field shock at the preheat layer leading edge, which correlates with the electron-temperature gradient relaxation.
Illuminating the bulk-boundary correspondence of a non-Hermitian stub lattice with Majorana stars

Topological characterization of non-Hermitian band structures demands more than a straightforward generalization of the Hermitian cases. Even for one-dimensional tight binding models with non-reciprocal hopping, the appearance of point gaps and the skin effect leads to the breakdown of the usual bulk-boundary correspondence. Luckily, the correspondence can be resurrected by introducing a winding number for the generalized Brillouin zone for systems with even number of bands and chiral symmetry. Here, we analyze the topological phases of a non-reciprocal hopping model on the stub lattice, where one of the three bands remains flat. Due to the lack of chiral symmetry, the bi-orthogonal Zak phase is no longer quantized, invalidating the winding number as a topological index. Instead, we show that a $Z_2$ invariant can be defined from Majorana's stellar representation of the eigenstates on the Bloch sphere. The parity of the total azimuthal winding of the entire Majorana constellation correctly predicts the appearance of edge states between the bulk gaps. We further show that the system is not a square-root topological insulator, despite the fact that its parent Hamiltonian can be block diagonalized and related to a sawtooth lattice model. The analysis presented here may be generalized to understand other non-Hermitian systems with multiple bands.
Limits of rational maps, R-trees and barycentric extension

Abstract In this paper, we show that one can naturally associate a limiting dynamical system F : T ⟶ T on an R -tree to any degenerating sequence of rational maps f n : C ˆ ⟶ C ˆ of fixed degree. The construction of F is in 2 steps: first, we use barycentric extension to get E f n : H 3 ⟶ H 3 ; second, we take appropriate limit on rescalings of hyperbolic space. An important ingredient we prove here is that the Lipschitz constant depends only on the degree of the rational map. We show that the dynamics of F records the limiting length spectra of the sequence f n .
Computer-Delivered Cognitive Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients With HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: A Randomized Trial

Objective: HIV infection is associated with impaired cognition, and as individuals grow older, they may also experience age-related changes in mental abilities. Computer-based cognitive training (CCT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have both shown promise in improving cognition. This study evaluated the acceptability of CCT and tDCS to older adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and assessed their impact on reaction time, attention, and psychomotor speed. Methods: In a single-blind randomized study, 46 individuals with HIV-associated mild neurocognitive disorder completed neuropsychological measures and six 20-minute training sessions, receiving (1) CCT with active tDCS; (2) CCT with sham tDCS, or (3) watching educational videos with sham tDCS. Immediately after training and again one month later, participants completed follow-up assessments. Outcomes were evaluated via repeated measures mixed effects models. Results: Participant ratings of the intervention were positive. Effects on reaction time were not significant, but measures of attention and psychomotor speed suggested positive effects of the intervention. Conclusion: Both CCT and tDCS were well accepted by older persons with HIV infection. CCT and tDCS may improve cognitive in affected individuals. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03440840).
Long Time Dynamics for Combustion in Random Media

We study long time dynamics of combustive processes in random media, modeled by reaction–diffusion equations with random ignition reactions. One expects that under reasonable hypotheses on the randomness, the large space-time scale dynamics of solutions to these equations is almost surely governed by a different effective PDE, which should be a homogeneous Hamilton–Jacobi equation. While this was previously proved in one dimension as well as for isotropic reactions in several dimensions (i.e., with radially symmetric laws), we provide here the first proof of this phenomenon in the general non-isotropic multidimensional setting. Our results hold for reactions that have finite ranges of dependence (i.e., their values are independent at sufficiently distant points in space) as well as for some with infinite ranges of dependence, and are based on proving existence of deterministic front (propagation) speeds in all directions for these reactions.
Artificial Shortage in Agricultural Supply Chains

Problem definition: Price surge of essential commodities despite inventory availability, due to artificial shortage, presents a serious threat to food security in many countries. To protect consume...
Emergence and Enhancement of Ultrasensitivity through Posttranslational Modulation of Protein Stability

Signal amplification in biomolecular networks converts a linear input to a steeply sigmoid output and is central to a number of cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis, adaptation, and biological rhythms. One canonical signal amplifying motif is zero-order ultrasensitivity that is mediated through the posttranslational modification (PTM) cycle of signaling proteins. The functionality of this signaling motif has been examined conventionally by supposing that the total amount of the protein substrates remains constant, as by the classical Koshland–Goldbeter model. However, covalent modification of signaling proteins often results in changes in their stability, which affects the abundance of the protein substrates. Here, we use mathematical models to explore the signal amplification properties in such scenarios and report some novel aspects. Our analyses indicate that PTM-induced protein stabilization brings the enzymes closer to saturation. As a result, ultrasensitivity may emerge or is greatly enhanced, with a steeper sigmoidal response, higher magnitude, and generally longer response time. In cases where PTM destabilizes the protein, ultrasensitivity can be regained through changes in the activities of the involved enzymes or from increased protein synthesis. Importantly, ultrasensitivity is not limited to modified or unmodified protein substrates—when protein turnover is considered, the total free protein substrate can also exhibit ultrasensitivity under several conditions. When full enzymatic reactions are used instead of Michaelis–Menten kinetics for the modeling, the total free protein substrate can even exhibit nonmonotonic dose–response patterns. It is conceivable that cells use inducible protein stabilization as a strategy in the signaling network to boost signal amplification while saving energy by keeping the protein substrate levels low at basal conditions.
Der PC als Auffahrt zu Datenautobahn und mehr

Der Grund, warum ich heute zu Ihnen spreche ist, das wir glauben, das die PC Industrie, von der Intel ein Teil ist, und die Medienindustrie zusammen kommen werden, in einer Weise, die wir alle, uns eingeschlossen, nicht erwartet haben. Unerwartet, weil der PC und nicht der Fernsehapparat ein neues Medium, eine neue Plattform fur Medienprogramme sein wird. Ich denke dabei nicht nur an den PC als Auffahrt zur Datenautobahn, sondern weit daruber hinaus ganz allgemein als die Grundlage fur neue Medienprogramme.
Polyamines and the Delay in Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Some Bacteriophage T4 Infections

Abstract Escherichia coli B infected by the DD mutant of T4, am N116, is stimulated to initiate deoxyribonucleic acid accumulation by 1 to 10 mm spermidine but not by 10 mm putrescine. The syntheses of putrescine and spermidine in cells infected by T4D and the mutant are similar, although slight differences are observed in the intracellular concentration of free spermidine. Unlike r-K12 (λ) systems, am N116-infected cells do not leak polyamine.
Design and Specification of EVA: a language for multimedia database systems

We present EVA — a language that deals with the temporal and spatial aspect of multimedia information retrieval and delivery, in addition to providing the usual capabilities of the ordinary database languages. EVA is an extension of the query language Varqa, and provides the following capabilities for management and retrieval of multimedia information: query operators, update operators, computational operators, screen management operators, and temporal operators.
PSYCHOEDUCATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE

Publisher Summary Psychoeducation is health psychology combined with behavioral counseling and even psychotherapy. It is applied in a group setting that is specific to a diagnosis and is both structural and open-ended as may be therapeutically appropriate. The behavioral counseling component of psychoeducation deals with emotions, perceptions, coping, relaxation, and self-care, whereas the educational component imparts knowledge about the physical or psychological condition that is shared by the participants in the group. There are four components in psychoeducation, which may vary in their concentration depending upon the condition being addressed, but it is not psychoeducation unless all four components are present, including treatment of the condition; management of the condition, especially those that are chronic and intractable; compliance with the medical and psychological regimen; and prevention of progression, exacerbation, or relapse. Psychoeducational programs are of value to several categories of patients, spanning chronic physical disease, intractable psychological conditions, and certain life situations. Psychoeducation improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs with patients with chronic physical diseases, psychological conditions, high utilizers (somatizers) of medical services, substance abusers, and patients pre- or postsurgery. Beginning with one-on-one programs administered by nurses and health educators, psychoeducation has moved to sophisticated group programs extensively used in disease management and other settings. Effectiveness is somewhat limited in most group programs because of an over-reliance on educative features and a lack of intensive behavioral interventions, especially when the skills of a psychotherapist are required.
Case 11: This Could Be Serious. Be Prepared

You are an assistant professor in a university hospital, with a special interest in a specific aspect of clinical anesthesia. In this field you have published extensively. A startup company representative meets you and suggests collaboration. They have been developing a prototype machine that could prove very useful and helpful for patient care in the field in which you are an expert. You ask to see their preliminary results but are told that the information could not be shared with you. The company representative suggests that you be principal investigator (PI) on a protocol that they are submitting to various venture groups for funding.
Slow Kinetics of Miniature IPSCs during Early Postnatal Development in Granule Cells of the Dentate Gyrus

Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were used to investigate the properties of GABAA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents during development in dentate gyrus granule cells from neonatal [postnatal day 0 (P0)] to adult rats in brain slices. The frequency of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) was low at birth and increased progressively with age. The mIPSCs of all ages could be satisfactorily fitted with the sum of a single exponential rise and single exponential decay. From P0 to P14, both the rise time and the decay time constants were significantly longer than in the adult. The mIPSC rise and decay kinetics did not change during the first 2 postnatal weeks, but during the third week the kinetics sped up and by P21 attained adult values. In contrast, the amplitude of the mIPSCs did not change during development. The synaptic GABAA receptors in immature and adult cells showed differential sensitivity to modulators. The subunit-specific benzodiazepine agonist zolpidem increased the decay time constant of the IPSCs of immature granule cells with a reduced potency compared with the adult. Furthermore, zinc decreased the amplitude and decay time constant of mIPSCs from developing granule cells, whereas it had no effect on mIPSCs in adult neurons. The results reveal for the first time that until the end of the second postnatal week the synaptic GABAA receptor-mediated currents in dentate granule cells display slower rise and decay kinetics but similar amplitudes compared with adult, resulting in a net decrease in synaptic charge transfer during development.
Live Eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) Extraction, In Vitro Culture, and Transfer for Experimental Studies

Abstract: Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) have experienced a dramatic decline in West Texas over the last 3 yr, and investigations are underway to evaluate the role of parasites in this decline. One of the key parasites being investigated is the eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi). Live eyeworms were extracted from both live and dead northern bobwhites, and in vitro survival was tested using 10 liquid media. Eyeworms placed in an egg white and physiological saline solution lived for at least 36 days. Live O. petrowi placed into the eyes of uninfected pen-raised bobwhites were monitored for 21 days to demonstrate successful transfer. Eyeworm behavior during feeding, mating, and development were monitored. This study is important to research that requires “banking” of live O. petrowi from wild-captured definitive hosts for life history studies and assessing the impact of O. petrowi on host individuals.
Book Review: Progress in Understanding Reading from the Viewpoints of Stanovich and Rauding Theory

When Keith E. Stanovich talks, reading researchers listen. This claim can be validated by (a) counting the number of researchers attending his conference presentations, (b) counting his research publications, or (c) counting the number of times his research publications have been cited by other researchers. So, it is incumbent on reading researchers to take note of his recently published book, entitled Progress in Understanding Reading: Scientific Foundations and New Frontiers. This book is a collection of 21 chapters; 14 chapters are previously published articles of his (from 1978 to 1998) organized into seven parts with each part introduced by a chapter of new observations. Out of the 420 pages of text, 115 pages contain new material. In his introductory chapters to each of these seven parts, he relates the
The use of telephone dials as attitude scales: A laboratory experiment

Some researchers have expressed concern that the lack of a physical representation of an attitude scale in telephone surveys hinders repondents in answering attitude questions. One suggested remedy is to ask respondents to refer to their phone dial (a 9-point scale) in answering such questions. The method has been shown to be easily administered and enjoyable to respondents. However, additional concerns have been raised as to whether the use of telephone dials as scales produces different responses than would be obtained using printed scales on opinion cards or in self-administered questionnaires. This paper reports on the results of an experiment designed to address these concerns. The authors found that the use of telephone dials (as compared to other scales) produced no significant difference in response.
Auditory dyssynchrony or auditory neuropathy: understanding the pathophysiology and exploring methods of treatment.

Abstract Objective To review the literature on auditory dyssynchrony (AD) or neuropathy which is characterized by absent auditory brainstem responses, normal otoacoustic emissions, and word discrimination disproportional to the pure tone audiogram. Results Several papers attempt to estimate the prevalence of AD that seems to range between 0.23 and 2% in infants “at risk” for hearing impairment and it is considered to be responsible for approximately 8% of newly diagnosed cases of hearing loss in children per year. The prevalence gets even higher, reaching 10% in children with permanent hearing loss. It seems that AD is not a single disease but a spectrum of pathologies that affect the auditory pathway at the level of the inner hair cells, the synapses, or the auditory nerve. Many predisposing or contribution factors have been reported, including prematurity, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoxia, low-birth weight, immunological conditions, infectious diseases, etc. Before proposing any method of management, parents should be informed about the variation among patients and the changes that may appear in some children's audition over time. Sigh language, speech and language therapy, hearing-aids, and cochlear implantation have been used in the treatment of AD. In general, AD is rather refractory to conventional amplification and cochlear implantation has been found an effective method of management in young implanted children with severe/profound deafness and AD. However, the situation is more complicated and challenging in milder hearing losses. Conclusion The selected and proposed 30 related articles published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology aim to stimulate the related research in order to further explore the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of AD.
Synthesis and characterization of mesostructured silicas and gold frameworks as active matrices for biomolecule encapsulation.

Interfacing of biomolecules to inorganic frameworks is essential for fabricating robust, functionally integrated biocomposites that may prove useful in a wide range of technologies including biocatalysis, biosensors or protein-based devices. Our work is directed at developing means to integrate biomolecules into mesostructured inorganics. These frameworks serve to both improve the mechanical stability of the proteins and to facilitate communication with them. Toward that end, we have synthesized and characterized mesoporous silicas and conductive metallic frameworks and have examined the encapsulation of both soluble (cytochrome c) and membrane proteins (bacteriorhodpsin) within them.
Elastic wave generation by piezoceramic patches

Elastic flexural and longitudinal waves can be generated in structure by using piezoelectric transducers. These waves may be used to obtain fundamental properties of the medium or to locate flaws. Bulk waves can be created in a thin piezoelectric plate by applying an electrical signal to interdigital electrodes deposited on each side of the plate. These transducers can be used to generate ultrasonic bulk waves with a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes controlled by a number of electrodes and a delayed voltage independently applied to each electrode. Numerical results demonstrating the finite element simulation of piezoelectric actuators and sensors in generating and detecting elastic bulk waves are presented. Experimental observations of flexural waves generated hy surface mounted piezoceramic plates are compared with the finite element results. Bulk wave generation and detection using interdigital electrodes are simulated and their potential application as probes in smart structures is discussed.
The Influence of Scientific Research and Evaluation on Publishing Educational Curriculum.

Prior to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, scientific research to support development of curriculum materials or to demonstrate curricular efficacy was not required. NCLB transformed the development and publishing process for K–12 educational materials by prompting publishers to increase funding for experimentally based research on educational products used in schools. To maintain a viable place in the market, textbook publishers have faced challenges such as difficulty in conducting experimental research in schools, coordination with states' proposed curriculum adoption cycles, and use of limited resources to meet the needs of many more stakeholders in the new accountability framework. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vibrational energy relaxation of CH3F dissolved in liquid O2 and Ar

Abstract Infrared double resonance and saturation techniques have both been used to measure the VT relaxation of the ν3 mode of CH3F in dilute solution in the cryogenic liquid hosts O2 and Ar. With the former technique, a relaxation time of 375 ± 35 ns is found in liquid O2 while in liquid Ar the relaxation time is 1.30 ± 0.15 μs. An induced ν3 → 2ν3 absorption is observed in the double resonance measurement; the measured anharmonicity is in good agreement with the gas phase literature value.
Assessment of the Rbans Visual and Verbal Indices in a Sample of Neurologically Impaired Elderly Participants

With increases in the older adult population, brief assessments sensitive to dementia are essential. This study assessed the effectiveness of the verbal memory and visual processing indices proposed by Duff et al. (2009) to differentiate participants with neurological disorders. Participants included individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 38), Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 100), or Parkinson's disease (PD; n = 35), with ages ranging from 65–93 years. In addition, normal control participants (n = 100) within the same age range were used for comparison. ANOVA and posthoc analyses revealed that the normal control and AD groups were significantly different from all groups for Verbal and Visual Indices. However, the MCI and PD groups did not differ from each other. Predictive discriminant analysis (PDA) assessed classification rates of the groups, and the normal participants were classified best (63% to 92%). The AD group followed with percentages ranging from 64% to 76%. Specifically, w...
A simulation model of the Devils Hole pupfish population using monthly length-frequency distributions

The Devils Hole pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis, is a federally-endangered fish that is endemic to Devils Hole, a discontiguous part of Death Valley National Park in Nye County, Nevada. Due to its status, Devils Hole pupfish monitoring must be non-obtrusive and thereby exclude techniques that require handling fish. Due to a recent decline in pupfish abundance, Devils Hole pupfish managers have expressed a need for a model that describes population dynamics. This population model would be used to identify vulnerable life history stage(s) and inform management actions. We constructed a set of individual-based simulation models designed to explore effects of population processes and evaluate assumptions. We developed a baseline model, whose output best resembled both observed length-frequency data and predicted intra-annual abundance patterns. We then ran simulations with 5 % increases in egg-larval, juvenile, and adult survival rates to better understand Devils Hole pupfish life history, thereby helping identify vulnerable life history stages that should become the target of management actions. Simulation models with temporally constant adult, juvenile, and egg-larval survival rates were able to reproduce observed length-frequency distributions and predicted intra-annual population patterns. In particular, models with monthly adult and juvenile survival rates of 80 % and an egg-larval survival rate of 4.7 % replicated patterns in observed data. Population growth was most affected by 5 % increases in egg-larval survival, whereas adult and juvenile survival rates had similar but lesser effects on population growth. Outputs from the model were used to assess factors suspected of influencing Devils Hole pupfish population decline.
How are Cookbooks Classified in Libraries? An Examination of LCSH and LCC

There is growing interest in food and cooking in the United States, and cookbooks are published on every topic. Library standards for subject analysis must accurately represent and organize cookbooks and materials on cooking. This paper describes a research project that examined the subject of cooking in the Library of Congress Subject Headings and the Library of Congress Classification using the work of Hope Olson as a framework. It examined how the subject headings and classification numbers are constructed, how they changed over time, and how national and ethnic cuisines are treated in each standard.
Packing in Amorphous Regions of Hydrofluoric-Acid-Doped Polyaniline Powder by 15N−19F REDOR NMR

Anhydrous 15N-labeled polyaniline powders have been examined by 13C, 15N, and 19F solid-state NMR as a function of HF doping. Chemical shifts in the 19F NMR spectra of doped polyaniline reveal thre...
The number of generators of a module over a fully bounded ring

We prove a theorem giving an upper bound for the number of generators of a module in terms of local data, for a class of rings which includes Noetherian rings which are right fully bounded. Forster and Swan have proved such results for commutative Noetherian rings and finite algebras over these rings. Eisenbud and Evans have shown, further, that from any given set of generators for a finitely generated module over such an algebra, the number predicted by the theorem can be obtained by a certain kind of elementary transformation. This result we also obtain for our wider class of rings. Regarding these results as results about the existence and structure of epimorphisms F -+ A, where F is free and A the module, we obtain also corresponding results were F is a direct sum of copies of some projective module other than R. The chief difficulties throughout are those involved in finding substitutes for arguments involving localization, which is not an available tool in our context. For prime rings of Krull dimension one, we can remove the boundedness condition, and also obtain for hereditary Noetherian prime (HNP) rings the analogue of a result of Roiter’s for lattices over orders. We also obtain a weaker result for epimorphisms F + A, where F is a direct sum of copies of some finitely presented module which is not projective, and a uniqueness result (up to right equivalence) for epimorphisms F + A, where F is a large enough free module. In the following, terms like “Noetherian” and “Goldie”-&e applied on both sides unless specified otherwise. If A is a module, we let the direct sum of n copies of A be denoted wi (rather than A”), in or&r to avoid confusion when referring to ideals. If A is a module, we let g(A) be the smallest number which is the cardinality of a set of generators for A. A prime ring is right bounded if every essential right ideal contains a nonzero two-sided ideal, and a ring R is right fully bounded if for every prime ideal P, R/P is right
Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the small intestine: First case report of ileocolic fistula and review of the literature

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) of the small bowel is a rare entity previously reported as a cause of intestinal obstruction or bleeding. A case report of this disease entity presenting as an ileocolic fistula is reported. EMP is diagnosed by the following critiera: 1) absence of paraproteinemia; 2) absence of Bence Jones proteinuiria; 3) normal skeletal survey; and 4) normal bone marrow biopsy specimen. Gastrointestinal plasmacytoma often occurs as a manifestation of multiple myeloma. EMP of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare cases manifestation of the disease, accounting for 13 per cent of all cases of EMP. It is a slow-spreading, radiosensitive tumor with a high tendency toward local recurrence. Surgical excision combined with radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for EMP of the gastrointestinal tract.
Molecular Aspects of Biomineralization of the Echinoderm Endoskeleton

Echinoderms possess a rigid endoskeleton composed of calcite and small amounts of occluded organic matrix proteins. The test (i.e., the shell-like structure of adults), spines, pedicellariae, tube feet, and teeth of adults, as well as delicate endoskeletal spicules found in larvae of some classes, are the main skeletal structures. They have been intensively studied for insight into the mechanisms of biomineralization. Recent work on characterization of the mineral phase and occluded proteins in embryonic skeletal spicules shows that these simple-looking structures contain scores of different proteins, and that the mineral phase is composed of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), which then transforms to an anhydrous ACC and eventually to calcite. Likewise, the adult tooth shows a similar transition from hydrated ACC to anhydrous ACC to calcite during its formation, and a similar transition is likely occurring during adult spine regeneration. We speculate that: (1) the ACC precursor is a general strategy employed in biomineralization in echinoderms, (2) the numerous occluded proteins play a role in post-secretion formation of the mature biomineralized structure, and (3) proteins with "multi-valent" intrinsically disordered domains are important for formation of occluded matrix structures, and regulation of crucial matrix-mineral interactions, such as ACC to calcite transitions and polymorph selection.
Friction induced paint damage as affected by clearcoat chemistry

Abstract One form of damage to automotive painted plastic composites, in particular thermoplastic bumpers and fascias, is known to be caused from compressive shear loading placed on the surface of the composite. The loading inflicted upon the composite by a stationary force (e.g. an automobile hitting a post) or a moving object (e.g. an automobile hitting another automobile), and consequent compressive shear that is induced, can result in cohesive delamination of the substrate. The cohesive delamination in the painted composite (herein referred to as `gouge') is not only influenced by the cohesive strength of the substrate but also by the mechanical properties of the coating. Our studies indicate that one important attribute of the coating, namely the coating's coefficient of friction, can significantly impact the `gouge' resistance of the painted composite. In this work, we will describe the derivation of coating attributes as they affect `gouge' resistance and relate changes in the coating chemistry to useful life parameters.
Unusual, intramolecular cyclization and side chain desaturation of carboxyethyl-o-benzoquinone derivatives

Abstract During the oxidation of dihydrocaffeic acid catalyzed by mushroom tyrosinase, the corresponding quinone formed undergoes an unusual nonenzymatic intramolecular nucleophilic addition reaction yielding dihydroesculetin. This compound was further converted to the o -quinone which accumulated in the reaction mixture. Chemically synthesized dihydrocaffeiyl quinone also exhibited the same lactonization reaction. The product of the reaction was isolated and characterized by uv, ir, and NMR spectral studies. One of the minor products of enzymatic oxidation was identified to be caffeic acid. Since intramolecular cyclization dominated side chain desaturation, methyl ester of the parent acid was substituted in the tyrosinase reaction in order to suppress the cyclization route and monitor the side chain desaturation. Such studies readily generated methyl caffeate as the major product of tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of dihydrocaffeate methyl ester. The formation of this product was accounted for by a novel nonenzymatic route involving tautomerization of enzymatically generated dihydrocaffeiyl quinone to its quinone methide and subsequent aromatization of the latter. The above results indicate that (a) even weak nucleophiles such as carboxylate can react with quinones to form esters and (b) suitably substituted quinones undergo spontaneous quinone methide formation and rearrange further to yield α,β-unsaturated catechols as stable products. The significance of these reactions for sclerotization of insect cuticle is discussed.
Molecular mimicry and clonal deletion: A fresh look.

In this article, I trace the historic background of clonal deletion and molecular mimicry, two major pillars underlying our present understanding of autoimmunity and autoimmune disease. Clonal deletion originated as a critical element of the clonal selection theory of antibody formation in order to explain tolerance of self. If we did have complete clonal deletion, there would be major voids, the infamous “black holes”, in our immune repertoire. For comprehensive, protective adaptive immunity, full deletion is necessarily a rare event. Molecular mimicry, the sharing of epitopes among self and non-self antigens, is extraordinary common and provides the evidence that complete deletion of self-reactive clones is rare. If molecular mimicry were not common, protective adaptive immunity could not be all-encompassing. By taking a fresh look at these two processes together we can envision their evolutionary basis and understand the need for regulatory devices to prevent molecular mimicry from progressing to autoimmune disease.
Mathematical modelling of spark-ignition engines

Abstract The flow field, scavenging efficiency, power output, heat transfer losses, and unburned hydrocarbon emissions have been numerically studied by means of a two-equation model of turbulence in a four-stroke, homogeneous-charge, spark-ignition engine. The engine is equipped with an intake valve, an exhaust valve, and a constant rate heat source which simulates the spark plug. Combustion has been modelled by means of a one-step irreversible chemical reaction whose rate is controlled by an Arrhenius-type expression. The numerical results indicate that the intake stroke is characterized by the formation of two eddies which persist in the compression stroke. Turbulence is generated at the shear layers of the air jet drawn into the cylinder, but its level decreases in the compression stroke. Due to the heat released by the spark plug and the chemical reaction, a spherical flame kernel is formed. This kernel evolves into a cylindrical flame when the flame front reaches the piston. Fuel remains unburnt at the corner between the cylinder head and the cylinder wall due to heat transfer losses. The numerical results also indicate that despite uncertainties about the turbulence and heat transfer models, an engine model such as the one studied here can be used to understand the flow field, heat transfer losses, scavenging efficiency, and power output in conventional spark-ignition engines. Such capabilities are very helpful in the development and optimization stages of engines. For example, here the engine model thermal and scavenging efficiencies are 15.69% and 94%, respectively. The peak pressure is 33 atm and occurs at 6° ATDC. The unburnt hydrocarbon emissions are 7.41% of the total fuel admitted into the cylinder.
A substrate-selective co-fermentation strategy with Escherichia coli produces lactate by simultaneously consuming xylose and glucose

We describe a new approach for the simultaneous conversion of xylose and glucose sugar mixtures which potentially could be used for lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate. In this study we used this approach to demonstrate the production of lactic acid. This process uses two substrate-selective strains of Escherichia coli, one which is unable to consume glucose and one which is unable to consume xylose. In addition to knockouts in pflB encoding for pyruvate formate lyase, the xylose-selective (glucose deficient) strain E. coli ALS1073 has deletions of the glk, ptsG, and manZ genes while the glucose-selective (xylose deficient) strain E. coli ALS1074 has a xylA deletion. By combining these two strains in a single process the xylose and glucose in a mixed sugar solution are simultaneously converted to lactate. Furthermore, the biomass concentrations of each strain can readily be adjusted in order to optimize the overall product formation. This approach to the utilization of mixed sugars eliminates the problem of diauxic growth, and provides great operational flexibility. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 102: 822–827. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
UV Raman Spectroscopy of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Deep UV Raman spectroscopy is emerging as a useful tool for the characterization of carbon materials that has many advantages over visible Raman spectroscopy. However, because of resonance enhancement and other effects, UV Raman spectra are often different from visible Raman spectra. UV Raman spectra have not been reported for even some of the most widely known carbon materials. We report Raman spectra of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) collected with deep ultraviolet (4.8 eV) laser excitation. There are significant differences between the deep UV and the visible Raman spectrum of SWNTs for the graphitic “G” modes and “disorder-induced” “D” modes, which are common to a wide range of forms of carbon. Furthermore, only semiconducting tubes are observed in the UV Raman spectrum, which is not consistent with an expected resonance enhancement of the scattering from metallic tubes at 4.8 eV.
Isolation of constituents ofGlottidium vesicarium

The toxic plant,Glottidium vesicarium, has been investigated for the presence of various constituents, and the isolation of three phytochemical constituents from the mature seeds has been described.
High hole and electron field effect mobilities in nanocrystalline silicon deposited at 150 °C

Abstract We demonstrate both p-channel and n-channel thin film transistors of nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) deposited at 150 °C. The TFTs are made in an inverted staggered top-gate bottom-source/drain geometry to place the channel in the last-to-grow layer, and to avoid plasma etch damage to the channel. The TFT structure is fabricated on top of a 75-nm thick intrinsic nc-Si:H seed layer, which serves to develop the crystalline structure of the channel layer. We obtained a hole mobility of ∼0.2 cm2 V−1 s−1 and an electron mobility of ∼40 cm2 V−1 s−1. These results demonstrate the feasibility of a directly-deposited and CMOS capable silicon TFT technology on low-temperature substrates.
Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy Increases Blood Nitrite, Nitrate, and S-Nitrosohemoglobin Concentrations in Infants with Pulmonary Hypertension

Objective To measure the circulating concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) adducts with NO bioactivity after inhaled NO (iNO) therapy in infants with pulmonary hypertension. Study design In this single center study, 5 sequential blood samples were collected from infants with pulmonary hypertension before, during, and after therapy with iNO (n = 17). Samples were collected from a control group of hospitalized infants without pulmonary hypertension (n = 16) and from healthy adults for comparison (n = 12). Results After beginning iNO (20 ppm) whole blood nitrite levels increased approximately two-fold within 2 hours ( P P P Conclusion Treatment of pulmonary hypertensive infants with iNO results in increases in levels of nitrite, nitrate, and S-nitrosohemoglobin in circulating blood. We speculate that these compounds may be carriers of NO bioactivity throughout the body and account for peripheral effects of iNO in the brain, heart, and other organs.
The role of corporate public relations executives in the future of employee communications

Abstract This article suggests existence of a third major organizational role for public relations—communication executive comprised mainly of corporate senior vice presidents of public relations and communication who report directly to CEOs. In studying those who function in this role, the article reports on a survey of senior corporate practitioners discovering these public relations executives, and the corporate CEO's they report to believe internal and employee communications are important. They also show that communications methods used to motivate employees five years ago are not effective today and the public relations function has not done much to discover, much less implement, any new ways to communicate with employees. Findings suggest the majority of corporate employee communications remains dominated with technical journalistic-like skills components such as producing slick employee newsletters instead of concentrating on developing relationships with employees.
Anesthesia increases in vivo N-([18F]fluoroethyl)piperidinyl benzilate binding to the muscarinic cholinergic receptor

Abstract The in vivo binding of N -[ 18 F]fluoroethyl-piperidinyl benzilate ([ 18 F]FEPB) to the muscarinic cholinergic receptor was measured in awake and anesthetized rats. Studies were done using an equilibrium infusion technique to provide estimates of specific binding as distribution volume ratios. Anesthesia with either isoflurane or sodium pentobarbital produced a significant (65–90%) increase of radiotracer binding in receptor-rich brain regions (striatum, cortex, hippocampus) relative to awake controls. Pretreatment of anesthetized animals with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor phenserine produced no further increases in radioligand binding, in contrast to the large (>70%) increases previously observed in awake animals following drug treatment. These studies demonstrate that anesthesia can produce significant changes in baseline biochemical measures that can obscure even very large effects of pharmacological challenges.
Ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine concentrations in fetal rat brain: response to chronic hypoxic-hypoxia and/or carbon monoxide-hypoxia.

Abstract Ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC; E.C. 4.1.1.17), is significantly elevated in fetal and newborn rat brain in response to acute hypoxia. Because relatively little is known about ODC activities and polyamine metabolism in hypoxia and also because ODC and the polyamines are essential for normal growth and development, we examined the effect of chronic maternal hypoxic-hypoxia (16-10.5% O 2 ), carbon monoxide-hypoxia (100–200 ppm CO) and their combination, on fetal weight, fetal brain ODC activity and polyamine concentrations. Time-dated pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically exposed to hypoxia from gestational day 15 (E-15), to gestational day 21 (E-21), in individual chambers. Pair-fed controls were given an amount equivalent to that eaten by a hypoxic dam over the previous 24 h. We measured fetal weight, as well as brain ODC activity and polyamine concentrations on both E-19 and E-21. Pair-feeding had no effect on fetal weight, ODC activity or polyamine concentrations. On both E-19 and E-21, however, fetal weights were significantly reduced with higher levels of hypoxic-hypoxia (e.g., 10.5% O 2 ). At 100 or 200 ppm, carbon monoxide alone appeared not to affect fetal weight; however, combined with even mild hypoxia (16% O 2 ), fetal weights were reduced almost 20%, suggesting that together, CO- and hypoxic-hypoxia exert a synergistic effect on fetal weight decrements. (1) There was no consistent pattern of ODC activity changes which correlated to the fetal weight losses or levels of hypoxia. These results suggest that ODC activity may not be a good marker for chronic, as opposed to acute hypoxia. (2) Whole brain polyamine concentrations were markedly affected by relatively mild chronic hypoxia (16% O 2 ), with or without CO. Severe chronic hypoxia did not appear to affect brain polyamine levels, but dramatically affected fetal weight. (3) Our present findings vis a vis the fetal weight losses may be of clinical relevance to pregnant women living at higher altitudes who smoke or are exposed to higher levels of environmental carbon monoxide.
Hodges-Lehmann Point Estimates of Treatment Effect in Observational Studies

Abstract A Hodges-Lehmann point estimate of an additive treatment effect is a robust estimate derived from the randomization distribution of a rank test. This article shows how to carry out a sensitivity analysis for such an estimate in an observational study where treatments are not randomly assigned. Two cases are discussed in detail: matched pairs and the comparison of two unmatched groups. The method uses a model for the distribution of treatment assignments when hidden biases may be present. This model has previously been used for sensitivity analysis of significance levels and confidence intervals.
The Feasibility of Informed Pretests in Attenuating Response-Shift Bias

Response-shift bias has been shown to contami nate self-reported pretest/posttest evaluations of various interventions. To eliminate the detrimental effects of response shifts, retrospective measures have been employed as substitutes for the tradi tional self-reported pretest. Informed pretests, wherein subjects are provided information about the construct being measured prior to completing the pretest self-report, are considered in the present studies as an alternative method to retrospective pretests in reducing response-shift effects. In Study 1 subjects were given a 20-minute presentation on assertiveness, which failed to significantly improve the accuracy of self-reported assertiveness. Other procedural influences hypothesized to improve self- report accuracy—previous experience with the ob jective measure of assertiveness and previous com pletion of the self-report measure—also were not related to increased self-report accuracy. In a second study, information about interviewing skills was provided a...
Semantic ranking and result visualization for life sciences publications

An ever-increasing amount of data and semantic knowledge in the domain of life sciences is bringing about new data management challenges. In this paper we focus on adding the semantic dimension to literature search, a central task in scientific research. We focus our attention on PubMed, the most significant bibliographic source in life sciences, and explore ways to use high-quality semantic annotations from the MeSH vocabulary to rank search results. We start by developing several families of ranking functions that relate a search query to a document's annotations. We then propose an efficient adaptive ranking mechanism for each of the families. We also describe a two-dimensional Skyline-based visualization that can be used in conjunction with the ranking to further improve the user's interaction with the system, and demonstrate how such Skylines can be computed adaptively and efficiently. Finally, we evaluate the effectiveness of our ranking with a user study.