cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of isomerization on nonlinear optical properties of molecules.

The influence of rotational and geometrical isomerism on the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, specifically the first-order hyperpolarizability β, of chromophores of current interest has been investigated with density functional theory (DFT). In the first of this two-part study, the rotational isomerism of a linear chromophore was explored. Calculation of the torsion potentials about two of the rotatable and conformation-changing single bonds in a chromophore demonstrated the near equality of the molecular energies at 0° and 180° rotational angles. To explore the consequences of this near conformational energy degeneracy to NLO behavior, the eight low energy rotational isomers of FTC [Robinson, B. H.; et al. Chem. Phys. 1999, 245, 35] were investigated. This study provides the first-reported DFT-based calculation of the statistical mechanical average of β over the conformational space of a molecule having substantial nonlinear optical behavior. The influence of the solvent reaction field on rotameric po...
Insight into the palladium-catalyzed oxidative arylation of benzofuran: heteropoly acid oxidants evoke a Pd(II)/Pd(IV) mechanism

Abstract The effects of oxidant and organic acid additives on the oxidative cross-coupling reactions of electron rich heterocycles, such as benzofuran with benzene were studied. Both regioselectivity and reaction rate could be controlled by varying the condition parameters. Furthermore, mechanistic insight was achieved via kinetic studies, which indicate that reactions that are oxidized by the heteropoly acid H 4 PMo 11 VO 40 operate via a Pd(II)/Pd(IV) mechanisms, while reactions oxidized by either AgOAc or Cu(OAc) 2 operate by a Pd(II)/Pd(0) mechanism.
Is there a role for calcium channel blockers in congestive heart failure

Over the past several decades, we have made great strides in understanding the pathophysiology of heart failure and have developed new therapeutic targets based on utilizing several different models in clinical trials. Currently, standard therapy involves angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and β-blockers. In an effort to further reduce mortality, investigators focused on other vasodilators (calcium channel blockers) that might prove to be advantageous when added to standard therapy. Largescale trials showed that the calcium channel blockers did not have a specific role in mortality reduction, but the third-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers were safe to use in patients with heart failure.
Spatial pattern of non-urban Se concentrations in the Northeastern U.S. and its pollution source implications

Abstract Se concentrations from sites in the Northeast and Midwest U.S. are presented. It is shown that while Se concentrations in the Midwest are high and relatively uniform, concentrations in the Northeast decrease with distance from the boundary of the Midwest. An empirical relationship to represent the Se concentrations in the Northeast is presented. The results suggest that Midwest sources are the dominant contributors to non-urban Se in the Northeast U.S.
Can We Learn About the Spin Flip Giant Dipole Resonances with Pions

Data and calculations for the 40Ca(π±, π0) reactions at 164 MeV are shown which indicate that pion scattering possesses a unique signature for separately identifying the 1- and 2-spin-isospin components of the giant dipole resonance.
π-Electronic structure of conjugated polymers

The novel electronic properties of conjugated polymers are associated with π-electrons whose early modeling by Huckel has been extended by Pariser, Parr and Pople (PPP) to include electron-electron (e-e) interactions and by Su, Schrieffer and Heeger (SSH) to include linear electron-phonon (e-p) coupling. Charged polymeric excited states are localized by e-p coupling, lead to excitations below the optical gap, and are coupled to backbone vibrations. Neutral polymeric excited states resemble those in conjugated molecules and clearly demonstrate e-e interactions. We introduce here inductive, or site energy, contributions to the optical gap of polythiophene (PT) and polydiacetylenes (PDAs) whose conjugated network differs from polyacetylene (PA) in having chemically inequivalent carbons. In addition, site energies model PA-dopant interactions and enhanced localization of charged PT and PDA excitations due to polarizable side groups. Such extensions of π-electron theory are attractive for modeling wider ranging phenomena of increasingly diverse conjugated polymers. Nonlinear susceptibilities are another interesting feature of π-electrons in conjugated polymers. Diagrammatic valence-bond (DVB) methods are used to bypass sums over excited π-electron states and give the exact dynamic nonlinear susceptibilities of interacting π-electrons in finite PPP or Hubbard fragments.
Reaction between ozone and allene in the gas phase

The kinetics of the reaction between ozone and allene (A) were studied in the range of 226 to 325°K in the gas phase. Initial O3 pressures varied from 0.01 to 0.7 torr and allene pressures varied from 0.05 to 6 torr. At the higher initial O3 pressures the most important product was O2 followed by CO, H2O, CO2, and C2H4. Oxygen balances averaging about 110% were obtained, which implies that no important oxygenated products were missed. However, carbon balances were only about 50% and hydrogen balances were even less, so that unidentified hydrocarbons were presumably formed. The rate law found was − d[O3]/dt = k1[O3][A] + k2a[O3]2[A]/[O3]0 where log k1(M−1sec−1) = 6.0 ± 0.7 − (5500±1000)/2.30RT and log k2a(M−1sec−1) = 6.9 ± 0.7 − (6200 ± 800/2.30RT). A mechanism is proposed which accounts for the rate law and the observed stoichiometry of O2 formed–O3 used. This involves a heterogeneous catalyzed decomposition of O3. The rate constant k1 is identified with the primary addition reaction A + O3 AO3, and this rate constant is compared with those from other O3 addition reactions.
Loss of marrow reserve from dose-intensified chemotherapy results in impaired hematopoietic reconstitution after autologous transplantation: CD34+, CD34+38−, and week-6 CAFC assays predict poor engraftment

Abstract Objective Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an increasingly successful modality for treating a variety of malignant disorders in the clinic. Experimental and clinical data suggest that prior exposure to cytotoxic agents that damage primitive stem cells results in impaired hematopoiesis after autologous HSCT. To further investigate the ability to predict for impaired hematopoiesis, we measured different stem/progenitor cell populations transplanted and time to engraftment. Methods Patients with previously untreated, advanced-stage follicular lymphoma were treated in sequential prospective protocols with 6–8 cycles of standard-dose (SD) cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP), or four cycles of a higher-dose (HD) CHOP and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, to induce remission prior to high-dose cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation, and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Cryopreserved marrow samples obtained prior to ABMT were assayed for CD34 + , CD34 + 38 − , and cobblestone area-forming cell (CAFC) frequencies. Results Despite receiving similar numbers of nucleated cells at ABMT, HD-CHOP patients took significantly longer to attain platelet engraftment than the SD-CHOP patients. Marrow from the HD-CHOP patients contained significantly lower CD34 + , CD34 + 38 − , and week 6–8 CAFC frequencies than marrow from SD-CHOP–treated patients. Time to platelet engraftment was plotted against progenitor/stem cell numbers transplanted for each patient and threshold values were developed for all three stem/progenitor cell populations. These values were 0.5 × 10 6 CD34 + cells/kg, 0.14 × 10 6 CD34 + 38 − cells/kg, and 9500 week-6 CAFC/kg transplanted. Approximately 50% of patients received marrow progenitor/stem cell numbers above the threshold values and all engrafted without delay. However, transplantation of stem/progenitor cell numbers below threshold values did not uniformly predict for delayed platelet engraftment. Conclusions These data provide further evidence for the association of low marrow reserve at ABMT, low numbers of stem/progenitor cells transplanted, and delayed hematopoietic recovery. However, there remains a group of patients who have rapid platelet engraftment after ABMT despite low numbers of progenitor/stem cells transplanted. These data suggest the presence of a crucial stem cell population not represented by the stem/progenitor cell populations studied in these experiments.
Cerebrospinal fluid biochemical correlates of behavior in partial epilepsy

We correlated interictal (>6 h after seizure) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), neuropeptides, amino acids, and cortisol with self-report behavioral rating scales in 19 patients with medically intractable complex partial seizures. The Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger Trait Anxiety Scale, and Personality Disorders Questionnaire-Revised [DSM-IIIR-based personality disorder (PD) rating scale] were used to assess behavior. There were no significant correlations between either HVA or 5-HIAA and behavioral scores. The strongest findings were the positive correlations between CSF levels of neuropeptide Y and depression and between CSF levels of cortisol and antisocial PD. Five other significant correlations were also found. There was no significant effect of the presence or levels of carbamazepine or phenytoin on those CSF neurochemicals that were associated with behavioral scores. This preliminary study suggests that certain behavioral features in epilepsy may have neurochemical markers.
Computational Study of Heat Transport in Compositionally Disordered Binary Crystals

The thermal conductivity of compositionally disordered binary crystals with atoms interacting through Lennard-Jones potentials has been studied as a function of temperature. The two species in the crystal differ in mass, hard-core atomic diameter, well depth and relative concentration. The isobaric Monte Carlo was used to equilibrate the samples at near-zero pressure. The isoenergy molecular dynamics combined with the Green–Kubo approach was taken to calculate the heat current time-dependent autocorrelation function and determine the lattice thermal conductivity of the sample. The inverse temperature dependence of the lattice thermal conductivity was shown to fail at low temperatures when the atomic diameters of the two species differ. Instead, the thermal conductivity was nearly a constant across temperatures for species with different atomic diameters. Overall, it is shown that there is a dramatic decrease of the lattice thermal conductivity with increasing atomic radii ratio between species and a moderate decrease due to mass disorder.
MRI in the management of scaphoid fractures in skeletally immature patients

Background. The scaphoid is the commonest fractured carpal bone, but excluding a scaphoid fracture with plain radiographs is difficult. Other imaging modalities are being increasingly evaluated in the management of scaphoid injuries. MRI has been shown to be of considerable value in the adult population but there have been limited studies of its use in children.¶Purpose. To evaluate the role of MRI in the acute management of suspected scaphoid injuries in children.¶Methods and materials. Fifty-six children (57 injuries) who had a suspected scaphoid injury underwent MRI within 10 days of their initial trauma. The results of MRI were used to dictate management of the injury.¶Results. In 33 (58 %) of the 57 injuries, MRI was normal and the patient was discharged from care. In 16 cases (28 %), a fractured scaphoid was diagnosed and appropriate treatment started early. Additionally, other fractures around the wrist joint and ganglion cysts were demonstrated on MRI.¶Conclusions. MRI of acute scaphoid injuries in children significantly alters management. Those children with normal scans are discharged earlier. Scaphoid fractures are confirmed earlier and other pathological conditions are also detected.
Noise in amplifiers

In practically every type of research program in the physical sciences as well as in sophisticated engineering analyses, very small electrical signals must be measured and, in general, the limit of attainable precision and detectability is set by noise. This is true for the physicist and chemist performing nuclear magnetic resonance or spectroscopy experiments, for medical and biological researchers interested in evoked potentials, for geologists measuring small remanent magnetic fields in rock samples, for the metallurgist making Fermi surface measurements, and for the engineer performing vibration analysis and sensitive bridge measurements. These are only a few examples of applications in which noise plays a critical role in limiting measurement precision and signal detectability. This article discusses some of the inherent problems and describes techniques for improving signal-to-noise ratio.
Local and overall aerodynamic coefficients for bodies in hypersonic, rarefied flow

A computational method is given for the prediction of local pressure and viscous shear stress on windward surfaces of bluff, convex, axisymmetric or quasi-axisymmetric, hypersonic bodies in the transitional, rarefied flow regime. Overall aerodynamic forces and moments are computed by integration of the local quantities. The method is based upon a correlation of local pressure and shear stress computed by the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) numerical technique for cold wall, real gas conditions and some supplemental data from low-density, hypersonic wind tunnels. The relative simplicity of the method makes it feasible to do the necessary calculations with a personal computer. Two-dimensional shapes and leeward surfaces are not included in the scope of the method as it is presented here. Results are compared with DSMC computations for both local and overall coefficients. The latter includes sphere and blunt cone drag as well as lift and pitching moment coefficients for the NASA AFE vehicle at various angles of attack. Very satisfactory agreement is shown.
Nitric Oxide Trapping of the Tyrosyl Radical of Prostaglandin H Synthase-2 Leads to Tyrosine Iminoxyl Radical and Nitrotyrosine Formation

Abstract The determination of protein nitrotyrosine content has become a frequently used technique for the detection of oxidative tissue damage. Protein nitration has been suggested to be a final product of the production of highly reactive nitrogen oxide intermediates (e.g. peroxynitrite) formed in reactions between nitric oxide (NO⋅) and oxygen-derived species such as superoxide. The enzyme prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PHS-2) forms one or more tyrosyl radicals during its enzymatic catalysis of prostaglandin formation. In the presence of the NO⋅-generator diethylamine nonoate, the electron spin resonance spectrum of the PHS-2-derived tyrosyl radical is replaced by the spectrum of another free radical containing a nitrogen atom. The magnitude of the nitrogen hyperfine coupling constant in the latter species unambiguously identifies it as an iminoxyl radical, which is likely formed by the oxidation of nitrosotyrosine, a stable product of the addition of NO⋅ to tyrosyl radical. Addition of superoxide dismutase did not alter the spectra, indicating that peroxynitrite was not involved. Western blot analysis of PHS-2 after exposure to the NO⋅-generator revealed nitrotyrosine formation. The results provide a mechanism for nitric oxide-dependent tyrosine nitration that does not require formation of more highly reactive nitrogen oxide intermediates such as peroxynitrite or nitrogen dioxide.
Effects of fuel Lewis number on flame spread over solids

Abstract Using a detailed two-dimensional numerical model, a systematic investigation has been made to study the effect of fuel Lewis number (Le F = α /D F ) and mass transfer on flame spread over thin solids. The fuel Lewis number affects the flame spread rates for both concurrent and opposed flames over thin fuels. The dependence of the flame spread rate on Le F for these two spreading modes is, however, not the same. In opposed flame spreads (zero-gravity, self-propagation, and normal gravity downward propagation), the flame spread rate vs. Le F curve is non-monotonic with a maximum value occurring at an intermediate value of Le F = 0.5. In steady, concurrent spread in zero-gravity with low-speed flow and a constant flame length, the flame spread rate decreases with Le F in a monotonic manner. By using the computational model as a tool, the effects of fuel mass diffusion perpendicular to and parallel with the solid surface are isolated to obtain more physical insight on the two-dimensional aspect of fuel mass transfer on flame spread. In addition, the model has also been used to decouple the solid evaporation process so that the fuel diffusion effect in the gas-phase can be isolated. Both of these theoretical exercises contribute to the understanding of mass transfer effects on the flame spreading phenomena over solids.
Platelet Adenylate Cyclase and Monoamine Oxidase in Women with Alcoholism or a Family History of Alcoholism

Purpose. Characteristic changes of platelet membrane monoamine oxidase and adenylate cyclase activities have been described in men with alcoholism. We studied the occurrence of these changes in abstinent alcoholic women and in nonalcoholic female control subjects with and without family histories of alcoholism.Methods. Blood samples were collected from 23 female alcoholics and 39 nonalcoholic female social drinkers. Platelet membrane assays were performed for monoamine oxidase and adenylate cyclase activities.Results. Alcoholic women had lower basal adenylate cyclase (p < 0.01) and adenylate cyclase activities stimulated by cesium fluoride (p < 0.001), by the guanine nucleotide analog 5-guanylylimidodiphosphate (p < 0.02), and by prostaglandin E1 (p < 0.01). Female control subjects with family histories of alcoholism also had lower basal adenylate cyclase (p < 0.01) and adenylate cyclase activities enhanced by incubation with cesium fluoride (p < 0.005) and 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate (p < 0.001). Monoami...
CD44v6 Regulates Growth of Brain Tumor Stem Cells Partially through the AKT-Mediated Pathway

Identification of stem cell-like brain tumor cells (brain tumor stem-like cells; BTSC) has gained substantial attention by scientists and physicians. However, the mechanism of tumor initiation and proliferation is still poorly understood. CD44 is a cell surface protein linked to tumorigenesis in various cancers. In particular, one of its variant isoforms, CD44v6, is associated with several cancer types. To date its expression and function in BTSC is yet to be identified. Here, we demonstrate the presence and function of the variant form 6 of CD44 (CD44v6) in BTSC of a subset of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Patients with CD44high GBM exhibited significantly poorer prognoses. Among various variant forms, CD44v6 was the only isoform that was detected in BTSC and its knockdown inhibited in vitro growth of BTSC from CD44high GBM but not from CD44low GBM. In contrast, this siRNA-mediated growth inhibition was not apparent in the matched GBM sample that does not possess stem-like properties. Stimulation with a CD44v6 ligand, osteopontin (OPN), increased expression of phosphorylated AKT in CD44high GBM, but not in CD44low GBM. Lastly, in a mouse spontaneous intracranial tumor model, CD44v6 was abundantly expressed by tumor precursors, in contrast to no detectable CD44v6 expression in normal neural precursors. Furthermore, overexpression of mouse CD44v6 or OPN, but not its dominant negative form, resulted in enhanced growth of the mouse tumor stem-like cells in vitro. Collectively, these data indicate that a subset of GBM expresses high CD44 in BTSC, and its growth may depend on CD44v6/AKTpathway.
Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories.

A National Research Council report has recommended practices for safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals in laboratories. They are a practical alternative to detailed regulations on individual chemicals.
Screening for cardiac disease in patients having noncardiac surgery

The preoperative evaluation of the cardiac patient having noncardiac surgery offers an opportunity to identify occult and further define known cardiovascular disease to modify both perioperative and long-term care. The baseline probability of cardiovascular disease should initially be assessed using clinical variables and identifying unstable symptoms, including unstable angina and congestive heart failure. The decision about whether to obtain noninvasive testing to further define cardiovascular status should be made on the basis of the testing's potential to modify perioperative care, the prior probability of advanced coronary disease based on clinical history, and the magnitude of the surgical procedure. Noninvasive testing is best done in selected patients who are at moderate clinical risk. Otherwise, testing loses its predictive value because of a high incidence of false-negative and false-positive results. Quantitative imaging can also be used to identify those patients in whom coronary angiography is indicated. The value of coronary revascularization before noncardiac surgery has not been studied in a randomized, prospective manner, but several cohort studies have suggested that patients who survive coronary artery bypass grafting have decreased risk during subsequent noncardiac surgery. Given the potential short-term increase in morbidity from two surgical procedures, it is prudent to reserve coronary revascularization before noncardiac surgery for those patients in whom it is associated with improved long-term survival. If coronary revascularization is reserved for these patients, then the overall evaluation should prove cost-effective from the perspective of both perioperative and long-term cardiovascular care.
A comparison of behavioral and attentional functioning in children diagnosed as hyperactive or learning-disabled.

The attentional and behavioral functioning of children diagnosed as hyperactive (ADHD), learning-disabled (LD), and hyperactive/learning-disabled were compared, using standardized behavior rating scales across raters and settings, and results from a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests. The ADHD and LD groups were “pure” samples with respect to comorbidity. Multiple discriminant-function analyses on the behavioral and neuropsychological data showed that one variate made clear-cut discriminations among and between each of the three groups. The constructs self-regulation, task accuracy/planning/speed, and aggression differentiated the three groups, while sustained attention did not. The results lend strong support to the validity of ADHD as a diagnostic entity apart from LD, and suggest that poor selfregulation and inhibition of behavior may be the hallmark of ADHD.
Meeting the ABET program outcome for issues and responsibilities: an evaluation of CS, IS, and IT programs

There are nine common outcomes which apply to Computer Science (CS), Information Systems (IS), and Information Technology (IT) programs that seek accreditation by ABET. One of these is that the graduating students have an "understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities." ABET does not mandate how this program outcome is to be achieved, so programs can fulfill this outcome using a number of options from single to multiple courses from both inside or outside of the department. A research project was designed to determine how the three types of programs within the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission compare and contrast in fulfilling this outcome. The nine currently accredited IT programs were evaluated along with a randomly selected set of nine CS programs and nine IS programs. Data was gathered from publicly published Web sites, then analyzed for the course delivery method and timing. Commonalities and differences among the three types of programs are presented.
Replication, history, and grafting in the Ori file system

Ori is a file system that manages user data in a modern setting where users have multiple devices and wish to access files everywhere, synchronize data, recover from disk failure, access old versions, and share data. The key to satisfying these needs is keeping and replicating file system history across devices, which is now practical as storage space has outpaced both wide-area network (WAN) bandwidth and the size of managed data. Replication provides access to files from multiple devices. History provides synchronization and offline access. Replication and history together subsume backup by providing snapshots and avoiding any single point of failure. In fact, Ori is fully peer-to-peer, offering opportunistic synchronization between user devices in close proximity and ensuring that the file system is usable so long as a single replica remains. Cross-file system data sharing with history is provided by a new mechanism called grafting. An evaluation shows that as a local file system, Ori has low overhead compared to a File system in User Space (FUSE) loopback driver; as a network file system, Ori over a WAN outperforms NFS over a LAN.
Comparative examination of adhesive and cohesive properties of fluorinated coatings on stone/tile surfaces

A NanoScratch methodology was used to evaluate the relative adhesive and cohesive strength of fluorinated poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) and fluorinated phosphate coatings on stone and tile surfaces. In general, all coatings showed ability to bind to the stone and tile surfaces, and polymer-based coatings expressed stronger adhesion compared to a small-molecule fluorinated phosphate coating. Also, anionic fluorinated polymers containing methacrylic acid (MAA) residues in the ammonium carboxylate form adhered more strongly compared to corresponding acidic polymer counterparts. In addition, anionic fluorinated polymers, shown to adhere more strongly to granite than marble, possibly due to strong Lewis acid-base interaction between carboxylate and aluminosilicates. Conversely, the fluorinated polymers, bearing the MAA side-chains in their free-acid form, bound more strongly to marble via possible Bronsted acid-base interactions between carboxylic acid and calcium carbonate. Lastly, in most cases, comparable fracture thresholds were observed for the same coating material on different substrates. This was expected since fracture threshold is a measure of the mechanical strength of the coating material, independent of the substrate difference.
A short proof of the degree bound for interval number

Abstract A short proof is given of the fact that every graph has an interval representation of depth 2 in which each vertex v is represented by at most ⌊ 1 2 (d(v)+1)⌋ intervals, except for an arbitrarily specified vertex w that appears left-most in the representation and is represented by at most ⌈ 1 2 ;(d(w)+1)⌉ intervals.
Poor kidney-transplant survival in recipients with frozen-blood transfusions or no transfusions.

Abstract The one-year cadaver-kidney survival-rate in 93 recipients who had not been exposed to transfused white blood-cells prior to transplantation was 28±6%, which was significantly lower than the 53±4% survival-rate of 197 cadaver transplants in patients who were known to have been transfused (p
Recollections of parental behaviour, adult attachment and mental health: mediating and moderating effects.

Background Attachment theory posits links between early experiences with parents, adult relationships and adult mental health, but does not specify whether these are independent, mediating, or moderating effects. Methods Associations of parent's behaviour on the Parental Bonding Instrument, adult attachment styles and three dimensions of mental health were investigated in a large sample of women and men. Results Men and women with secure styles recalled higher levels of care from both parents than those with fearful styles. Maternal and paternal control were more consistent predictors of increased distress for men than for women. Fearful and preoccupied adult styles were associated with higher levels of distress in both men and women. While adult styles had few mediating effects on the association of parental behaviour and mental health, interactions between the fearful style and parental variables suggested that this form of insecurity sometimes accentuated the impact of high parental care or low paternal control on mental health in both men and women; among women, however, the secure style seemed to buffer somewhat the negative effect of high parental control. Conclusion Although the amount of variance explained by either parental behaviour or adult styles was modest, patterns of moderating effects of adult styles on associations between parental behaviour and mental health suggested that both continuity and discontinuity principles can be applied to understanding these links.
Nonlinear Restoration of Diffused Images via Seeded Instability

We demonstrate a nonlinear method for restoring the quality of diffused images. It works by introducing a self-focusing medium into the optical path and allowing the underlying correlations to grow as they propagate. More specifically, the method is a dynamical stochastic resonance in which a weak signal seeds an instability in the diffuse background. The resonance is determined by the transition point between competing instabilities, with optimal growth occurring when the spatial scale of the instability matches that of the object of interest. The results are presented within the general framework of nonlinear statistical optics and have implications for information theory, basic wave physics, and nonlinear system design.
The relationship between critical oxygen level and antibiotic synthesis of capreomycin and cephalosporin C

This paper illustrates the type of conclusions which may be reached by the use of an electrode for measuring oxygen tension in fermentation broths. The critical oxygen level, based on oxygen uptake, and the minimum oxygen tension necessary for maximum antibiotic synthesis for two commercial antibiotic fermentations, capreomycin and cephalosporin C, were studied. Capreomycin yields were depressed at an oxygen tension which was slightly below the critical oxygen level. Cephalosporin C synthesis was depressed at an oxygen tension higher than the critical oxygen level.
Water and climate: Recognize anthropogenic drought.

California's current extreme drought must be a lesson for managing water in a warmer, more densely populated world, say Amir AghaKouchak and colleagues.
Antifertility Effects of Indomethacin During Early Pregnancy in the Rabbit

Administration of indomethacin (Id, 8 mg/kg twice daily), a prostaglandin (PG) synthetase inhibitor, on Days 4-7 of gestationresultedin a nearly complete inhibitionof fetaldevelopment in rabbits. The small number of fetuses which survived to Day 14 were smaller than normal as were their associated decidual and placental tissues. In contrast to results with indomethacin in some other experimental animals, no evidence for teratologic effects was seen. Concomitant administration of estradiol-1713, progesterone, LH or LH/FSH with Id did not reverse the antifertility effects of the drug. PGE2 and PGF20 partially reversed the reduction in numbers of live fetuses caused by Id. PG’s did not, however, reverse the decline in fetal, placental or decidual tissue weights. Id alone had no apparent effects on luteal weights. A lower dose of Id (3 mg/kg twice daily) on Days 4-7 likewise reduced fetal, placental, and decidual weights. Injection of the higher dose level of Id during the postimplantation period (Days 9-12) had little effect on pregnancy. The results suggest that normal PG synthesis, most likely at the uterine or ovarian level, is required for the normal progress of events surrounding ovo-implantation in the rabbit.
Conditionally Immortalized Neural Cell Lines: Potential Models for the Study of Neural Cell Function

Abstract Studies on primary cell cultures have contributed significantly to our understanding of neural cell function. Nevertheless, for many studies the value of these primary cell cultures has been limited by the time the cultures survivein vitro,the quantity of cellular material available for analysis, and the need to prepare the cells on a regular basis from fresh tissue. Techniques for immortalizing cells have existed for some time, but the repertoire of immortalizing genes has grown significantly. This has expanded our ability to generate useful cell lines of specific neural types that are better models of thein vivophenotype than previously. The constitutive expression of oncogenes keeps cells in a proliferative state that could lead to the loss of differentiated gene expression and function. An appealing improvement of immortalization methodology is the use of temperature-sensitive oncogenes that generate cell lines that can proliferate at a permissive temperature and “differentiate” at a nonpermissive temperature. The proliferation of such conditionally immortalized cell lines can be suppressed simply by increasing the temperature. Cell lines maintained at the nonpermissive temperature can enter into a stage in which they express differentiated properties of the cell. The potential ability of conditionally immortalized neural cell lines to accurately reflect theirin vivofunction has now been demonstrated on several occasions through transplantation experiments. In this report, the generation of these cell lines is described along with a discussion of their potential applications in neurobiology.
RACE/ETHNICITY, PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION, AND BELIEFS ABOUT THE MEANING OF AN OBAMA PRESIDENCY

This paper explores how race0ethnicity and perceptions of racial discrimination and inequality shape beliefs about the implications of an Obama presidency for U.S. race relations. Specifically, using data from a June0July 2008 Gallup0USA Today survey, we examine how African Americans, Hispanics, and Whites differ in their perceptions of the importance of an Obama victory and in beliefs about the implications of such for race relations, racial progress, and opportunities for Blacks in their careers and in national politics. We also examine how perceptions of the extent and nature of racial discrimination and inequality shape these outcomes (overall and by race0ethnicity). Results show that African Americans, relative to Whites and Hispanics, are especially likely to see an Obama victory as important and meaningful in terms of relatively abstract notions of racial change. In contrast, Hispanics are more likely than African Americans and Whites to believe that an Obama win will translate into concrete societal changes, such as expanded opportunities for Blacks in work and politics. In addition, perceived discrimination and inequality positively shape all of the outcomes under study (more perceived discrimination equals more importance and optimism attached to an Obama win), though this association is especially strong among Whites—a pattern possibly rooted in divergent meanings attached to perceived discrimination and inequality by race0ethnicity. Overall, our findings suggest that African Americans view an Obama victory as meaningful primarily because of its symbolic significance, rather than because they believe it will result in substantive racial progress. We conclude by offering some speculation and selected questions for future research on race and U.S. politics.
CORM-A1 prevents blood-brain barrier dysfunction caused by ionotropic glutamate receptor-mediated endothelial oxidative stress and apoptosis

In cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMVEC) of newborn pigs, glutamate at excitotoxic concentrations (mM) causes apoptosis mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Carbon monoxide (CO) produced by CMVEC or delivered by a CO-releasing molecule, CORM-A1, has antioxidant properties. We tested the hypothesis that CORM-A1 prevents cerebrovascular endothelial barrier dysfunction caused by glutamate excitotoxicity. First, we identified the glutamate receptors (GluRs) and enzymatic sources of ROS involved in the mechanism of endothelial apoptosis. In glutamate-exposed CMVEC, ROS formation and apoptosis were blocked by rotenone, 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), and antimycin, indicating that mitochondrial complexes I, II, and III are the major sources of oxidative stress. Agonists of ionotropic GluRs (iGluRs) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), cis-ACPD, AMPA, and kainate increased ROS production and apoptosis, whereas iGluR antagonists exhibited antiapoptotic properties, suggesting that iGluRs mediate glutamate-induced endothelial apoptosis. The functional consequences of endothelial injury were tested in the model of blood-brain barrier (BBB) composed of CMVEC monolayer on semipermeable membranes. Glutamate and iGluR agonists reduced transendothelial electrical resistance and increased endothelial paracellular permeability to 3-kDa dextran. CORM-A1 exhibited potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties in CMVEC and completely prevented BBB dysfunction caused by glutamate and iGluR agonists. Overall, the endothelial component of the BBB is a cellular target for excitotoxic glutamate that, via a mechanism involving a iGluR-mediated activation of mitochondrial ROS production and apoptosis, leads to BBB opening that may be prevented by the antioxidant and antiapoptotic actions of CORMs. Antioxidant CORMs therapy may help preserve BBB functional integrity in neonatal cerebrovascular disease.
Ecological implications of behavioural syndromes

Ecology Letters (2012) Abstract Interspecific trait variation has long served as a conceptual foundation for our understanding of ecological patterns and dynamics. In particular, ecologists recognise the important role that animal behaviour plays in shaping ecological processes. An emerging area of interest in animal behaviour, the study of behavioural syndromes (animal personalities) considers how limited behavioural plasticity, as well as behavioural correlations affects an individual’s fitness in diverse ecological contexts. In this article we explore how insights from the concept and study of behavioural syndromes provide fresh understanding of major issues in population ecology. We identify several general mechanisms for how population ecology phenomena can be influenced by a species or population’s average behavioural type, by within-species variation in behavioural type, or by behavioural correlations across time or across ecological contexts. We note, in particular, the importance of behavioural type-dependent dispersal in spatial ecology. We then review recent literature and provide new syntheses for how these general mechanisms produce novel insights on five major issues in population ecology: (1) limits to species’ distribution and abundance; (2) species interactions; (3) population dynamics; (4) relative responses to human-induced rapid environmental change; and (5) ecological invasions.
Cdc42-interacting Protein 4 Mediates Binding of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein to Microtubules

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an inherited X-linked immunodeficiency characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, and a tendency toward lymphoid malignancy. Lymphocytes from affected individuals have cytoskeletal abnormalities, and monocytes show impaired motility. The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is a multi-domain protein involved in cytoskeletal organization. In a two-hybrid screen, we identified the protein Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4) as a WASP interactor. CIP4, like WASP, is a Cdc42 effector protein involved in cytoskeletal organization. We found that the WASP-CIP4 interaction is mediated by the binding of the Src homology 3 domain of CIP4 to the proline-rich segment of WASP. Cdc42 was not required for this interaction. Co-expression of CIP4 and green fluorescent protein-WASP in COS-7 cells led to the association of WASP with microtubules. In vitro experiments showed that CIP4 binds to microtubules via its NH2 terminus. The region of CIP4 responsible for binding to active Cdc42 was localized to amino acids 383–417, and the mutation I398S abrogated binding. Deletion of the Cdc42-binding domain of CIP4 did not affect the colocalization of WASP with microtubules in vivo. We conclude that CIP4 can mediate the association of WASP with microtubules. This may facilitate transport of WASP to sites of substrate adhesion in hematopoietic cells.
Broadband Terahertz Computed Tomography Using a 5k-pixel Real-time THz Camera

We present a novel THz computed tomography system that enables fast 3-dimensional imaging and spectroscopy in the 0.6-1.2 THz band. The system is based on a new real-time broadband THz camera that enables rapid acquisition of multiple cross-sectional images required in computed tomography. Tomographic reconstruction is achieved using digital images from the densely-packed large-format (80×64) focal plane array sensor located behind a hyper-hemispherical silicon lens. Each pixel of the sensor array consists of an 85 μm × 92 μm lithographically fabricated wideband dual-slot antenna, monolithically integrated with an ultra-fast diode tuned to operate in the 0.6-1.2 THz regime. Concurrently, optimum impedance matching was implemented for maximum pixel sensitivity, enabling 5 frames-per-second image acquisition speed. As such, the THz computed tomography system generates diffraction-limited resolution cross-section images as well as the three-dimensional models of various opaque and partially transparent objects. As an example, an over-the-counter vitamin supplement pill is imaged and its material composition is reconstructed. The new THz camera enables, for the first time, a practical application of THz computed tomography for non-destructive evaluation and biomedical imaging.
Secular Variation in the Inclination of the Orbit of Earth Satellite (1957 β) and Air Drag/Säkulare Variation der Bahnneigung des Erdsatelliten 1957 β infolge des Luftwiderstandes/Influence de la traînée sur les variations séculaires de l’inclinaison de l’orbite du satellite 1957 β

Recent orbital studies made by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory of the artificial earth satellite 1957 β indicate a decrease in the inclination of the orbit of the order of 10−3 degrees per day [5].
A Varshamov-Gilbert bound for a class of formally self-dual codes and related quantum codes

It is proved that a class of q-ary (2n,n) formally self-dual codes obtained from symmetric matrices over GF (q), contains codes that meet the Varshamov-Gilbert bound. The codes are self-dual with respect to the symplectic inner product and yield quantum codes encoding one state with n q-ary qubits and having minimum distance proportional to n.
Posttraumatic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Associated with a Diaphragmatic Hernia

The case of a patient with a chronic, posttraumatic descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and a large diaphragmatic hernia is presented. We repaired the diaphragm with Prolene mesh and externally grafted the aneurysm. To our knowledge, simultaneous repair of these two chronic injuries has not been reported. The merits of external grafting of aortic aneurysms are discussed.
Learning Algorithms for Separable Approximations of Discrete Stochastic Optimization Problems

We propose the use of sequences of separable, piecewise linear approximations for solving nondifferentiable stochastic optimization problems. The approximations are constructed adaptively using a combination of stochastic subgradient information and possibly sample information on the objective function itself. We prove the convergence of several versions of such methods when the objective function is separable and has integer break points, and we illustrate their behavior on numerical examples. We then demonstrate the performance on nonseparable problems that arise in the context of two-stage stochastic programming problems, and demonstrate that these techniques provide near-optimal solutions with a very fast rate of convergence compared with other solution techniques.
An Architecture for Interoperability of Layered Manufacturing Data

In this paper, we address the lack of interoperability of data in commercial layered manufacturing systems. Since it is a new field, all machines require users to deal with vendor specific softwares and data formats. We propose a simple architecture, one that already exists in the NC machining domain, to address this issue. Analogous to CLData, we propose LMData that is not vendor specific and can be used on a variety of LM machines. Implementation and examples are presented.
Material Modeling for Shape Deposition Manufacturing of Biomimetic Components

As our understanding of the principles underlying animal locomotion improves, we are inspired to apply them to robot design. This has traditionally been achieved through controls or discrete mechanical devices; however, new manufacturing methods, such as Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM), offer us the opportunity to develop mechanisms containing intrinsic mechanical properties tailored for function. To properly utilize SDM, we must develop a bridge between biology and design. As a first step, we have conducted relaxation and dynamic tests on the ablated metathoracic limb of the Blaberus discoidalis cockroach and derived measures of stiffness and damping. We then tested an SDM-compatible polymer with similar viscoelastic properties. Comparison and understanding of the mapping between these two materials enables us to design and manufacture legs with stiffness and damping similar to those found in insects. NOMENCLATURE
Structural and Electronic Properties of Crystalline, Isomerically Pure Anthradithiophene Derivatives

Anthradithiophene chromophores are found in many current high-performance organic semiconductors, even though these materials are typically synthesized as an inseparable mixture of syn and anti isomers. Recent syntheses of pure syn anthradithiophenes have shown no improvement in performance for the more homogeneous system, but similar studies on the pure anti isomer have not been reported. In this work, a simple protocol is described to prepare the pure anti isomer of fluorinated, functionalized anthradithiophenes, and perform detailed analysis of the intermolecular interactions in the crystal that yield increased density and closer chromophore contacts. Studies of the charge-transport properties of these pure isomers, compared to the isomeric mixtures, suggest that the benefit of isomer purity is not consistent; in the syn case, there was minimal difference between the pure isomer and the mixture, while for the anti isomer mobility improved nearly twofold. Analysis of disorder in the crystals suggests a reason for this difference in performance.