cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Material Failure Mechanisms of Alkaline Zn Rechargeable Conversion Electrodes

Zinc (Zn) alkaline electrodes hold great importance and promise in the battery technology community, yet their behavior in real-world applications is still poorly understood. Here, we report a stud...
Time for an Audit of Your ‘Minors on Campus’ Policy?

Most university employees, including those in the general counsel’s office, spend their days focused on adult college students. Universities have innumerable policies that apply to the typical 18- to 22-year-old student, and many universities simply apply the same policies to kids. The problem is that policies for college students don’t consider the needs of minors.
A CMOS Terahertz Pulse Radiator with Zero DC Power Consumption Based on Nonlinear Transmission Line Sharpening Effect

This article presents a fully integrated terahertz (THz) pulse radiator that is based on the sharpening effect of nonlinear transmission lines (NLTL). As the sinusoidal input travels along the line, its width shrinks, and high frequency harmonics are generated. Implemented in 65-nm CMOS technology and consuming no DC power, this chip generates and radiates a broadband frequency comb through its on-chip antenna that covers 20-700 GHz band with adjustable frequency space between the tones. The EIRP at 400 GHz, 550 GHz, and 700 GHz are -48, -63, and -70 dB, respectively.
Contrastive Learning for Domain Transfer in Cross-Corpus Emotion Recognition

Automatic emotion recognition methods are sensitive to the variations across humans and datasets and their performance drops when evaluated across corpora. Domain adaptation (DA) techniques such as Domain-Adversarial Neural Network (DANN) can mitigate this problem. However, domain adaptation cannot guarantee to preserve local features necessary for emotion recognition while reducing domain discrepancies in global features. In this paper, we propose Face wArping emoTion rEcognition (FATE) to address this problem. Unlike the traditional DA models in which the base model is first trained with the source data and then fine-tuned with the source and target data, we reverse the training order. Specifically, we employ first-order facial animation warping to generate a synthetic dataset and utilize contrastive learning to pre-train the encoder. Then, we fine-tune the encoder and the classifier with the source data. After fine-tuning, the model achieves superior emotion recognition performance by preserving the subtle facial features. Our experiments on cross-domain emotion recognition with facial behaviors (Aff-Wild2, SEWA, and SEMAINE) indicate that the proposed FATE model substantially outperforms the domain adaptation models, suggesting that FATE has a better domain generalizability for emotion recognition.
Bioluminescence: Imaging Modality for In Vitro and In Vivo Gene Expression

Molecular imaging offers many unique opportunities to study biological processes in intact organisms. Bioluminescence is the emission of light from biochemical reactions that occur within a living organism. Luciferase has been used as a reporter gene in transgenic mice but, until bioluminescence imaging was described, the detection of luciferase activity required either sectioning of the animal or excision of tissue and homogenization to measure enzyme activities in a conventional luminometer. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is based on the idea that biological light sources can be incorporated into cells and animal models artificially that does not naturally express the luminescent genes. This imaging modality has proven to be a very powerful methodology to detect luciferase reporter activity in intact animal models. This form of optical imaging is low cost and noninvasive and facilitates real-time analysis of disease processes at the molecular level in living organisms. Bioluminescence provides a noninvasive method to monitor gene expression in vivo and has enormous potential to elucidate the pathobiology of lung diseases in intact mouse models, including models of inflammation/injury, infection, and cancer.
Loss of allosteric control but retention of the bifunctional catalytic competence of a fusion protein formed by excision of 260 base pairs from the 3' terminus of pheA from Erwinia herbicola.

Abstract A bifunctional protein denoted as the P protein and encoded by pheA is widely present in purple gram-negative bacteria. This P protein carries catalytic domains that specify chorismate mutase (CM-P) and prephenate dehydratase. The instability of a recombinant plasmid carrying a pheA insert cloned from Erwinia herbicola resulted in a loss of 260 bp plus the TAA stop codon from the 3' terminus of pheA. The plasmid carrying the truncated pheA gene (denoted pheA*) was able to complement an Escherichia coli pheA auxotroph. pheA* was shown to be a chimera composed of the residual 5' part of pheA (901 bp) and a 5-bp fragment from the pUC18 vector. The new fusion protein (PheA*) retained both chorismate mutase and prephenate dehydratase activities. PheA* had a calculated subunit molecular weight of 33,574, in comparison to the 43,182-molecular-weight subunit size of PheA. The deletion did not affect the ability of PheA* to assume the native dimeric configuration of PheA. Both the CM-P and prephenate dehydratase components of PheA* were insensitive to L-phenylalanine inhibition, in contrast to the corresponding components of PheA. L-Phenylalanine protected both catalytic activities of PheA from thermal inactivation, and this protective effect of L-phenylalanine upon the PheA* activities was lost. PheA* was more stable than PheA to thermal inactivation; this was more pronounced for prephenate dehydratase than for CM-P. In the presence of dithiothreitol, the differential resistance of PheA* prephenate dehydratase to thermal inactivation was particularly striking.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Endogenous secreted phospholipase A2 group X regulates cysteinyl leukotrienes synthesis by human eosinophils.

Background Phospholipase A 2 s mediate the rate-limiting step in the formation of eicosanoids such as cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs). Group IVA cytosolic PLA 2 α (cPLA 2 α) is thought to be the dominant PLA 2 in eosinophils; however, eosinophils also have secreted PLA 2 (sPLA 2 ) activity that has not been fully defined. Objectives To examine the expression of sPLA 2 group X (sPLA 2 -X) in eosinophils, the participation of sPLA 2 -X in the formation of CysLTs, and the mechanism by which sPLA 2 -X initiates the synthesis of CysLTs in eosinophils. Methods Peripheral blood eosinophils were obtained from volunteers with asthma and/or allergy. A rabbit polyclonal anti–sPLA 2 -X antibody identified sPLA 2 -X by Western blot. We used confocal microscopy to colocalize the sPLA 2 -X to intracellular structures. An inhibitor of sPLA 2 -X (ROC-0929) that does not inhibit other mammalian sPLA 2 s, as well as inhibitors of the mitogen-activated kinase cascade (MAPK) and cPLA 2 α, was used to examine the mechanism of N -formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-mediated formation of CysLT. Results Eosinophils express the mammalian sPLA 2 -X gene ( PLA2G10 ). The sPLA 2 -X protein is located in the endoplasmic reticulum, golgi, and granules of eosinophils and moves to the granules and lipid bodies during fMLP-mediated activation. Selective sPLA 2 -X inhibition attenuated the fMLP-mediated release of arachidonic acid and CysLT formation by eosinophils. Inhibitors of p38, extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (p44/42 MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and cPLA 2 α also attenuated the fMLP-mediated formation of CysLT. The sPLA 2 -X inhibitor reduced the phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (p44/42 MAPK) as well as cPLA 2 α during cellular activation, indicating that sPLA 2 -X is involved in activating the MAPK cascade leading to the formation of CysLT via cPLA 2 α. We further demonstrate that sPLA 2 -X is activated before secretion from the cell during activation. Short-term priming with IL-13 and TNF/IL-1β increased the expression of PLA2G10 by eosinophils. Conclusions These results demonstrate that sPLA 2 -X plays a significant role in the formation of CysLTs by human eosinophils. The predominant role of the enzyme is the regulation of MAPK activation that leads to the phosphorylation of cPLA 2 α. The sPLA 2 -X protein is regulated by proteolytic cleavage, suggesting that an inflammatory environment may promote the formation of CysLTs through this mechanism. These results have important implications for the treatment of eosinophilic disorders such as asthma.
Expanding the utility of β-galactosidase complementation: Piece by piece

The ability to image and quantify multiple biomarkers in disease necessitates the development of split reporter fragment platforms. We have divided the β-galactosidase enzyme into unique, independent polypeptides that are able to re-assemble and complement enzymatic activity in bacteria and in mammalian cells. We created two sets of complementing pairs that individually have no enzymatic activity. However, when brought into close geometric proximity, the complementing pairs associated resulting in detectable enzymatic activity. We then constructed a stable ligand complex comprised of reporter fragment, linker, and targeting moiety. The targeting moiety, in this case a ligand, allowed cell surface receptor targeting in vitro. Further, we were able to simultaneously visualize two cell surface receptors implicated in cancer development, epidermal growth factor receptor and transferrin receptor, using complementing pairs of the ligand-reporter fragment complex.
CAMAC modules for recording arbitrarily long time series

Abstract Two CAMAC modules have been designed to record the time of arrival of up to 32768 sequential events. the system consists of a clock module to generate a gated clock pulse train and a memory module to record event arrival time. Two memory modules can be operated in ping-pong mode to capture a time series of indefinite length, limited only by the capacity of the data acquisition computer storage medium. The maximum clocking frequency of 25 MHz provides a minimum digitization period of 40 ns and an inter-event deadtime of 2 clock cycles. these circuits have been used in a number of experiments for a wide variety of time measurements. They are particularly suited for interpolating event occurences relative to high precision UTC time signals distributed by satellites. A synchronized output pulse has also been provided to allow an external time-to-digital converter to determine event arrival time relative to the clock phase. This permits time-of-flight measurements over long baselines with a fraction of a nanosecond accuracy.
Marx generator for wide gap spark chambers

Abstract Details of the construction and performance of a 375 kV Marx generator are presented.
Altered force-frequency response in non-failing hearts with decreased SERCA pump-level.

Objective: Decreased SERCA2 activity is considered to significantly contribute to the contractile dysfunction of failing hearts. However, it is now known how decreases in SERCA activity affect cardiac function in detail and also if a decrease alone is sufficient to cause heart failure. Methods: SERCA2 (+/−) gene-targeted mice (HET) were generated and heart function was analyzed using the isolated work-performing heart technique. Plasma and cardiac catecholamine levels were determined at three, six and nine months of age and heart sections from twelve months old mice subjected to standard histological analysis. Results: We demonstrate that reduced expression of SERCA does not lead to cardiac hypertrophy or fibrosis and does not increase resting plasma-norepinephrine levels in HET mice. However, isolated perfused HET hearts exhibited decreased maximal rates of contraction and relaxation and prolonged time-parameters. The ability of the HET hearts to respond to increases in load (Starling) was not affected and they responded appropriately to β-adrenergic stimulation. In contrast, the positive force-frequency response found in control hearts was not observed in the HET hearts. The response was flat and three out of five HET hearts failed to maintain work at 550 beats/min. Conclusions: We conclude that the SERCA2 pump level is a critical positive determinant of cardiac contractility and force-frequency relation.
Algorithmic graph embeddings

The complexity of embedding a graph into a variety of topological surfaces is investigated. A new data structure for graph embeddings is introduced and shown to be superior to the previously known data structures. In particular, the new data structure efficiently supports all on-line operations for general graph embeddings. Based on this new data structure, very efficient algorithms are developed to solve the problem “given a graph G and an integer k, construct a genus k embedding for the graph G” for a large range of the integers k and for a large class of graphs.
An efficient synthesis of the intrinsic fluorescent peptide labels, (S)- and (R)-(6,7-dimethoxy-4-coumaryl)alanines via asymmetric hydrogenations

Abstract The title compounds 1a , b are efficiently synthesized in high yields and with high enantioselectivity (>95% ee) by using a sequence in which the key step involves asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino methyl ester 4 with Burk’s DuPHOS-based Rh(I) catalysts.
Use of stiffness measure in nonlinear response analysis of concrete structures

Abstract A method used for measuring the stiffness of hinging reinforced concrete frame structures is developed. The structures suffer from a loss of stiffness during responses exceeding the yield deflection during earthquakes. The so-called stiffness measure method is used to evaluate the tangent stiffness of hinge regions while the structure is responding in nonlinear ranges. Eigenvector methods for nonlinear response have not been especially popular because of the need for regenerating eigenvectors as the time history proceeds. In the present work the eigenvector sets and corresponding nonlinear state variables, i.e. the tangent stiffnesses of the hinge regions, are stored. There is an expectation that previously generated eigenvectors can be reused as the analysis proceeds. The stiffness measure is used to compare the current tangent stiffnesses of hinge regions with those of previously stored eigenvectors sets. The stiffness measure quantity can be used to decide if a previously generated eigenvector set can be reused or if it is necessary to generate a new eigenvector set for the current time step. Since eigenvector calculations are diminished, the method is effective in reducing computational effort for reinforced concrete frame structures subjected to strong ground motions.
Does the extent of surgery have an impact on the survival of patients who receive postoperative radiation therapy for supratentorial low‐grade gliomas?

We evaluate the impact of extent of surgery (EOS) on survival of patients with supratentorial nonpilocytic low-grade gliomas (LGG) treated with postoperative radiation therapy (PORT). Sixty-five patients with pathologically confirmed supratentorial nonpilocytic LGG (36 astrocytomas and 29 oligodendrogliomas) were treated with PORT after different extents of surgery: 12 gross total resections (GTR), 27 minimal or subtotal resections (MR/SR), and 26 biopsies (B). EOS was confirmed with postoperative imaging. The median radiation dose delivered was 5,940 cGy (range, 4,950-6,620 cGy). One of 12 patients (8%) in the GTR group and 12 of 53 patients (23%) in the less than GTR group demonstrated contrast enhancement. The median follow-up was 61 months (range 5-194 month). The 10-year overall survival (OS) was 82.5% and 32% for the GTR and the less than GTR groups, respectively (P = 0.0008). The corresponding 10-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 90% and 41.4%%, respectively (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that only contrast enhancement and EOS were predictors for OS and DSS. Our data suggest that EOS correlates with OS and DSS in patients who have PORT. GTR should be the goal if technically achievable without causing significant morbidity, and its combination with PORT is compatible with long-term survival.
A modular approach to using the engineering design process in secondary science curriculum: Experiences in Singapore and the United States

As a result of classroom practice and Fulbright research in Singapore, a modular approach to employing the Engineering Design process to frame projects in secondary science curricula has been developed. It is meant to facilitate project design and implementation by teachers who have little or no background in engineering. The approach has been tried in classrooms in the United States and Singapore in biology, chemistry and physics classes. Research data indicates a better understanding of scientific concepts, more realistic knowledge of engineering and significant transfer of skills. The motivation for a more user-friendly approach is the need to incorporate more engineering into pre-university science to allow for more skills-based learning, real life connections and compliance with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). A Fulbright grant to study science education in Singapore, in particular at the School of Science and Technology, allowed an action-based research plan to be implemented to assess the development of performance tasks framed in the engineering design process. Triangulation of data based on student pre- and post-surveys, extensive classroom observation and teacher and student post-activity interviews provided clear qualitative data indicating better connection to scientific content and more divergent thinking than in traditional verification-focused lab activities.
Neomycin inhibits inositol phosphate formation in human platelets stimulated by thrombin but not other agonists

Abstract Neomycin (0.1–1 mM) added to human platelet-rich plasma or washed platelets prelabeled with [3H]inositol inhibits aggregation, ATP secretion (ID50 0.2 mM) and formation of [3H]inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphate (ID50 0.6–0.8 mM) in response to thrombin (0.25 U ml ). The production of inositol phosphates in response to other platelet agonists (vasopressin, platelet activating factor, prostaglandin endoperoxide analogs and collagen) is not inhibited by neomycin, even at a concentration of 2 mM. At this concentration neomycin reduces the secretion of ATP stimulated by these agents (by up to 50%). The results indicate that neomycin has multiple effects on platelets that are unrelated to a specific inhibition of inositol phospholipid degradation by phospholipase C. Low concentrations (0.1–1 mM) of neomycin might selectively inhibit the interaction of thrombin with the platelet surface, and high concentrations (> 2 mM) might unspecifically reduce platelet secretion in response to various platelet agonists.
Chemokine Receptor 2-Mediated Accumulation of Fungicidal Exudate Macrophages in Mice That Clear Cryptococcal Lung Infection

Clearance of pulmonary infection with the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is associated with the accumulation and activation of lung macrophages. However, the phenotype of these macrophages and the mechanisms contributing to their accumulation are not well-defined. In this study, we used an established murine model of cryptococcal lung infection and flow cytometric analysis to identify alveolar macrophages (AMs) and the recently described exudate macrophages (ExMs). Exudate macrophages are distinguished from AMs by their strong expression of CD11b and major histocompatibility complex class II and modest expression of costimulatory molecules. Exudate macrophages substantially outnumber AMs during the effector phase of the immune response; and accumulation of ExMs, but not AMs, was chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) dependent and attributable to the recruitment and subsequent differentiation of Ly-6C high monocytes originating from the bone marrow and possibly the spleen. Peak ExM accumulation in wild-type (CCR2 +/+ ) mice coincided with maximal lung expression of mRNA for inducible nitric oxide synthase and correlated with the known onset of cryptococcal clearance in this strain of mice. Exudate macrophages purified from infected lungs displayed a classically activated effector phenotype characterized by cryptococcal-enhanced production of inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor α. Cryptococcal killing by bone marrow–derived ExMs was CCR2 independent and superior to that of AMs. We conclude that clearance of cryptococcal lung infection requires the CCR2-mediated massive accumulation of fungicidal ExMs derived from circulating Ly-6C high monocytes.
Prenatal dental development in the dog, Canis familiaris: chronology of tooth germ formation and calcification of deciduous teeth.

Observations on a sizeable collection of purebred canine fetuses of known age has afforded the opportunity to report baseline data on the timing of tooth germ development in the dog. The chronology of development of the deciduous dentition has been studied in a collection of 172 embryos and fetuses from purebred Beagles of known gestation. Microscopic examination of serial sections, enlarged reconstructions from serial sections and alizarin-stained clearings were used to visualize stages of development. These observations establish that the dental lamina is initiated at 25 days gestation and that calcification begins at 42 days in the deciduous teeth.
Fetal cardiac failure resulting from congenital anomalies of the heart

Cardiac failure during fetal life is uncommon, even among subjects with cardiovascular malformations. The occurrence of fetal cardiac failure appears to depend upon the presence of some condition which places a burden upon the right ventricle. Classically, premature closure of the foramen ovale is such a condition. In the three cases of fetal cardiac failure reported the malformations represented were (1) right ventricular endocardial fibroelastosis, (2) Ebstein's malformation of the tricuspid valve, and (3) left ventricular endocardial fibroelastosis and mitral insufficiency.
Reproductive parameters in female yellow-blotched map turtles (Graptemys flavimaculata) from a historically contaminated site vs. a reference site.

Abstract Graptemys flavimaculata, the yellow-blotched map turtle, is a long-lived, threatened, species, endemic to the Pascagoula River drainage in Mississippi. During the 1980s, one branch of the drainage (i.e. the Leaf River) was impacted by effluent from a wood pulp processing plant known to contain endocrine disrupters. A decade later, we examined seasonal reproductive parameters (i.e. monthly plasma estradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T), vitellogenin (VTG) and follicular development) in adult female turtles from historically polluted and reference sites in the drainage to determine if legacy exposure to pollution impacts reproduction . We found no seasonal patterns in E2 or T and these patterns did not differ between sites. However, E2 differed significantly among ovarian stages for the reference, but not pollutant exposed females. A significantly greater percentage of reference site females were able to produce a second clutch than females from the historically polluted site (50% and 17%). Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between E2 with VTG levels for reference, but not pollutant exposed females. Body and yolk tissue contaminant analysis indicated that exposure to pollutants is presently minimal and unlikely the cause of the reproductive differences observed between sites; instead, differences are potentially due to exposure history.
A Test for Slope Heterogeneity in Fixed Effects Models

Typical panel data models make use of the assumption that the regression parameters are the same for each individual cross-sectional unit. We propose tests for slope heterogeneity in panel data models. Our tests are based on the conditional Gaussian likelihood function in order to avoid the incidental parameters problem induced by the inclusion of individual fixed effects for each cross-sectional unit. We derive the Conditional Lagrange Multiplier test that is valid in cases where N → ∞ and T is fixed. The test applies to both balanced and unbalanced panels. We expand the test to account for general heteroskedasticity where each cross-sectional unit has its own form of heteroskedasticity. The modification is possible if T is large enough to estimate regression coefficients for each cross-sectional unit by using the MINQUE unbiased estimator for regression variances under heteroskedasticity. All versions of the test have a standard Normal distribution under general assumptions on the error distribution as ...
Assessing temporal stability and spatial variability of soil water patterns with implications for precision water management

Abstract The temporal stability of soil water content patterns may have profound implications for precision agriculture in general and water management in particular. Spatio-temporal variability in soil water was assessed over four fields in a two-year potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) and barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) rotation to determine the potato yield implications and the potential for precision water management based on a stable spatial pattern of soil water. A hammer-driven time domain reflectometry probe was used to measure soil water content repeatedly along 10 transects. Irrigated, un-irrigated, and late irrigated treatments were employed. The temporally stable soil water pattern was mapped and compared with elevation and soil particle size classifications. A temporal stability model explained 47% of the observed variability in soil water content. An additional 20% of the variability was attributed to random measurement error. Calibrated in 2002, the model predicted water content (root mean square error of 0.05 m 3 m −3 ) along transects in 2003 from a single measurement at the field edge. Field-scale trends and extended (>100 m) wet and dry segments were observed along transects. Coarser particle size class soils were generally drier. Potato yield increased linearly with water content in un-irrigated areas. Yield was comparatively high in the drier areas for the irrigated treatment but was highly variable and frequently poor in the wetter areas. For the late-irrigated treatment, a strong yield response to added water was evident in the dry areas; however, the yield response was neutral to negative in the wetter areas. Knowledge of the underlying stable soil water distribution could provide a useful basis for precision water management.
Rowing competitions and perspective

This paper is about integrating the use of graphing technology (specifically, GeoGebra) with principles of motion, principles of perspective, and the concept of vanishing points to model a dynamic event. Students were asked to analyse video images of a rowing competition filmed with a single camera positioned perpendicular to the race. The fixed position of the camera in such races makes it difficult to determine whether a scull closer to the camera is actually overtaking another, more distant scull. The paper illustrates how students in their first year at the university can integrate the use of technology, science, mathematics, and writing to solve a real world problem involving motion.
Corotating steady vortex flows with N-fold symmetry

IN THIS paper we study certain vertical flows of an ideal fluid in two dimensions which are steady relative to a uniformly rotating frame. In particular, we confine our analysis to those flows for which the vorticity relative to the rotating frame possesses N-fold rotational symmetry for some given N = 2,3, . . .; that is, we require that the relative vorticity be invariant under rotation through arbitrary multiples of 2zjN. As in our earlier related work [19,20], these (relative) steady solutions of the Euler fluid dynamical equations are obtained as extremals for a certain variational problem. The solutions then represent steady vortex flows in the sense defined in [19]-namely, each such flow has a prescribed distribution of relative vorticity and is separated into regions of zero and of positive relative vorticity. In 1883, Thomson [18] considered the flow due to a configuration of N (unit) point vortices spaced equally around the circumference of a circle. The relative vorticity of such a configuration on a circle of radius a is given by
The BioPortal project: a national center of excellence for infectious disease informatics

In this project summary, we briefly present the technical objectives and accomplishments of our Infectious Disease Informatics project. We describe the inter-agency, inter-disciplinary, and academia-government partnerships critical to project success and discuss the broader application context for this research.
Understanding the sequence determinants of conformational switching using protein design.

An important goal of protein design is to understand the forces that stabilize a particular fold in preference to alternative folds. Here, we describe an extension of earlier studies in which we successfully designed a stable, native-like helical protein that is 50% identical in sequence to a predominantly β-sheet protein, the B1 domain of Streptococcal IgG-binding protein G. We report the characteristics of a series of variants of our original design that have even higher sequence identity to the B1 domain. Their properties illustrate the extent to which protein stability and conformation can be modulated through careful manipulation of key amino acid residues. Our results have implications for understanding conformational change phenomena of central biological importance and in probing the malleability of the sequence/structure relationship.
Quench temperatures of Moore County and other eucrites: residence time on eucrite parent body

Abstract We report an electron probe investigation of the eucrite Moore County. Moore County consists predominantly of four pyroxene phases and plagioclase, with minor tridymite, ilmenite, chromite, troilite, iron metal and possibly apatite. Temperatures have been computed for Moore County and other eucrites using three independent techniques for coexisting pairs of pyroxenes. These computed temperatures are all subsolidus and approach those calculated for slowly cooled terrestrial igneous and metamorphic rocks. These temperatures conflict with the conclusions of earlier workers that Moore County was catastrophically removed from its cumulate environment at high temperatures. The eucrites cooled to temperatures substantially below the solidus on their parent body. Our results are consistent with the conclusion that Moore County resided for an extended period of time on the eucrite parent body, perhaps from the time of its crystallization from a basaltic melt (∼-4.5AE) until a few tens of millions of years ago. This extended residence time is consistent with the conclusion that the eucrite parent body is still intact, but raises dynamical objections to the tentative identification of the eucrite parent body as asteroid 4 Vesta. An alternative scenario involves ejection from the eucrite parent body, at times significantly older than those indicated by cosmic ray exposure ages, of meteoroids of sufficient size that their interiors were shielded from cosmic rays. These meteoroids were removed by low-probability mechanisms into Earth-crossing orbits where they were disrupted and ultimately sampled by the Earth. This proposal appears to remove the dynamical objections to the tentative identification of the eucrite parent body as Vesta.
Prognostic implications of myocardial contractile reserve in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

The extent and degree of myocardial viability is an important parameter in the risk stratification of patients with significant left ventricular dysfuncion due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Although several imaging modalities can identify viable myocardium, dobutamine stress echocardiography has gained considerable importance as an accurate, safe, and reliable method. In patients with significant left ventricular dysfunction secondary to CAD, identifying the presence and extent of contractile reserve and, therefore, viable myocardium, during low dose dobutamine infusion can predict recovery of left ventricular function postrevascularization, survival, and future cardiac events. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 17, January 2000)
Re-examining the Egyptian colonial encounter in Nubia through a compositional, mineralogical, and textural comparison of ceramics

Textural, mineralogical, and X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses are used as a cost effective method to distinguish for the first time ancient Egyptian and Nubian-style ceramics found in Nubia. Textural and mineralogical data suggest that Nubian-style sherds are mixtures of sand, silt, and clay sediment that is generally finer grained and poorer in quartz than is the sediment mixture used to produce Egyptian-style pottery. Chemical data also establish a significant difference in the amount of chemical variation found within each style population, but nonetheless supports a considerable overlap in the possible provenance of both styles. Observations and data obtained during this study indicate that standardized, Egyptian-style manufacturing was introduced into Nubia under colonialism, without substantially altering the diversity of native methods of production.
Development of Aortic Valvular Vegetations during Appropriate Antibiotic Therapy: Demonstration through Serial Echocardiograms

The development of echocardiographically demonstrable vegetations on cardiac valves while the patient is receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy has not been previously reported. We report a case of α-hemolytic streptococcal endocarditis involving the aortic valve. Echocardiographically visualized vegetations were noted to occur on the 11th day of hospitalization. We discuss the role of serial echocardiograms in the management of patients with bacteremias and suspected endocarditis but absence of vegetations on the initial echocardiogram.
Induced frequency shifts by counterpropagating subpicosecond optical pulses

We report time-resolved measurements of induced phase modulation that lead to frequency shifts in counterpropagating pump–probe experiments in a glass target with laser pulses of 0.7 ps FWHM and peak intensities of as high as 1 × 1013 W/cm2. Experimental results can only be well explained by including, in addition to the shift induced during copropagation, a frequency shift proportional to the pump-pulse intensity profile during counterpropagation. This additional shift is shown to offer a new approach for mapping of temporal pulse profiles. The effects of pulse asymmetry are also examined.
Decreased pain and synovial inflammation after etanercept therapy in patients with reactive and undifferentiated arthritis: an open-label trial.

Objective Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) have been identified in the synovium of patients with reactive and undifferentiated arthritis, implicating TNFα in the pathogenesis of these disorders. This finding has provided a rationale for the use of TNFα antagonists in the treatment of reactive arthritis; however, the possibility that the triggering microorganism might persist in affected joints and become activated with use of these agents has been of concern. Methods The efficacy and safety of etanercept (25 mg subcutaneous twice weekly) in 16 patients with undifferentiated or reactive arthritis was assessed in a 6-month open-label trial. Synovial biopsies were performed before and after treatment with etanercept. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed on the synovial biopsy samples to evaluate for the presence of nucleic acid material of bacterial organisms. Outcome measures including tender and swollen joint counts, pain assessment on a 10-point visual analog scale, and functional ability as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire were determined before and after etanercept therapy. Results Ten of 16 patients completed the trial. Six patients withdrew, but none had a worsening of arthritis or infection. Of the 10 completers, 9 could be classified as treatment responders, despite the evidence of bacterial organisms on PCR analysis prior to initiating etanercept in 3 patients; 2 patients became PCR negative on etanercept. Five of 6 patients with adequate synovial biopsy specimens showed improvement, but not normalization of histology. Conclusion Etanercept was well-tolerated without clinical exacerbation of any suspected underlying infections and appeared to provide therapeutic benefit in our cohort of patients with reactive and undifferentiated arthritis.
A note on triangulating the 5-cube

We show that any triangulation of the 5-cube I5 by complete truncation, i.e., `slicing off? the even (or the odd) vertices, cannot use less than 67 or more than 68 pieces.
Physiologic loading of isolated heart muscle

Summary An electromechanical system with computer control has been developed which permits the simulation of physiologic loading for isolated cardiac muscle. In contrast to conventional loading techniques, where relaxation occurs at the same load as shortening, the new system allows isometric relaxation at peak shortening prior to isotonic relaxation at reduced load.
Electrically activated artificial muscles made with liquid crystal elastomers

Composites of monodomain nematic liquid crystal elastomers and a conducting material distributed within their network are shown to exhibit large deformations, i.e. contraction, expansion, bending with strains of over 200% and appreciable force, by Joule heating through electrical activation. The electrical activation of the conducting material induces a rapid Joule heating in the sample leading to a nematic to isotropic phase transition where the elastomer of dimensions 32 mm x 7 mm x 0.4 mm contracted in less than a second. The cooling process, isotropic to nematic transition where the elastomer expands back to its original length, was slow and took 8 seconds. The material studied here is a highly novel liquid crystalline co-elastomer, invented and developed by Heino Finkelmann and co-workers at Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet in Freiburg, Germany. The material is such that in which the mesogenic units are in both the side chains and the main chains of the elastomer. This co-elastomer was then mechanically loaded to induce a uniaxial network anisotropy before the cross-linking reaction was completed. These samples were then made into a composite with a conducting material such as dispersed silver particles or graphite fibers. The final samples was capable of undergoing more than 200% reversible strain in a few seconds.
Satellite Drag Perturbations in an Oblate Diurnal Atmosphere

Analytic expressions are derived that describe decay rates in period and eccentricity, and rotation in perigee argument for orbits of small eccentricity (e<0.2). The equations include both the oblate earth figure and durnal density effects and represent an extension to available theory which treat these effects separately. Ancillary equations are also developed to account for gravitational perigee perturbations which can cause errors in decay rates of 15%, and for proper scale height selection which can be another error source of 5%. Comparison with numerical methods show inherent decay rate accuracies to within 2% and that computational times are reduced by two orders of magnitude for prediction of orbit decay histories. Results also indicate that day-to-night density variation has little effect on eccentric orbits greater than 0.1.
Experimental Investigation of Methane Gas Production from Methane Hydrate

A 72 L large-scale reactor vessel was designed, manufactured, and built to investigate the gas production from methane gas hydrates. Methane hydrates were successfully formed within the reactor using pure methane gas and deionized water in a sand matrix with grain sizes between 100 and 500 μm. Hydrate formation tests resulted in formation at 2.2 °C around 600 psi. Mass balance calculations show that 11% of the pore space volume was occupied by hydrate. Measurements and simulations suggest that hydrate was initially formed at the top section of the reactor followed by formation within the lower part of the sediment. A cooling effect was observed during the dissociation via depressurization experiments, caused by the endothermic dissociation reaction. The observed temperature decrease of the system was between 4.0 and 0.8 °C. During the hydrate dissociation tests, a transition regime showing an increased gas production from 9.5 to 13 L/min within a very narrow range of temperature between −1.6 and −1.2 °C a...
Mutagenicity of stereochemical configurations of 1,2-epoxybutene and 1,2: 3,4 -diepoxybutane in human lymphblastoid cells

The carcinogenicity of 1,3-butadiene (BD) is related to its bioactivation to several DNA-reactive metabolites; accumulating evidence suggests that the stereochemistry of these BD intermediates may play a significant role in the mutagenic and carcinogenic actions of the parent compound. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of stereochemical forms of 1,2-epoxybutene (EB) and 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB), two genotoxic BD metabolites, in a human lymphoblastoid cell line, TK6. Cytotoxicity was measured by comparing cloning efficiencies in chemical-exposed cells versus those in control cells. The hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) and thymidine kinase (TK) mutant frequencies (MFs) were measured using a cell cloning assay. HPRT mutants collected from cells exposed to the three forms of DEB were analyzed by PCR to characterize large genetic alterations. All the three stereoisomers of DEB caused increased HPRT and TK MFs compared to the concurrent control samples. There were no significant differences in cytotoxicity or mutagenicity among the three isomers of DEB in TK6 cells. Molecular analysis of HPRT mutants revealed similar distributions of types of mutations among the three isomers of DEB. There were also no statistically significant differences in mutagenic efficiencies between the two isomers of EB in TK6 cells. These results were consistent with the in vivo findings that there was little difference in the mutagenic efficiencies of racemic-DEB versus meso-DEB in rodents. Thus, in terms of mutagenic efficiency, stereochemical configurations of EB and DEB are not likely to play a significant role in the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of BD.
Role of estrogen in postmenopausal depression

Estrogen has been reported to improve the cognitive functioning of postmenopausal women. It is suggested that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) might be beneficial for improvement of mood and cognition in menopausal women. We have shown that this improvement is selective and is probably more apparent in complex integrative functions. We have also shown that estrogen can augment serotonergic activity as well as some norepinephrine-related processes in postmenopausal women. Because of its effects on mood-related neurotransmitter processes, ERT might decrease vulnerability to depression and be effective as an adjunct therapy to prevent treatment nonresponse to conventional antidepressants.
Choline acetyltransferase expression during periods of behavioral activity and across natural sleep–wake states in the basal forebrain

The present study examined whether the expression of the messenger RNA encoding the protein responsible for acetylcholine synthesis is associated with sleep-wakefulness. Choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels were analysed using a semi-quantitative assay in which reverse transcription was coupled to complementary DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction. To examine the relationship between steady-state messenger RNA and behavioral activity, rats were killed during the day (4.00 p.m.) or night (4.00 a.m.), and tissue from the vertical and horizontal limbs of the diagonal bands of Broca was analysed. Choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels were higher during the day than during the night. The second study examined more closely the association between choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels and individual bouts of wakefulness, slow-wave sleep or rapid eye movement sleep. Choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels were low during wakefulness, intermediate in slow-wave sleep and high during rapid eye movement sleep. In contrast, protein activity, measured at a projection site of cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain, was higher during wakefulness than during sleep. These findings suggest that choline acetyltransferase protein and messenger RNA levels exhibit an inverse relationship during sleep and wakefulness. The increased messenger RNA expression during sleep is consistent with a restorative function of sleep.
Fertility preservation following torsion and severe ischemic injury of a solitary testis.

Objective To present a case of solitary testicular torsion and an adolescent faced with future hypogonadism and infertility. Design Case report. Setting University-affiliated teaching hospital. Patient(s) A 16-year-old male with solitary testicular torsion of >8 hours' duration. Intervention(s) Immediate scrotal exploration, orchiopexy, and sperm cryopreservation. Main Outcome Measure(s) Maintenance of testosterone production and determination of preservation after detorsion of an ischemic testis. Result(s) Color flow Doppler ultrasound showed markedly decreased flow to solitary testis. A subjectively dead testis was seen upon scrotal exploration, with the decision to proceed with orchiopexy. Semen analysis of cryopreserved specimen 50 hours after onset of symptoms showed 1.4 mL, normal sperm concentration (89 million/mL), 67% motility, and 28% World Health Organization morphology. Normal levels of testosterone were found at 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Testicular salvage with normal intratesticular blood flow was seen by ultrasound at 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Conclusion(s) To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of testicular salvage after torsion of a solitary testicle with subsequent normal semen analysis and cryopreservation. This demonstrates the need to attempt salvage even in cases of subjectively dead testicle and the importance of offering expedient sperm cryopreservation in such cases.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Two 18F-Labeled 6-Iodo-2-(4′-N,N-dimethylamino)phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine Derivatives as Prospective Radioligands for β-Amyloid in Alzheimer’s Disease

This study evaluated 18F-labeled IMPY [6-iodo-2-(4‘-N,N-dimethylamino)phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine] derivatives as agents for imaging β-amyloid plaque with positron emission tomography (PET). The precursor for radiolabeling and reference compounds was synthesized in up to five steps from commercially accessible starting materials. One of the two N-methyl groups of IMPY was substituted with either a 3-fluoropropyl (FPM-IMPY) or a 2-fluoroethyl (FEM-IMPY) group. FPM-IMPY and FEM-IMPY were found to have moderate affinity for Aβ-aggregates with Ki = 27 ± 8 and 40 ± 5 nM, respectively. A “one-pot” method for 18F-2-fluoroethylation and 18F-3-fluoropropylation of the precursor was developed. The overall decay-corrected radiochemical yields were 26−51%. In PET experiments with normal mouse, high uptake of activity was obtained in the brain after iv injection of each probe: 6.4% ID/g for [18F]FEM-IMPY at 1.2 min, and 5.7% ID/g for [18F]FPM-IMPY at 0.8 min. These values were similar to those of [123I/125I]IMPY (7....