cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of the major chelae by reproductive male crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) for discrimination of female odours

The major chelae have been found to be important structures used for breeding and reproduction in crustaceans; however their role in the detection of conspecific sex odours is unknown. We implemented a behavioural bioassay to test whether male reproductive (form I) and nonreproductive (form II) crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) use their major chelae to detect reproductive female odours. We videotaped and analysed the behavioural reactions of form I and form II males to four different odour treatments: reproductive female-conditioned water, male-conditioned water, filtered fish homogenate (food odour; positive control), and water (negative control) delivered from an air stone (N = 20 per treatment). In addition, all males were under two sensory conditions: intact or blocked chelae. Chelae were chemosensory-blocked by coating their dorsal surface with super glue. Normalized odour source handling time was measured, along with time spent handling the odour source between differing groups of sensory appendages: major chelae/first walking legs and maxillipeds/first walking legs. Our results indicate that both form I and II, intact and blocked, male crayfish significantly handled the odour source after a food stimulus was introduced. These results indicate the efficacy of the behavioural assay and sensory-blocks. Only intact form I males handled the odour source significantly when a reproductive female odour was delivered. Sensory-blocking of the chelae of form I males eliminated this difference. Intact and blocked form II males showed no differences when presented with reproductive female odours. Intact form I male crayfish spent more time handling the reproductive female-conditioned water source with their major chelae/first walking legs than those crayfish exposed to food odours. These results strongly suggest that the major chelae contain necessary chemosensory structures needed for female odour source recognition.
Adhesive bonding of glassy polymer surfaces by an ultrathin layer of a semicrystalline polymer

To develop a greater understanding of interfacial interactions between a semicrystalline polymer and a glassy polymer, adhesion tests were performed on very thin layers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) sandwiched between two layers of poly(tetramethyl bisphenol A polycarbonate) (TMPC). The tests were designed to provide intimate contact between the surfaces while they were heated above the melting point of the PEO and cooled back to room temperature. A contact mechanics approach, based on the Johnson, Kendall, and Roberts theory, was used to determine values of the energy release rate describing the energetic driving force for crack propagation within the interfacial region. The ability to measure crack propagation at large values of the energy release rate was limited by rupture of the silicone elastomer that was used to provide a sufficiently compliant matrix for the adhesion experiment. By cycling the tensile stress at relatively low loading levels, we were able to measure fatigue crack propagation at values of the energy release rate that did not result in failure of the elastomer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3809–3821, 2004
About possibility of bistable dynamics in lasers with single-mode cavities

A previously unknown mechanism of bistable behavior in lasers with single-mode cavities is proposed and analyzed. It is shown that if losses in a cavity exhibit nonmonotonic dependence on frequency, the equation for stationary lasing frequencies can have multiple solutions even in single-mode cavities. In such a case, a system can generate one of several lasing outputs characterized by different frequencies and intensities. All these potential lasing states are stable at the same pumping level, and the choice between them is determined by initial conditions. The latter can be, in principle, controlled by seeding pulses. This mechanism does not depend on such nonlinear effects responsible for most known types of bistability as saturable absorption or cross saturation. An example of a cavity structure, in which such a mechanism can be realized, is presented. Standard lasing equations fail to describe dynamical behavior of such systems; therefore a generalized approach treating dynamic of lasing frequency and intensity on equal footing is developed.
Maternity roost site selection of big brown bats in ponderosa pine forests of the Channeled Scablands of northeastern Washington State, USA

Abstract Bats play a variety of ecological roles in forest ecosystems and forest management can impact habitat conditions for forest-dwelling bats. We examined the use and characteristics of roosts selected by reproductive female big brown bats ( Eptesicus fuscus ) in the Channeled Scablands of northeastern Washington. We radio-tracked 14 bats to locate 36 roosts. Bats were found in colonies averaging 27 and these colonies switched roosts about every 3.7 days. Habitat variables were measured for the roost itself and at a 0.1-ha microplot and 78-ha macroplot surrounding each roost. We measured habitat variables at random 0.1-ha microplots in the vicinity of each roost and at general random 0.1-ha microplots and 78-ha macroplots. Of the 36 roosts located, 34 were in natural tree cavities; 28 were in ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) and eight in quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ). Dead tops of live pine trees were used significantly more as roosts than pine snags. Although there were significantly more roosts in trees >30 cm in diameter and >12 m high than what was available, roosts were not always the tallest tree in the stand. A significantly greater proportion of big brown bat roosts were found in open pine, aspen and mixed-aspen pine forests and less in grasslands and closed pine than expected. Forest management strategies should protect both large diameter snags and existing dead top live trees and maintain natural population levels of biological agents that create dead tops. Restoration of historic open conditions in ponderosa pine and aspen stands will provide improved habitat for big brown bats.
Transmission and photoreflectance spectra in highly strained InGaAs-GaAs multiple quantum wells

Abstract Low temperature optical transmission spectra (TS) and room temperature photoreflectance (PR) spectra have been measured to investigate several In x Ga 1− x AS GaAs strained multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Sharp PR features indicating excellent optical quality of these samples were observed. The excitonic transitions up to 3C-3H are observed. The notation nC-mH(L) is used to indicate the transitions related to the n-th conduction and m-th valence heavy (light) hole subbands. The band-to-band transitions are also observed in both TS and PR spectra, which, having step-like structure in TS spectra, are identified as 1C-1L transitions. The calculated transition energies, taking into account both the strain and the quantum well effects, are in good agreement with the TS and PR spectra. This shows that room temperature PR is a powerful and convenient tool to investigate the strained layer MQWs. By fitting the experimental results (TS and PR), a heavy-hole valence band discontinuity of 30% was obtained for 0.13 ≤ × ≤ 0.193. We conclude that the light holes are in the GaAs barrier region (Type II MQWs) and the light hole transition 1C-1L is a sensitive parameter in determining the band offset in GaAs GaAs strained layer MQWs.
Cancer regression in patients with metastatic melanoma after the transfer of autologous antitumor lymphocytes

Our recent clinical trials demonstrate that autologous cell transfer after lymphodepleting chemotherapy can cause the regression of large, vascularized tumors in patients with refractory metastatic melanoma. Eighteen of 35 patients treated with tumor-reactive lymphocyte cultures experienced an objective clinical response (>50% reduction in tumor), including four complete responders. In some patients, tumor regression was accompanied by a large in vivo expansion of the administered antitumor lymphocytes, which persisted in peripheral blood at >70% of total lymphocytes for many months after transfer. The cells capable of mediating tumor regression consisted of heterogeneous lymphocyte populations with high avidity for tumor antigens that were derived from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes cultured for limited times in vitro. The success of this treatment likely results from the ability to infuse large numbers of activated antitumor lymphocytes into an appropriate host homeostatic environment depleted of regulatory T cells. These studies are elucidating the requirements for successful immunotherapy of patients with advanced metastatic disease and are leading to additional clinical trials with gene-modified lymphocytes.
Immediate upstream sequence of arrestin directs rod-specific expression in Xenopus.

Arrestins are a family of proteins that modulate G protein-coupled receptor responses with distinct arrestin genes expressed in rods and cones. To understand the regulatory mechanisms controlling rod-specific expression, the abundant Xenopusrod arrestin cDNA and a partial genomic clone, containing the immediate upstream region and amino terminus of the polypeptide, have been characterized. The deduced polypeptide has ∼69% identity to other vertebrate rod arrestins. Southern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction of intronic sequences demonstrated multiple alleles for rod arrestin. DNase I footprinting with retinal proteins revealed four major DNA binding sites in the proximal promoter, coinciding with consensus sequences reported in mammalian promoters. Purified bovineCrx homeodomain and mouse Nrl proteins protected a number of these sites. A dual approach of transient embryo transfections and transgenesis was used to locate transcriptional control sequences essential for rod-specific expression inXenopus. Constructs containing −1287/+113 of 5′ upstream sequence with or without intron 1 directed high level expression, specifically in rods. A construct containing only −287/+113 directed expression of green fluorescent protein solely in rod cells. These results suggest that the Crx and Nrl binding sites in the proximal promoter are the primary cis-acting sequences regulating arrestin gene expression in rods.
The Epstein–Barr virus nuclear protein SM is both a post-transcriptional inhibitor and activator of gene expression

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) nuclear protein BS-MLF1 (SM) is expressed early after entry of EBV into the lytic cycle. SM transactivates reporter gene constructs driven by a wide variety of promoters, but the mechanism of SM action is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the SM protein inhibits expression of intron-containing genes and activates expression of intron-less genes. We demonstrate that SM has the predicted inhibitory effect on expression of a spliced EBV gene but activates an unspliced early EBV gene. SM inhibited gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by preventing the accumulation of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA transcripts. Conversely, SM led to increased accumulation of nuclear mRNA from intron-less genes without affecting the rate of transcription, indicating that SM enhances nuclear RNA stability. The ratio of cytoplasmic to nuclear polyadenylated mRNA was increased in the presence of SM, suggesting that SM also enhances nucleo-cytoplasmic mRNA transport. The degree of transactivation by SM was dependent on the sequence of the 3′-untranslated region of the target mRNA. Finally, we demonstrate that the amino-terminal portion of SM fused to glutathione-S-transferase binds radioactively labeled RNA in vitro, indicating that SM is a single-stranded RNA binding protein. Importantly, the latent and immediate-early genes of EBV contain introns whereas many early and late genes do not. Thus, SM may down-regulate synthesis of host cell proteins and latent EBV proteins while simultaneously enhancing expression of specific lytic EBV genes by binding to mRNA and modulating its stability and transport.
Effects of Estradiol on Gonadotropin Subunit Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Amounts during an Induced Gonadotropin Surge in Anestrous Ewes

The preovulatory gonadotropin surge in the sheep was recently characterized by a divergent pattern of LHβ and FSHβ mRNAs immediately preceding this event. It is not clear whether this pattern is due to estradiol (E2), inhibin or other effectors. In this study, to determine if E2 may be involved in the divergent β mRNA patterns seen during the surge, gonadotropin surges were induced in anestrous ewes (An) by E2 (An+E2) and several parameters were then measured. These included the amounts of α, LHβ, and FSHβ mRNAs, as assessed by solution hybridization assays, plus pituitary and serum gonadotropin concentrations. The values were compared with those observed in control, An ewes, to assess the effect of E2. The E2 treatment resulted in LH and FSH surges that appeared to be similar to the normal surges seen during the breeding season. Concomitantly, the E2 treatment lowered pituitary concentrations of FSH (P < 0.05), while LH amounts did not change. Although the effect of E2 on gonadotropin subunit mRNA amount...
Effect of pressure, temperature, pH, and carbon monoxide on oil yields from cellulose liquefaction

Abstract Pure cellulose was converted to oil by direct thermochemical aqueous-phase liquefaction. A model for yields from conversion was determined by regression of data from autoclave experiments. The conditions for optimum yield were found to be 315 °C, using 0.9 g equivalents/l of carbonate ion, and CO at 1.72 MPa (gauge pressure). Temperature had the most significant effect on yield. Analysis of the cellulose-derived product indicated a much larger fraction of aromatic carbon than had been thought possible previously. Compared to petroleum crude oil, the cellulose-derived oil had a greater fraction of high-molecular-weight components, a greater distillation residuum, greater viscosity, and greater oxygen content. Distillates of the cellulose-derived oil also contained significantly more oxygen than petroleum, but could potentially replace kerosene or related fuels.
An analytic method to account for drag in the Vinti Satellite theory

In order to retain separability in the Vinti theory of Earth satellite motion when a nonconservative force such as air drag is considered, a set of variational equations for the orbital elements are introduced, and expressed as functions of the transverse, radial, and normal components of the nonconservative forces acting on the system. In this approach, the Hamiltonian is preserved in form, and remains the total energy, but the initial or boundary conditions and hence the Jacobi constants of the motion advance with time through the variational equations. In particular, the atmospheric density profile is written as a ‘fitted’ exponential function of the eccentric anomaly, which adheres to tabular data at all, altitudes and simultaneously reduces the variational equations to definite integrals with closed form evaluations whose limits are in terms of the eccentric anomaly. The values of the limits for any arbitrary time interval are obtained from the Vinti program.
Association between silent myocardial ischemia and prognosis: insensitivity of angina pectoris as a marker of coronary artery disease activity.

Abstract The clinical syndrome of angina pectoris was accurately described over 200 years ago by Sir William Heberden. However, in recent years, we have learned that many episodes of myocardial ischemia occur that are not accompanied by symptoms of angina pectoris. These silent ischemic episodes may be detected either during exercise testing, using electrocardiographic criteria that can be combined with scintigraphic studies evaluating myocardial blood flow (thallium perfusion studies) or left ventricular function (gated blood pool scans). In addition, continuous electrocardiographic (Holter) monitoring can be used for the detection of transient ST-segment changes; these changes on Holter monitoring have been correlated with abnormalities of myocardial perfusion and function, indicating that they represent true ischemic events. Studies have shown that patients with coronary artery disease who have evidence of ongoing ischemia, whether symptomatic or silent, have an increased risk for experiencing subsequent cardiac events than patients without evidence of ischemia. Many studies have demonstrated that ischemia during an exercise study after myocardial infarction identifies patients at high risk for recurrent cardiac events, whether or not the ischemia is associated with angina pectoris. Holter monitoring has allowed for the detection of ischemic events out of hospital in ambulatory patients. Studies in stable angina patients have shown that there are many asymptomatic episodes in this setting, which are often occurring at low heart rates during activities of everyday life, without an apparent significant increase in myocardial oxygen demands, and these episodes may even be precipitated by mental stress. Several studies have suggested that the presence of ongoing silent ischemia in unstable angina patients and postinfarction patients can identify those at higher risk for cardiac events. The results of these studies will be discussed. The treatment of coronary artery disease has been for the most part symptomatic, with the primary goal of relieving symptoms of angina pectoris. Several exceptions include patients with left main disease or severe proximal 3-vessel disease, who have extensive amounts of myocardium at risk and who are generally referred for bypass surgery. These new data indicating that the presence and severity of asymptomatic ischemia have adverse prognostic implications suggest that therapy should be directed at reducing the total ischemic profile, i.e., symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes. Guidelines for appropriate screening and therapeutic strategies will be discussed.
Synapsin I Cre transgene expression in male mice produces germline recombination in progeny

The cre/LoxP system can produce conditional loss of gene function in specific cell types such as neurons. A transgenic mouse line, utilized by multiple studies, used the Synapsin I promoter to drive expression of cre (SynCre) to achieve neuronal-specific cre expression. Herein we describe that cre expression can also be observed in SynCre mice within the testes after being bred into a floxed transgenic mouse line. Cre transcript was expressed in testes resulting in recombination of the floxed substrate in testes. In the majority of cases, progeny of male SynCre mice inherited a germline recombined floxed allele, while this was never observed in progeny from female mice carrying the SynCre allele. This observation should alert investigators to a potential confound using these mice and enables male germ cell "deletor" strategies.
Data input model for virtual reality-aided facility layout

An approach to automatically extract three dimensional (3D) models (that is, geometries and topologies) of physical objects in a facility is described. The rationale for this work is its repeated use in efficiently developing databases of 3D objects for applying virtual reality (VR) tools in detailed layout decision support. Obtaining 3D object models can be a challenging task. Sometimes they are available, for example, in a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) database and these can be readily imported into a VR database. But on many occasions one is not so fortunate and these object models have to be created in correlation to an existing or proposed facility, which can be an extremely tedious and time consuming task. A time efficient and economical alternative is to use video camera images, but quickly and accurately capturing the depth information from 2D camera images has so far remained elusive because the existing methodologies are too general purpose and operate at a lower level of abstraction, namely digitized images. We have developed a method for directly inputting 3D objects into VR-aided facility layout models, by integrating the strengths of previously tried and tested technological components: (i) camera calibration; (ii) image processing; (iii) stereo vision; and (iv) Delaunay triangulation. The techniques described here are embedded in a prototype architecture and toolkit called MIRRORS (Methodology for Inputting Raw Recordings into 3D Object Renderings for Stereo). The primary contribution of this paper is that it has been able to design an integrated system to build 3D object models from 2D images. The MIRRORS system has been primarily designed for objects without free-form surfaces and whose shape can be recovered from a relatively nondense set of points.
Can Listeners Hear Who is Singing? What is the Pitch Bandwidth of Singer Discrimination in Untrained Listeners?

Summary Objective/Hypothesis This study sought to determine the pitch bandwidth of singer discrimination based on singer gender, pitch range, and same-different voice category. Study Design Repeated measures factorial design. Methods This study used a forced-choice paradigm, where listeners heard two different singers (singer 1 and singer 2) producing /ɑ/ at an identical pitch and an unknown singer (either singer 1 or singer 2) producing /ɑ/ at a different pitch. It was the listener's task to identify which singer (singer 1 or singer 2) was the unknown singer. Two baritones and two tenors were recorded producing /ɑ/ at the pitches C3, E3, G3, B3, D4, and F4. Two sopranos and two mezzo-sopranos were recorded producing /ɑ/ at the pitches C4, E4, G4, B4, D5, and F5. For each group of stimuli, male and female, all possible pairs of singers were constructed for the lowest pitch (C2 or C3, respectively) and highest pitch (F4 or F5, respectively). The unknown singer was varied across the remaining pitches. Results For between category comparisons, the ability to discriminate singers diminished monotonically with pitch interval, reaching below chance levels between the intervals of the 9th and 11th. For within category comparisons, it was much harder to discriminate singers across pitch, particularly when the voices were female. Conclusion Timbre is not perceived as invariant across the entire singing range, and the bandwidth of this timbre invariance depends on multiple factors, including pitch range, gender, and same-different voice category.
Rapid screening of heavy metals and trace elements in environmental samples using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, A comparative study

With industrialization, great amounts of trace elements and heavy metals have been excavated and released on the surface of the earth and dissipated into the environments. Rapid screening technology for detecting major and trace elements as well as heavy metals in variety of environmental samples is most desired. The objectives of this study were to determine the detection limits, accuracy, repeatability and efficiency of a X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (Niton XRF analyzer) in comparison with the traditional analytical methods, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-MS) in screening of major and trace elements of environmental samples including estuary soils and sediments, contaminated soils, and biological samples. XRF is a fast and non-destructive method in measuring the total concentration of multi--elements simultaneously. Contrary to ICP-OES and ICP-MS, XRF analyzer is characterized by the limited preparation required for solid samples, non-destructive analysis, increased total speed and high throughout, the decreased production of hazardous waste and the low running costs as well as multi-elemental determination and portability in the fields. The current comparative study demonstrates that XRF is a good rapid non-destructive method for contaminated soils, sediments and biological samples containing higher concentrations of major and trace elements. Unfortunately, XRF does not have sensitive detection limits of most major and trace elements as ICP-OES or ICP-MS but it may serve as a rapid screening tool for locating hot spots of uncontaminated field soils and sediments.
Modulation of arachidonic acid metabolites and vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation during myocardial ischemia in the cat

Abstract To determine the relative importance of arachidonic acid pathway products on vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation (VF), we examined the effects of synthesis inhibitors and a receptor blocker acting in the cyclooxygenase (C) and lipoxygenase (L) pathways on VF thresholds in a feline model of coronary occlusion. Thresholds for the induction of VF were measured before and after a 5-minute coronary occlusion in drug-treated animals and control subjects. Animals were treated with BW755c, a dual L and C inhibitor, CGS-8515, an L inhibitor, FPL-55712, a leukotriene receptor blocker, or sulfinpyrazone, a C inhibitor. BW755c, CGS-8515, and FPL-55712 all prevented an otherwise significant fall in VF threshold during coronary occlusion ( p p
Patellofemoral design influences function following total knee arthroplasty

The functional influence of patellofemoral design was evaluated by testing two cohorts of patients with total knee arthroplasty while walking, climbing stairs, and rising from a chair. The two cohorts received one of two different designs of total knee arthroplasty. The designs differed primarily in the curvature of the femoral trochlea. These differences in curvature have been shown in in vitro studies to influence the tracking of the patella. One design had a smaller radius on the patellar flange, which caused the patella to articulate more anteriorly and distally than the second design, which had a larger radius in this region. The second design more closely replicated the curvature of the femoral trochlear anatomy. There was a significant functional difference during stairclimbing between the patient groups, whereas there was no difference during walking or chair rising. The group with the design that had nonanatomic tracking of the patella had a higher than normal moment tending to flex the knee (net quadriceps moment) during late stance phase. The increased net quadriceps moment during late stance was concurrent with an increased knee flexion. The abnormal function occurred when the patellar was tracking over the nonanatomic portion of the trochlea. Patients in the group with the anatomic trochlea did not have abnormal function. These results suggest a relationship between a nonanatomic trochlea and abnormal function during stair-climbing.
Intersymbol interference in axonal transmission

The relative refractory period of an action potential affects any second closely following impulse. Starting with the constraining conjecture that consecutive action potentials produce minimal interference with each other, we investigate the twin-pulse maximum frequency. Using an updated version of the Hodgkin-Huxley squid giant axon, this constrained maximum firing frequency varies with transmembrane conductance density and diameter. Using the twin-pulse constraint and keeping velocity constant, smaller, higher-conductance density axons are generally preferred to larger, lower-conductance density ones.
Optimization of Narrow Band-Gap Propylenedioxythiophene:Cyanovinylene Copolymers for Optoelectronic Applications

Four analogues of the narrow band gap poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophenedialkyl)cyano-p-phenylenevinylene (PProDOT−R2:CNPPV) polymer family have been designed with the goal of improving the film forming ability and utility of this family of polymers when applied in redox switchable and optoelectronic devices. These polymers were synthesized via Knoevenagel condensation with yields ranging from 40 to 80%. Number-average molecular weights between 9000 and 24 000 g mol-1 were estimated using size exclusion chromatography, and the polymer repeat unit structures and end groups were confirmed by MALDI mass spectrometry. Linear and branched alkoxy substituents were introduced along the polymer backbone to yield materials highly soluble in chloroform, THF, and toluene, and homogeneous films were prepared by spin-coating or spray-casting from organic solutions. The identity of the substituents has a significant effect on the optical properties of the polymer solutions. A blue-shift in the absorption was observed by ...
Polymorphism of Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate

respectively, have each inspired industries,much effort has been focused upon characterizing newphases. During the past 30 years, researchers havereturned time and again to the changes in the tetrago-nal form of KDP upon heating because no single studypaints a clear picture of what is happening. Whilereexamining the progression of the high-temperaturetransformations, we noticed the growth of new phasesas single-crystal islands within polycrystalline frag-ments that remained metastable at room temperature.From these phases, we obtained by X-ray diffractionthree new crystal structures of KDP that we showherein. This rich polymorphism dispels the notion
Predicting location and length of ephemeral gullies with a process-based Topographic Index model

Abstract. Ephemeral gully (EG) erosion can be a major source of sediment in agricultural watersheds and predicting the location and length of EGs is important to assess sediment source areas. Topographic index (TI) models utilize topographic-only factors to locate concentrated flow paths on agricultural fields. In this paper, the TI-model is expanded by incorporating an overland flow equation that describes surface excess rate, roughness, and soil critical shear stress. An un-calibrated Process-Based (PB) topographic index model was applied to an agricultural watershed in Central Kansas and the results were compared with a calibrated Slope-Area (SA) model. The analysis showed that the PB model slightly over-predicted topographic properties of ephemeral gullies compared to the observed data. Accuracy of the SA model depended on the selected threshold value.
Complaining among the elderly: Examining multiple dialectical oppositions to independence in a retirement community

The following paper argues that the study of interactional forms in situ offers scholars an understanding of fluid definitions of personhood constructed through communication. Using dialectical theorizing to interpret the aging identities expressed in the interaction form complaining, the multivocality of aging identities is highlighted. Data were collected through participant observation, unstructured interviews, and living history classes during the course of a three‐year ethnographic project. A recognizable and important social form constructive of identity among elderly residents as aging individuals, complaining expressed the felt tensions between independence and social constraint, independence and dependence, and independence and interdependence.
Glycemic control and quality of life in diabetes mellitus

Purpose This study sought to evaluate the association between quality of life (QOL) and changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in diabetic patients over a 1-year period. Methods Diabetic patients were identified from clinic databases using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes. Patients were asked to complete Short Form 36 (SF-36), which measures health-related QOL, and were invited to attend monthly diabetes education workshops. From December 2000 to December 2001, data were collected on multiple parameters, including HbA1c. SF-36 surveys were again collected at project termination. Regression analysis was used to correlate change in HbA1c with change in QOL scores while controlling for potential confounders. Results Of 1679 eligible patients identified, 380 completed SF-36 at project initiation; 243 of those also completed SF-36 at project termination. Pre- and postproject HbA1c data were available for 170 of the 243 patients who completed SF-36 at both time points. After adjusting for baseline SF-36 scores and changes in SF-36's physical component scores, a 5% decrease in HbA1c values was associated with a 1% increase in mental component scores of SF-36. No association between changes in HbA1c levels and physical QOL scores was observed. Conclusion The association between better HbA1c levels and improved mental, but not physical, QOL may reflect physical inconvenience associated with increased regimen complexity as well as mental empowerment from proactive disease management. Large experimental studies are needed to elucidate the long-term relationship between glycemic control and QOL before clinical recommendations can be made.
Nonequilibrium activated dissociative chemisorption: SiH4 on Si(100).

A three-parameter local hot spot model of gas−surface reactivity is employed to analyze and predict dissociative sticking coefficients for SiH4 incident on Si(100) under varied nonequilibrium conditions. Two Si surface oscillators and the molecular vibrations, rotations, and translational energy directed along the local surface normal are active degrees of freedom in the 15 dimensional microcanonical kinetics. The threshold energy for SiH4 dissociative chemisorption is found to be 19 kJ/mol, in quantitative agreement with recent GGA-DFT calculations. A simple scheme for increasing the rate of chemical vapor deposition of silicon from SiH4 at low surface temperatures is modeled.
Characterization of porphyrins, chlorins, and bacteriochlorins formed via allomerization of bacteriochlorophyll a. Synthesis of highly stable bacteriopurpurinimides and their metal complexes.

Allomerization of bacteriochlorophyll a (Bchl a) was studied under various reaction conditions. Bchl a on stirring with KOH/propanol produced an “unstable bacteriochlorin”, which decomposed in acid...
Miocene monkey beds.

Abstract Vertebrate Paleontology in the Neotropics: The Miocene Fauna of La Venta, Colombia edited by R.F. Kay et al . Smithsonian Institution Press, 1997. £62.50 hbk (xvi +592 pages) ISBN 1 56098 4 18 X
Teaching Young Children Science: Three Key Points

Many early childhood teachers report lacking confidence to teach science. Today, science education is defined as “doing science”, as opposed to memorization of facts (Seefeldt & Galper, 2002). This paper discusses developmentally appropriate practices in the context of teaching science. Knowledge of child development, individual differences and the role of children’s socio-cultural context are explicitly discussed. The use of questioning and the 5 Es (engaging, exploring, explaining, elaborating, evaluating) instructional model are also discussed. A sample science lesson is provided to model the use of 5 Es and questioning strategies.
Demonstration of 3-dimensional wide angle no-moving parts laser beam steering

Design and demonstration of a versatile liquid crystal-based scanner is shown for steering a laser beam in three dimensions. The scanner consists of a unique combination of digital and analog control polarization-based beamforming optics resulting in both continuous and random fashion beam steering. The scanner features a novel device biasing method, large aperture beamforming optics, low electrical power consumption, and ultra-fine as well as wide angle coarse beam steering. Demonstrations include one, two and three dimensional beam steering with a maximum of 40.92° continuous scan, all at 1550 nm. The minimum scanner aperture is 1 cm diameter and uses a combination of ferroelectric and nematic liquid crystals in addition to Rutile crystal birefringent prisms.
On covariant multi-loop superstring amplitudes

Abstract We present results for g-loop superstring amplitudes obtained by explicitly performing the sum over spin structures in the spinning string formulation. We do this by placing the picture changing operators at the zeroes of an arbitrary holomorphic one-form. Fay's trisecant identity is used extensively to simplify the expressions until the Riemann identity can be applied. We analyze massless bosonic N-point functions, and our methods are powerful enough to treat g + N ⩽ 8 (and g ⩽ 2 for the ghost part); well beyond previous limits. For these cases we establish the vanishing of the cosmological constant and the non-renormalization theorem. Finally we evaluate the two-loop four-boson amplitude in theta-function language for the first time. All of our considerations are local in moduli space.
Oxidative stress and nitric oxide deficiency in the kidney: a critical link to hypertension?

There is growing evidence that oxidative stress contributes to hypertension. Oxidative stress can precede the development of hypertension. In almost all models of hypertension, there is oxidative s...
Enzymes involved in the repair of DNA

Publisher Summary This chapter describes enzymes that have the potential to act upon irradiated DNA during different phases of an excision repair cycle. The duplex structure of DNA is maintained by relatively weak hydrogen bonds, which can be broken reversibly by either temperature or extremes in pH. The single-strand molecular weight of DNA can be determined following denaturing conditions and allowing measurements of the single-strand breakage associated with repair mechanisms. The ability of cells to survive the lethal and mutagenic effects of ultraviolet irradiation can be attributed to enzymatic repair processes. A block at the incision step is expressed in the accumulation of a species of DNA as analyzed on alkaline sucrose gradients whose molecular weight remains unchanged during post-irradiation conditions. In the absence of excision mechanisms, the anticipated reduction of the single-strand molecular weight of intracellular DNA is accompanied by a stoichiometric loss of photoproduct. The change in single-strand molecular weight of such DNA in vivo reflects the presence of an incision step, whereas the accumulation of pyrimidine dimers in DNA is an expression of a block at the next enzymatic step.
UDP-6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α-d-galactose binds to two different galactosyltransferases, but neither can effectively catalyze transfer of the modified galactose to the appropriate acceptor

Abstract The effect of substitution of the HO-6 of d -galactose with fluorine on the ability of α-(1→3)-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.151) and β-(1→4)-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.22) to catalyze its transfer from UDP to an appropriate acceptor was determined. HPLC analyses indicated that each transferase properly catalyzed formation of the expected product [β- d -Gal-(1→4)- d -GlcNAc] for the β-(1→4)-galactosyltransferase and α- d -Gal-(1→3)-β- d -Gal-(1→4)- d -GlcNAc for the α-(1→3)- d -galactosyltransferase] when UDP-α- d -Gal was the substrate. When UDP-6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α- d -galactose (6) was used in conjunction with each transferase, no product indicative of transfer of 6-deoxy-6-fluoro- d -galactose to its respective acceptor sugar was identified. 6-Deoxy-6-fluoro- d -galactose (3) was obtained by hydrolysis of methyl 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α- d -galactopyranoside, synthesized by the selective fluorination of methyl α- d -galactopyranoside with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST), with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid. Acetylation of 3 gave crystalline 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-6-fluoro-β- d -galactopyranose, which was converted to the corresponding 1-α-phosphate and used for the synthesis of 6.
Apparent equilibrium constants and standard transformed Gibbs energies of biochemical reactions involving carbon dioxide

When carbon dioxide is produced in a biochemical reaction, the expression for the apparent equilibrium constant K' can be written in terms of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the gas phase or the total concentration of species containing CO2 in the aqueous phase, referred to here as [TotCO2]. The values of these two apparent equilibrium constants are different because they correspond to different ways of writing the biochemical equations. Their dependencies on pH and ionic strength are also different. The ratio of these two apparent equilibrium constants is equal to the apparent Henry's law constant K'H. This article provides derivations of equations for the calculation of the standard transformed Gibbs energies of formation of TotCO2 and values of the apparent Henry's law constant at various pH levels and ionic strengths. These equations involve the four equilibrium constants interconnecting the five species [CO2(g), CO2(aq), H2CO3, HCO3-, and CO3(2-)] of carbon dioxide. In the literature there are many errors in the treatment of equilibrium data on biochemical reactions involving carbon dioxide, and so several examples are discussed here, including calculation of standard transformed Gibbs energies of formation of reactants. This approach also applies to net reactions, and the net reaction for the oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide and water is discussed.
Electrostatic wave generation and transverse ion acceleration by Alfvénic wave components of broadband extremely low frequency turbulence

[1] We present results here from 2.5-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations showing that the electrostatic (ES) components of broadband extremely low frequency (BBELF) waves could possibly be generated by cross-field plasma instabilities driven by the relative drifts between the heavy and light ion species in the electromagnetic (EM) Alfvenic component of the BBELF waves in a multi-ion plasma. The ES components consist of ion cyclotron as well as lower hybrid modes. We also demonstrate that the ES wave generation is directly involved in the transverse acceleration of ions as commonly measured with the BBELF wave events. The heating is affected by ion cyclotron resonance in the cyclotron modes and Landau resonance in the lower hybrid waves. In the simulation, we drive the plasma by the transverse electric field, Ey, of the EM waves; the frequency of Ey, ωd, is varied from a frequency below the heavy ion cyclotron frequency, Ωh, to below the light ion cyclotron frequency, Ωi. We have also performed simulations for Ey having a continuous spectrum given by a power law, namely, ∣Ey∣ ∼ ωd−α, where the exponent α = , 1, and 2 in three different simulations. The driving electric field generates polarization and E × B drifts of the ions and electrons. When the interspecies relative drifts are sufficiently large, they drive electrostatic waves, which cause perpendicular heating of both light and heavy ions. The transverse ion heating found here is discussed in relation to observations from Cluster, Fast Auroral Snapshot, and Freja.
A Method to Measure the Ratio of Total to Selective Extinction toward Baade’s Window

We present a method to measure the ratio of total to selective extinction, RVI ≡ AV/E(V-I), toward Baade's window by comparing the VIK colors of 146 Baade's window G and K giants from Tiede, Frogel, & Terndrup with the solar neighborhood (V-I), (V-K) relation from Bessell & Brett. We show that the statistical errors of this approach are ~0.7%, an order of magnitude smaller than the only previous measurement of this quantity, and that the measurement has at most a weak dependence on stellar type from G0 to K4. However, the systematic error, which arises from uncertainties in the photometric zero points, is much larger: using the Tiede et al. zero points we obtain RVI = 2.28, while the OGLE II zero points yield RVI = 2.40, a difference of 5%. Hence, determination of the photometric zero points will be critical to obtaining an unambiguous measurement of RVI.
The analysis of the rotational spectrum of methanol to microwave accuracy

Abstract A method for the analysis and characterization of a large number of rotational-torsional transition frequencies of methanol (CH 3 OH) to microwave accuracy is presented. It is based on our earlier work which used a direct diagonalization of an internal axis method Hamiltonian. In the work reported here the analyses of the A and E symmetry species were separated and careful attention was paid to the selection of cross terms between rotational and torsional operators to be included in the Hamiltonian. In order to facilitate comparison, the previous data set, which contained 470 rotational transitions, was also used for this new work. In our original analysis the root-mean-square (rms) deviation was 1.2 MHz. This same data set was subsequently reanalyzed by Nakagawa, Tsunekawa, and Kojima with an effective Hamiltonian based on a Watson-like transformation with a larger number of adjustable parameters. Their approach reduced the rms deviation to ∼0.6 MHz, but substantial model error remained. In the work reported here rms deviations of 0.065 MHz and 0.062 MHz for the A and E symmetry states, respectively, have been achieved. These deviations approximate experimental error, indicating that the model error has now been reduced from ∼1 MHz to essentially zero. Of perhaps more importance, our new approach has significantly enhanced the predictive powers of the model and provides a means for an accurate characterization of the rotational-torsional spectrum of methanol.
Evidence-based follow-up for the patient with melanoma.

This article reviews the best evidence available to guide the follow-up of patients with melanoma, focusing on incidence of, and detection of, melanoma recurrence, frequency of follow-up visits, yield of, laboratory and radiographic tests, outcomes of patients with recurrent melanoma based on method of detection, detection of secondary melanomas, and stage-specific follow-up.
Indications, alternatives, and complications of external fixation about the elbow

External fixation around the elbow is a concept as complex as the pathology that it treats. A myriad of potential pitfalls await the surgeon who casually applies a frame to any extremity, let alone a portion of one as complicated as the elbow. A careful understanding of the anatomy, specific technique, applications of the various devices commercially available, and rational alternatives to each problem is crucial for the judicial use of external fixation around the elbow. The potential benefits of the external fixator, however, are worthy of the surgeon's time to understand and pass on to his or her next patient.
The effects of electronic music-making as a therapeutic activity for improving upper extremity active range of motion

The use of occupation to enhance function has been the major principle of the occupational therapy profession. Literature shows that added-purpose occupations elicit better sensorimotor performance than single-purpose and rote exercise conditions. Added-purpose conditions also enhance the motivation and the participation level of individuals. This study examined music-making activity as a form of occupational embedded exercise to evaluate its effect on improving active shoulder flexion and elbow extension in individuals with hemiplegia. A pre-test–post-test control group design involving 10 participants each in experimental and control groups was used. Results showed no statistically significant improvements in shoulder flexion and elbow extension between the experimental and control groups. However, the intervention showed clinical significance in the form of a considerable increase in active shoulder and elbow range in the experimental group. The small sample size and lack of data on control group participants' degree of immobility and other activities might have influenced the study results. Further studies evaluating activities of daily living, work and leisure occupations and their effect on various sensorimotor components are recommended. Also, a larger sample could reduce the probability of a type II error. The results of this study support the occupational therapy principle of preventing disability, improving human performance and maintaining health through meaningful occupation. It also adds accountability to our services by way of showing the efficacy of our treatment. Copyright © 1998 Whurr Publishers Ltd.