cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Additives in the Electroreduction of Sodium Ions in Chloroaluminate-Based Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids are an ionically conductive medium that can provide a wide potential window for the study of electrochemical processes. We have observed that the degree of ionization of the ions depends on the charge density of the ions with significant ion pairing possible. Previously, it was shown that sodium ions can be reduced only to sodium metal if an acidic additive (e.g., SOCl 2 ) is added to the liquid. It is shown here that the additive increases the degree of dissociation of the Na + from its counterion in the liquid, making it available for electrodeposition. The observed increase in ionic conductivity provided by the SOCl 2 supports this proposed mechanism. It is believed that the additive coordinates with chloride in the liquid, to provide greater freedom for the Na + ion. In addition, conditions were found for the reduction of sodium ions to sodium metal without the use of an additive.
Electrical breakdown in polymers for BEOL applications: dielectric heating and humidity effects

Polymer dielectrics may be used as low-k BEOL dielectrics, however, premature electrical breakdown due to high electric fields, high frequencies and ambient humidity conditions have restricted its widespread adoption. In this study, we show that dielectric heating is the primary AC degradation mechanism in polymer dielectrics, and develop an analytical model that is consistent with measured trends in stress tests under both AC and DC electric fields. We also study the effect of exposure to ambient relative humidity on the lifetime of polymer dielectrics.
Temporally resolved, independent stages of individual exocytotic secretion events

The stages of the complex events involved in exocytotic secretion after vesicle-cell membrane fusion have been examined at the level of individual vesicles. Catecholamine flux from single bovine adrenal medullary cells was measured with carbon-fiber microelectrodes firmly touching the cell surface. The data reveal that secretion during exocytotic events has three distinct stages: a small increase in catecholamine flux, a rapid, but not instantaneous, rise to a maximum, followed by an exponential decrease in the flux. These stages are interpreted in the following ways. The initial stage corresponds to catecholamine secretion through a fusion pore. The rate of pore expansion appears to control the rise time of the flux to its maximum value. The final exponential stage is consistent with chemical dissociation of the intravesicular matrix or gel.
Preschoolers’ oculomotor behaviour during their observation of an action task

Adult and child oculomotor behaviour was measured during the observation of a naturalistic action task. Adult and 4-year-old participants viewed a video presentation of an actor making a root-beer float. Eye movements were monitored to examine fixation patterns during a series of means–end action sequences. Look-ahead fixations (i.e., gaze anticipation) were measured to determine if children would saccade to the goal site prior to the completion of each action sequence as adults do. Look-ahead fixations were observed in both the adult and child groups, with no significant age differences found in levels of gaze anticipation.
Mesenchymal stromal cells are present in the heart and promote growth of adult stem cells in vitro

Background aims. For many years the human heart has been considered a terminally differentiated organ with no regenerative potential after injury. Recent studies, however, have cast doubt on this long-standing dogma. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of and characterize mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in the adult mouse heart. The impact of MSC on growth and differentiation of adult cardiac stem cells (CSC) was also analyzed. Methods . A combination of lineage-negative/ c-kit-negative (Lin – /c-kit – ) immunoselection with a plastic-adhesion technique was used to isolate cardiac-derived MSC. The differentiation capacity and expression of surface markers were analyzed. To investigate the impact of MSC on growth and differentiation of adult CSC, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP ) adult CSC were co-cultured with GFP – cardiac-derived MSC. Results . MSC were present in the adult mouse heart and they met the criteria established to defi ne mouse MSC. They expressed surface markers and were able to differentiate, in a controlled manner, into multiple lineages. In addition, cardiac-derived MSC promoted the survival and expansion of adult CSC in vitro . Conclusions . MSC can be isolated from the mouse heart and they promote growth and differentiation of adult CSC. The fi ndings from this study could have a signifi cant benefi cial impact on future heart failure treatment. Co-culture and co-implantation of cardiac-derived MSC with adult CSC could provide extensive cardiac regeneration and maintenance of the CSC population after implanted into the heart.
Allostasis, amygdala, and anticipatory angst

Regions of the amygdala are involved in anticipation of negative events. Chronic anticipation of negative events leads to what we call allostatic load, or arousal pathology. Two hormones appear to be involved in arousal pathology; corticotropin-releasing hormone in the brain and glucocorticoids. We suggest that increases in corticotropin-releasing hormone, by stress or glucocorticoids, in the amygdala may have functional consequences for allostatic load. Whereas, corticotropin-releasing hormone in the parvocellular region of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus is decreased by glucocorticoids thereby under negative feedback and homeostatic control, the central nucleus of the amygdala is to some extent under positive feedback and is increased by glucocorticoids, and perhaps under allostatic control. The human and animal literature suggest that a variety of psychopathologies (e.g., melancholia) may be tied to neurohormonal signals activating regions of the amygdala.
Free radical substitution reactions of phenylacetylene derivatives by an addition-elimination mechanism

Abstract Phenylacetylenes (PhCCQ with Q = PhSO2, I, SPh, Bu3Sn PhCCHg) undergo free radical chain substitution reactions with RHgCl, R2Hg, (EtO)2P(O)HgCl, (PhS)2Hg or (PhSO2)2Hg. The relative reactivities of PhCCQ towards c -C6H11 · are Q = PhSO2 (65) > I (19) > Bu3Sn (1.0).
Investigating Arabia Mountain: A Molecular Approach

Exposing undergraduate students to inquiry and discovery, elements that lie at the core of science, is an effective strategy to lure them into the scientific world. This is typically accomplished when individual students partner in research with a faculty member on an independent project. However, such opportunities to participate in research are limited to a small number of students in their third and fourth years of college. Ideally, all students should begin their journey into the world of scientific discovery as early as possible.
Accumulation of phytuberin and phytuberol in tobacco callus inoculated with Pseudomonas solanacearum or Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tabaci

Abstract Tobacco callus tissues inoculated with Pseudomonas solanacearum or Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci accumulated phytuberin and phytuberol. Accumulation of the two sesquiterpenoids was dependent upon: the source (cultivar) of the explant; the number of transfers; the period which had elapsed after transfer; the bacterial species, and the time after inoculation.
Tetracycline Inhibits Propagation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Replication and Alters Membrane Properties

Tetracycline, at concentrations greater than required for inhibition of protein synthesis, rapidly and completely inhibits replication of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. At these concentrations of tetracycline, synthesis of ribonucleic acid is not appreciably altered. In addition to inhibiting DNA replication, tetracycline causes alterations of the cytoplasmic membrane resulting in leakage of intracellular pools of nucleotides, amino acids, and the non-metabolizable sugar analogue, thiomethylgalactoside. As DNA is synthesized at a site on the membrane, alterations of membrane structure by tetracycline may be responsible for the observed inhibition of DNA replication.
Measurement of the second virial coefficient for the interaction of dilute colloidal particles in a mixed solvent

Colloidal suspensions of charge-stabilized polystyrene latex spheres in near-critical mixtures of 2,6-lutidine and water aggregate reversibly on the side of the coexistence curve rich in the nonpreferred liquid. We have used static light scattering and a Zimm analysis to determine the second virial coefficient B{sub 2} for this system. Measurements were made as a function of temperature for different solvent compositions. On the aggregation side of the coexistence curve, as the temperature is brought near but not into the aggregation zone, the virial coefficient plunges through zero to large, negative values. On the nonaggregating side of the coexistence curve, the virial coefficient drops to a small negative value very close to coexistence. On the critical trajectory we have observed similar behavior of the virial coefficient to that seen on the aggregating side even though aggregation does not occur on this thermodynamic trajectory. We have also used lower surface charge density particles where the aggregation occurs on the opposite side of the coexistence curve. The results are similar to those just described for the high surface charge density particles. The combined evidence points to a gradual and continuous change in solvent fluctuation-colloidal particle interaction near the solvent coexistence curve, as solventmore » composition is varied through the critical composition. {copyright} {ital 1996} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Electronic states of azulene and naphthalene calculated by CNDO/2 CI

Abstract Transition energies and oscillator strengths were calculated for the singlet and triplet states of azulene and naphthalene within the CNDO/2 CI framework. The calculated phosphorescent radiation lifetimes for naphthalene and azulene are 14 seconds and 260 seconds, respectively.
Structural damage detection using sensitivity-enhancing feedback control through eigenstructure assignment

Damage identification using the information of natural frequency shift (before and after damage occurrence) has been studied extensively. For a closed-loop system, the sensitivity of natural frequency shift to structural parameter variation is related to both the closed-loop eigenvalues and eigenvectors. With multiple control inputs/actuators, one may have the freedom of assigning closed-loop eigenvalues as well as eigenvectors by using singular value decomposition (SVD) based eigenstructure assignment technique. In this research, we formulate an algorithm to optimally assign the eigenvalues and eigenvectors that yield enhanced closed-loop natural frequency sensitivity, which leads to improved damage detection performance. Meanwhile, by activating different combinations of the multiple actuators in such system, we may develop a series of closed-loop controls for the same monitored structure for sensitivity enhancement. These multiple closed-loop controls utilizing the same set of hardware will result in a much enlarged dataset of frequency-shift information for damage identification. This proposed methodology can simultaneously solve the two main issues in frequency shift based damage identification: low sensitivity and deficiency of measurement data. Numerical studies on a benchmark beam structure demonstrate that the sensitivity of natural frequency changes to small stiffness reduction due to damage can be significantly enhanced, whereas the optimal assignment of eigenvectors plays a very important role. The effect of measurement noise on the performance of the proposed damage detection method is evaluated. Our analyses show that, by using this proposed approach, the location and severity of the structural damage can be successfully identified with much improved performance even in the presence of significant measurement noise.
Pushing the limits of nonlinear Raman microspectroscopy

Nonlinear Raman microspectroscopy is a promising advanced spectroscopic technique capable of providing chemically specific information completely noninvasively. Signal collected from a microscopic volume can be acquired at a rate significantly exceeding the one for conventional Raman scattering imaging. In this report we analyze the current limitations from the point of view of the signal-to-noise optimization and propose several solutions to outstanding technical problems.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Levels in Children With Aggressive Periodontitis

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of host-derived proteinases reported to mediate multiple functions associated with periodontal destruction and inflammation. Most of the existing data have been gathered from adults with chronic periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the MMP levels in a cohort of African American children with and without aggressive periodontitis. Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected in a cohort of 44 African American children, 7 to 19 years of age, with and without aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and compared to healthy unrelated children and to adults with chronic periodontitis (CP). GCF volume was determined with a calibrated gingival fluid meter. The samples were assayed for MMP-1, -2, -3, -8, -9, -12, and -13 using fluorimetric substrates. Results: The MMP levels from diseased sites in the subjects with AgP were statistically higher (P <0.05) in almost all instances than those associated with the unrelated controls or with the subjects with CP. MMP-8 was significantly elevated in the diseased sites of the children with AgP relative to nondiseased sites in the same children (P = 0.002), as well as the siblings, non-diseased controls, and subjects with CP (P £ 0.0001). There was no positive correlation between probing depth and any MMP level. Conclusions: MMP levels were elevated in AgP sites relative to non-diseased sites in the same subjects, in siblings, and in unrelated controls. MMPs associated with the AgP sites in children were generally elevated compared to an adult cohort with a history of CP. J Periodontol 2008;79:819-826.
Is lower cognitive function in one spouse associated with depressive symptoms in the other spouse

This study examines whether lower cognitive function in one spouse is associated with depressive symptoms in the other spouse. The subjects were 528 community-dwelling spouse pairs aged 65+ who participated in the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP), an ongoing longitudinal, bi-racial, population-based study of risk factors for incident Alzheimer's disease and other age-related chronic conditions. CHAP participants were assessed at 3-year intervals over a period of nearly ten years. The results show a cross-sectional association of wives' lower cognitive function at baseline with depressive symptoms in husbands; however, husbands' cognitive function was not associated with wives' depressive symptoms. There was no longitudinal association of cognitive function at baseline with increased depressive symptoms over time. Furthermore, change in cognitive function over time had no effect on depressive symptoms in either spouse. The relationship between cognitive function and depressive symptoms in spouse pairs is complex. Our findings suggest that husbands may be particularly psychologically vulnerable to the negative effects of their wives' cognitive impairment. This vulnerability may have a range of long-term health and caregiving implications.
Diagnosability of stochastic chemical kinetic systems: a discrete event systems approach

We consider the problem of detecting events of interest in a stochastic chemical kinetic system from the perspective of discrete-event systems theory. We define a class of discrete-event systems, timed stochastic automata, that is well-suited for modeling stochastic chemical kinetics and define tA-and tAA-diagnosability, two appropriate notions of diagnosability for this class of system. We develop the construction of a timed stochastic diagnoser that is used to provide online updates of the probability that an event of interest has occurred and a means for offline testing of diagnosability conditions. The results of the paper are illustrated using a model of stochastic gene expression.
Reticuline: a dopamine receptor blocker.

Abstract Reticuline, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, inhibited specific [3H] dopamine binding to dopamine receptors in tissue homogenates from rat corpora striata. The alkaloid blocked amphetamine-induced circling behavior in mice with unilateral (chemically-induced) degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the corpus striatum. Blockade of apomorphine-induced climbing behavior by reticuline was observed in mice. Reticuline did not produce catalepsy at doses which blocked circling behavior. These results show that reticuline is a dopamine receptor blocking agent in the central nervous system.
Conducting Classroom Design Research with Teachers.

Design research is usually motivated by university members with experience and interest in building theory and instructional designs in collaboration with one teacher. Typically, the teacher is considered as a member of the research team, with the primary responsibility of implementing instruction. However, in this chapter, I describe a Classroom Design Research project that was conducted by a team comprised mostly of classroom teachers. Their goal was to create a stable instructional unit for integer addition and subtraction that they could use to help students learn the topic with meaning. In this paper, I outline the basic tenets of Classroom Design Research, including the instructional theory of Realistic Mathematics Education and how it guided them in designing instruction. I introduce the construct of a classroom learning trajectory and elaborate on it with the integer project. Finally, I argue that Design Research is mutually beneficial for researchers and teachers. The team of teachers that participated in Design Research embarked on a unique professional development experience, one in which they engaged in practices that supported a new way of preparing their instruction. Reciprocally, the teachers’ unique craft and pedagogical content knowledge shaped the integer instruction theory in unique ways that do not occur in typical Design Research.
Cross-infection of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the almond moth to the indian meal moth

Abstract A nuclear polyhedrosis virus isolated from the almond moth, Cadra cautella, was cross-infective to the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella: Concentrations of polyhedra of 8, 16, 32, and 64 × 103/g of bran diet killed 12, 19, 24, and 45% of the exposed neonate P. interpunctella larvae respectively. Viral replication in P. interpunctella occurred in cell nuclei of the hypodermis, tracheal matrix, fat, Malpighian tubules, in tissue associated with muscles, and in columnar cells of the midgut. However, infection in the alternate host developed more slowly, and the tissue tropisms were less apparent. Also, polyhedra in P. interpunctella were often cuboidal, although they always developed normally in C. cautella. The average number of virions per bundle and the average size of the occluded virions were about the same in both hosts.
Pharmacology and clinical potential of guanylyl cyclase C agonists in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Agonists of the transmembrane intestinal receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) have recently attracted interest as promising human therapeutics. Peptide ligands that can specifically induce GCC signaling in the intestine include endogenous hormones guanylin and uroguanylin, diarrheagenic bacterial enterotoxins (ST), and synthetic drugs linaclotide, plecanatide, and SP-333. These agonists bind to GCC at intestinal epithelial surfaces and activate the receptor’s intracellular catalytic domain, an event initiating discrete biological responses upon conversion of guanosine-5′-triphosphate to cyclic guanosine monophosphate. A principal action of GCC agonists in the colon is the promotion of mucosal homeostasis and its dependent barrier function. Herein, GCC agonists are being developed as new medications to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, pathological conditions characterized by mucosal barrier hyperpermeability, abnormal immune reactions, and chronic local inflammation. This review will present important concepts underlying the pharmacology and therapeutic utility of GCC agonists for patients with ulcerative colitis, one of the most prevalent inflammatory bowel disease disorders.
Alkenes from acids by oxidative decarboxylation

Abstract Primary and secondary acids can be readily decarboxylated to alkenes by PbIV tetraacetate in the presence of catalytic amounts of cupric acetate. Terminal alkenes are formed quantitatively from primary acids, but conversions are limited by competitive decarboxylation of acetate. Synthetic procedures can be developed by examination of the effects of acid, PbIV and catalysts on the rates of decarboxylation and conversions of acids. Unreacted acid is recovered readily from the mixture, and recycling should enable high conversions to alkenes. A convenient preparation of ω-alkenoic acids from dibasic acids, such as 6-heptenoic acid from suberic acid, is described. Secondary acids can be converted to alkenes in high conversions since competitive decarboxylation of acetate is not important. Decarboxylations can be carried out either thermally at 80° or photochemically at 30° with essentially the same results. The latter is the preferred method to employ with heat sensitive compounds.
Activation of transcription by HIV-1 Tat protein tethered to nascent RNA through another protein.

THE human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) nuclear protein Tat is a potent activator of viral gene transcription1,2. Activation by Tat requires a cis-acting element, the transactivation response (TAR) site, located immediately downstream of the transcription start site3–5. Several observations suggest that TAR functions as the nascent RNA product of the HIV long-terminal-repeat promoter (for a review, see ref. 6). Indeed, Tat protein and several cellular proteins bind directly to nascent TAR RNA in vitro7–10. The significance of these in vitro interactions remains to be established. Here we report that Tat can activate transcription when bound to nascent RNA through the RNA-binding domain of another HIV-1 protein, Rev. Rev is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein, which interacts with the viral RNA element RRE (refs 11-15). A Tat-Rev fusion protein efficiently activates transcription from an HIV-1 promoter derivative, in which TAR has been replaced by the RRE. We conclude that activation of transcription by Tat can occur by direct binding to nascent RNA, and that the sole function of TAR may be to provide a Tat-binding site. Our results further suggest that cellular proteins that bind specifically to TAR RNA or TAR DNA may not be essential for Tat-responsiveness.
High-order harmonic production in multiphoton ionization

We report the production of high-order optical harmonics in computer experiments on multiphoton ionization at high laser intensity. We correlate features of the scattered light spectra with above-threshold-ionization electron spectra from the same laser pulse in a number of experiments at different wavelengths and laser intensities.
Stages of Salt Exchange in Essential Hypertension

The relation of sodium to hypertension remains one of the most fascinating problems in medicine. The results accumulated over a five-year period of study of this relationship are presented in the paper which follows. In these investigations the appetite for salt and the output of sodium under a variety of loading conditions have been correlated with cardiac and renal function and compared with the patterns found in experimental corticoid and renal hypertensions.
Reducing intersubject variability in motor unit number estimation.

Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) attempts to directly assess the number of functioning motor units present in a muscle. It is an important addition to the electrodiagnostic evaluation; however, both intrasubject and intersubject reliability must be minimized for this technique to be clinically useful. A number of MUNE techniques have been developed. We propose a change in the way of calculating the MUNE, using the statistical technique described by Daube, and show that this modification reduces intersubject variability and improves test-retest reliability in normal subjects.
Measurement of the Form Factor Ratio in K μ 3 − Decay

150 000 photographs from a propane-Freon bubble chamber have been scanned for examples of in-flight ${K}_{{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{3}}$-mode decay of 440-MeV/c ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ mesons. 150 candidates have been found from which 138 events have been selected for final analysis. These events have been analyzed assuming ${K}_{{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{3}}$ decay to be dominated by vector coupling with form factors that may be considered energy-independent. The experimentally observed muon total-energy spectrum has been used in a likelihood calculation to determine the ratio of the form factors. The data strongly favor the ratio $\ensuremath{\xi}=0$, which yields a muon-energy spectrum favoring low-energy decay muons.
Poster: you driving? talk to you later

We present a phone based sensing system, referred to as driver detection system (DDS), to determine if a user in a moving vehicle is a driver or a passenger. We realize this goal using various user micro-movements that can be detected using just the mobile phone sensors without relying on additional wearable sensors or custom instrumentation in the vehicle. The detection is based on inferring which part of the vehicle the user is present in, such as passenger side vs. driver side or front vs. rear, as well as some key activities performed by the driver. We foresee several useful applications for the DDS including, delivery of notifications (e.g., voice calls, emails, ads, etc.) based on availability of user attention, feeding the detection results into systems to compute commuting carbon footprints or for tracking reckless driving behavior, etc.
Effects of cognitively induced anxiety on hand temperature

This study explored the relationship of cognitively induced anxiety and hand temperature reduction in a nonclinical sample. Forty college students were randomly assigned to either the Anxiety Group or the Pleasant Group. Following a baseline period, individuals in the Anxiety Group discussed with the experimenter topics which were anxiety-producing for them. Individuals in the Pleasant Group discussed topics of a pleasant nature. During these discussions, hand temperatures were recorded from the palmar surface of the third finger on the dominant hand. Data analysis indicated that hand temperature decreases were significant only in subjects discussing anxiety-producing topics.
Amphetamine withdrawal: Effects on threshold of intracranial reinforcement

In order to determine whether alterations in sensitivity to rewarding stimuli accompany the biochemical and behavioral changes induced by chronic amphetamine treatment and withdrawal, we explored the effects of chronic administration and withdrawal of d-amphetamine on thresholds of intracranial reinforcement in the rat. Rats were injected with d-amphetamine sulfate according to a chronic, escalating dose schedule. Marked decreases in threshold of intracranial reinforcement were observed immediately (0–1 h) following the last injection of d-amphetamine. In contrast, all animals showed marked increases in thresholds of intracranial reinforcement 24–48 h after the last injection of d-amphetamine. These findings were discussed in relation to amphetamine-induced and naturally occurring depressions in man.
Exploring the elastic features of spherically shaped biological assemblies and soft matter systems

Using a numerical simulation, we study the elastic features of biological assemblies (e.g. viruses and bacteria) and soft matter systems (e.g. colloidosomes and nanoparticle covered droplets) that possess a spherical shape in which the proteins (particles) on the colloidosomes or virus shells are mechanically linked to form a stress-bearing spherical structure that may dramatically enhance the surface rigidity. The dependence of the rigidity enhancement upon the density of the cross-linked proteins situated on the surface of the virus is explored. We determine the percolation threshold Pce by considering bond percolation on the spherical elastic networks involving nearest neighbor forces. The percolation threshold of such networks is very different from that of a two-dimensional triangular lattice due to the topological effect. We find that the threshold probability for the spherical elastic network is considerably smaller than for an unwrapped network, which reveals that the spherical topology induces more rigidity to the network.
Older women's experience with breast cancer treatment decisions.

The purpose of this study was to better understand older women’s experience with breast cancer treatment decisions. We conducted a longitudinal study of non-demented, English-speaking women ≥ 65 years recruited from three Boston-based breast imaging centers. We interviewed women at the time of breast biopsy (before they knew their results) and 6 months later. At baseline, we assessed intention to accept different breast cancer treatments, sociodemographic, and health characteristics. At follow-up, we asked women about their involvement in treatment decisions, to describe how they chose a treatment, and influencing factors. We assessed tumor characteristics through chart abstraction. We used quantitative and qualitative analyses. Seventy women (43 ≥ 75 years) completed both interviews and were diagnosed with breast cancer; 91 % were non-Hispanic white. At baseline, women 75+ were less likely than women 65–74 to report that they would accept surgery and/or take a medication for ≥ 5 years if recommended for breast disease. Women 75+ were ultimately less likely to receive hormonal therapy for estrogen receptor positive tumors than women 65–74. Women 75+ asked their surgeons fewer questions about their treatment options and were less likely to seek information from other sources. A surgeon’s recommendation was the most influential factor affecting older women’s treatment decisions. In open-ended comments, 17 women reported having no perceived choice about treatment and 42 stated they simply followed their physician’s recommendation for at least one treatment choice. In conclusion, to improve care of older women with breast cancer, interventions are needed to increase their engagement in treatment decision-making.
The sulfonimidamide as a novel transition state analog for aspartic acid and metallo proteases.

We have developed a novel strategy for the preparation of tetrahedral transition state analogs for aspartic acid and metallo-proteases based upon the sulfonimidamide functional group. Our best α-des-amino dipeptide analog binds at least 100-fold tighter than the corresponding ground state structure (i.e., amide). A previously unpublished five-membered cyclic sulfonimidamide was also synthesized.
The Src signaling pathway regulates osteoclast lysosomal enzyme secretion and is rapidly modulated by estrogen.

To investigate the role of the pp60src signaling pathway in osteoclast activity, we have used dominant negative pp60src, c-ras, and c-raf expression vectors to individually disrupt their functions in osteoclasts. Osteoclasts were transiently transfected and secretions of cathepsin B/K and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were monitored. Expression of these constructs increased secretion of lysosomal enzymes. In contrast, constitutively active pp60src expression caused decreased lysosomal enzyme secretion. Osteoclasts respond to 17-β estradiol (17βE2) treatment with decreased lysosomal enzyme secretion. Therefore, we investigated the effects of E2 on pp60src kinase activity and observed an E2 time- and dose-dependent decrease in cytoskeletal membrane-associated pp60src tyrosine kinase activity. We have shown that estrogen decreases lysosomal enzyme gene expression and secretion; so we have examined the effects of the expression constructs on estrogen regulation of enzyme secretion. Constitutively active pp60src blocked E2 effects on secretion whereas expression of dominant negative pp60src, c-Ras, or c-Raf enhanced E2 effects. These data support that the kinase domain of cytoskeletal-associated pp60src is likely to be involved in the regulation of lysosomal enzyme secretion.
The Potentially Deleterious Impact of Muscle Activity on Gamma Band Inferences

Sir,In an exciting study recently reported in Neuropsychophar-macology, Barr et al (2009) found that the application ofhigh-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS) amplified the gamma band (30–50Hz) brainelectrical activity associated with performance of an n-backworking memory (WM) task.As a precursor to the analyses of TMS effects, WM-relatedgamma activity was examined. Critically, gamma activityduring the delay period showed a significant effect of load(2-back41-back40-back) in an a priori frontal cluster ofelectrodes (AF3/4, F3/4, F5/6, F1/2, Fz). This effect isconsistent with observations made using hemodynamictechniques and intracranial measures of gamma activity (eg,Axmacher et al, 2008).But are load-dependent changes in gamma activityactually generated in the brain or are they simply anartifact of changes in cranial muscle tension? It is clear thatthe facial muscles, in particular, are exquisitely sensitive to avariety of cognitive and affective processes, includingcognitive load (Shackman et al, 2009). The electromyo-graphic (EMG) activity generated by these muscles ispresent at virtually all frequencies, extending as low as2Hz, and can be detected across the entire scalp (Shackmanet al, 2009).Unfortunately, it is difficult to judge whether the load-dependent gamma band effects reported by Barr et al aremyogenic because the key figures (Figures 3 and 4) onlyshow TMS-induced changes in activity, rather than thesimple effect of load. It also would have been helpful toknow whether the activity at higher frequencies, which arepresumably more sensitive to the EMG, exhibited a similardependence on load. Broadly similar concerns apply toearlier scalp-recorded electroencephalography studies thatreported observing amplified gamma activity during theperformance of WM tasks (eg, Haenschel et al, 2009; Tallon-Baudry et al, 1999).DISCLOSUREThe authors declare no conflict of interest.REFERENCES
The use of the establishing operation in parent-child interaction therapies

Parent-child interaction therapies such as PCIT are empirically supported interventions for children with disruptive behavior disorders. Although demonstrated as effective, the mechanisms responsible for change have not been fully described. Although the success of many parent-child interaction therapies has been explained using behavioral principles, other explanations such as improving the attachment between the parent and the child have also been offered. It is the intent of this paper to offer a purely behavioral conceptualization using the concept of the establishing operation of how parent-child interaction therapies such as PCIT change behavior.
Finding and exploiting parallelism in an ocean simulation program: experience, results, and implications

Abstract How to code and compile large application programs for execution on parallel processors is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the widespread adoption of multiprocessing. To gain insight into this problem, an ocean simulation application was converted to a parallel version. The parallel program demonstrated near-linear speed-up on an Encore Multimax, a 16-processor bus-based shared-memory machine. Parallelizing an existing sequential application—not just a single loop or computational kernel—leads to interesting insights about what issues are significant in the process of finding and implementing parallelism, and what the major challenges are. Three levels of approach to the problem of finding parallelism—loop-level parallelization, program restructuring, and algorithm modification—were attempted, with widely varying results. Loop-level parallelization did not scale sufficiently. High-level restructuring was useful for much of the application, but obtaining an efficient parallel program required algorithm changes to one portion of it. Implementation issues for scalable performance, such as data locality and synchronization, are also discussed. The nature, requirements, and success of the various transformations lend insight into the design of parallelizing tools and parallel programming environments.
Chilly Environments, Stratification, and Productivity Differences

Productivity differences between sociology PhD’s were examined controlling for both human capital and life style differences. Productivity was defined in two ways. First, we looked at differences in article productivity to date. Next, differences in the average productivity of faculty (defined as total articles to date divided by years of experience) were explored. We aimed to capture how working in a chilly environment shapes productivity differences among faculty—especially between faculty working in ranked and unranked PhD programs. Faculty who worked in a ranked PhD department were significantly more productive than others. However, women in these departments were much more likely than men to report being in a chilly environment. Among faculty working in unranked PhD programs in sociology, two variables were critical in understanding productivity differences (age the PhD was awarded and chilly work environment). Faculty who felt welcomed in their department published more than others all else equal. Being in a chilly environment appears detrimental to establishing a publishing career for these faculty.
Relationship among the phase equilibria, microstructures, and dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics via different sintering time

The structure–property relationship of the CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics processed via conventional solid-state method was studied in terms of the different processing conditions. X-ray diffraction patterns of the tenorite CuO and cuprite Cu2O secondary phases found on the unpolished and polished surfaces of CaCu3Ti4O12 were explained by the reduction/reoxidation reaction as a function of sintering time. Based on the microstructures, grain growth of CaCu3Ti4O12 continued from 0.5 to 4 h sintering while the further growth was limited to the small-sized grains after 8 h sintering. Also, WDS data indicated the Cu-deficient and Ti-excessive stoichiometry of CaCu3Ti4O12 on both outer and inner regions regardless of sintering time. The change of dielectric constant and tan δ were shortly discussed with regard to the secondary phases and the microstructures of the different sintering hours.
The relaxation of supercoiled DNA molecules as a biophysical dosimeter for ionizing radiations: A feasibility study

In this paper we explore the feasibility of using DNA molecules as a biophysical radiation dosimeter. Supercoiled φX174 bacteriophage DNA molecules were irradiated with different gamma radiation doses. The strand breakage produced by ionizing radiation within supercoiled double‐stranded DNA molecules (RFI) yields relaxed circular DNA molecules (RFII) and linear DNA molecules (RFIII) as a result of single‐strand breaks and double‐strand breaks, respectively. The irradiated samples were subjected to electrophoresis on agarose gels to separate the three forms. A proprietary fluorescent dye was used to detect DNA bands within the gel, which was photographed under UVtransillumination. The negative was scanned with a computerized imaging densitometric system for DNA band quantitation. The relative fractions of the three molecular forms are dose dependent, and can be modeled mathematically with five parameters. The values of the parameters were determined by optimizing the fit of the model to the data, using a nonlinear regression procedure of a commercial statistical analysis package. Once the parameters of DNA breakage have been determined, absorbed dose can be measured by this technique, which we have termed supercoil relaxation dosimetry. The average accuracy of dose determination for our system over the range of 1–40 Gy was about 5%. Supercoil relaxation dosimetry may be well suited to certain difficult dosimetric problems.
"Trophic" effect of transferrin on amphibian limb regeneration blastemas.

In light of the recent demonstration that one "neurotrophic factor" of peripheral nerves is the iron-transport glycoprotein transferrin, we tested the effects of heterologous transferrin on cellular events in cultured newt forelimb blastemas. Addition of transferrin to medium containing 1% fetal bovine serum resulted in DNA labeling and mitotic activity approxi- mately twice as high as that of blastemas cultured in medium with 1% serum alone. Blastemas maintained for 24 hr in medium with 1% serum were stimu- lated to increased levels of DNA synthesis by the addition of transferrin, and this response was dose-dependent. Varying the concentrations of iron and transferrin in the medium gave results indicating that the glycoprotein's trophic effect is due to its ability to furnish iron to the cells in an appropriate manner. Results of the study are consistent with the hypothesis that blastema cell proliferation is promoted by transferrin or transferrin-like factors released from nerves,
Effects of Unfractionated Heparin and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Antagonists Versus Bivalirdin on Myeloperoxidase Release From Neutrophils

Objectives— The objective of this study was to determine whether adjunctive therapy during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) affects markers of systemic inflammation or platelet activation. Despite different mechanisms of action, direct-thrombin inhibition with bivalirudin during PCI provided similar protection from periprocedural and chronic ischemic complications as compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus planned use of GPIIb/IIIa antagonists in the REPLACE-2 and ACUITY trials. Methods and Results— Patients undergoing nonurgent PCI of a native coronary artery were randomized to receive adjunctive therapy with bivalirudin or UFH+eptifibatide. Interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) transiently increased in both groups after PCI. In the UFH+eptifibatide, but not the bivalirudin group, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were elevated 2.3-fold above baseline ( P =0.004) immediately after PCI. In an in vitro assay, heparin and to a lesser extent enoxaparin, but not bivalirudin or eptifibatide, stimulated MPO release from and binding to neutrophils and neutrophil activation. A mouse model of endoluminal femoral artery denudation was used to investigate further the importance of MPO in the context of arterial injury. Conclusions— Adjuvant therapy during PCI may have undesired effects on neutrophil activation, MPO release, and systemic inflammation.
Implementing functional languages on a combinator-based reduction machine

This paper describes the results of a study done at Iowa State University as part of a larger effort to develop a fine-grained parallel architecture [5]. The goal is to find most heavily used combinators using Turner's method of graph reduction for a wide range of programming styles. The study shows thai there are families and strings of combinators that are used frequently. Optimization of such combinators promises an efficient sequential reduction machine based upon the combinator model.
Cancer of the head of the pancreas: An institutional review with emphasis on surgical therapy

A clinical review of 461 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is presented. Seventy-nine percent of the group underwent laparotomy, including laparotomy and biopsy (n = 134), bypass procedures (n = 207), and radical resection (n = 24). The operative mortality following cholecystoenterostomy or choledochoenterostomy was similar but survival was greater following the latter procedure. Thirteen percent having biliary bypass alone needed later gastric bypass. Radical resection is recommended under favorable conditions (6.6% in this series). The five-year survival in this group was 12.5% and the operative mortality was 9% over the last 10 years.
Comparison of acid mucin goblet cell distribution and Hox13 expression patterns in the developing vertebrate digestive tract

The digestive tract of vertebrates is a complex organ system required for the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients. The colon evolved as a water absorption organ essential for vertebrates to survive on land. In contrast to land vertebrates, the Chondrichthyes (sharks, skates and rays) are nearly iso-osmotic with their ocean environment and do not reabsorb water from food waste. To understand the origin of the vertebrate colon, we examined the distribution of sulfated and sialyated mucus-producing cells in the little skate, Raja erinacea, as an indication of water absorption function in the chondrichthian digestive tract. The percentage of acid mucin producing goblet cells was analyzed in the spiral valve and hindgut of little skate and the small intestine and colon of mouse embryos. Levels of acid mucins in the hindgut of the little skate was comparable to that of the small intestines of terrestrial vertebrates, whereas the distal region of the spiral valve contained high levels of acid mucin producing cells similar to the colon of mouse and chick. The low numbers of acid mucins in the little skate hindgut confirms that a functional colon for water absorption is absent in the Chondrichthyes. Interestingly, the presence of high levels of acid mucins in the posterior spiral valve provides evidence for a possible primordial water-absorbing organ in the elasmobranchs. Hoxd13 patterns acid mucins in the colons of terrestrial vertebrates. Expression of Hoxd13 and Hoxa13 in R. erinacea suggests conserved roles for Hox genes in patterning the early hindgut. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 308B:442–453, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Impact ionization in silicon dioxide

Abstract The dielectric strength of silicon dioxide is related to the breakdown field at which electron-hole pairs can be generated by inverse Auger scattering of hot electrons. This field is calculated to be about 3 × 10 7 V/cm for a 300°K ambient oxide.
Pressure-induced superconductivity in strontium and barium

The electrical-resistance behavior of strontium is studied for various pressures from 250 up to 500 kbar and for temperatures from 2 to 300 K. Superconductivity has been observed in strontium for pressures higher than 350 kbar. The superconducting transition temperature varies from 3 to 4 K with $\frac{d{T}_{c}}{\mathrm{dP}}$ being positive in the pressure range investigated. Superconductivity in Ba is also investigated for pressures from 200 to 400 kbar. $\frac{d{T}_{c}}{\mathrm{dP}}$ for Ba becomes negative in this pressure range.
Atomic-scale imaging correlation on the deformation and sensing mechanisms of SnO2 nanowires

We demonstrate direct evidence that the strain variation induced by local lattice distortion exists in the surface layers of SnO2 nanowires by coupled scanning transmission electron microscopy and digital image correlation techniques. First-principles calculations suggest that surface reduction and subsurface oxygen vacancies account for such vigorous wavelike strain. Our study revealed that the localized change of surface atomistic configuration was responsible for the observed reduction of elastic modulus and hardness of SnO2 nanowires, as well as the superior sensing properties of SnO2 nanowire network.
Woodland Adaptations at the Vergennes Substation (VT-AD-1474), a Native American Site, Vergennes, Vermont:

The University of Massachusetts identified, evaluated, and completed a data recovery survey in 2006 and 2007 of the Vergennes Substation site in advance of construction of an electrical substation....