cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Wrist-worn Respiration Monitoring Device using Bio-Impedance *

In the US alone, 22 million individuals suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with 80% of the cases symptoms undiagnosed. Hence, there is an unmet need to continuously and unobtrusively monitor respiration and detect possible occurrences of apnea. Recent advancements in wearable biomedical technology can enable the capture of the periodicity of the heart pressure pulse from a wrist-worn device. In this paper, we propose a bio-impedance (Bio-Z)-based respiration monitoring system. We establish close contact with the skin using gold e-tattoos with a 35 mm by 5 mm active sensing area. We extracted the respiration from the wrist Bio-Z signal leveraging three different techniques and showed that we can detect the start of each respiration beat with an average root mean square error (RMSE) less than 13% and mean error of 0.3% over five subjects.
Myocardial Dysfunction Shown with Global Longitudinal Strain Imaging in COVID-19 Patients

Background: The incidence of acute cardiac injury in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has been reported to range between 8–28% The aim of our case-series study was to describe the 2D echocardiography, Doppler and myocardial strain findings of hospitalized COVID-19 patients based on echocardiographic features Methods: We performed a search of COVID-19 patients admitted to our institution from November 1st, 2019 to June 8th, 2020 All available transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) were reviewed and off-line assessment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) was performed We also analyzed electrocardiograms (ECG) and laboratory findings including inflammatory markers that were described as indicators for COVID-19 severity Findings: Out of 1034 patients admitted with COVID-19, 60 (5 8%%) underwent TTE while hospitalized LVEF was reduced and wall motion abnormalities were found in 13 (22%) of these patients and increased LV wall thickness was present in 53% (mean for combined posterior wall and inter ventricular septum 2 61cm±1 53, normal range 2 2cm) Patients with reduced systolic function had low stroke volume (mean LVOT-VTI 16 6 cm, normal range 20-30cm) Left ventricular GLS analysis was available for 40 patients and revealed reduced peak left ventricular longitudinal strain in 80% of them (mean -12 16%±4 01) All patients with LV dysfunction had elevated levels of cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers Interpretation: Our case-series study found that LV dysfunction as detected by reduced EF and segmental wall motion abnormalities is present in less than 25% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients However, signs of subclinical myocardial dysfunction by GLS is quite prevalent, occurring in 80% of patients The mechanism of cardiac injury and/or dysfunction in COVID-19 infection remains uncertain Potential etiologies may include myocarditis, systemic cytokine-mediated injury, microvascular injury or stress-related cardiomyopathy Funding: There was no extra-mural funding for this study Declaration of Interests: There are no author disclosures of financial relationships with industry relevant to this study Ethics Approval Statement: The Cedars-Sinai Institutional Review Board has approved this study protocol and waived the requirement for individual written consent
The Relationship Between Employee Engagement and Organisational Outcomes in the English National Health Service: An Analysis of Employee and Employer Data in 28 Healthcare Organisations

There have been concerns around low productivity, poor health and wellbeing and staff engagement for well over a decade in the English National Health Service (NHS). Our analysis of survey data in 28 healthcare organisations builds an understanding of what drives employee engagement and how it impacts organisations. Our findings are that: better staff engagement in a healthcare organisation is associated with better financial and care outcomes; some professional groups in healthcare organisations (e.g. healthcare assistants) have substantially worse employee engagement than others; and employee participation in wellbeing programmes, effective leadership and line manager training are associated with better staff engagement. The key message for those involved in healthcare delivery is that there is a strong business case for improving employee engagement as it likely improves a range of organisational outcomes. The analysis also points to some specific initiatives that organisations focused on improving employee engagement may wish to consider.
New Evidence on Teacher Turnover in Early Childhood

This brief provides a systemwide look at early childhood teacher turnover using data from all publicly funded, center-based early childhood programs in Louisiana, including subsidized child care, H...
A Spectral Enabled GAN for Time Series Data Generation.

Time dependent data is a main source of information in today's data driven world. Generating this type of data though has shown its challenges and made it an interesting research area in the field of generative machine learning. One such approach was that by Smith et al. who developed Time Series Generative Adversarial Network (TSGAN) which showed promising performance in generating time dependent data and the ability of few shot generation though being flawed in certain aspects of training and learning. This paper looks to improve on the results from TSGAN and address those flaws by unifying the training of the independent networks in TSGAN and creating a dependency both in training and learning. This improvement, called unified TSGAN (uTSGAN) was tested and comapred both quantitatively and qualitatively to its predecessor on 70 benchmark time series data sets used in the community. uTSGAN showed to outperform TSGAN in 80\% of the data sets by the same number of training epochs and 60\% of the data sets in 3/4th the amount of training time or less while maintaining the few shot generation ability with better FID scores across those data sets.
The Essential Facilities Doctrine in the Digital Economy: Dispelling Persistent Myths

The antitrust “essential facilities” doctrine is reawakening. After decades of rejection and decline, the doctrine’s approach of granting access rights to facilities for which there is no reasonable alternative in the market has received several high-profile endorsements across the political spectrum. While courts have mainly applied the doctrine to physical infrastructure, its potential now lies in addressing the gatekeeping power of online platforms. However, despite its recent endorsements, the doctrine’s criticisms linger. Many of the objections to the essential facilities doctrine are fueled by persistent myths and misconceptions, most prominently related to its economic justification, administrability, and propensity to entrench monopoly power. This Article lays out the case for the essential facilities doctrine in the digital economy and addresses the most common counterarguments that limit the doctrine’s potential to open digital markets.
Variation in assessment of first-year medical students' interprofessional competencies by rater profession

Abstract Background It is important to assess and provide formative feedback to medical students. During interprofessional experiences, it is essential for students to receive formative, multi-source feedback during these experiences from interprofessional colleagues. Yet, implementing methods to assess students' collaboration and team-based patient care has remained a challenge. This study investigated the impact of the assessor's profession on students' performance scores. Methods In the fall of 2015, for 8 sessions, first-year medical students were placed in diverse clinical settings during their Interprofessional Clinical Experience course and paired with health professionals from whom they requested assessments. Students were assessed on communication, professionalism, leadership/teamwork/interprofessionalism, and overall performance using a 9-point Likert-type scale. Assessments were analyzed by profession using multilevel modeling. Results The total number of students enrolled in the course was 167 and the total number of assessments completed was 743 with a completion rate of 66.9% with a mean of 4.4 assessments/students (SD 1.6) and a mean overall score of 4.0 (SD 2.3). Three-hundred fifty-four assessors from 9 professions provided 648. Results from multilevel analysis showed statistically significant differences in assessment by profession, with medical assistants and clerks scoring students significantly higher than nurses, nurse practitioners/physician assistants, rehabilitation therapists, and physicians (p Discussion The assessor's profession made a significant impact on assessment scores of students with some professions more or less stringent. Variability in assessment by profession should be considered when interpreting student performance and providing feedback. While training may help reliability of assessors, this may be difficult given the number and breadth of assessors.
Stock composition of Atlantic sturgeon ( Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus ) encountered in marine and estuarine environments on the U.S. Atlantic Coast

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is a large, anadromous fish native to the Atlantic Coast of North America. Although this species once supported important fisheries, centuries of exploitation and habitat degradation have resulted in dramatic declines, presumed extirpation in some rivers, and ultimately listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under the ESA, Atlantic sturgeon are listed as five separate Distinct Population Segments (DPSs), which form the basis for federal management. Despite state and federal protections Atlantic sturgeon still face significant threats to their recovery, including fisheries bycatch mortality, marine construction, dredging, dams, and vessel strikes. However, because subadult and adult Atlantic sturgeon migrate extensively across estuarine and marine environments and frequently form mixed-stock aggregations in non-natal habitats, it can be difficult to determine how these threats impact specific populations and DPSs. To better understand ontogenetic shifts in habitat use and stock-specific exposure to anthropogenic threats, we performed a mixed-stock analysis of 1704 Atlantic sturgeon encountered across the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Collections made north of Cape Cod, MA and south of Cape Hatteras, NC were dominated by individuals from regional stocks; however, we found extensive stock mixing in the mid-Atlantic region, particularly in coastal environments where individuals from all five DPSs were commonly observed. Subadults and adults that were encountered in offshore environments had moved, on average, 277 km from their natal source; however, 23% were sampled over 500 km from their natal river suggesting long-distance movements are relatively common in these age classes. Overall, our work highlights that Atlantic sturgeon populations are vulnerable to threats over vast areas and emphasizes the need for continued genetic monitoring to track recovery progress.
ECS’s IE&EE

The name of our division is sometimes confused with an organization representing electrical engineers. As a matter of fact, recently I saw a Call for Papers with reference to sponsorship by the IEEE, but I didn't recognize the symposium. As it turns out, that symposium was indeed from the dry side of the Society, and it did refer to that other society.
Ladd-Franklin, Christine 1847–1930

Christine Ladd was born on December 1, 1847 in Windsor, CT. Her father Eliphalet Ladd and her mother Augusta Niles both came from distinguished New England families. Ladd attended Wesleyan Academy for two years, graduating in 1865. She then entered Vassar College from which she graduated in 1869.
On the centennials of the discoveries of the hydrogen bond and the structure of the water molecule: the short life and work of Eustace Jean Cuy (1897–1925)

The bent structure of the water molecule, and its hydrogen-bonding properties, arguably rank among the most impactful discoveries in the history of chemistry. Although the fact that the H—O—H angle must deviate from linearity was inferred early in the 20th century, notably from the existence of the electric dipole moment, it was not clear what that angle should be and why. One hundred years ago, a young PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley, Eustace J. Cuy, rationalized the V-shape structure of a water molecule using the Lewis theory of a chemical bond, i.e. a shared electron pair, and its tetrahedral stereochemistry. He was inspired, in part, by the proposal of a weak (hydrogen) bond in water by two colleagues at Berkeley, Wendell Latimer and Worth Rodebush, who published their classic paper a year earlier. Cuy went on to suggest that other molecules, notably H2S and NH3, have similar structures, and presciently predicted that this architecture has broader consequences for the structure of water as a liquid. This short, but brilliant paper has been completely forgotten, perhaps due to the tragic death of the author at the age of 28; the hydrogen-bond study is also rarely recognized. One of the most impactful publications on the structure of liquid water, a classic treatise published in 1933 by John Bernal and Ralph Fowler, does not mention either of the two pioneering papers. In this essay, the background for the two discoveries is described, including the brief history of Lewis's research on the nature of the chemical bond, and the history of the discovery of the hydrogen bond, which inspired Cuy to look at the structure of the water molecule. This is – to the best of the author's knowledge – the first biographical sketch of Eustace J. Cuy.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF SOIL MOISTURE FLOW AND MOISTURE STRESS IN A DESSICATING SOIL.

Numerous investigators have reported qualitative and quantitative observations of fractures in natural soils and the influence of these fractures on soil-water-air-plant relations. Bouma and Dekker (1978), Stirk (1954), Fox (1964), Johnson (1961), DeVos and Virgo (1969) and Virgo (1981) have reported field observations of fractures in natural clay soils. Surface connected fractures were reported to be up to 12 centimeters in width and 2 meters in depth.
Incorporation of 3,4-Dehydroproline into Protocollagen and Collagen LIMITED HYDROXYLATION OF PROLINE AND LYSINE IN THE SAME POLYPEPTIDE

Abstract Chick embryo cartilage incubated with dl-3,4-dehydroproline (3,4-dehydroproline) synthesized collagen containing the analogue in place of proline. It was not possible to determine the degree to which 3,4-dehydroproline replaced proline, but under comparable conditions 14C-dl-3,4-dehydroproline was incorporated at about one-fifth the rate of 14C-l-proline. The hydroxyproline content of the collagen was decreased because the analogue replaced prolyl residues which were normally hydroxylated, and because the proline still incorporated was not hydroxylated to the same extent as in control tissues. With tissues incubated with 14C-proline and 40 to 100 µg per ml of dl-3,4-dehydroproline the hydroxylation of 14C-proline in collagen was decreased to one-third to one-half of the control value. The hydroxylation of 14C-lysine in collagen was depressed to about the same degree. The analogue did not inhibit protocollagen proline hydroxylase, and gel filtration indicated the proteins synthesized in the presence of the analogue were of the same size as proteins from control tissues. The 14C-hydroxyproline content of collagen containing 3,4-dehydroproline could not be increased by incubating it with excess protocollagen proline hydroxylase. Collagenous polypeptides prepared by incubating cartilage with puromycin and 3,4-dehydroproline formed stable enzyme-substrate complexes similar to complexes formed with polypeptides which did not contain 3,4-dehydroproline. However, the polypeptides containing 3,4-dehydroproline differed from polypeptides which did not contain the analogue in that they remained attached to the enzyme after incubation with excess enzyme and cofactors. This observation may explain the decreased hydroxylation of collagen containing the analogue in that tight binding of the enzyme to a 3,4-dehydroproline residue at one position in a substrate polypeptide may sterically hinder the hydroxylation of adjacent prolyl or lysyl residues in the same molecule. Autoradiographic experiments indicated that collagen containing 3,4-dehydroproline was not extruded from cartilage cells as rapidly as normal collagen.
Performance Analysis of Multi-Buffered Packet-Switching Networks in Multiprocessor Systems

In this paper, we extend Jenq [1]'s performance analysis method of single-buffered banyan networks, to be applicable for the multi-buffered packet-switching interconnection networks in multiprocessor systems. Earlier analyses on the buffered interconnection network performances assumed either single or infinite buffers at each input (output) port of a switch. As far as the multi-buffered interconnection network is concerned, only some simulation results for the delta networks have been known [2].
Why Ellipses Are Not Elliptic Curves

Elliptic curves are a fascinating area of algebraic geometry with important connections to number theory, topology, and complex analysis. As their current ubiquity in mathematics suggests, elliptic...
Quinone oxidoreductases of the plasma membrane.

Publisher Summary Quinone oxidoreductases of the plasma membrane relate functionally to the operation of a cell surface redox chain, where cytosolic NAD(P)H is oxidized. Plasma membrane quinones serve as lipid-soluble transmembrane shuttles to transfer the 2H+ + 2e- from NAD(P)H to 1/2 O2 to form water. The reduction of 1/2 O2 is at the expense of hydroquinone catalyzed by cell surface hydroquinone oxidases. The first demonstration of a redox-related plasma membrane enzyme was that of an NADH-ferricyanide reductase observed with purified fractions of plasma membranes isolated from rat liver. A plasma membrane location was subsequently confirmed by electron microscope cytochemistry. Involvement in plasma membrane electron transport was inferred from observations in which ferricyanide and other impermeant oxidants were reduced by intact cells. Quinone oxidoreductases, of the plasma membrane, have physiological significance as components in support of plasma membrane electron transport. Among these are the ECTO-NOX proteins that comprise a family of NAD(P)H oxidases of plants and animals that exhibit both oxidative and protein disulfide isomerase-like activities that alternate and serve as terminal oxidases for plasma membrane electron transport. A unique feature of the ECTO-NOX proteins is that the two enzymatic activities they catalyze, hydroquinone (NADH) oxidation and disulfide–thiol interchange, alternate within a 24-min period.
Interpretation of the N2 LBH glow observed on the S3-4 spacecraft

Emissions in the vacuum ultraviolet Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) bands of N2 were observed at night from the S3-4 spacecraft and from the Space Shuttle. No atmospheric source of this emission was identified. Conway et al. have reported that the intensity of the S3-4 LBH emission varied as the cube power of the N2 or N2O concentration. A vehicle-atmosphere interaction was suggested as the source but it was found that the needed excitation cross section would have to be unacceptably large. Recent models of the gas concentration build-up around large space vehicles predict concentrations that may be consistent with the observe LBH intensity variation with altitude. The emission in the model is generated primarily by secondary collisional excitation by ambient N2 and/or O of desorbed metastable molecular constituents. A Chapman-like production function in the induced gaseous environment results in the observed cube power of the N2 concentration altitude variation. A cross section of approximately 2.5 x 10(-18) sq cm is required for excitation of desorbed metastable N2(A) to the N2 (a 1 Pi g) state to account for the observed intensities.
Reply to Wootton and Pfister: The search for general context should include synthesis with laboratory model systems.

Wootton and Pfister (1) note the striking contrast between the results of their elegant field study (2) and our laboratory study (3), both of which manipulated genetic diversity and population size independently. Wootton and Pfister (1) found that population size most strongly influences extinction risk, whereas we (3) found that genetic diversity matters as much as population size in reducing extinction, and that genetic diversity also increases long-term growth rates of extant populations. Given the implications for management of small populations, it is crucial to understand why our results differ.
Differing Calculations of the Response of Matter-wave Interferometers to Gravitational Waves

There now exists in the literature two different expressions for the phase shift of a matterwave interferometer caused by the passage of a gravitation wave. The first, a commonly accepted expression that was first derived in the 1970s, is based on the traditional geodesic equation of motion (EOM) for a test particle. The second, a more recently derived expression, is based on the geodesic deviation EOM. The power-law dependence on the frequency of the gravitational wave for both expressions for the phase shift is different, which indicates fundamental differences in the physics on which these calculations are based. Here we compare the two approaches by presenting a series of side-by-side calculations of the phase shift for one specific matter-wave-interferometer configuration that uses atoms as the interfering particle. By looking at the low-frequency limit of the different expressions for the phase shift obtained, we find that the phase shift calculated via the geodesic deviation EOM is correct, and the ones calculated via the geodesic EOM are not.
Neural Oscillations and Synchrony in Brain Dysfunction and Neuropsychiatric Disorders It's About Time

Neural oscillations are rhythmic fluctuations over time in the activity or excitability of single neurons, local neuronal populations or "assemblies," and/or multiple regionally distributed neuronal assemblies. Synchronized oscillations among large numbers of neurons are evident in electrocorticographic, electroencephalographic, magnetoencephalographic, and local field potential recordings and are generally understood to depend on inhibition that paces assemblies of excitatory neurons to produce alternating temporal windows of reduced and increased excitability. Synchronization of neural oscillations is supported by the extensive networks of local and long-range feedforward and feedback bidirectional connections between neurons. Here, we review some of the major methods and measures used to characterize neural oscillations, with a focus on gamma oscillations. Distinctions are drawn between stimulus-independent oscillations recorded during resting states or intervals between task events, stimulus-induced oscillations that are time locked but not phase locked to stimuli, and stimulus-evoked oscillations that are both time and phase locked to stimuli. Synchrony of oscillations between recording sites, and between the amplitudes and phases of oscillations of different frequencies (cross-frequency coupling), is described and illustrated. Molecular mechanisms underlying gamma oscillations are also reviewed. Ultimately, understanding the temporal organization of neuronal network activity, including interactions between neural oscillations, is critical for elucidating brain dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Status of the IEA voluntary standards activity - Round robins on whole wood and lignins.

The International Energy Agency -- Bioenergy Agreement — Biomass Conversion Annex VII -- Standardized Analytical Methods Activity has been ongoing for the past three years. Participating countries are Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. The goal is to provide researchers and technology developers with information on reliable methods in use, or proposed, for characterizing feedstocks, process intermediates, and end products from biomass conversion to fuels, energy-intensive chemicals, and electric power. Accurate compositional analyses of biomass feedstocks and lignins are important for the commercialization of these technologies. This international activity provided and tested selected analytical methods for use in the characterization of a wide range of biomass feedstocks and lignins. Two round robins were conducted, one on the analysis of whole biomass feedstocks and the other on analysis of lignins.
Analysis of Thundersnow Storms over Northern Colorado

ABSTRACTLightning flashes during snowstorms occur infrequently compared to warm-season convection. The rarity of such thundersnow events poses an additional hazard because the lightning is unexpected. Because cloud electrification in thundersnow storms leads to relatively few lightning discharges, studying thundersnow events may offer insights into mechanisms for charging and possible thresholds required for lightning discharges. Observations of four northern Colorado thundersnow events that occurred during the 2012/13 winter are presented. Four thundersnow events in one season strongly disagrees with previous climatologies that used surface reports, implying thundersnow may be more common than previously thought. Total lightning information from the Colorado Lightning Mapping Array and data from conterminous United States lightning detection networks are examined to investigate the snowstorms’ electrical properties and to compare them to typical warm-season thunderstorms. Data from polarimetric WSR-88Ds ...
Unfolding case studies

Unfolding case studies using simulation are unique teaching/learning strategies to assist learners in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to be safe, competent practitioners.
Synporins--synthetic proteins that emulate the pore structure of biological ionic channels.

Abstract A class of proteins that mimic the fundamental pore structure of authentic ionic channels has been designed, synthesized, and characterized. The design is based on our earlier result that a 23-mer peptide with the sequence of the M2 segment of the Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor delta subunit--Glu-Lys-Met-Ser-Thr-Ala-Ile-Ser-Val-Leu-Leu-Ala-Gln-Ala-Val-Phe -Leu- Leu-Leu-Thr-Ser-Gln-Arg--forms cation-selective channels in lipid bilayers, presumably by self-assembly of conductive oligomers. Accordingly, a tethered parallel tetramer was synthesized with four M2 delta peptides attached to a carrier template--a 9-amino acid backbone with four attachment sites. As expected, the complete 101-residue protein does form channels in lipid bilayers reproducing several features that are characteristic of authentic acetylcholine receptor channels, such as single-channel conductance, cation selectivity, transitions between closed and open states in the millisecond time range, and sensitivity to local anesthetic channel blockers. An analogue protein, in which the serine residue in position 8 is replaced with alanine in each of the four M2 delta 23-mer peptides ([Ala8]M2 delta), also forms channels that, however, exhibit lower single-channel conductance. By contrast, a similar tethered tetramer with M1 delta peptides does not form channels, in accord with expectations. The general validity of this strategy to other channel sequences and oligomer numbers is anticipated. Thus, synporins--a term coined to identify this class of synthetic pore proteins--enrich our armamentarium directed toward the elucidation of structure-function relationships.
Structural analysis of a carcinogen-induced genomic rearrangement event.

Abstract We have explored the mechanism of genomic rearrangement in a hamster fibroblast cell culture system in which rearrangements are induced 5' to the endogenous thymidine kinase gene by chemical carcinogen treatment. The wild-type region around one rearrangement breakpoint was cloned and sequenced. With this sequence information, the carcinogen-induced rearrangement was cloned from the corresponding rearranged cell line by the inverse polymerase chain reaction. After the breakpoint fragment was sequenced, the wild-type rearrangement partner (RP15) was isolated by a second inverse polymerase chain reaction of unrearranged DNA. Comparison of the sequence of the rearrangement breakpoint with the wild-type RP15 and 5' thymidine kinase gene regions revealed short repeats directly at the breakpoint, as well as nearby A + T-rich regions in each rearrangement partner. Pulsed-field electrophoresis analysis demonstrated that this rearrangement is an interstitial deletion of 35 kilobases. Southern blot analysis of the RP15 region in unrearranged parental cells showed a demethylated CpG island and a complex of DNase I-hypersensitive sites adjacent to the breakpoint in the region deleted by the rearrangement. Therefore, these studies reveal interesting sequence and chromatin features near the rearrangement breakpoints and suggest a role for nuclear organization in the mechanism of carcinogen-induced genomic rearrangement.
Sense-making in a database environment

Abstract Data reported here were gathered from 26 novice users' search sessions on a full-text multi-file information retrieval system. The study had two aims: to evaluate the ability of novices to use such an information retrieval system and to analyze user information-seeking behavior in the software environment presented by this type of system. Information seeking was conceptualized using Dervin's sense-making approach as question-asking during the session. “Timeline” interviews produced open-ended, structured accounts of search sessions from the user perspective. These were content analyzed to develop descriptive accounts of question-asking behaviors, conditions and outcomes. Data on search success and users' system evaluations are also presented. Results indicate that search success was only moderate, although appraisals of interface effectiveness were higher. Information seeking was distributed widely throughout the search process, but was both most common and least successful regarding navigation within the system.
Cationic Ansa-Zirconocene and Hafnocene Derivatives of a Monoanionic Phosphonium-Bridged Bis(permethylcyclopentadienyl) Ligand: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of {[Me2P(C5Me4)2]MCl2}+ (M = Zr, Hf) and {[Me2P(C5Me4)2]ZrMe2}+

The phosphonium-bridged ansa-metallocene complexes {[Me2P(C5Me4)2]ZrCl2}+ and {[Me2P(C5Me4)2]HfCl2}+ have been prepared by the reactions of {[Me2P(C5Me4)2]Li2}I with ZrCl4 and HfCl4, respectively; the isolation and structural characterization of {[Me2P(C5Me4)2]ZrCl2}+ complete a series of isostructural zirconocene derivatives, namely, [R2P(CpR)2ZrCl2]+, [R2E(CpR)2ZrCl2] (E = C, Si, Ge), and [R2B(CpR)2ZrCl2]-, which differ according to the charge on the complex.
Regulation of nitrogen fixation by ammonium in diazotrophic species of Proteobacteria

Abstract Nitrogenase enzyme is not synthesized in diazotrophs growing with a sufficient or excess supply of fixed nitrogen in their environment. In addition, in some bacteria the nitrogenase enzyme is inactivated by ammonium. The mechanisms by which cells respond to ammonium have been studied in several members of the Proteobacteria, including species from three of the four subgroups of this major taxon. In all of them, NifA is a transcriptional activator of expression of all other nif genes, the products of which are required for synthesis of active nitrogenase. NifA is either inactivated or not synthesized in ammonium-grown cultures of the Proteobacterial diazotrophs. The mechanisms by which NifA synthesis and activity are controlled by fixed nitrogen vary widely, as does the function of the PII protein, a major component of the nitrogen regulatory cascade, with respect to nitrogen fixation.
Choking in the Pediatric Population

Choking is a preventable, but common cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population, with children younger than 3 years at greatest risk. A number of factors place children at higher risk for choking, including narrower airways, immature dentition, underdeveloped chewing and swallowing ability, and high levels of activity and distractibility. Candy, meat, and bone are responsible for more than half of nonfatal food-related choking, while the hot dog is the most common food associated with choking fatalities. Coins, button batteries, small toys, and toy parts are the leading causes of nonfatal choking not due to food, while latex balloons are the leading cause of nonfood-related choking fatalities. Pediatric choking is an important public health concern that needs to be addressed during well-child visits and through increased public education. Parents and child caregivers should receive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and choking rescue maneuvers. Increased efforts are also needed i...
Instantaneous, two-dimensional, spontaneous Raman measurements of hydrogen number density in a laminar jet using an intra-cavity configuration

In view of the increasing importance of hydrogen as a fuel, we are presenting a novel experimental technique that allows for two-dimensional (2D), spontaneous Raman hydrogen concentration measurements in optically accessible enclosures. The novelty of the technique lies in that the actual experiment takes place in a laser cavity, which significantly enhances the inherently weak hydrogen Raman signal. Quantitative, 2D measurements of hydrogen number density were performed at elevated pressure by inserting a pressurised vessel in the cavity of a flashlamp-pumped dye laser. Particular emphasis is placed on the determination of the data accuracy of this technique, which is inherently noisy because of the weakness of the Raman signal. The measurements are compared with the results of direct numerical simulation for a laminar jet. The problems of determining accurately the position and the intensity profile of the laser sheet are addressed. A minimum number density of hydrogen that can be detected with an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio, for a 520-m resolution, was determined.
Building evaluation capacity for HIV prevention programs

HIV prevention programs, even those using science-based interventions, need to conduct evaluation to support the implementation and transfer of effective interventions, account for services, demonstrate effectiveness, and improve programs. The Program Evaluation Research Branch of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assists health department grantees and other CDC grantees by providing evaluation guidance, technical assistance (TA), and training in order to build their HIV prevention program evaluation capacity. Together, these evaluation resources assist grantees with overall implementation of evaluation and identify specific types of evaluation appropriate to each stage of intervention development. This paper describes the evaluation developmental process for different types of evaluation activities, provides a framework for building evaluation capacity, discusses the evaluation resources provided by CDC and gives examples of how evaluation TA and training support the overall technology transfer goals.
Tentacle ion exchange separation of Pb-NOM in aquatic systems

The utilization of a new tentacle Fractogel dimethylaminoethyl (DMAE) anionic exchanger for the separation of metal−organic species in natural freshwaters is investigated using synthetic solutions and natural waters. Lead and alginate were used as model compounds in these experiments. The acid−base and metal complexation properties of the ligand were characterized by proton and metal titrations, respectively. The chemical speciation of Pb in the presence of alginate was calculated from the parameters derived from the titrations and compared to the anionic exchanger separations. The good correlation between the predicted and measured speciation showed that the tentacle ion-exchange resin retained the total Pb−alginate fraction. Therefore, this separation method was used to determine the fraction of Pb complexed to dissolved organic matter in the water column of a small lake which contained low (max. 2 nM) total dissolved Pb concentrations. The resin did not alter the speciation during separation and did no...
Extending Resectability for Carcinoma of the Lung in Patients with Impaired Pulmonary Function

Abstract A total of 49 consecutive patients who had resection for carcinoma of the lung is reported. Twenty-two of the patients had marginal pulmonary function, forced expiratory flow rate less than 1.0 liter per second, and forced vital capacity in the first second less than 70%. Of the total group, 23 were more than 60 years old, and 13 of these had marginal pulmonary function. Thirteen patients had pneumonectomy, with no hospital mortality; 30 had lobectomy, with 3 hospital mortalities; and 6 had wedge resection, with 1 hospital mortality. No patients had pulmonary insufficiency in the postoperative period or died of pulmonary insufficiency. The selection of patients was based on a combination of data on flow rates, vital capacity, and regional ventilation perfusion scans. The good results may be due to the fact that despite major obstructive disease of the airway, vital capacity was preserved (92 ± 16% of predicted). Intraoperative use of the Robertshaw tube, preservation of as much lung as possible, and use of local analgesia during the postoperative period were apparent contributors to the low mortality and the absence of pulmonary insufficiency.
The Impact of SOX and SEC Investigation on Corporate Governance of Option Backdating Firms

We investigate the exogenous impacts of the Sarbanes and Oxley (SOX) regulations and the SEC’s investigations on stock-option backdating firms’ corporate governance characteristics in three periods – pre-SOX, post-SOX, and the SEC’s investigation. Our logistic estimates show that backdating firms are associated with weaker board and committee corporate governance measures including less independent and less diligent board and compensation committee, fewer subcommittees and no fixed granted date in the pre-SOX period. Backdating firms are no longer associated with weaker board-level summary governance measures but they are still significantly associated with weaker committee-level governance measures in the post-SOX period. The SEC’s investigations prompt backdating firms to strengthen their governance mechanisms by replacing Founder-CEOs. The investigations also result in other changes in backdating firms’ governance mechanism. It appears that SEC’s investigations have a great impact on backdating firms’ governance practice. Additionally, we find that backdating firms are associated with higher CEO stock-option compensation.
Does prolactin play a role in estrogen-induced maternal behavior in rats: apomorphine reduction of prolactin release.

Abstract Pregnant rats, ovariectomized and hysterectomized on the sixteenth day, were given estradiol benzoate (EB) to stimulate maternal behavior and apomorphine hydrochloride (APO) to reduce the release of prolactin. Groups received EB + APO, EB + saline, oil + saline, and oil + APO and were tested for maternal behavior starting at 48 hr after surgery and EB or oil treatment. Apomorphine did not prevent short-latency maternal behavior in EB-treated females, and by itself it had no effect on oil-treated females. This supports the conclusion that increased secretion of prolactin is not necessary for estrogen-induced maternal behavior; it does not rule out the possibility of an effect of a low level of prolactin secretion.
Generalizing rational degree elevation

Abstract A generalization of the well-known degree elevation algorithms for Bezier curves is presented. This generalized degree elevation extends the expressive power of rational polynomials. In particular, it allows a given curve to be represented equivalently by a family of control point and weight distributions, without affecting its parameterization. Some control over the control point distribution is demonstrated. The effects of reparameterization in conjunction with degree elevation are also explored, and techniques for detecting degeneracy in the presence of reparameterization are described.
Modulation of dendritic spine development and plasticity by BDNF and vesicular trafficking: fundamental roles in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with mental retardation and autism

The process of axonal and dendritic development establishes the synaptic circuitry of the central nervous system (CNS) and is the result of interactions between intrinsic molecular factors and the external environment. One growth factor that has a compelling function in neuronal development is the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF participates in axonal and dendritic differentiation during embryonic stages of neuronal development, as well as in the formation and maturation of dendritic spines during postnatal development. Recent studies have also implicated vesicular trafficking of BDNF via secretory vesicles, and both secretory and endosomal trafficking of vesicles containing synaptic proteins, such as neurotransmitter and neurotrophin receptors, in the regulation of axonal and dendritic differentiation, and in dendritic spine morphogenesis. Several genes that are either mutated or deregulated in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with mental retardation have now been identified, and several mouse models of these disorders have been generated and characterized. Interestingly, abnormalities in dendritic and synaptic structure are consistently observed in human neurodevelopmental disorders associated with mental retardation, and in mouse models of these disorders as well. Abnormalities in dendritic and synaptic differentiation are thought to underlie altered synaptic function and network connectivity, thus contributing to the clinical outcome. Here, we review the roles of BDNF and vesicular trafficking in axonal and dendritic differentiation in the context of dendritic and axonal morphological impairments commonly observed in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with mental retardation.
Inhibition of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Exocytosis of endothelial granules promotes thrombosis and inflammation and may contribute to the pathophysiology of early reperfusion injury following myocardial ischemia. TAT-NSF700 is a novel peptide that reduces endothelial exocytosis by inhibiting the ATPase activity and disassembly activity of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF), a critical component of the exocytic machinery. We hypothesized that TAT-NSF700 would limit myocardial injury in an in vivo murine model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mice were subjected to 30 minutes of ischemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. TAT-NSF700 or the scrambled control peptide TAT-NSF700scr was administered intravenously 20 minutes before the onset of ischemia. Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion caused endothelial exocytosis, myocardial infarction, and left ventricular dysfunction. However, TAT-NSF700 decreased von Willebrand factor levels after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, attenuated myocardial infarct size by 47%, and preserved left ventricular structure and function. These data suggest that drugs targeting endothelial exocytosis may be useful in the treatment of myocardial injury following ischemia/reperfusion.
Cavβ2 Subunit Associates with Caveolin-3 and Regulates Trafficking and β2adrenergic Receptor Regulation of the Caveolar L-Type Ca2+ Channels

The auxiliary CaVβ subunits (CaVβ1-CaVβ4) influence the trafficking and functional properties of pore forming α subunits of L-type Ca2+ channels. Recently we have demonstrated a subpopulation of CaV1.2 channels in caveolae microdomains in ventricular myocytes that are specifically regulated by the β2-adrenergic receptor stimulation. We hypothesize that a specific Cavβ subunit isoform is essential for the localization and regulation of caveolar CaV1.2 channels. Immunogold labeling and electron microscopy demonstrated that Cavβ2c but not Cavβ3co-localized with Cav-3 in ventricular myocytes. GST-Cav-3 pull-down experiments using various Cav-3 domain fusion proteins confirmed that Cav-3 directly associates with CaVβ2 subunit but not with CaVβ1, CaVβ3, or CaVβ4. Immunoprecipitation experiments from transfected HEK293 cells demonstrated that Cav-3 co-immunoprecipitate with Cav1.2 subunit when coexpressed with Cavβ2c subunit. However, Cav1.2 did not co-IP with Cav-3 when Cav1.2 was coexpressed with either CaVβ1b, CaVβ3, CaVβ4 or Cav1.2 subunit alone in HEK293 cells, suggesting Cavβ2c is required for caveolar targeting of Cav1.2 channels. The functional role of Cavβ2c subunit on caveolar Ca2+ channels was analysed by patch-clamp technique in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes transfected with either a control siRNA or siRNA specific to Cavβ2c. In the control siRNA transfected myocytes both β1AR (norepinephrine, 10uM, prazosin, 10uM) and β2AR specific (salbutamol, 1uM, atenelol 1uM) stimulation significantly increased ICa,L by 100% and 60% respectively. However, when the Cavβ2C subunit expression was knocked down by specific Cavβ2C siRNA transfection into the myocytes, the β2AR specific stimulation of ICa,L was abolished, where as β1AR stimulation of ICa,L was intact. siRNA mediated knockdown of Cavβ2C subunit was confirmed by immunostaining and confocal microscopy. We conclude that Cavβ2C subunit is specifically responsible for the targeting and functional regulation of the caveolar Cav1.2 channels in ventricular myocytes.
A Modified Micropipette Aspiration Technique and Its Application to Tether Formation From Human Neutrophils

Tether formation, which is mechanically characterized by its threshold force and effective viscosity, is involved in neutrophil emigration from blood circulation. Using the micropipette aspiration technique, which was improved by quantitative contact control and computerized data analysis, we extracted tethers from human neutrophils treated with IL-8, PMA, or cytochalasin D. We found that both IL-8 and PMA elevated the threshold force to about twice as large as the value for passive neutrophils. All these treatments decreased the effective viscosity dramatically (approximately 80%). With a novel method, the residual cortical tension of the cytochalasin-D-treated non-spherical neutrophils was measured to be approximately 8.8 pN/microm.
DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION OF URACIL DNA GLYCOSYLASE WITH SIVSM VPR AND VPX PROTEINS

Abstract The HIV-1 Vpr protein is a virion-associated protein which has been shown to facilitate infection of nondividing macrophages and additionally to alter cell cycle and proliferation status of the infected host cell. HIV-1 Vpr also was recently shown to associate with the DNA repair enzyme uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG). This association with a DNA repair enzyme is intriguing given that nonprimate lentiviruses encode a dUTPase, which, like UDG, minimizes the misincorporation of uracil into DNA and is important for virus replication in primary nondividing macrophages but not in dividing cells. This raises the possibility that the dependence upon Vpr for infection of nondividing macrophages may relate to its ability to interact with UDG. Members of the HIV-2/SIVSMgroup encode, in addition to Vpr, a related protein called Vpx. We previously demonstrated (Fletcheret al.,1996) that Vpx of HIV-2/SIVSMis necessary and sufficient for infection of primary macaque macrophages, while Vpr is not required for macrophage infection but governs cell cycle arrest. Here, we extend on these observations by demonstrating that Vpr, but not Vpx of HIV-2/SIVSM, associates with UDG, which suggests that Vpx facilitates infection of macrophages by a UDG-independent mechanism.