cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Songs for Lyric Tenor: An Analysis of Five Francesco Paolo Tosti Songs

Selecting diverse repertoire for the undergraduate lyric tenor can be a challenging process for instructors of this voice type. Francesco Paolo Tosti, a lyric tenor and composer, wrote songs that exemplify technical concepts that should be cultivated in the undergraduate lyric tenor voice. This guide will present five Tosti songs that address technical issues, which the lyric tenor must overcome to progress into more advanced repertoire.
Myeloid-associated differentiation marker is a novel SP-A-associated transmembrane protein whose expression on airway epithelial cells correlates with asthma severity.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is well-known for its protective role in pulmonary immunity. Previous studies from our group have shown that SP-A mediates eosinophil activities, including degranulation and apoptosis. In order to identify potential binding partners on eosinophils for SP-A, eosinophil lysates were subjected to SP-A pull-down and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis. We identified one membrane-bound protein, myeloid-associated differentiation marker (MYADM), as a candidate SP-A binding partner. Blocking MYADM on mouse and human eosinophils ex vivo prevented SP-A from inducing apoptosis; blocking MYADM in vivo led to increased persistence of eosinophilia and airway hyper-responsiveness in an ovalbumin (OVA) allergy model and increased airways resistance and mucus production in a house dust mite (HDM) asthma model. Examination of a subset of participants in the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP) cohort revealed a significant association between epithelial expression of MYADM in asthma patients and parameters of airway inflammation, including: peripheral blood eosinophilia, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and the number of exacerbations in the past 12 months. Taken together, our studies provide the first evidence of MYADM as a novel SP-A-associated protein that is necessary for SP-A to induce eosinophil apoptosis and we bring to light the potential importance of this previously unrecognized transmembrane protein in patients with asthma.
Analysis of Nonconducting Sample Types

New developments in the field of specialized materials continually present new challenges to the analytical chemist. The improved performance of novel glasses and advanced ceramics demands improved analytical techniques because trace contaminants in such materials critically affect their performance. Advances in the material sciences are thus dependent on improved analytical chemistry and more sensitive methods for the analysis of nonconducting materials. Broekaert et al. have reviewed state-of-the-art techniques for the analysis of advanced ceramics, comparing and contrasting the performance of each.(1)
A basin-coherent mode of sub-monthly variability in Arctic Ocean bottom pressure

[1] A sub-monthly mode of non-tidal variability of ocean bottom pressure (OBP) is observed in a 5-year record of deep-sea bottom pressure at the North Pole. OBP records from other regions in the Arctic show that the North Pole non-tidal mass fluctuation is part of a non-propagating basin-coherent variation that is well represented by the ice-ocean model PIOMAS, with a basin-averaged winter-only RMS of 3.3 cm. Wavelet analysis of the modeled OBP shows that the basin-averaged mass variations are non-stationary and only significant during the winter. The basin-averaged OBP is strongly related to the meridional wind component over the Nordic Seas. The ocean response is consistent with episodic wind forcing driving a northward geostrophic slope current. The mass transport anomaly associated with the mode is significant relative to the annual net mean flow.
Data Mining and Machine Oriented Modeling: A Granular Computing Approach

From the processing point of view, data mining is machine derivation of interesting properties (to human) from the stored data. Hence, the notion of machine oriented data modeling is explored: An attribute value, in a relational model, is a meaningful label (a property) of a set of entities (granule). A model using these granules themselves as attribute values (their bit patterns or lists of members) is called a machine oriented data model. The model provides a good database compaction and data mining environment. For moderate size databases, finding association rules, decision rules, and etc., can be reduced to easy computation of i>set theoretical operations of granules. In the second part, these notions are extended to real world objects, where the universe is granulated (clustered) into granules by binary relations. Data modeling and mining with such additional semantics are formulated and investigated. In such models, data mining is essentially a machine “calculus” of granules-granular computing.
Cold Shock Lethality and Injury in Clostridium perfringens

Several observations have been made in regard to cold shock lethality of Clostridium perfringens: (i) loss of viability was not consequence of exposure of the cells to air; (ii) stationary-phase cells were much more resistant to cold shock at 4 C than exponential-phase cells; (iii) at 4 C 96% of an initial population of exponential-phase cells was killed upon cold shock and 95% of the remaining population was killed within 90 min of continued exposure at 4 C; (iv) the minimal temperature differential for detectable cold shock lethality was between 17 and 23 C, and the maximum beyond which lethality was not appreciably increased was between 28 and 33 C. Up to 75% of viable cold-shocked cells were injured, as demonstrated by cold shocking late exponential-phase cells at 10 C and using differential plating procedure for recovery. Repair of injury was temperature dependent, and occurred in a complex medium and 0.1% peptone but not water. Nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol, and rifampin did not inhibit repair of injury.
G-Protein Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel 1 (GIRK1) Knockdown Decreases Beta-Adrenergic, MAP Kinase and Akt Signaling in the MDA-MB-453 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Previous data from our laboratory have indicated that there is a functional link between the beta-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway and the G-protein inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK1) in breast cancer cell lines and that these pathways are involved in growth regulation of these cells. To determine functionality, MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells were stimulated with ethanol, known to open GIRK channels. Decreased GIRK1 protein levels were seen after treatment with 0.12% ethanol. In addition, serum-free media completely inhibited GIRK1 protein expression. This data indicates that there are functional GIRK channels in breast cancer cells and that these channels are involved in cellular signaling. In the present research, to further define the signaling pathways involved, we performed RNA interference (siRNA) studies. Three stealth siRNA constructs were made starting at bases 1104, 1315, and 1490 of the GIRK1 sequence. These constructs were transfected into MDA-MB-453 cells, and both RNA and protein were isolated. GIRK1, β(2)-adrenergic and 18S control levels were determined using real-time PCR 24 hours after transfection. All three constructs decreased GIRK1 mRNA levels. However, β(2) mRNA levels were unchanged by the GIRK1 knockdown. GIRK1 protein levels were also reduced by the knockdown, and this knockdown led to decreases in beta-adrenergic, MAP kinase and Akt signaling.
QCD Factorization and SCET at NLO

In this article we review recent advances in the area of QCD factorization. We begin with a brief outline of QCD factorization, as well as a description of some recent results regarding B-->VV decays. We examine what is necessary at NLO, look at recent advances towards that goal and consider what remains to be done.
The Structure of the Prototype Bipolar Protoplanetary Nebula CRL 2688 (Egg Nebula): Broadband, Polarimetric, and H2 Line Imaging with NICMOS on the Hubble Space Telescope

High-resolution near-infrared (1.65-2.1 μm) images and 2 μm polarimetric images of the inner 195 × 193 region of the bipolar protoplanetary nebula CRL 2688, taken with the newly installed Near-Infrared Camera and Multiobject Spectrometer (NICMOS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), are reported. The NICMOS images reveal a wealth of structure also seen in HST Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 images but not detected in previous, ground-based near-infrared imaging studies. In particular, we detect a system of concentric arcs centered on, and twin "searchlight beams" emanating from, the obscured central star. The images also show two sharply bounded spindle-shaped polar cavities with point-symmetric structure, and the 2.122 μm H2 S(1) v = 1-0 emission-line image clearly resolves the sharp interface between the high-velocity outflow that produces these polar cavities and the surrounding slow outflow that forms the extended nebula. The H2 image also resolves the bright equatorial H2 emission into distinct components and elucidates their detailed morphologies. We have discovered, within the dark lane that bifurcates the bipolar lobes of CRL 2688, a compact source of unpolarized light. Our imaging polarimetry shows that this source is not the post-asymptotic giant branch star that illuminates the nebula; we conclude that the compact source is a companion star.
Psychiatric reactions to oral contraceptives.

Abstract The available literature on emotional disturbance concurrent with the use of oral contraceptive agents has been reviewed, which indicates a low incidence of such disturbance as well as a low incidence of altered sexual desire and orgasmic response. Our own data indicate these figures may be too conservative, since more than 50 per cent of the population studied reported adverse effects, at least one quarter of whom felt badly enough to wish to stop the drug. Feelings of depression, irritability, and lethargy are most common, while disturbances in desire for and enjoyment of sex are somewhat less frequent. Psychotic reactions do occur, seemingly more often in patients who are known to have suffered emotional disturbances in the past. One psychosis occurred upon withdrawal of large amounts of hormone used to control endometriosis. The evidence to date suggests an interaction of psychological and endocrine factors in the genesis of these disorders which may necessitate careful psychiatric evaluation before continued drug use can be advised.
Studies on growth and utilization of stylar carbohydrate by pollen tubes and callose development in self-incompatibleOenothera organesis

The addition of boric acid or calcium, or both boric acid and calcium to the warm water in which the styles were treated led to a further enhancement of pollen tube growth in otherwise incompatible styles.
Time to Fold: Tom1 Uses New Tricks to Regulate Lipid Binding of Tollip

In this issue of Structure, Xiao et al. (2015) describe a new mechanism of regulation of lipid binding. Structural and functional studies demonstrate that Tom1 interactions with the cargo sorting protein Tollip induce the partially unfolded Tom1-binding domain of Tollip to fold. This folding modulates lipid binding of Tollip, mediating its dissociation from PI(3)P and committing Tollip to cargo trafficking.
Magnetic separation techniques in diagnostic microbiology.

The principles of magnetic separation aided by antibodies or other specific binding molecules have been used for isolation of specific viable whole organisms, antigens, or nucleic acids. Whereas growth on selective media may be helpful in isolation of a certain bacterial species, immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technology can isolate strains possessing specific and characteristic surface antigens. Further separation, cultivation, and identification of the isolate can be performed by traditional biochemical, immunologic, or molecular methods. PCR can be used for amplification and identification of genes of diagnostic importance for a target organism. The combination of IMS and PCR reduces the assay time to several hours while increasing both specificity and sensitivity. Use of streptavidin-coated magnetic beads for separation of amplified DNA fragments, containing both biotin and a signal molecule, has allowed for the conversion of the traditional PCR into an easy-to-read microtiter plate format. The bead-bound PCR amplicons can also easily be sequenced in an automated DNA sequencer. The latter technique makes it possible to obtain sequence data of 300 to 600 bases from 20 to 30 strains, starting with clinical samples, within 12 to 24 h. Sequence data can be used for both diagnostic and epidemiologic purposes. IMS has been demonstrated to be a useful method in diagnostic microbiology. Most recent publications describe IMS as a method for enhancing the specificity and sensitivity of other detection systems, such as PCR, and providing considerable savings in time compared with traditional diagnostic systems. The relevance to clinical diagnosis has, however, not yet been fully established for all of these new test principles. In the case of PCR, for example, the presence of specific DNA in a food sample does not demonstrate the presence of a live organism capable of inducing a disease. However, all tests offering increased sensitivity and specificity of detection, combined with reduced time of analysis, have to be seriously evaluated. Images
Single-staple technique for pancreas allograft procurement

BACKGROUND Stapling devices have been used routinely during pancreas procurement for duodenal stumps closure, however, their cost is significant. In this letter we described an alternative stapling technique in order to reduce the number of loads as well as cost during pancreas procurement. MATERIAL/METHODS We have been using rapid en bloc technique for simultaneous liver and pancreas procurement. The proposed modification entails a single staple for transection of both duodenum and jejunum. RESULTS We did not observe complication with the technique described herein, including leaking of gastrointestinal content during the procurement, storage, or transportation of pancreas allograft. CONCLUSIONS We believe that the technique described here is a simple and cost-effective maneuver that could be safely used during the pancreas harvesting.
Molecular-scale biomimicry.

Self-assembling organic molecules with a mineral coat may enable new approaches to bone tissue engineering.
Variability of Doppler Echocardiographic Indexes of Left Ventricular Filling in Transplant Recipients and in Normal Subjects

This study examines the reproducibility and variability of pulsed wave Doppler versus continuous wave Doppler ultrasound indexes of left ventricular filling in cardiac allograft recipients and in normal subjects. The following indexes were studied: isovolumic relaxation time, pressure half-time, peak early mitral flow velocity, and peak mitral flow velocity after atrial systole. Intraobserver and interobserver variability were assessed by regression analysis. Individual components of variance (subject, reader, beat, day, and tracing) were estimated in a subset of five patients and five normal subjects, and estimated total variance defined for each group. Temporal (day-to-day) variability for 95% confidence was estimated for these patients and for normal subjects. Temporal variability in the group from which the subsets were drawn was measured from absolute and percent change in values on two occasions. Estimated and observed 95% confidence limits were compared. Intersubject variability was the largest component of variance in both transplant recipients and in normal subjects. For all indexes in transplant recipients (in the absence of rejection) and normal subjects, observed absolute mean differences (± 2 standard deviations) between values from recordings taken on two different days were larger than the 95% confidence limits estimated from the components of variance analysis. The observed 95% limits for transplant recipients versus normal subjects were as follows: isovolumic relaxation time, 20 msec versus 6 msec; pressure half-time, 16 msec versus 9 msec; peak early mitral flow velocity, 32 cm per second versus 17 cm per second; and peak mitral flow velocity after atrial systole, 28 cm per second versus 10 cm per second. Thus the reproducibility of Doppler indexes of left ventricular filling in normal subjects cannot be applied to heart transplant recipients. For serial monitoring of left ventricular filling in transplant recipients, changes in the values of each subject, rather than absolute values, must be used.
Determinaticn of Silver in Ancient and Rare Coins by Neutron Activation Analysis with 252-Californium

A low-flux, 252-californium neutron source has been employed for the radioactivation of silver in ancient and rare coins. By careful control of the activation time and cooling period, a high degree of selectivity for silver was achieved. Data were normalized to compensate for self-shielding by employing empirical correction factors. Nondestructive measurements of the silver contents of coins having historical or numismatic value was possible.
Developmental fate in chimeras derived from highly asynchronous murine blastomeres

The developmental fate of single blastomeres from eight-cell murine embryos reaggregated with intact two-cell embryos was evaluated after culture. Fluorescein isothiocyanate was used to follow developmental fate in preblastocyst chimeric embryos. Expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen 3 was used to assay developmental fate at the blastocyst stage, and glucosephosphate isomerase variants were used to assay at the blastocyst stage and after implantation. The results suggest that the descendents of the 1/8 component stay in a patch area and do not selectively migrate to the inner cell mass (ICM). This is in contrast to many studies that indicate that smaller blastomeres, which are more advanced in development, migrate to the ICM. The differences in experimental designs are discussed. Possible mechanisms for this phenomena are that the eight-cell blastomere is physically excluded from the ICM by position or polarization, or that it is differentiating ahead of the two-cell component and becomes trophectoderm.
Prediction of function for the polyprenyl transferase subgroup in the isoprenoid synthase superfamily.

The number of available protein sequences has increased exponentially with the advent of high-throughput genomic sequencing, creating a significant challenge for functional annotation. Here, we describe a large-scale study on assigning function to unknown members of the trans-polyprenyl transferase (E-PTS) subgroup in the isoprenoid synthase superfamily, which provides substrates for the biosynthesis of the more than 55,000 isoprenoid metabolites. Although the mechanism for determining the product chain length for these enzymes is known, there is no simple relationship between function and primary sequence, so that assigning function is challenging. We addressed this challenge through large-scale bioinformatics analysis of >5,000 putative polyprenyl transferases; experimental characterization of the chain-length specificity of 79 diverse members of this group; determination of 27 structures of 19 of these enzymes, including seven cocrystallized with substrate analogs or products; and the development and successful application of a computational approach to predict function that leverages available structural data through homology modeling and docking of possible products into the active site. The crystallographic structures and computational structural models of the enzyme–ligand complexes elucidate the structural basis of specificity. As a result of this study, the percentage of E-PTS sequences similar to functionally annotated ones (BLAST e-value ≤ 1e−70) increased from 40.6 to 68.8%, and the percentage of sequences similar to available crystal structures increased from 28.9 to 47.4%. The high accuracy of our blind prediction of newly characterized enzymes indicates the potential to predict function to the complete polyprenyl transferase subgroup of the isoprenoid synthase superfamily computationally.
Personalized Medicine: Boon or Budget-Buster?

While the development of personalized or molecular medicine is a laudable goal, there remain multiple barriers to its implementation. For example, little is known about the functions of noncoding regions of DNA, as well as the interplay of drug response, environmental factors, and the patient's genetic profile. In addition, there is a constant influx of new information on genetic factors such as epigenetic variation that could further complicate the development of medications based on the genetic profile, as well as the cost of profiling. However, assuming that clinically relevant genetic factors will be discovered and that drugs can be developed based on the molecular changes induced by those genetic factors, I suggest that the costs involved may substantially exceed the savings brought about by abandoning our current “one drug fits all” approach. While there is no doubt that our current approach is inefficient and expensive, remarkably little attention has been paid to the potential costs of molecular m...
Waveguide-Coupled Graphene Optoelectronics

An overview of waveguide-coupled graphene optoelectronics is provided. A review of the optical properties of graphene is first provided and a motivation for waveguide-coupled graphene optoelectronics is given. This motivation is largely based upon the increased interaction length that can be achieved using such geometries. A derivation of the optical absorption for graphene interacting with a guided waveguide mode wave is provided. Device concepts for waveguide-coupled graphene optoelectronic devices, including optical modulators, photodetectors, and polarizers operating in the near- and mid-infrared regimes, are then described. This discussion provides a specific emphasis on the effect of disorder on the expected performance and energy consumption of graphene-based optical modulators. Finally, an outlook for future areas of exploration is given.
Female Abduction, Family Honor, and Women’s Agency in Early Modern Venetian Istria

Drawing upon archival sources detailing abduction for marriage, this article explores the nature and extent of women’s agency in the formation of the family in the honor-based culture of early modern Istria. This area’s numerous sources present a diversity of situations. There were instances in which women were forcibly abducted and raped; other instances in which women consented to follow their “abductor” against the will of their parents; in other instances, women—usually widows or orphans—were compelled by imminent danger to move in with a man (a consensual abduction, perhaps, but brought about under adverse conditions). Despite the diversity of these situations, these cases share a common cultural feature: the importance of female and family honor. Whether a woman lost her sexual honor forcibly or willingly, marriage usually followed in order to restore the honor of both the woman and her family. Considering the overriding importance of honor and the limitations it imposed on women, I address the nature and extent of women’s agency. I explore how women negotiated their place in abduction-based conflicts, and I propose that women’s agency was rooted in the reparable and negotiable nature of honor in Istria; this picture was complicated by the greater assertion of state and church jurisdictions. Although situated at the periphery of the Venetian state, Istria was far from being uninfluenced by the sway of central institutions. The Catholic Church was particularly influential in Istria. Therefore, I argue that the nature and extent of women’s agency in abductions is fully understood only by also exploring central institutions’ rationales and modalities of power assertion over abduction-based conflicts and their resolutions.
One-Year Outcome of Auditory-Tactile-Visual-Vestibular Intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Effects of Severe Prematurity and Central Nervous System Injury:

Thirty-seven infants with severe central nervous system injury or extreme prematurity were randomly assigned to a multisensory (auditory-tactile-visual-vestibular) intervention or control group. Intervention began in the hospital at 33 weeks' postconceptional age and continued twice daily in the home until 2 months' corrected age. Mother-infant interactions during feedings were videotaped, and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered. Control mothers stimulated their infants more during feeding, but these significant differences dissipated by 4 months. The presence of periventricular leukomalacia was associated with significantly poorer mental development, regardless of group assignment. Experimental infants tended to exhibit better motor and mental performance and had 23% fewer cerebral palsy diagnoses at 1 year, but these trends were not statistically significant. The type of brain injury was more important in determining 1-year developmental outcome than type of postnatal experience, suggesting that periventricular leukomalacia presents a major challenge for infant development.
An Angiogenic Protein from Bovine Serum and Milk — Purification and Primary Structure of Angiogenin-2

Bovine serum and milk contain a basic angiogenic protein that binds tightly to placental ribonuclease inhibitor. It was purified from both sources by ion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatographies. Its amino acid sequence revealed that it is a member of the ribonuclease superfamily. It contains 123 amino acids in a single polypeptide chain, is cross-linked by three disulfide bonds, is glycosylated at Asn33, and is 57% identical to bovine angiogenin. The amino-terminal and carboxyl terminal residues are pyroglutamic acid and proline, respectively. The protein has ribonucleolytic activity that is similar to, but somewhat lower than, that of bovine angiogenin, i.e. very low relative to RNase. It is angiogenically potent on chicken chorioallantoic membrane, but less so than angiogenin. The sequence and activities demonstrate that this protein is a second, distinct, member of the angiogenin sub-family of pancreatic ribonucleases, and is referred to as angiogenin-2.
Study of quadrant high-dose intraoperative radiation therapy for early-stage breast cancer.

Background: Partial breast irradiation has been tested in limited pilot studies and shown to provide acceptable cosmesis, minimal toxicity and adequate local control. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using quadrant high-dose intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer. Methods: Fifty-two women with early-stage breast cancer were treated with breast-conserving therapy and IORT between October 2002 and January 2006. The first 18 women received a radiation dose of 20 Gy. The protocol was then amended and the remaining 34 women were treated with 18 Gy. Each patient was evaluated after surgery, and at 3, 6 and 12 months; complications, toxicity and cosmetic outcomes were recorded by the breast surgeon. Results: Women treated with 18 Gy appeared to have a more favourable cosmetic outcome compared with the earlier treatment group. At last follow-up, none of the women treated on the protocol had a breast recurrence. Conclusion: Experience suggests that this IORT technique is feasible, although further follow-up is necessary to assess its therapeutic value. Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interpersonal conflict in cooperative and uncertain situations

Abstract Conflicts between persons who disagree over decisions related to their attainment of a mutually desired goal are defined as noncompetitive. Such conflicts are seen as serious and frequent when decisions must be based on uncertain information. A laboratory model of noncompetitive conflict is described and demonstrated. Empirical results show that noncompetitive conflict may be generated under controlled conditions. Moreover, S s given an intuitive set toward their task develop less conflict, and have a greater tendency to resolve their conflict by compromise, than S s given an analytical set. The laboratory model is evaluated in the light of these results and implications for further research are discussed.
Modification of Acetylcholinesterase during Adaptation to Chronic, Subacute Paraoxon Application in Rat

Abstract These experiments examined the changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) during tolerance development in rats exposed to paraoxon, an irreversible inhibitor of AChE. Rats were injected sc for 20 days with 0.09, 0.12, or 0.19 mg/kg of paraoxon. Tolerance to the clinical signs of paraoxon toxicity developed rapidly. The hypothesis was tested that changes in the kinetics of reactivity of AChE with its substrate acetylcholine (ACh) and the inhibitor paraoxon contribute to the observed tolerance. The kinetic constants V max and K m were determined by Lineweaver–Burk transformations. The affinity ( K d ), phosphorylation ( k p ) and the bimolecular rate ( k i ) constants were established from slopes and standard deviations of inhibition curves. Acetylcholinesterase properties of brain and diaphragm from controls and paraoxon-tolerant rats were compared. In controls, K m , determining the affinity of AChE for ACh, was 0.063 × 10 −3 M and 0.072 × 10 −3 M for diaphragm and brain, respectively. In paraoxon-tolerant rats, the affinity of AChE for ACh increased since the K m for diaphragm was reduced to 0.047 × 10 −3 M and the K m for brain to 0.057 × 10 −3 M . This decrease was seen with all paraoxon concentrations and was significantly different from controls after the fifth day of treatment. Small, significant increases of IC50 values for paraoxon were observed in diaphragm (from 27.30 to 45.14 n M ) and in brain (from 13.67 to 15.38 n M ). In brain, a 20-day treatment with paraoxon caused a fivefold decrease in the dissociation constant ( K d ) from 1.56 to 0.268 μ M and a threefold decrease in the phosphorylation constant ( k p ) from 4.72 to 1.52 min −1 . The observed changes in diaphragm were smaller and not significant. The increase in affinity to ACh gives an advantage to tolerant rats, because the remaining reduced amount of AChE can hydrolyze ACh more efficiently, regardless of the change in sensitivity to the inhibitor. The observed changes may be the result of structural changes of AChE or the result of altered levels of preexisting isozymes of AChE.
METAL SUBSTITUTED DIAZO ESTERS AS SUBSTRATES FOR CROSS COUPLING REACTIONS

Abstract Ethyl (trialkylstannyl)diazoacetates have been employed as substrates in the Stille reaction. The palladium(0)-catalyzed cross coupling works well with aryl iodides but not with acyl or aryl chlorides. Bis -[ethoxycarbonyl-diazomethyl]-mercury showed high reactivity toward bromoacetyl bromide furnishing ethyl 4-bromo-2-diazo-3-oxo-butanoate in excellent yield. This compound was used in substitution reactions with a variety of nucleophiles. The base-promoted reaction of ethyl 4-azido-2-diazo-3-oxo-butanoate with both acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde proceeded in high yield to produce mixed aldol products. The use of an equivalent amount of DABCO was found to be the best way to promote the reaction. The diastereoselectivity exhibited in the reaction is low and characteristic of condensations of α-substituted ketones with substituents other than alkyl groups at the α-position. Similar consequences were found for the reaction of ethyl 2-diazo-3-oxo-4-phenyl-butanoate with acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde.
THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF LIFE AND INTELLIGENCE ON EARTH

Believing, for good reasons, that our Universe engenders the occurrence of Life, it is probable that Life appeared more than once on young planet Earth. The universality of our genetic code indicates though, that only one line produced a population that was cellular, autopoietic, responsive intelligently (i.e., to its advantage) to its environment, and capable of reproduction. Its evolution took time during which other intermediate or incipient forms of life disappeared. Trying to retrace “ab initio” the preceding chemical evolution on our young planet, we may not repeat the chemistry which led to our line. One can argue that it may be profitable to attempt to construct artificial life forms using the kind of building blocks that we learned to know through studying the chemistry of our life. Independently, computers are being built, or are planned, which possess memory that can be used appropriately (“intelligently”), and which to some extent can repair and reproduce themselves. Such “Life” does not depend on our biochemistry. However, these machines do perform as yet only partly along the lines of our human intelligence which is guided by self-awareness and a sense of individual integrity, and are thereby not equipped to search for Understanding and Self-expression.
Hairless triggers reactivation of hair growth by promoting Wnt signaling

The mammalian hair cycle involves periodic regeneration of a tiny organ, the hair follicle, through a stem-cell-mediated process. The Hairless (Hr) gene encodes a nuclear receptor corepressor (HR) that is essential for hair follicle regeneration, but its role in this process is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that transgenic expression of HR in progenitor keratinocytes rescues follicle regeneration in Hr(-/-) mice. We show that expression of Wise, a modulator of Wnt signaling, is repressed by HR in these cells, coincident with the timing of follicle regeneration. This work links HR and Wnt function, providing a model in which HR regulates the precise timing of Wnt signaling required for hair follicle regeneration.
Chain Morphologies in Semicrystalline Polyfluorene: Evidence from Raman Scattering

The $\ensuremath{\beta}$ phase in di-octyl substituted polyfluorene (PF8) exhibits a surprising level of conformational order at nanometer length scales compared to other phases. We present Raman scattering studies of PF8 as a function of thermal cycling, which establishes a connection between the conformational isomers and the side and main chain morphology. Density-functional calculations of the vibrational spectra of single chain oligomers in conjunction with the experimental results demonstrate the incompatibility of the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ phase with the overall $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ crystalline phase in PF8.
Determination of heroin and its metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract A method is described for the simultaneous determination of heroin (3, 6-diacetylmorphine, DAM) and its two active metabolites 6-acetylmorphine and morphine in blood by high-performance liquid chromatography using a normal-phase column and a UV detector at 218 nm. The compounds are stabilized in blood by rapid freezing and recovered by a multistep liquid—liquid extraction. The mobile phase is acetonitrile—methanol (75:25, v/v) buffered to apparent pH 7 with ammonium hydroxide and acetic acid. Using l -α-acetylmethadol as an internal standard, UV detection and a 1-ml biofluid sample, the lower limit of sensitivity is 12.5 ng/ml. Commonly used narcotic analgesics including codeine, propoxyphene, meperidine, methadone and levorphanol do not interfere with the analysis. The method has been applied to blood samples from humans and rats. Extracts of blood from a patient who had received an intravenous dose of 14 mg of DAM contained DAM and both of its active metabolites.
Let&#146;s Get the Real into Real-Time Computing

Since this is the 25 anniversary of RTSS, I begin this Keynote presentation by highlighting, with a critical eye, a number of key technical successes from the past 25 years. While it is satisfying that our field has been very successful and productive, I prefer to emphasize the future. Consequently, a large part of the presentation focuses on multiple technical ideas and research directions for the future of real-time computing. One theme for the proposed future directions is “We need to get the real into real-time computing.” If I am feeling brave I will conclude with several things we should not be pursuing.
Distinct triggering and expression mechanisms underlie LTD of AMPA and NMDA synaptic responses

Although long-term depression (LTD) of AMPA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents (AMPAR EPSCs) has been extensively examined, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for LTD of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated EPSCs. Here we show differences in the intracellular signaling cascades that mediate LTD of AMPAR EPSCs versus NMDAR EPSCs in rat hippocampus. Both forms of LTD were blocked by inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1, but only LTD of AMPAR EPSCs was affected by inhibition of calcineurin. Notably, in contrast to LTD of AMPAR EPSCs, LTD of NMDAR EPSCs was unaffected by endocytosis inhibitors. A role for calcium-dependent actin depolymerization in LTD of NMDAR EPSCs was supported by the findings that the actin stabilizer phalloidin and a cofilin inhibitory peptide each blocked LTD of NMDAR EPSCs but not AMPAR EPSCs. These results suggest that the same pattern of afferent activity elicits depression of AMPAR- and NMDAR-mediated synaptic responses by means of distinct triggering and expression mechanisms.
Role of calcium in neurotransmitter release evoked by α-latrotoxin or hypertonic sucrose

At the synapse, neurotransmitter release is triggered physiologically by Ca(2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. Non-physiologically, release can be evoked by a potent neurotoxin, alpha-latrotoxin, and by hypertonic sucrose. Controversy has arisen on whether release evoked by alpha-latrotoxin and hypertonic sucrose requires extracellular Ca(2+) or Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. Using synaptosomes, we have studied the Ca(2+) dependence of alpha-latrotoxin and sucrose action in different neurotransmitter systems. In agreement with previous data, no requirement for extracellular Ca(2+) in sucrose-induced secretion of norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate or GABA was detected. Unexpectedly, we observed large differences between these neurotransmitters in the Ca(2+) dependence of alpha-latrotoxin-stimulated release: norepinephrine release required Ca(2+), dopamine release was only partially Ca(2+) dependent, and glutamate and GABA release did not require Ca(2+). To test if Ca(2+) derived from intracellular Ca(2+) stores participates in neurotransmitter release triggered by alpha-latrotoxin or hypertonic sucrose, we employed thapsigargin, a Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor that empties Ca(2+) stores. Thapsigargin did not induce neurotransmitter release, nor did it inhibit subsequent release stimulated by KCl depolarization, hypertonic sucrose or alpha-latrotoxin. However, intracellular Ca(2+) performs an important regulatory function, since thapsigargin increased the size of the readily releasable pool as measured by stimulation with hypertonic sucrose. This effect required extracellular Ca(2+) and protein kinase C, suggesting that depletion of internal Ca(2+) stores leads to store-operated Ca(2+) entry. The resulting Ca(2+) influx does not trigger release by itself, but activates protein kinase C that increases the readily releasable pool of neurotransmitters. Our data show that internal and external Ca(2+) is not acutely involved in hypertonic sucrose-evoked neurotransmitter release, while alpha-latrotoxin-triggered release requires external Ca(2+) for a subset of neurotransmitters. Although internal Ca(2+) is not essential for release, it modulates its extent, implying that the emptying of intracellular stores by activation of presynaptic receptors plays an important regulatory role in neurotransmitter release.
Seeing queerly: looking for lesbian presence and absence in United States visual art, 1890 to 1950.

The biographies of some U.S. women artists who developed professional careers between 1890 and 1950 reveal clues that suggest lesbian same-sex affections, but their works usually focus on the outside world rather than recognizably “lesbian” iconographies. Failure to acknowledge this distinction has led to a silencing that transforms what was present in life to an absence from history. Closer analysis from a queerly curious positioning can reinterpret coded hints, subtle choices, and what might seem absent or invisible to the heteronormative eye. This article suggests new possibilities for discerning lesbian presence and resisting absence given extant historical and visual evidence.
Femtosecond Laser Pulse Shaping Improves Self-Phase Modulation Measurements in Scattering Media

We demonstrate that our recently developed spectral re-shaping technique improves the accuracy and precision of self-phase modulation measurements in scattering media over the conventional Z-scan method.
Output Feedback Stabilization of Nonlinear Feedforward Systems using Low Gain Homogeneous Domination

This paper examines the result of an output feedback stabilization method for the control of feedforward homogeneous nonlinear systems with unmeasurable states. The feedforward system is made up of a nominal plant which is described by a chain of odd power integrators and coupled with high order nonlinear functions. These nonlinear functions are assumed to be bounded by functions with homogeneous dilations. By making use of the adding a power integrator technique in combination with homogeneous system theory, an observer and controller is implemented which can compensate for the high order homogeneous functions of the feedforward system using only the measured state. This is accomplished through the use of a low gain scaling factor, which when appropriately chosen, will dominate the high order nonlinearities. The significance of this result is that little information about the nonlinear system is required to stabilize this system.
Yield point behavior in NiAl

The authors have reported dislocation densities of cast/extruded and as-annealed NiAl to be typically 10{sup 8} cm-{sup 2}; pressurization to 1,400MPa increased the dislocation density to 10{sup 9} cm-{sup 2} in isolated regions. The representative dislocation density of the material pressurized to 1,400 MPa and aged at 673K/2 h is also on the order of 10{sup 9} cm-{sup 2} in isolated regions, confirming again that pressurization increased the dislocation density and also establishing that the treatment at 673K/2 h/furnace cool does not return the dislocation density to the level present in the material annealed at 1,100K/2 h. However, the reestablishment of the yield point to virtually its as-annealed level in both tension and compression, indicate that these pressure-induced dislocations become pinned after aging at a suitably high temperature. The high interstitial content in the present material suggests that the mechanism responsible for the locking of the dislocations generated due to pressurization is related to interstitial locking, although other mechanisms involving either defect pinning, precipitation, or dislocation rearrangement may also play a role in such a phenomenon. The large body of work on yield point phenomena in b.c.c. metals indicate the need for carefully controlled experiments in order to separate themore » mechanism(s) contributing to the yield point behavior in general. Additional experiments are in progress on single crystal and polycrystalline NiAl containing different impurity levels to establish the mechanism(s) responsible for the present observations. Finally, the data clearly show that the mere generation of mobile dislocations of their subsequent relocking does not significantly affect the tensile fracture stress or the tensile ductility of the presently tested polycrystalline NiAl.« less
Identification of Low-Risk Adult Congenital LQTS Patients.

Long-Term Mortality in Low-Risk Adult LQTS Introduction To date, most risk stratification studies in long-QT syndrome (LQTS) have focused on identification of high-risk subjects. Current data on the long-term clinical course of low-risk adult LQTS patients are limited. Methods and Results Patients in this study were from the Rochester-based LQTS Registry. We hypothesized that long-term survival of LQT1-2 patients with QTc <500 milliseconds and no cardiac symptoms before age 20 (n = 523) would be similar to that of their unaffected genotype-negative family members (n = 1,134). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the incidence and risk of all-cause mortality in the study population. The low-risk LQTS study group comprised 27% (523/1,919) of genetically confirmed LQTS Registry patients alive at age 20. The cumulative probability of all-cause mortality between age 20 and 65 was similar in the low-risk LQTS group and the genotype-negative control group (4.3% and 4.4%, respectively at age 65; P = 0.49 for overall difference). Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in the risk of all-cause mortality between the 2 groups (HR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.33–2.43, P = 0.82). Consistent results were revealed in subgroup analyses in female and male LQTS patients and in patients with genetically identified LQT1 and LQT2 mutations. Conclusions We identified a sizeable proportion of low-risk, adult LQTS patients with no cardiac symptoms before age 20 and QTc<500 milliseconds who had 45-year survival similar to unaffected family members.
Indices for testing neural codes

One of the most critical challenges in systems neuroscience is determining the neural code. A principled framework for addressing this can be found in information theory. With this approach, one can determine whether a proposed code can account for the stimulus-response relationship. Specifically, one can compare the transmitted information between the stimulus and the hypothesized neural code with the transmitted information between the stimulus and the behavioral response. If the former is smaller than the latter (i.e., if the code cannot account for the behavior), the code can be ruled out. The information-theoretic index most widely used in this context is Shannon's mutual information. The Shannon test, however, is not ideal for this purpose: while the codes it will rule out are truly nonviable, there will be some nonviable codes that it will fail to rule out. Here we describe a wide range of alternative indices that can be used for ruling codes out. The range includes a continuum from Shannon information to measures of the performance of a Bayesian decoder. We analyze the relationship of these indices to each other and their complementary strengths and weaknesses for addressing this problem.
A note on theoretical surface finish in turning and milling operations

Exact expressions for the roughness height and the centre-line average value are derived for turning and milling operations. Related computer programs are given in the FORTRAN IV language. Useful tables can be obtained by means of these programs. Results are presented in terms of dimensionless variables.
OPTIMUM DESIGN OF INTERBASIN TUNNEL SYSTEMS

Interbasin water transfer is often accomplished by tunnel systems discharging the water from subreservoirs into a main reservoir. Such a system involving an arbitrary number of reservoirs is considered and an iterative method is developed for the determination of all tunnel sizes giving minimum total cost of the system when the individual discharges from the subreservoirs and elevations of the water surfaces of all reservoirs are known. It is assumed that all tunnels are flowing full. Influence of average construction cost per unit volume as well as tunnel roughness and cross-sectional shape is taken into consideration. The corresponding computer program for the general case is presented. The method may also be adapted to pipe systems, open channel systems, or combined systems by introduction of the proper cost functions for these conduits.