cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavior after ovariohysterectomy in the dog: what's normal?

Abstract The purpose of this study was to establish the post-operative behavior of caged dogs after ovariohysterectomy. Twenty dogs in the Control Group were anesthetized, but did not undergo surgery. Twenty-two dogs in the Surgery Group underwent laparotomy and ovariohysterectomy. Dogs in the Control and Surgery Groups were further assigned on a random basis to either the Oxymorphone or Placebo Groups (Group O or P). Dogs in Group O received oxymorphone (2.5 mg m −2 intramuscularly) as a pre-anesthetic and 6, 12 and 18 h later, while dogs in Group P received isovolumetric doses of sterile saline. The dogs were videotaped for 24 h after anesthesia, during which time a handler interacted with the dog once each hour. At each interaction the handler recorded a sedation and a pain score, using a numerical scoring system. Interactive and non-interactive behavior was observed and quantitated by a single observer using the videotapes. Surgery resulted in an increase in pain score, sedation score and time spent sleeping. During interactions with caregivers, greeting behaviors were decreased after surgery. Differences between Surgery Group dogs given analgesics and those given placebo drugs were readily measured using quantitative behavioral measurements, but were not apparent using the numerical scoring system.
Packaging and shipping of infectious substances

Abstract The packaging and shipping of clinical specimens and biological agents is no longer a simple process. All clinical laboratories are required to apply and strictly adhere to international, federal, and state regulatory controls. The primary purpose of these regulatory controls is to protect the safety of the public and the environment. Terms such as "infectious substances," "dangerous goods," and "hazardous materials" are becoming commonplace when specimens, isolates, and other biological materials are shipped from one facility to another. The regulatory controls are independent of distance and the mode of transportation (i.e., surface, air, and sea). Laboratory personnel are the first link in the transportation chain and have the initial responsibility for properly classifying the material being transported, ensuring the use of approved packaging, labeling, and documentation, and, ultimately, the protection of the contents during transport. Proper packaging and shipment of "infectious substances" not only protect the shipper but also anyone in the transportation chain, including the intended recipient.
Many-body local fields and quasiparticle renormalization effects in two-dimensional electronic systems

Abstract We have developed a new microscopic approach designed to study the effects of the electron-electron interaction on various normal state quasiparticle properties in two-dimensional electronic systems. In our treatment the effects of charge and spin fluctuation induced vertex corrections are explicitly accounted for through the introduction of appropriate Hubbard-type many-body local field corrections . Our analysis is based on a novel self-consistent determination of the many-body local fields in two-dimensional systems for which some useful and new exact results have been derived. Although quite general our theory finds its natural application in the calculation of the quasiparticle effective mass and the anomalous Lande g -factor in silicon inversion layers, which display a pronounced dependence on the carrier density, a clear signal of interaction effects. It will be shown that, within the Landau theory of the Fermi liquids, the concomitant inclusion of previously neglected many-body effects associated with charge and spin fluctuation induced vertex corrections is crucial in attaining a satisfactory description of the observed phenomena.
Potential applications of atomic force microscopy of DNA to the human genome project

A simple calculation shows that the information contained in the base sequence of the human genome could be recorded onto less than two compact discs. To read amounts of information comparable in size to the human genome, scanning probes are used routinely in both biology (i.e., living systems) and technology. The atomic force microscope (AFM) is a scanning probe that is now capable of imaging DNA routinely and reproducibly. The minimum size of structures seen reproducibly along DNA strands with the AFM is presently 2 to 3 nm, which is an order of magnitude less resolution than would be required to sequence DNA. At present, the AFM shows great potential for high-resolution mapping of DNA but is not capable of sequencing DNA without further improvements.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Community organization and the public interest.

The commitment to serve the “public interest”is often referred to by community organization and planning professionals. This idealized concept is examined and compared to the behavior of practitioners. The necessity for determining which publics, and whose interests, are to be served in order to find an appropriate approach are discussed. Whether the practitioners are to see themselves as technical expediters, change agents, or peacemakers, seems to be at issue. The past community organization commitment to a process as the ultimate guarantee of accomplishment is questioned and new directions are discussed.
Characterization of the copper-sulfur chromophores in nitrous oxide reductase by resonance raman spectroscopy: evidence for sulfur coordination in the catalytic cluster.

Nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR) from Pseudomonas stutzeri, a dimeric enzyme with a canonical metal ion content of at least six Cu ions per subunit, contains two types of multinuclear copper sites: CuA and CuZ. An electron-transfer role for the dinuclear CuA site is indicated based on its similarity to the CuA site in cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), a dicysteinate-bridged, mixed-valence cluster. The CuZ site is the catalytic site, which had long been thought to have novel spectroscopic properties. However, the low-energy electronic transitions and resonance Raman features attributable to CuZ have been difficult to reconcile with a lack of conserved cysteine residues in standard alignments of N2OR sequences, other than those associated with the CuA site. Recent evidence indicates that nitrous oxide reductase contains acid-labile sulfide and that this sulfide is a constituent of the CuZ site (Rasmussen, T.; Berks, B. C.; Sanders-Loehr, J.; Dooley, D. M.; Zumft, W. G.; Thomson, A. J. Biochemistry 2000, 39, 12753−...
Optimizing Worked‐Example Instruction in Electrical Engineering: The Role of Fading and Feedback during Problem‐Solving Practice

How can we help college students develop problem-solving skills in engineering? To answer this question, we asked a group of engineering freshmen to learn about electrical circuit analysis with an instructional program that presented different problem-solving practice and feedback methods. Three findings are of interest. First, students who practiced by solving all problem steps and those who practiced by solving a gradually increasing number of steps starting with the first step first (forward-fading practice) produced higher near-transfer scores than those who were asked to solve a gradually increasing number of steps but starting with the last step first (backward-fading practice). Second, students who received feedback immediately after attempting each problem-solving step outperformed those who received total feedback on near transfer. Finally, students who learned with backward-fading practice produced higher near- and far-transfer scores when feedback included the solution of a similar worked-out problem. The theoretical and practical implications for engineering education are discussed.
Contrast thresholds with stabilized and unstabilized targets

Differences between sensitivity measures obtained with stabilized and unstabilized targets can be large or small, according to the length of viewing time and fixation instructions given to the observer.
Men who kill their own children: Paternal filicide incidents in contemporary Fiji

Abstract Objective: Filicide, or parental murder of offspring, constitutes a major portion of lethal violence perpetrated against children worldwide. Despite the global nature of the phenomenon, researchers have focused their studies on the developed industrialized societies with the consequent neglect of small, developing societies. Second, there is a paucity of empirical data on child homicide committed by fathers. This study therefore explores the nature and extent of paternal filicides in Fiji, a non-Western society, and the social and cultural forces underlying them in order to enhance our knowledge of the phenomenon. Method: Information was obtained from a number of sources, including (a) a police homicide logbook, (b) newspaper reports of homicide, and (c) detailed interviews conducted with criminal justice and medical personnel. Information from these data sources were consolidated to construct case histories of paternal filicides. These cases were then analyzed for dominant themes. Case illustrations are presented in the text. Results: Several of the study’s findings are congruent with other studies of paternal filicides: poor, working class fathers were the offenders in all cases. As a corollary, their victims were from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Regarding location, paternal filicides occurred in the home of the offender and victim. The filicides were the culmination of stresses and strains associated with marital disharmony and excessive corporal child-control strategies. Conclusions: The general conclusion of this study is that further research in non-Western societies has the potential to increase our understanding of the social factors and processes involved in paternal child murders. We will then be better positioned to craft effective intervention strategies.
Salmonella-Directed Recruitment of New Membrane to Invasion Foci via the Host Exocyst Complex

Salmonella attachment to the intestinal epithelium triggers delivery of bacterial effector proteins into the host cytosol through a type III secretion system (T3SS), leading to pronounced membrane ruffling and macropinocytic uptake of attached bacteria. The tip of the T3SS is made up of two proteins, SipB and SipC, which insert into the host plasma membrane, forming a translocation pore. Both the N and C termini of SipC are exposed in the host cytosol and have been shown to directly modulate actin cytoskeleton assembly. We have identified a direct interaction between SipC and Exo70, a component of the exocyst complex, which mediates docking and fusion of exocytic vesicles with the plasma membrane. Here, we show that exocyst components coprecipitate with SipC and accumulate at sites of invasion by Salmonella typhimurium. Exocyst assembly requires activation of the small GTPase RalA, which we show is triggered during Salmonella infection by the translocated effector, SopE. Knockdown of RalA or Sec5 results in reduced membrane ruffling at sites of attachment and impairs bacterial entry into host cells. These findings suggest that S. typhimurium enhances invasion efficiency by promoting localized membrane expansion, directly through SipC-dependent recruitment of the exocyst and indirectly via SopE-dependent activation of RalA.
Drug Insight: aldosterone-receptor antagonists in heart failure—the journey continues

The RALES and EPHESUS trials have provided data demonstrating survival benefits with spironolactone and eplerenone in chronic and postinfarction heart failure, leading to more frequent and sometimes unbridled use of these drugs. Here Kalidindi et al. describe the likely mechanisms of action of aldosterone-receptor antagonists, discuss the evidence supporting their use, and provide practical advice.
Principal Components Analysis Of Images Via Back Propagation

The recent discovery of powerful learning algorithms for parallel distributed networks has made it possible to program computation in a new way, by example rather than algorithm. The back propagation algorithm is a gradient descent technique for training such networks. The problem posed to the researcher using such an algorithm is discovering how it did solve the problem if a solution is found. In this paper we apply back propagation to a well understood problem in image analysis, i.e., bandwidth compression, and analyze the internal representation developed by the network. The network used consists of nonlinear units that compute a sigmoidal function of their inputs. It is found that the learning algorithm produces a nearly linear transformation of a Principal Components Analysis of the image, and the units in the network tend to stay in the linear range of the sigmoid function. The particular transform found departs from the standard Principal Components solution in that near-equal variance of the coefficients results, depending on the encoding used. While the solution found is basically linear, such networks can also use the nonlinearity to solve encoding problems where the Principal Components solution is degenerate.
Erythema Gyratum Repens: A Rare Paraneoplastic Rash

Erythema gyratum repens (EGR) is a rare and characteristic, paraneoplastic rash associated with a variety of malignancies, most notably lung, esophageal, and breast cancers. This case report details the appearance, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of EGR. Prompt identification of EGR is essential, as the rash often precedes the diagnosis of malignancy by several months. Urgent patient referral to evaluate for malignancy is crucial, as this may lead to decreased morbidity and mortality.
An opinion-driven behavioral dynamics model for addictive behaviors

We present a model of behavioral dynamics that combines a social network-based opinion dynamics model with behavioral mapping. The behavioral component is discrete and history-dependent to represent situations in which an individual’s behavior is initially driven by opinion and later constrained by physiological or psychological conditions that serve to maintain the behavior. Individuals are modeled as nodes in a social network connected by directed edges. Parameter sweeps illustrate model behavior and the effects of individual parameters and parameter interactions on model results. Mapping a continuous opinion variable into a discrete behavioral space induces clustering on directed networks. Clusters provide targets of opportunity for influencing the network state; however, the smaller the network the greater the stochasticity and potential variability in outcomes. This has implications both for behaviors that are influenced by close relationships verses those influenced by societal norms and for the effectiveness of strategies for influencing those behaviors.
Radiolysis of alkanes and olefines in xenon matrices at 4.2 K as studied by ESR: Formation and trapping of hydrogen atoms and their subsequent reactions at cryogenic temperatures

Abstract Radiolysis of CH 4 , CH 3 CH 3 , CH 3 CD 3 , C 3 H 8 , iso -C 4 H 10 , and CH 2 CH 2 in Xe matrices at 4.2 K gave trapped H(D) atoms with a comparable yield of radicals formed from scission of a C-H(D) bond through energy transfer from Xe to the hydrocarbon additives. H tr and >.;CH 2 CD 3 are preferentially formed from CH 3 CD 3 with the H tr /D tr ratio of 2.1 and the >.;CH 2 CD 3 /CH 3 >.;CD 2 ratio of 2.3 H tr and CH 2 >.;CH are formed from CH 2 CH 2 by a rapture of olefinic C-H bond. Upon annealing at around 45 K, H tr is detrapped and mobilized to react with C 2 H 6 and C 2 H 4 giving >.;C 2 H 5 by H abstraction and addition, respectively. Preferential abstraction of H from CH 3 CD 3 took place at around 45 K showing a large isotope effect with k H / k D > 9. The reactions of thermal H atoms produced by radiolysis of CH 4 with CO to form H>.;CO have also been observed at around 45 and 18 K in Xe and CH 4 matrices, respectively. These results suggest that methane may not be an exceptional compound to produce hydrogen atoms in the radiolysis of neat alkane at low temperature. Absence of trapped H atoms in irradiated neat alkanes except CH 4 may imply that all the H atoms produced react with alkanes except CH 4 . The reactivity of thermal H atoms at cryogenic temperature suggests that not only hot but also thermal H atom reactions are involved in the solid phase radiolysis below 77 K.
Abnormal opiate receptor functions in Tourette's syndrome.

Opiates and opioids have been shown to modulate the release of pituitary hormones by acting at the hypothalamic level. Since the identification of the various opiate receptors in the human brain, it has been shown that the endocrine modulation of pituitary release by opiates may be differently affected by the various opiate receptors. Our findings in Tourette's syndrome demonstrate a predominant aberrant muopiate receptor modulation of anterior pituitary hormonal release, and suggest that endorphins and enkephalins are the predominant group of opioids involved in the pathophysiology of the disease.
Nonlinear Benard-Marangoni Convection

Weakly nonlinear thermal convection in a horizontal fluid layer bounded above by a free surface is studied by taking effects of the surface tension gradient into account. It is found that the critical Rayleigh number, the horizontal size of convection cells and the instability of the convection can be affected by the surface tension gradient. The heat transported by the convection may have a maximum value at a certain value of the Marangoni number M . For the particular range of M , the hexagonal flow pattern may arise with either upward or downward motion at the cells' centers.
AT-01THERAPEUTIC TARGETING OF INI1 DEFICIENCY IN PEDIATRIC ATRT: A PRE-CLINICAL STUDY UTILIZING PATIENT DERIVED ORTHOTOPIC XENOGRAFT (PDOX) MODELS

INTRODUCTION: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are molecularly-defined by deletions or mutations in tumor suppressor INI1. INI1 deficiency causes dysfunction of chromatin-remodeling complexes which normally oppose EZH2, a epigenetic gene silencing protein. In the setting of INI1 deficiency, EZH2 is over-expressed, leading to ATRT oncogenesis. Using novel patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models, we investigated the pre-clinical utility of therapeutic EZH2 inhibition in ATRT using the drug DZNep. METHODS: Two PDOX models of ATRT were established by directly implanting tumor cells into mouse brains in the matched location with patient tumor. For in vitro testing, ATRT cells were exposed to DZNep at doses from 78 to 5000 nM for 2 weeks; cell viability was measured every 1- 3 days. For in vivo testing, 40 mice were divided into 4 treatment groups: control, DZNep (5 mg/kg i.p. daily x 14 days), standard of care (cranial radiation 2 Gy daily x 5 days, cisplatin 5 mg/kg i.p. on days 8 and 11), and combination therapy. Survival times were compared using log-rank analysis. RESULTS: DZNep showed dose- and time-dependent in vitro inhibition of tumor cell viability in both ATRT models tested. One of these models (IC-L1115ATRT) was then subjected to in vivo studies. ATRT tumors were present at the time of xenograft death in all 4 treatment groups including DZNep- and combination therapy-treated animals. Survival time did not differ between the control- and DZNep-treated groups or the standard of care- and combination therapy-treated groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While the EZH2 inhibitor DZNep is effective in vitro in killing ATRT tumor cells, it does not appear to have effects in vivo when tested in PDOX models of pediatric ATRT acting alone or in combination with combined chemo- and radio-therapies. Extensive further pre-clinical evidence should be obtained before an EZH2 inhibitor is brought into pediatric clinical trials.
Assessing the effects of ocean diffusivity and climate sensitivity on the rate of global climate change

The range in the projections of future climate warming can be attributed to the inherent uncertainty in the representation of climate model parameters and processes. In this study, we assess the effect of uncertainty in climate sensitivity and ocean heat uptake on the rate of future climate change. We apply a range of values for climate sensitivity and ocean diapycnal diffusivity in an ensemble of simulations using an intermediate-complexity climate model. We further use probability density functions to estimate the likelihood of each model outcome; using this framework, we calculate a range of likely rates of temperature change in response to a given future CO 2 emissions scenario. From this analysis, the most probable maximum rate of temperature change lies between 0.3 and 0.5 °C/decade, with a most likely value of 0.36 °C/decade, which is more than twice the observed rate in the late twentieth century. We show that changes in ocean diffusivity have a significant effect on the rate of transient climate change for high values of climate sensitivity, while they have little influence when climate sensitivity is low. The highest rates of warming occur with high values of climate sensitivity and low values of ocean diffusivity. Such high rates of change could adversely affect the adaptive capacity of healthy functional ecosystems. Keywords: climate sensitivity; ocean diffusivity; global climate change; probability analysis; rate of warming (Published: 3 May 2012) Citation: Tellus B 2012, 64 , 17733, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v64i0.17733
Lateral geniculate nucleus in dark-reared cats: loss of Y cells without changes in cell size

In cats reared in the dark from birth until 4 months of age, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus contained few normal Y cells in either the binocular or monocular segments. Although most of the neurons appeared to be normal X cells unaffected by light deprivation, many cells with abnormal receptive field and response charcteristics were encountered. These effects were permanent, since 1 to 2 years of normal visual experience following initial light deprivation did not lead to any functional recovery. The sizes of cell bodies in cats reared in the dark were similar to those of normal animals, an indication that changes in geniculate cell physiology need not be related to changes in cell size.
Impact of vessel choice on outcomes of polyvinyl alcohol embolization for intractable idiopathic epistaxis.

Abstract Purpose To determine the safety and efficacy of internal maxillary artery (IMA) and facial artery polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) embolization for treatment of refractory idiopathic epistaxis. Materials and Methods From 1998–2011, 84 patients were referred for endovascular treatment of intractable idiopathic epistaxis. PVA (range, 180–300 μM) particles were used in all cases. One case required microcoils to prevent nontarget embolization. Medical records were reviewed for early recurrences and complications, which were correlated with the number of vessels receiving embolization using the Mantel-Haenszel χ 2 test for linear association; P Results Vessels chosen for embolization were unilateral IMA in 8 patients, bilateral IMAs in 35 patients, bilateral IMAs with one facial artery in 32 patients, and bilateral IMAs and bilateral facial arteries in 9 patients. Early ( P = .04) and minor complications ( P = .004). Conclusions An initial treatment strategy involving embolization of bilateral IMAs with or without embolization of facial arteries for refractory idiopathic epistaxis is safe and effective. Additional facial artery embolization reduces the risk of early recurrence but increases the risk of minor complications.
A Feedback Model for Radio Sources Fueled by Cooling Flows

In many clusters of galaxies, radiative cooling in the central regions appears to drive an accretion flow. Many of these "cooling-flow clusters" possess strong radio sources in the central regions, which suggests a causal relation between the cooling flow and the radio source. We consider a general model in which a cooling flow produces and interacts with relativistic electrons in the core of the cluster. These electrons heat the inflowing gas, generating negative feedback that reduces the accretion rate. For sufficiently strong feedback, the accretion flow shows an oscillatory behavior on a timescale of several hundred million years.
Cataleptic effects of dynorphin-(1–13) in rats made tolerant to a opiate receptor agonist

Abstract Behavioral cross-tolerance between dynorphin-(1–13) (D13) and sufentanil citrate (Suf) (a specific mu opiate receptor agonist) was assessed. Lateral intraventricular (i.c.v.) administration of D13 or Suf induced catalepsy (platform immobility, righting loss) in the rat. In rats made tolerant to systemically administered Suf, cross-tolerance was obtained to i.c.v. Suf but not to i.c.v. D13. These data suggest that D13 catalepsy is not mediated by a mu opiate receptor in brain.
Effects of interlayer thickness on the electrochemical and mechanical properties of bi-layer cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract A hybrid method that combines an interlayer prepared by a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique and a conventional cathode prepared by a screen printing method is employed to fabricate bi-layer La0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ (LSCO) cathodes. Robust bi-layer cathode films are successfully fabricated with a porous microstructure and excellent integrity with the underlying electrolyte layer. By adjusting the thickness of the PLD interlayers from ∼50 to ∼500 nm, a systematic variation of the electrochemical and mechanical properties of the bi-layer cathodes is observed. Compared with single cells without an interlayer, the anode-supported single cells with an LSCO interlayer thickness of ∼100 nm exhibit significant enhancement in the overall power performance.
The use of real-time PCR to study Penicillium chrysogenum growth kinetics on solid food at different water activities.

Abstract Fungal growth on solid foods can make them unfit for human consumption, but certain specialty foods require fungi to produce their characteristic properties. In either case, a reliable way of measuring biomass is needed to study how various factors (e.g. water activity) affect fungal growth rates on these substrates. Biochemical markers such as chitin, glucosamine or ergosterol have been used to estimate fungal growth, but they cannot distinguish between individual species in mixed culture. In this study, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) protocol specific for a target fungal species was used to quantify its DNA while growing on solid food. The measured amount of DNA was then related to the biomass present using an experimentally determined DNA-to-biomass ratio. The highly sensitive rt-PCR biomass assay was found to have a wide range, able to quantify the target DNA within a six orders-of-magnitude difference. The method was used to monitor germination and growth of Penicillium chrysogenum spores on a model porous food (cooked wheat flour) at 25 °C and different water activities of 0.973, 0.936, and 0.843. No growth was observed at 0.843, but lag, exponential and stationary phases were identified in the growth curves for the higher water activities. The calculated specific growth rates (μ) during the exponential phase were almost identical, at 0.075/h and 0.076/h for aw = 0.973 and 0.936, respectively. The specificity of the method was demonstrated by measuring the biomass of P . chrysogenum while growing together with Aspergillus niger on solid media at aw = 0.973.
Influence of defects and doping on optical phonon lifetime and Raman linewidth in carbon nanotubes

How doping and defects alter linewidths and lifetimes of $G$-band optical phonons, in carbon nanotubes is examined. Optical phonon lifetimes, ${T}_{1}$, in thin films of nanotubes are measured by time-resolved incoherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy and considered along with Raman linewidths of isolated individual nanotubes. Within the doping range achievable in nanotube films in this study, ${T}_{1}$ does not appear to change. A varying degree of doping in individual nanotubes by means of electrostatic gating reveals decreasing full-width at half-maximum \ensuremath{\Gamma} down to \ensuremath{\sim}4 ${\mathit{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at the charge neutrality point. Increasing disorder, on the other hand, leads to a decrease in ${T}_{1}$ along with an increase in \ensuremath{\Gamma}. We observe a decrease in ${T}_{1}$ of \ensuremath{\sim}0.4 ps at an estimated effective crystallite size ${L}_{a}$ \ensuremath{\sim} 130 nm based on the $D$-band to $G$-band peak intensity ratio. In the limit of zero doping and zero defects, the measured \ensuremath{\Gamma} of single semiconducting nanotubes coincides with a lifetime broadening of \ensuremath{\sim}4 ${\mathit{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ based on a measured ${T}_{1}$ of 1.2 ps. Samples displaying different degree of metallic or semiconducting contributions in their static Raman spectrum are also compared and are shown to exhibit similar values of ${T}_{1}$.
Relative inflation dynamics in the new EU member countries of Central and Eastern Europe

Following their EU accession, the new member countries from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) must achieve sustainable price stability as one of the pre-conditions for joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and adopting the euro. This article examines the distribution dynamics of inflation rates in ten new EU members from CEE relative to the EMU accession benchmark inflation over the period 1990–2009. In contrast to previous studies, we use nonparametric methods to test for convergence in inflation rates between CEE and the EMU benchmark as well as within the CEE sample. Over the entire sample period, we detect a general shift in the CEE inflation distribution toward the EMU benchmark along with intradistributional convergence. However, this process is not uniform. In the early years, it was equally likely for CEE inflation rates to move toward or away from the benchmark. The resulting multimodal distribution gave way to a unimodal distribution in the years leading up to the EU accession, accompanied by a marked shift toward the EMU benchmark. In more recent years, emergence of a bimodal distribution signaled the stratification of relative inflation in CEE into two convergence clubs, which has intensified since the start of the global economic crisis.
Effects of decapitation, ether and pentobarbital on guanosine 3',5'-phosphate and adenosine 3',5'-phosphate levels in rat tissues

Abstract Cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels in eight different rat tissues were examined after animlas were immersed in liquid nitrogen. In order of decreasing concentration, cerebellu, kidney, lung and cerebral cortex contained the greatest quantities fo cyclic GMP. These tissues also contained relatively high concentrations of cyclic AMP. Compared to values in animals which were sacrificed in liquid nitrogen, levels of both nucleotides in many of the tissues examined were altered by decapitation or anesthesia with ether and pentobarbital. Decapitation increased the levels of both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP in cerebellum, lung, heart, liver and skeletabl muscle. However, decapitation increased only cyclic AMP in cerebral cortex and kidney. Our previously reported high level of cyclic GMP in lung was attributed to ether anesthesia and surgical removal which increased the cyclic GMP content in lung, heart, testis and skeletal muscle. The effect of ether on cyclic GMP levels in lung and heart was blocked by pretreatment of animals with atropine which indicated that cholinergic agents increase cyclic GMP content in these tissues. Acetylcholine and carbachol in the presence of theophylline increased the accumulation of cyclic GMP in incubations of rat lung minces. Increases in cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels in cerebellum with ether anesthesia were prevented if rats were immersed in liquid nitrogen after anesthesis with ether. Anesthesia with pentobarbital decreased the levels of cyclic GMP in cerebellum and kidney and increased the nucleotide in heart, liver, testis and skeletal muscle compared to levels in tissues from animals immersed in liquid nitrogen. However, pentobarbital increased cyclic AMP levels in cerebellum and cerebral cortex and decreased the nucleotide in liver, kidney, testis and skeletal muscle. These studies provide a possible explanation for the variability in in vivo levels of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP which have been previously reported. In addition, these studies support the hypothesis that the synthesis and degradation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP are regulated independently and not necessarily in a parallel or reciprocal manner. These studies also suggest that the increase accumulation of one cyclic nucleotide has no major effect on the synthesis and/or metabolism of the other; however, such interactions cannot be entirely excluded from the results of this study.
Oxidative demetallization of petroleum asphaltenes and residua

Abstract Cold Lake asphaltenes, Arabian Heavy asphaltenes, and Cold Lake vacuum residuum were treated with a variety of oxidizing agents. Of these, reagents such as air/100 °C and NaOH/air were found to have no appreciable demetallization activity while oxidants such as sodium hypochlorite and peroxyacetic acid exhibited high demetallization activity coupled with the ability to remove or destroy petroporphyrins. The sodium hypochlorite, however, was found to suffer from the disadvantage of causing chlorine incorporation into the feed. This oxidative demetallization appears to be a rather unselective reaction with both metals and porphyrin removal being proportional to the amount of oxidant used. Various peroxy acids were found to be effective.
Abstract 1959: Lgr5 marks an enriched population of fetal mammary stem cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Basal-like breast cancers have unique characteristics that may contribute to their particularly poor prognosis. These include a high degree of genomic instability, intra-tumor heterogeneity, and gene expression profiles similar to those of normal mammary stem cells. These characteristics may arise through the aberrant propagation of normal stem cells. Alternatively, mutations commonly found in this subtype may be the dominant determinant of tumor phenotype. In order to explore these possibilities, pure populations of stem cells need to be isolated and analyzed. Our lab has identified a population of fetal mammary stem cells (fMaSCs) in the mouse whose gene expression profiles show a striking enrichment for those of human basal tumors. When fMaSCs were targeted with a p53 mutation, commonly found in human basal cancer, a tumor arose within 5 weeks- the shortest latency we have observed from any cell type. This suggests that fMaSCs are particularly prone to tumorigenesis and may likely be a source of basal-like tumors in the adult. Mammary stem cell activity becomes detectable at a defined time in late embryonic development, peaks right before birth, diminishes rapidly at birth, and remains low in the adult. We have since identified Lgr5 to be highly expressed in fMaSCs at the peak of their stem cell activity. We have gone on to use it to isolate the most pure population of fMaSCs measured yet by in vitro means. When plated in 3D culture containing 2% matrigel, up to 50% of Lgr5-expressing fetal mammary cells formed correctly polarized mammospheres. Using three independent methods, we will determine how Lgr5 expression tracks with stem cell activity throughout development and use this marker to test for the persistence of fetal-like stem cells in the adult mammary gland. We will develop comprehensive gene expression profiles from Lgr5+ cells throughout development to identify molecular correlates of the stem cell state. The relative contributions of developmental state of cell of origin or mutational status to tumor phenotype are poorly understood. We will test the capacity of stem cells at various stages of development to give rise to tumors when targeted with mutations commonly found in human basal tumors. A thorough analysis of tumors will reveal links between development, tumor initiation and progression, and provide insight into strategies to treat basal breast cancers. Citation Format: Christy L. Trejo, Ben Spike, Geoff Wahl. Lgr5 marks an enriched population of fetal mammary stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1959. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1959
50 years of transonic aircraft design

This article traces the evolution of long range jet transport aircraft over the 50 years since Kuechemann founded the journal Progress in Aerospace Sciences. The article is particularly focused on transonic aerodynamics. During Kuechemann’s life time a good qualitative understanding had been achieved of transonic flow and swept wing design, but transonic flow remained intractable to quantitative prediction. During the last 50 years this situation has been completely transformed by the introduction of sophisticated numerical algorithms and an astonishing increase in the available computational power, with the consequence that aerodynamic design is now carried out largely by computer simulation. Moreover developments in aerodynamic shape optimization based on control theory enable a competitive swept wing to be designed in just two simulations, as illustrated in the article. While the external appearance of long range jet aircraft has not changed much, advances in information technology have actually transformed the entire design and manufacturing process through parallel advances in computer aided design (CAD), computational structural mechanics (CSM) and multidisciplinary optimization (MDO). They have also transformed aircraft operations through the adoption of digital fly-by-wire and advanced navigational techniques.
Impacts of organic matter amendments on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in grassland soils

Organic matter amendments have been proposed as a means to enhance soil carbon (C) stocks on degraded soils. However, only few data exist on rates of soil C sequestration or the fate of added C in grassland soils, which are generally thought to have high C storage potential. We measured changes in the amount of C and nitrogen (N) in soils and in the composition of soil organic matter (SOM) following a single application of composted organic matter in two annual grasslands from different bioclimatic zones (coastal and inland valley). There was a significant increase in bulk soil organic C content at the valley grassland, and a similar but non-significant trend at the coastal grassland. Physical fractionation of soil three years after organic matter amendment revealed increases in C and N in the free- and occluded light fractions in both the valley and coastal grasslands. Amendments resulted in a greater relative increase in the N stored in light soil fractions compared to C, leading to lower C:N ratios. Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy showed an increase in the ratio of carboxyl and carbonyl functional groups to aliphatic methyl and methylene groups in the free- and occluded light fractions. These data show that the organic matter amendment was incorporated in the free light and occluded light fractions over three years. Our results indicate that a single application of compost to grassland soils can increase soil C and N storage in labile and physically protected pools over relatively short time periods and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Syphilis: reemergence of an old adversary.

Objective To describe the clinical findings in 4 patients with ocular syphilis and to provide a review of the recent rise in syphilis cases in the United States, along with a brief description of current diagnosis and treatment guidelines. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Participants Four consecutive patients who presented to our facility during a 6-month interval in 2005 with ocular syphilis. Methods Review of clinical, laboratory, photographic, and angiographic records of patients with neurosyphilis who underwent intravenous penicillin G treatment. Main Outcome Measures Resolution of signs and symptoms of ocular syphilis, including changes in visual acuity. Results Four patients (3 male: mean age, 46 [range, 39–60 years]; 1 female: age 46 years) demonstrated cerebrospinal fluid findings consistent with neurosyphilis, as evidenced by increased leukocyte counts (>5 white blood cells/mm 3 ), and positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory or serum fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed tests. All 4 patients presented with a variety of clinical findings that led to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Two patients presented with discrete placoid lesions consistent with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis, a manifestation typically observed among the immunocompromised. Conclusions Despite a decade of steady decline, syphilis has reemerged in the United States with outbreaks throughout the country in the past few years. Ocular findings, including posterior placoid chorioretinitis, are important diagnostic features in the early treatment of tertiary syphilis and neurosyphilis. Ophthalmologists have the opportunity to play a key role in the early diagnosis and management of this potentially fatal disease.
Suppression of conditioned drinking by taurine and related compounds

Abstract Mice were conditioned to respond for water reinforcements on a FR-5 schedule. Taurine, injected intraperitoneally at doses of 9.0, 13.8, and 21.3 mmole/kg, 30 min prior to the experimental session, produced a dose-related decrease in both the initial response rate and total number of reinforcements received by mice deprived of water for 24 hr. The structural analogues of taurine (aminomethanesulfonic acid, 3-aminopropanesulfonic acid, β-alanine, cysteamine, and glycine) also produced a hypodipsia. Doses of taurine which produced depression of responding for water reinforcements were used which produced no suppression of spontaneous motor activity, rotarod performance, Sidman avoidance, or shuttle-box avoidance. After intraperitoneal injection, the concentration of taurine increased in the hypothalamus and medulla, but not in other brain areas. We suggest that taurine might be acting by specifically depressing areas of the hypothalamus which stimulate drinking.
Reimagining Development 3.0 for a Changing Planet

Summary This working paper argues we need to reimagine development tactics to fashion Development 3.0, to match what business analysts now call World 3.0, a global system characterized by high turbulence and new threats. It begins by contrasting our former classification of countries spatially into First, Second and Third worlds with a new division of development epochs in sequence since the end of World War II. World 1.0 emphasized industrialization, urbanization, and modernization, lasting from 1945 to 1980. World 2.0 emphasized global trade, and a shift to private actors doing the work of development, from 1980 to the early 2000s. World 3.0 can be seen as superceding globalization by concern with emergent threats. World 1.0 privileged state actions to accelerate “nation building” within former colonies, whereas World 2.0 privileged private capital and free trade as engines for economic growth. Now, following wars, disasters, and the near meltdown of the global financial system in 2007/08, we enter World 3.0 as depicted by Ghemawat and others. We review thirteen major changes not recognized within World 2.0 or its accompanying Development 2.0 regime. The major changes include the rise of homeless capital, the Conservative counter-revolution of the 1980s, the implosion of the USSR, rise of modern China, emergence of BRIC nations, a pan-urban world, rise of identity politics, reemergence of Africa, shift to non-state warfare, growing threat of climate change, MENA nations experience Arab Spring, digital worlds expand, and velocity increases. They suggest coming turbulence and unexpected outcomes, or “mashups” (Ramo). These changes suggest a different emergent system, becoming World 3.0 which has profound differences from how we view our planet's political economy (World 2.0). If so, the paper outlines implications which suggest the time has come to “take on board” our changed planetary circumstances, and thus begin crafting Development 3.0. “Where the wild things are”, introduces metaphors to change the ‘meta-narratives’ used for viewing World 3.0: “herding elephants,” “taming feral capital”, “swimming with tides” and “avoiding mashups”. They help us realize that long recognized problems (or “elephants”) may show unexpected behaviors to pose new threats within World 3.0. The main argument of the paper then lays out a baker's dozen changes needed if we hope to fashion more effective ways to promote development for us all. We must “rebalance society” (ala Mintzberg), refashion aid, privilege sustainability, emphasize fair trade, tame feral capital, devise better metrics, include all nations & peoples, seat G-20 not G-8, recognize semi-sovereigns, focus on a pan-urban world, build coalitions in networks, involve women & youth, and rebuild community leadership. All of which assumes we can offset a strong tide towards return to the excesses of World 2.0.
Syndioselective propylene polymerization catalyzed by rac-2,2-dimethylpropylidene (1-η5-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η5-fluorenyl) dichlorozirconium

Syndioselective propylene polymerization has been promoted by rac-2,2-dimethylpropylidene (1-η5-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η5-fluorenyl) dichlorozirconium (1). The active catalytic species were generated using either triphenylcarbenium tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate (2) (Zr+ method) or methylaluminoxane (MAO method). The former exhibited much higher activity than the latter, especially at low polymerization temperatures (Tp). Syndiotactic poly (propylene) (s-PP) obtained at Tp = −20°C has Tm approaching 160°C, [rrrr] pentad fraction of 0.92 to 0.95, and 45% crystallinity (Xc). It crystallized in two antichiral unit cells B and C. The C structure is favored by low temperature of polymerization, slow crystallization from melt, and annealing. The s-PP has Mw/Mn ranging from 3.6 to 4.4, which can be separated into stereoregular fractions soluble in heptane and hexane and stereoirregular fractions soluble in pentane, ether, and acetone. Therefore, this system cannot be considered to be a single-site catalyst. A parallel study was made on the isopropylidene (1-η5-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η5-fluorenyl) dichlorozirconium (3)/MAO catalyst. Molecular mechanics calculations were performed for all combinations of the configuration of asymmetric centers. The steric energy favors syndiotactic enchainment for both catalysts 1 and 3, with 1 forming the more syndioselective catalyst. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Toll-like Receptor-Mediated Inflammatory Signaling Reprograms Cardiac Energy Metabolism by Repressing Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Coactivator-I Signaling”

We appreciate the comments of Drs Siracusano and Girasole regarding our article characterizing the role of toll-like receptor 4–mediated inflammatory signaling in modulating cardiac metabolism.1 In their commentary, the authors suggest that suppression of mitochondrial fuel flux during inflammatory stress may initially serve to prevent cardiac myocyte damage by mechanisms such as reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species. This conceptual model is consistent with the notion of “metabolic hibernation,” which may serve as …