cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alkali metal consumption by discharge lamps fabricated from GE-180 aluminosilicate glass

Alkali rf-discharge lamps provide the light for optical pumping in vapor-cell atomic clocks and magnetometers. Traditionally, the discharge lamp's envelope has been fabricated from alkali-resistant Corning 1720 aluminosilicate glass, and such lamps have demonstrated decade-long continuous operation. Specifically, the diffusion of alkali atoms into this glass during lamp operation has been shown to be sufficiently slow that lifetimes in excess of ten years can be obtained using only moderate initial alkali fill levels (< 400 µg). However, Corning 1720 glass is no longer being manufactured. It is therefore important to identify alternative glass types that offer comparable alkali resistance, and that are readily available. Although Schott 8436 aluminosilicate glass has been shown to be a suitable substitute, it would be advantageous to identify an alternate glass type produced in higher volume. One alternative, which is manufactured in very high volume for use in automotive lamps, is GE-180 glass. Although this glass also offers high alkali resistivity due to its aluminosilicate composition, the rate of diffusion of alkali atoms into this material when employed as the glass envelope of an rf-discharge lamp has not been measured. We present here our initial results, obtained by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), of the rate of Rb consumption by discharge lamps manufactured with GE-180 glass. Our results suggest that GE-180 is an excellent substitute for Corning 1720 glass in rf-discharge lamps. We also discuss some unusual issues that have been observed during our DSC measurements, and we outline some new methods for attaining accurate alkali lamp fills using the DSC technique.
Outcome from acute renal failure complicating critical illness is influenced by age

Acute renal failure is a common complication of critical illness. Renal replacement therapy with continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH) is now a routine element of the organ support provided to these patients. The decision to initiate therapy is made on the basis of fluid balance, electrolytes, the degree of accumulation of urea and creatinine and, importantly, on the likely benefit to the patient. In order to help inform this decision we conducted a retrospective audit of the outcome in terms of hospital mortality of patients receiving CVVH in our district hospital general intensive care unit. Records were reviewed covering a period of 7 years; September 1995–November 2002. Over this period of time there was a total of 3848 admissions, with a mean APACHE II score of 16.2; these patients had a mean hospital mortality of 26%. Over the same period of time, 276 patients received CVVH. These patients had a mean APACHE II score of 24.8 and a mean hospital mortality of 53.3%. Examination of the data by age group showed that, up to the age of 75 years, the mortality rate was around the average. From 75 years onwards, however, mortality increased rapidly, with those aged 75–80 years having a mortality rate of 73%, and those older than 80 years having 100% mortality. Intensivists require a performance audit of this kind if they are to establish reasonable limits to the extent of organ support. We contend that this provides valuable information for clinicians at the bedside and in discussions with patients and their relatives. Figure 1
Nonuniform photonic sampling techniques for broadband frequency identification

We present the experimental results of a photonic analog-to-digital conversion testbed seeking to optimize the performance and applicability of nonuniform photonic sampling techniques.
Ethnic Variations in Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors: A Prominent Subtype Marked by Nonpsychiatric Factors Among Asian Americans

Objective Main objectives were to utilize multivariate rather than traditional regression approaches to capture the heterogeneity of subtypes of suicidal ideation and behaviors within ethnic minority groups. Mental illness is associated with suicidal ideation and behaviors in a vast majority of the general population, making psychopathology a common identifier of suicide risk. Yet recent studies suggest a need to better characterize suicidal ideation and behaviors among ethnic minorities and Asian Americans who do not exhibit the most commonly assessed risk factors. Method The present study examined adults 18 years of age or older from the National Latino and Asian American Study and utilized latent class analysis to classify 191 Asian Americans with a history of serious suicidal ideation or attempts from a community sample into subtypes. Results Two main subtypes resulted, including 48% in a “psychiatric” and 52% in a “nonpsychiatric” subtype of suicidal ideation and behaviors. The nonpsychiatric subtype was predominantly characterized by sociocultural factors (discrimination, family conflict, and low acculturation), medical problems, and limited functioning. The nonpsychiatric was less likely than the psychiatric subtype to seek help for mental health but was no different in access to a medical doctor, highlighting possible points of outreach. Conclusions Findings advance the culture and suicide literature by highlighting how current research and practice that characterize suicidal ideation and behaviors as a mental health phenomenon may not comprehensively identify suicidality among an ethnic minority group.
Analysis of volatile components and the sensory characteristics of irradiated raw pork

Longissimus dorsi muscle strips, approximately 20 mm long, 40 mm wide, and 5 mm thick (4 g), of pig were randomly placed in a single layer into labeled bags (four strips per bag) and packaged either aerobically or under vacuum. Samples in the bags were irradiated at 0, 5, or 10 kGy and stored at 4°C for 5 days. Lipid oxidation, the amount and identity of volatile components and sensory characteristics of raw pork strips were determined at 0 and 5 days of storage. Irradiated muscle strips produced more 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) than nonirradiated only in aerobic packaging during storage. Irradiation had no effect on the production of volatiles related to lipid oxidation, but produced a few sulfur-containing compounds not found in nonirradiated meat. This indicates that the major contributor of off-odor in irradiated meat is not lipid oxidation, but radiolytic breakdown of sulfur-containing amino acids. Many of the irradiation-dependent volatiles reduced to 50 to 25% levels during the 5-days storage under aerobic conditions. Irradiated muscle strips produced stronger irradiation odor than nonirradiated, but no irradiation dose or storage effect was found. Irradiation had no negative effect on the acceptance of meat, and approximately 70% of sensory panels characterized irradiation odor as barbecued-corn-like odor.
Acute Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury.

•At the authors’ institution, a multidisciplinary team of trauma physicians, neurosurgeons, and anesthesiologists evaluates patients with suspected spinal cord injury. Our initial goal after resuscitation and evaluation is to assure adequate tissue oxygenation through blood pressure support and oxygen supplementation. This supplementation helps ensure maximal oxygen delivery to the injured spinal cord. It is important that a detailed and standardized neurologic examination is performed and repeated often to detect neurologic decline. •Immediately after a potential spinal cord injury is identified, methylprednisolone is administered (ideally during transport from the accident scene). •Plain x-rays of the spine are the first films obtained. Once a fracture is identified, a computerized CT scan through the identified region is done. If the injury involves the cervical spine, and reduction is needed to correct a deformity, closed reduction with placement of a halo-fixation device is performed in the emergency room. We believe that reduction to normal spinal alignment should be accomplished within a few hours of the injury. Once initial immobilization efforts are complete, the patient gets an magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the affected region. •Most spinal cord injury patients at our institution do not undergo emergency surgery. Urgent surgery is only performed in those with continued neurologic decline, and MRI findings of acute compression from lesions such as a ruptured disc or epidural hematoma.
Transthoracic Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

The feasibility and value of transthoracic dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery has not been investigated. We evaluated 611 patients (86.6% female, 42 ± 10 years, 136 ± 18 kg, BMI 48.0 ± 6.1 kg/m2) referred for DSE prior to surgery between February 2000 and July 2005. Mortality and major cardiovascular events (cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, and urgent revascularization) were recorded 30-days postoperatively and at 6 months. Adequate baseline imaging quality was achieved in 590 patients (96.6%), with use of echocardiographic contrast agents in 426 patients (72.2%); the remaining 21 patients (3.4%) were referred for alternative preoperative testing. There were no serious adverse events during DSE, which was negative in 545 patients (92.4%). The test was inconclusive in 38 patients (6.4%), requiring alternative investigations, and positive in 7 patients (1.2%). Eventually, 595 patients proceeded to surgery: 539 with DSE-based risk stratification and 56 with risk stratification based on alternative testing. Laparoscopic procedures were employed in 77.0% of patients. There were 3 perioperative deaths, all attributed to sepsis (perioperative mortality 0.50%), but no major cardiovascular events at 30-days. One patient (evaluated prior to surgery with alternative testing) experienced an acute coronary syndrome during the following 6 months (event rate 0.17%). Transthoracic DSE is feasible and safe in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery; implementation of echocardiographic contrast agents allows for adequate imaging quality in the majority of these patients. However, the very low risk of contemporary bariatric procedures questions the need for routine preoperative stress testing in asymptomatic patients.
ATTENDANCE PATTERNS OF CALIFORNIA SEA LION (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) FEMALES AND PUPS DURING THE NON‐BREEDING SEASON AT SAN MIGUEL ISLAND

The attendance patterns of California sea lions were studied during the non-breeding seasons from 1991 to 1994. Lactating females frequented the rookery to nurse their pups until weaning; most non-lactating females left the rookery for the season. Females spent over 70% of their time at sea except in 1993 when they spent 59% of their time at sea. The mean foraging trip length in the winter and spring ranged from 3.3 to 4.6 d; the mean nursing visit ranged from 1.2 2 to 1.4 d. The duration of foraging trips and nursing visits was variable over the season for individuals but no pattern of change was detected. Interannual and seasonal differences were not significant for time at sea, visits ashore, or foraging-trip duration before, during, or after the 1992-1993 El Nino event. Pups spent an average of 66.6% of their time ashore and up to three days away from the rookery during their mother's absence. Most females and pups stayed associated until April or May. The results suggest that seasonal movement of prey is more important in determining attendance patterns late in the lactation period than increasing energy demands of the pup.
Collective excitations in neutron-deficient barium, xenon and cerium isotopes

Abstract The collective excitations of some neutron-deficient barium, xenon and cerium isotopes have been studied with germanium counters. Various (heavy ion, xn) reactions have been used to produce 126Ba, 124Ba, 120Xe, 120Xe and 134Ce. The decay of 134Pr to 134Ce, with a half-life of 17±2 min, was also studied. Partial level schemes for the ground state rotational bands up to spin 8+ or 10+ are proposed for the nucleides investigated. The mean lifetime of the first excited state in 126Ba has been determined to be 270±50 psec and, hence gives the deformation of 126Ba as β = 0.24±0.02. The implications of the rotational energies and spacings as related to deformation in this region are discussed.
Performance analysis of parallel flow intersection and displaced left turn intersection designs

The displaced left-turn (DLT) design, also known as the continuous flow intersection, has proved to be a superior alternative to the conventional intersection in terms of handling heavy volumes during peak periods. In locations where the availability of additional right-of-way and driveway access is not a major concern, the DLT design is a cost-effective and time-saving option compared with the expensive option of grade-separated interchanges. Recently, a new nontraditional intersection design called the parallel flow intersection (PFI) has been proposed. The PFI is also an at-grade design and operates with the same number of signal phases as a DLT. This research compares the operational performance of DLT and PFI designs based on the maximum through and left-turn movement throughputs for three different high-volume scenarios using traffic simulation. The results indicate that maximum throughput values of through movement in the PFI were very close to the values obtained for the DLT. The designs produced similar results, mainly because both operate as two-phase signals (at the main intersection) with equal green times for through movements. The left-turn movement throughputs in the PFI were found to be lower than those in the DLT. For two study cases, the DLT was able to process 180 and 80 more vehicles per hour per lane than the PFI. This is attributable to left-turning vehicles experiencing a greater number of stops, on average, in a PFI than they would in a DLT.
Factors associated with inappropriate inpatient prescribing of acid-suppressive therapy.

Objectives Acid-suppressive therapy is used for 54–70% of inpatients, and is frequently prescribed for inappropriate indications. The objective of this study was to identify characteristics associated with inappropriate prescribing of acid-suppressive therapy. Methods A random sample of adult internal medicine inpatients admitted between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2006 was screened for acid-suppressive therapy. Patients receiving such therapy without an accepted indication and those not prescribed acid-suppressive therapy were included in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Significant characteristics from separate univariate regression models were entered into a multivariate logistic regression to determine characteristics associated with inappropriate use. The setting was internal medicine units at a tertiary care academic medical centre. Key findings There were 108 patients in group 1 and 134 patients in group 2. Group 1 patients were older, had a longer median length of stay, a greater number of comorbidities, a greater median number of medications upon admission, and a higher rate of cirrhosis. Factors associated with use of acid-suppressive therapy without an accepted indication were use of a proton-pump inhibitor (odds ratio, 15.3; 95% confidence interval, 4.1–56.3) or histamine2 receptor antagonist (14.5; 2.8–74.8) prior to admission, cirrhosis (6.4; 1.02–39.5), use of inpatient anticoagulants (2.7; 1.4–5.2) and length of stay (1.1; 1.1-1.3). Conclusions The strongest factors associated with use of acid-suppressive therapy without an accepted indication were use of a proton-pump inhibitor or histamine2 receptor antagonist prior to admission, a diagnosis of cirrhosis and use of inpatient anticoagulants.
Mass enhancement and magnetic order at the Mott-Hubbard transition

We study the evolution with pressure P and band filling y of the heat capacity, Hall coefficient, and resistivity at the approach to the T→0 Mott-Hubbard metal-insulator transition (MIT) in highly correlated V_(2-y)O_3. Under P, the electronic effective mass m* diverges at the MIT with a negligible change in carrier concentration n away from half-filling. Conversely, in the doped system m* actually decreases as the MIT is approached, while n increases linearly with y. The low-T magnetic order in the metal helps us deconvolute contributions from charge correlations and spin fluctuations.
Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates from a Healthy Student Population

Phenotypic tests, PCR analysis, and DNA sequencing were used to determine the frequency of S. aureus in a healthy student population. Sterile swabs from the nostrils were streaked on mannitol salt and blood agar. All isolates exhibiting beta hemolysis and mannitol fermentation were analyzed by using the coagulase test and Gram stain. PCR amplification of the isolates DNA detected a 273 bp DNA fragment encoding for a 16S rRNA gene. DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis of the amplified ribosomal genes demonstrated a 98% homology with S. aureus 16S rRNA genes. Six percent of the subjects were confirmed to carry S. aureus in the nares. Antimicrobial testing showed that the S. aureus isolated from a healthy population were susceptible to several antibiotics, peppermint oil, and lavender oil.
Bone marrow stem cells in the infarcted heart

Conventionally, the heart is perceived as a terminally differentiated organ, which is incapable of regeneration. Adult stem cell transplantation is aimed at replenishing the myocyte number to compensate for the cardiomyocyte loss during the process of cardiomyocyte necrosis following infarction. More recently, the focus has been shifted on the use of autologous skeletal myoblasts and bone marrow derived stem cells. Here, we have reviewed some interesting aspects of the fast emerging field of bone marrow derived stem cell therapy for cardiac repair.
Relationship between ouabain-induced arrhythmia in the rabbit and tissue catecholamines

Abstract Rabbits were treated with reserpine (0.5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg) 2 to 24 hr prior to the administration of a single toxic dose of ouabain. The time was then measured to the onset of first ventricular extrasytole, ventricular tachycardia and death. All reserpine doses and pretreatment schedules prolonged the time to death but not necessarily to ventricular extrasysole or ventricular tachycardia. Neither body temperature changes nor the fall in blood pressure appeared to be responsible for the reduced capacity of ouabain to induce rhythm changes after reserpine. Prolonged exposure (24 hr) to reserpine causes a decline in the antagonism against ouabain-induced ventricular extrasystole and ventricular tachycardia. It is suggested that the rapid (
Could a Swimming Creature Inform Us on Intestinal Diseases? Lessons from Zebrafish

Understanding a complex pathology such as inflammatory bowel disease, where host genetics (innate and adaptive immunity, barrier function) and environmental factors (microbes, diet, and stress) interact together to influence disease onset and severity, requires multipronged approaches to model these numerous variables. Researchers have typically relied on preclinical models of mouse and rat origin to push the boundary of knowledge further. However, incorporation of novel vertebrate models may contribute to new knowledge on specific aspects of intestinal homeostasis. An emerging literature has seen the use of zebrafish as a novel animal system to study key aspects of host-microbe interactions in the intestine. In this review, we briefly introduce components of host-microbiota interplay in the developing zebrafish intestine and summarize key lessons learned from this animal system; review important chemically induced and genetically engineered zebrafish models of intestinal immune disorders; and discuss perspectives and limitations of the zebrafish model system.
The topology of the cardiac Na+/Ca2 + exchanger, NCX1

The topology of the plasma membrane Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger of cardiac muscle, NCX1, is uncertain. Biochemical analyses have indicated the presence of 9 transmembrane segments (TMSs) whereas the recent crystal structure of a prokaryotic homologue has 10 TMSs. The discrepancy is towards the C-terminus of the proteins where the prokaryotic homologue has an additional TMS8. To resolve this apparent disagreement, we re-assessed the topology of the C-terminal TMSs of NCX1. We examined the ability of internal or external cysteine residues in the N-terminal portion of NCX1 to crosslink with cysteine residues, of uncertain orientation, in the C-terminal portion of the protein. The results strongly support a model of NCX1 with 10 TMSs as found in the prokaryotic homologue.
Phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase from bovine thyroid: characteristics and subcellular distribution of the enzyme and its substrates

Ca2+-phosphatidylserine-dependent protein kinase activity was demonstrated in whole thyroid homogenates, cytosol, particulate, and membrane fractions. Although Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase was difficult to detect in purified thyroid plasma membranes, an EGTA extract of such membranes had this activity. While phosphatidylinositol did not stimulate the enzyme, it enhanced the response to phosphatidylserine in the presence of 10 mmol/L free Ca2+. The enzyme was active at concentrations of free Ca2+ as low as 1 mumol/L but was inhibited at Ca2+ in excess of 500 mumol/L. Bovine thyroid contained endogenous substrates of 38,000 and 33,000 daltons for thyroid or purified spleen Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase. The 38,000 dalton polypeptide was present in all the subcellular fractions while the 33,000 dalton substrate was present only in the whole homogenate and cytosolic fraction. The 38,000 dalton polypeptide, like the Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, was released from thyroid plasma membranes by EGTA. Phosphorylation of this substrate was rapid, highly sensitive to Ca2+, and inhibited by chlorpromazine (100 mumol/L) and trifluoperazine chlorpromazine (100 mumol/L) and trifluoperazine (100 mumol/L). Several substrates of a phospholipid-independent, Ca2+-dependent protein kinase with molecular weights of 51,000, 76,000, and 96,000 were also observed. This Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein phosphorylation system may be important in the membrane-associated functions of the thyroid.
Oxidative phosphorylation in Micrococcus denitrificans under autotrophic growth conditions

Cell-free preparations from autotrophically grown M. denitrificans yielded P/O ratios of 0.6–1.6 with H2, 0.4–1.2 with NADH, 0.7–1.0 with succinate, and 0.3–0.5 with ascorbate as the oxidizable substrates.
Improved Equation for Shear Modulus Using Four-Point Ring-Twist Test Data:

There are numerous test-specimen configurations for determining the static shear modulus of composites. Selection of specimen configuration depends primarily on product component configuration. Two...
Nature of the Metallic Orbital

IN the course of the development of the resonating-valence-bond theory of metals1 it became evident2 that the characteristic structural feature of metals is the possession by each of many atoms in the metal of an extra orbital (the metallic orbital) in addition to the orbitals normally occupied by electrons. This metallic orbital permits the unsynchronized resonance of covalent bonds from one interatomic position to another by the jump of an electron from one atom to an adjacent atom without the need for an opposite jump to retain exact electric neutrality. The metal can thus be described as con taining atoms with formal charges + 1 and − 1 as well as zero (larger formal charges are ruled out by the electroneutrality principle3).
The Paradoxes of Civil Society

Emerging from recent social and political struggles, the notion of `civil society' can and should be transformed into a sociological concept on both the theoretical and empirical level. This means going beyond the Marxist and social democratic understandings of civil society as a world of selfish economic interests, on the one hand, and beyond the liberal equation of civil society with legal protections of individual rights, on the other. Civil society should be conceptualized as a realm of solidarity, a `we-ness' that simultaneously affirms the sanctity of the individual and these individuals' obligations to the collectivity. The solidary sphere, in principle and in practice, can be differentiated not only from markets and states but from such other noncivil spheres as religion, family and science. Yet differentiation does not preclude tension and conflict over boundaries. Civil solidarity is `compromised' and `distorted' by these boundary relations, and also by competing, more primordial definitions of ...
The Thematic Apperception Test and Alzheimer's Disease

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1938, 1943) is widely used in personality description and psychological assessment. Similar narrative tasks are also frequently used as part of neuropsychological assessment. Little is empirically known, however, concerning performances of cognitively impaired individuals on thematic tasks when compared with other diagnostic groups. It was predicted that hospitalized patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) would demonstrate impaired performances on the TAT when compared with a group of nondemented psychiatric inpatients. This prediction was supported, with the DAT group performing significantly worse on TAT dependent measures than the nondemented group. Results indicate total number of words and mean number of words used, loss of instructional set, and tendencies to describe the pictures to be significantly different between groups. These findings are discussed in terms of neuropsychological theory on verbal expression and in terms of use of the TAT as a screening device for clinicians in determining need for neuropsychological evaluation.
Capsular Tear in Line With the Inferior Glenohumeral Ligament: A Cause of Anterior Glenohumeral Instability in 2 Patients

Anterior glenohumeral instability typically involves lesions associated with the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex. Multiple lesions have been described in this setting, including Bankart, humeral avulsion of the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex, and mid-substance capsular tears. These lesions are indicative of the high-force traumatic nature of anterior shoulder dislocation. Two cases of recurrent anterior shoulder instability are presented with a capsular tear perpendicular to the usual orientation and not consistent to the amount of force involved in a dislocation. Arthroscopy revealed a capsular defect from the glenoid to the humeral head in the anterior inferior glenohumeral ligamentous complex in both. This lesion is an unusual circumstance, providing another pathology to include in the differential diagnosis of anterior glenohumeral instability.
A robust DNA mechanical device controlled by hybridization topology

Controlled mechanical movement in molecular-scale devices has been realized in a variety of systems-catenanes and rotaxanes, chiroptical molecular switches, molecular ratchets and DNA-by exploiting conformational changes triggered by changes in redox potential or temperature, reversible binding of small molecules or ions, or irradiation. The incorporation of such devices into arrays could in principle lead to complex structural states suitable for nanorobotic applications, provided that individual devices can be addressed separately. But because the triggers commonly used tend to act equally on all the devices that are present, they will need to be localized very tightly. This could be readily achieved with devices that are controlled individually by separate and device-specific reagents. A trigger mechanism that allows such specific control is the reversible binding of DNA strands, thereby 'fuelling' conformational changes in a DNA machine. Here we improve upon the initial prototype system that uses this mechanism but generates by-products, by demonstrating a robust sequence-dependent rotary DNA device operating in a four-step cycle. We show that DNA strands control and fuel our device cycle by inducing the interconversion between two robust topological motifs, paranemic crossover (PX) DNA and its topoisomer JX2 DNA, in which one strand end is rotated relative to the other by 180 degrees. We expect that a wide range of analogous yet distinct rotary devices can be created by changing the control strands and the device sequences to which they bind.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Reacted Mixtures of Otay Bentonite and Lime

MIXTURES OF THREE TYPES OF LIME, BENTONITE, AND WATER WERE ANALYZED BY INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AFTER THREE YEARS OF REACTION AT 23 DEG C UNDER CONDITIONS APPROACHING 100% RH, AND AFTER HYDROTHERMAL REACTION AT 40 DEG, 80DEG, AND 170 DEG, C. THE PROCEDURE WAS EFFECTIVE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX MIXTURE COMPONENTS. NEW COMPOUNDS IDENTIFIED IN THE 23 DEG C MIXTURES WERE CALCIUM CARBONATE, AS WELL AS HYDRATES OF CALCIUM SILICATE AND CALCIUM ALUMINATE. TOBERMORITE WAS IDENTIFIED IN ALL 170 C MIXTURES, WITH INDICATIONS OF SERPENTINE AND POSSIBLY CHLORITE IN MIXTURES CONTAINING DOLOMITIC LIME, PARTICULARLY THE MONOHYDRATED FORM. REMNANTS OF THE INITIAL COMPONENTS NOT USED IN THE REACTION WERE ALSO NOTED. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF COMPOUND STRUCTURES ARE DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO LATTICE SUBSTITUTION OF ALUMINUM AND MAGNESIUM. /AUTHOR/
Structure of Geranyl Diphosphate C-Methyltransferase from Streptomyces coelicolor and Implications for the Mechanism of Isoprenoid Modification.

Geranyl diphosphate C-methyltransferase (GPPMT) from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) is the first methyltransferase discovered that modifies an acyclic isoprenoid diphosphate, geranyl diphosphate (GPP), to yield a noncanonical acyclic allylic diphosphate product, 2-methylgeranyl diphosphate, which serves as the substrate for a subsequent cyclization reaction catalyzed by a terpenoid cyclase, methylisoborneol synthase. Here, we report the crystal structures of GPPMT in complex with GPP or the substrate analogue geranyl S-thiolodiphosphate (GSPP) along with S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine in the cofactor binding site, resulting from in situ demethylation of S-adenosyl-l-methionine, at 2.05 or 1.82 A resolution, respectively. These structures suggest that both GPP and GSPP can undergo catalytic methylation in crystalline GPPMT, followed by dissociation of the isoprenoid product. S-Adenosyl-l-homocysteine remains bound in the active site, however, and does not exchange with a fresh molecule of cofactor S-adenosyl-l-m...
Geology of the lunar farside crater Necho

The lunar farside crater Necho (30 km diameter) displays intricate morphological and structural characteristics. The highland setting provides a complex impact site when compared with the relatively uniform setting of mare craters. Therefore, the effects of pre-impact topography and structure play a dominant role in Necho's formation and modification. Necho's bright ejecta, extensive rays, fresh morphology, and lack of superposed craters indicate that it is extremely young. The asymmetric distribution of ejecta materials may be due to substrate effects, topographic shalowing, or oblique impact.
An analysis of a silvopastoral system for the marginal land in the Southeast United States

Almost 20 million acres of non-forest cropland in the South can be classified as marginal. Demand projections for forest products call for a 40 percent increase by year 2030. Recent regenerated tree acres lag behind harvested acres. Multiple land use practices combining trees and grazing adjust cash flows forward mitigating negative flow period associated with conventional forest production. Profit opportunities for private, non-industrial landowners can be increased by ranking inputs in order of changes to net present value(NPV). A sensitivity analysis of an agroforestry scenario, including trees, beef cattle, and pasture, allows producers to concentrate management efforts where returns are greatest. Model results show greatest returns to NPV was realized from improvement to Chip-N-Saw income. The least increase in NPV came when the cost of control burns was changed.
α′ precipitation in neutron-irradiated Fe–Cr alloys

A series of model Fe–Cr alloys containing 3–18 at.% Cr was neutron irradiated at a nominal temperature of 563 K to 1.82 dpa. Solute distributions were analyzed by atom probe tomography, which revealed α′ precipitation for alloys containing more than 9 at.% Cr. Both the Cr concentration dependence of α′ precipitation and the measured matrix compositions are in agreement with the recently published Fe–Cr phase diagrams. An irradiation-accelerated precipitation process is strongly suggested.
Heated agreement: Lack of Character as Being for the Good

While there are many things to admire about Robert Adams' A Theory of Virtue, I'm most impressed by the moral psychology. Attention to empirical issues in the moral psychology of virtue has become increasingly commonplace over the past decade or so, but much of the detailed development has come from critics of virtue ethics, while defenders of virtue ethics have often sought to blunt the force of empirical critiques, either by voicing skepticism about the experimental social psychology from which the criticism is drawn, or by denying that the evidence, even if taken over uncritically, adversely impacts virtue ethics. Adams' (p. 118)1 approach is different; he insists that we "must take. . .[the psychological] data into account in our thinking about virtue," and develops his moral psychology out of the available empirical material. Adams' project therefore contrasts with many previous contributions to the virtue ethics literature, where the tactic has frequently been to develop a theory with relatively scant attention to the empirical literature, and then (if at all) attempt to show how the theory so developed can survive an encounter with the psychological facts. Moreover, Adams' understanding of the empirical issues is in many regards more similar to the critics' than the defenders'. Yet Adams construes his task as a defense of virtue ethics: he thinks the psychological facts, rightly understood, constrain the development of virtue ethics, but he insists that virtue ethics, rightly understood, can flourish within these constraints. As one of the empirically motivated critics, I've got a dog in the fight. I've argued that virtue ethics has too often been innocent of the empirical literature, and I've wondered how much of virtue ethics is left when this innocence is sullied
Phase velocity dispersion of F-region waves

Abstract A phase velocity dispersion study of lower F -region ionospheric waves, in the 10–100 min period range, has shown that the horizontal phase velocity varies approximately as the inverse square root of the period, a relationship which implies that horizontal group velocity is twice phase velocity at all periods. Horizontal phase velocity, at any one wave period, increases an order of magnitude from day to night. The vertical phase velocity increases with altitude causing steeper wavefront tilts at higher elevations. Although some of the observed wave characteristics can be explained by the widely accepted internal gravity wave hypothesis, other characteristics appear difficult to explain by a gravity wave mechanism. An alternative explanation is suggested in terms of electromagnetic waves in the ionosphere for which phase velocity dispersion is expressed by V ( cm/sec ) = 1 √σ( e.m.u. ) T −1 2 (sec) . This latter hypothesis, which requires ionospheric electrical conductivities (σ) several orders of magnitude greater than commonly accepted, is nevertheless attractive in that it explains the dispersion and diurnal variation of velocity in a simple and direct manner.
Effects of hyperbaric, normobaric and hypobaric oxygen supplementation on retinal vessels in newborn rats: a preliminary study.

An experimental study was conducted on eight litters of newborn rats to evaluate the effects of supplemental oxygen administration on the retinal vasculature. The animals and their mothers were kept inside a pressure chamber and treated for the first 5 days of life. On the sixth day, they were removed and kept for five more days under room air and normobaric conditions. Three litters received continuous flow oxygen at 80% at a compression pressure of +81 kPa, one litter oxygen at 80% at a pressure of −39·5 kPa atms and three other litters received oxygen at 80% under normobaric conditions. The eighth litter was treated with room air oxygen at a compression pressure of +81 kPa. A severe retinopathy with marked retinal neovascularization was seen only in the newborn animals of the litters that received oxygen supplementation under normobaric or hypobaric conditions. Retinal vessels showed no pathological changes in the litters treated with hyperbaric normoxia or hyperoxia. It is possible to hypothesize that the prolonged period of oxygen supplementation failed to produce harmful effects on the retinal vasculature because the moderate hyperbarism caused mild retinal and choroidal vasoconstriction thus preventing excessive oxygen transport to the inner retina from the choroid during hyperoxia without inducing structural damage to the retinal tissue.
A field-compatible method for interpolating biopotentials.

Mapping of bioelectric potentials over a given surface (e.g., the torso surface, the scalp) often requires interpolation of potentials into regions of missing data. Existing interpolation methods introduce significant errors when interpolating into large regions of high potential gradients, due mostly to their incompatibility with the properties of the three-dimensional (3D) potential field. In this paper, an interpolation method, inverse-forward (IF) interpolation, was developed to be consistent with Laplace's equation that governs the 3D field in the volume conductor bounded by the mapped surface. This method is evaluated in an experimental heart–torso preparation in the context of electrocardiographic body surface potential mapping. Results demonstrate that IF interpolation is able to recreate major potential features such as a potential minimum and high potential gradients within a large region of missing data. Other commonly used interpolation methods failed to reconstruct major potential features or preserve high potential gradients. An example of IF interpolation with patient data is provided to illustrate its applicability in the actual clinical setting. Application of IF interpolation in the context of noninvasive reconstruction of epicardial potentials (the “inverse problem”) is also examined. © 1998 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Myocardial infarction following penetrating wounds of the heart.

Abstract A case is reported in which a presumably normal heart was injured by self-inflicted penetrating wounds of the chest. No tamponade was identified although extensive blood loss occurred. Electrocardiographic evidence of a recent myocardial infarct followed the injury and electrocardiograms are available, unaltered by surgical manipulations, from early in the illness throughout the following year. The patient exhibited no further complications of the conservatively treated penetrating heart wounds. It is postulated that a coronary artery was completely severed leading to myocardial infarction but not to extensive intrapericardial bleeding.
Inhibition of binding of aldehydes of biogenic amines in tissues.

Abstract The binding of aldehydes derived from the biogenic amines (i.e. serotonin, dopamine, tryptamine, etc.) is dependent on the substituents attached to the carbonyl residue, as well as the aldehydic group per se . The hydroxyl group on the aromatic nucleus of “biogenic” aldehydes contributes significantly to the attachment of the moieties to brain tissue. Thus, 5-hydroxyindole and catechol were found to compete selectively with the “biogenic” aldehydes for tissue binding sites. The attachment of the “biogenic” aldehydes to tissue may also be prevented in vitro by various reducing or trapping agents, such as ascorbate, cysteine or glutathione. The possible physiologic significance of aldehyde binding to cellular components is discussed.
Percutaneous biopsy of the kidney and adrenal glands

Percutaneous biopsy techniques play an important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with known or suspected malignancies. With refinements in biopsy techniques and the use of sophisticated guiding modalities, tissue can be reliably obtained for either cytologic or histologic evaluation. These procedures are safer and more cost effective than the surgical option of open biopsy.
A Large Serial Time-Division Multiplexed Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Network

We demonstrated a wavelength scanning time division multiplexing of 1000 ultra-weak fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) for distributed temperature sensing. The strong multiplexing capability and low crosstalk of the ultra-weak FBG sensors is investigated through both theoretical analysis and experiment. An automated FBG fabrication system was developed for fast 1000-FBG fabrication. The measurement accuracy of Bragg wavelengths for more than 80% FBGs is less than 20 pm, corresponding to 2 $^{\circ}$ C in temperature.
Studies of nucleotide conformations and interactions. The relative stabilities of double-helical B-DNA sequence isomers.

We present the results of molecular-mechanics studies on base-paired dinucleoside phosphates and hexanucleoside pentaphosphates. Starting from B-DNA-like conformations, we have refined the nucleic acid conformations, allowing all degrees of freedom to relax. The calculated energies of different base sequences are used to investigate the basis for the different stabilities of DNA polymers of different sequences, as found by Wells et al. [J. Mol. Biol.54, 465–497, 1970]. Our calculations appear to reproduce the relative melting temperatures of sequence isomers as well or better than any of the previous calculations which addresssed the question of nucleotide stability. We offer a detailed physical explanation of three observations, that poly(dA)·poly(dT) melts higher than poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)] by 6°C, that poly(dG)·poly(dC) melts lower than poly[d(G-C)]·poly[d(G-C)] by 12°C, and that poly(dA-dG)·poly(dT-dC) melts lower than poly(dA-dC)·poly(dT-dG) by 6°C. The dihedral angles found after refinement are similar to those of Levitt [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA75, 640–644, 1978] and differ by ∼20° from the B-DNA values. We also see evidence of base tilting and twisting similar to that found by Levitt. The two main differences in the results of our calculations and Levitt's lie in the sugar puckers [we find mainly C(2′)endo] and in the tendency to stay in local “torsional” minima (we find a number of examples of C(3′)endo sugar puckering and ω′ = trans rather than gauche). Both of these results are dependent on the nature of the potential function used in our study. However, our finding of movement from local torsional minima is suggestive of the significant flexibility of double-stranded deoxynucleotides.
Professional leadership education: an analysis

In recent years there has been a marked increase in leadership programs, witness the proliferation of books on leadership, articles in business publications about leadership, and institutions offering training in leadership. But, until recently, leadership education was not readily available from accredited universities. This paper examines professional leadership education in those universities in the USA. Our purpose was to ascertain the underlying academic foundations of leadership master’s degrees and to determine if there was a discernable difference from the foundation of the MBA. We located 15 institutions with leadership master’s degrees. Using catalogs, program descriptions of these programs appear to be more influenced by behavioral science/humanities than the foundations of MBA programs.
THE SPECTRUM OF THE SOLAR SUPERGRANULATION: MULTIPLE NONWAVE COMPONENTS

It has recently been suggested that the solar supergranulation undergoes oscillations, with a spectrum of superposed traveling waves of unknown origin showing excess prograde power to yield superrotation. We show here that the observed supergranular spectrum does not necessarily imply a wave origin but is instead consistent with two components of nonoscillatory bulk motions having differing rotation rates and somewhat asymmetrically distributed in space. The two components are identified with solar mesogranulation and supergranulation, and the spatial asymmetry is shown to be caused by a weak north-south alignment of the supergranular flows. The source of both the supergranular alignment and its enhanced rotation is likely underlying giant cell motions. Because no single rotation rate characterizes all components of a solar image, the spectral properties, including the Fourier dispersion relation, are extremely sensitive to the rate at which the solar disk is tracked when making up the time series. A spuriously wavelike spectrum is obtained when the image tracking rate falls between the actual mesogranular and supergranular rotation rates.
On joint ml detection and decoding for linear block codes

We consider joint maximum-likelihood (ML) detection and decoding in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The information data is encoded by a linear block error-correcting code and then transmitted across the MIMO channel in AWGN. Geometrically, the transmitted symbol is a point in a high-dimensional lattice. The received symbol is the lattice point perturbed by an additive noise. The joint detection and decoding problem is equivalent to the search for the closest lattice point that is an admissible codeword. We propose an algorithm which performs a search constrained by a sphere centered at the observed point. The radius of the sphere is determined according to the statistics of the noise. Thus the computational complexity of the algorithm is a random variable. We quantify it by means of its first moment which, for binary codes, we And analytically. The expected complexity of the proposed algorithm is polynomial in the length of the uncoded information word over a wide range of SNRs.
Personality disorder, personality traits, impulsive violence, and completed suicide in adolescents.

ABSTRACT Objective This study was designed to assess the association between personality disorders, personality traits, impulsive violence, and suicide. Method Personality disorders and traits in 43 adolescent suicide victims and 43 community controls were assessed from the parents, using semistructured interviews and self-report forms. Results Probable or definite personality disorders were more common in suicide victims than in controls, particularly Cluster B (impulsive-dramatic) and C type (avoidant-dependent) disorders. Suicide victims also showed greater scores on lifetime aggression, even after controlling for differences in psychopathology between suicides and controls. Conclusion: Personality disorders and the tendency to engage in impulsive violence are critical risk factors for completed suicide.
Nuclear orientation of 160Tb in Tb metal

Abstract The decay of 160Tb oriented at low temperatures in Tb metal has been investigated, and angular distributions of 19 γ-rays have been determined. The reduction in anisotropy in polycrystalline metal samples is discussed. Multipole mixing ratios have been determined for many of the γ-rays. A critical discussion is given of the previously reported M2 E1 mixing ratios, and previous nuclear orientation studies are re-analyzed in a consistent manner so that their results can be compared. It is shown that the nuclear orientation and angular correlation results for the 1178 keV transition are consistent only if E3/E1 mixing is present. The El branching ratios and M2 E1 mixing ratios are analyzed on the basis of Coriolis-mixed K = 0, 1 and 2 character for the negative-parity levels of 160Dy.