cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural and acidic properties of aerogels of niobia, niobia/selica, and niobiattania

Abstract Aerogel synthesis is an effective way to stabilize niobia, either by itself or in combination with another oxide, from crystallization induced by thermal treatment. Aerogels of niobia, niobia/silica, and niobia/titania prepared from the respective metal alkoxides were X-ray amorphous after calcination at 773 K for two hours and had surface areas that were higher than samples prepared by precipitation. These materials were also acidic as determined by n-butylamine titrauon. Thermal treatment at higher temperatures led to the crystallization of niobia or compound formation and a concomitant loss in acidity.
Quantum Hall smectics, sliding symmetry, and the renormalization group

In this paper we discuss the implication of the existence of a sliding symmetry, equivalent to the absence of a shear modulus, on the low-energy theory of the quantum hall smectic (QHS) state. We show, through renormalization group calculations, that such a symmetry causes the naive continuum approximation in the direction perpendicular to the stripes to break down through infrared divergent contributions originating from naively irrelevant operators. In particular, we show that the correct fixed point has the form of an array of sliding L\"uttinger liquids which is free from superficially ``irrelevant operators.'' Similar considerations apply to all theories with sliding symmetries.
Human immunodeficiency virus retesting during pregnancy: costs and effectiveness in preventing perinatal transmission.

Abstract Objective To estimate the incremental societal costs and effectiveness of a second human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody test during the third trimester of pregnancy compared with no second test. Methods We used a decision tree in this cost-effectiveness analysis to model outcomes among pregnant women in high-risk communities and nationwide who received an initial, negative HIV antibody test during the first trimester. The main outcome measure was discounted costs per year of infant life saved. Results In high-risk communities with estimated HIV incidence of 6.2 per 1000 person-years, a second HIV test compared with no second test would detect 192 infections in women, prevent approximately 37 infant infections, and save 655 infant life-years per 100,000 women tested. Net savings would be $5.2 million. Applied to an estimated national incidence of .17 per 1000 person-years, a second test would detect 5.3 infections in women, prevent 1.3 infant infections, and save 23.3 infant life-years per 100,000 women tested. Net costs would be $1.06 million, or $45,708 for each year of infant life saved. A second test would result in net savings in populations with HIV incidence of 1.2 per 1000 person-years or higher. Conclusion Health care providers serving women in communities with an HIV incidence of 1 per 1000 person-years or higher should strongly consider implementing a second voluntary universal HIV test during the third trimester. Providers serving lower-risk communities should pilot second testing to assess community-specific costs.
Antifungal agents for the treatment of systemic mycoses

Abstract Traditionally, amphotericin B deoxycholate has been the cornerstone of antifungal therapy. With the advent of the oral azole medications as well as the lipid-formulated preparations of amphotericin B, more treatment options are available for patients with systemic mycoses. The pharmacologic properties, adverse effects, clinical indications, and recommended dosages of the various preparations are summarized in this review. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
On two functional equations with involution on groups related to sine and cosine functions

Let G be a group, $${\mathbb{C}}$$ be the field of complex numbers, z 0 be any fixed, nonzero element in the center Z(G) of the group G, and $${\sigma : G \to G}$$ be an involution. The main goals of this paper are to study the functional equations $${f(x{\sigma}yz_{0}) - f(xyz_{0}) = 2f(x)f(y)}$$ and $${f(x{\sigma}yz_{0}) + f(xyz_{0}) = 2f(x)f(y)}$$ for all $${x, y \in G}$$ and some fixed element z 0 in the center Z(G) of the group G.
Renovascular Hypertension: An Update

Renovascular hypertension, the most common remediable cause of elevated blood pressure, is a controversial topic, but most authorities agree on several principles. The absolute risk of renovascular hypertension for a specific patient can be estimated using only clinical information, thereby sparing many patients further expensive and potentially dangerous evaluations. Patients with a high absolute risk of renovascular hypertension should have angiography only if they are willing to undergo revascularization if warranted. A screening test (captopril renography, Doppler ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography, or computed tomography) is recommended for those with an intermediate absolute risk. Angioplasty should be offered to patients with fibromuscular dysplasia. Whether intensive medical therapy (including an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker) for atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension is improved by angioplasty plus stent placement may be answered by ongoing studies, the largest of which may be the National Institutes of Health-funded Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions (CORAL) trial.
Mechanism of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: Origin of oxygenates

Apparently enigmatic effects of pressure and/or temperature on the reaction products (hydrocarbons versus alcohols and aldehydes) and molecular weight distributions (Schulz-Flory versus Poisson) in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are fitted into a reaction mechanism based on CO insertion and on single, mononuclear metal centers as catalysts.
Inhibition of RANKL increases the anti-tumor effect of the EGFR inhibitor panitumumab in a murine model of bone metastasis

Bone metastases cause severe skeletal complications and are associated with osteoclast-mediated bone destruction. RANKL is essential for osteoclast formation, function, and survival, and is the primary effector of tumor-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteolysis. RANKL inhibition by its soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) prevents tumor-induced osteolysis and decreases skeletal tumor burden. Because osteoclast-mediated bone resorption releases growth factors from the bone matrix, the host bone microenvironment induces a vicious cycle of bone destruction and tumor proliferation and survival. A prediction of this vicious cycle hypothesis is that targeting the host bone microenvironment by osteoclast inhibition would reduce tumor growth and survival and may enhance the anti-tumor effects of targeted therapies. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway regulates critical processes such as cell growth and survival, and anti-EGFR therapies can cause tumor cell arrest and apoptosis. We evaluated whether reduction of osteolysis by RANKL inhibition could enhance the anti-tumor effects of an anti-EGFR antibody (panitumumab) in a novel murine model of human A431 epidermoid carcinoma bone metastasis. Skeletal tumor progression was assessed longitudinally by bioluminescence imaging. RANKL inhibition by OPG-Fc treatment resulted in a reduction in tumor progression in bony sites. OPG-Fc treatment also caused a dose-dependent reduction in tumor-induced osteolysis, supporting the essential role of RANKL in this process. In combination, RANKL inhibition increased the anti-tumor efficacy of an anti-EGFR antibody, and completely blocked tumor-induced bone breakdown, demonstrating that addition of the indirect anti-tumor effect of RANKL inhibition increases the anti-tumor efficacy of panitumumab, a targeted anti-EGFR antibody.
Fringe Modulates Notch-ligand Interactions

The Notch family of transmembrane receptor proteins mediate developmental cell-fate decisions, and mutations in mammalian Notch genes have been implicated in leukaemia, breast cancer, stroke and dementia. During wing development in Drosophila, the Notch receptor is activated along the border between dorsal and ventral cells, leading to the specification of specialized cells that express Wingless (Wg) and organize wing growth and patterning. Three genes, fringe (fng), Serrate (Ser) and Delta (Dl), are involved in the cellular interactions leading to Notch activation. Ser and Dl encode transmembrane ligands for Notch, whereas fng encodes a pioneer protein. We have investigated the relationship between these genes by a combination of expression and coexpression studies in the Drosophila wing. We found that Ser and Dl maintain each other's expression by a positive feedback loop. fng is expressed specifically by dorsal cells and functions to position and restrict this feedback loop to the developing dorsal-ventral boundary. This is achieved by fng through a cell-autonomous mechanism that inhibits a cell's ability to respond to Serrate protein and potentiates its ability to respond to Delta protein.
GENIE: A Genetic Algorithm Model Based Integrated Simulation Framework for Design of Embedded Systems

In this paper, GENIE, a model based adaptable framework that facilitates rapid, performance evaluation of embedded systems, by seamlessly integrating a genetic algorithm to fine tune design parameters. Genetic evolvable network for intelligent embedded systems, (GENIE) provides a formal paradigm for specification of structural and behavioral aspects of embedded systems, an integrated model-based approach, and unified software environment for system design and simulation. The simple genetic algorithm is an optimization method based on the evolutionary process. This method is capable of handling large search spaces. This paper provides an overview of GENIE, discusses the model integrated computing philosophy, and illustrates the high-level modeling concepts being developed in the GENIE project for embedded systems design and evaluation.
H2S adsorption and the effect of sulfur on the oxidation of Ni3Al(111)

Abstract We report the formation of a (2×2) sulfur adlayer by the adsorption of H2S on Ni3Al(111) at room temperature, followed by annealing to ∼1100 K. From Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) measurements, this pattern is consistent with a sulfur coverage (θS) of ≤0.25 monolayers (ML). A diffuse low-energy electron diffraction pattern with streaks, corresponding to θS=0.3 ML, was observed after sulfur adsorption at ∼800 K, but the (2×2) order was restored upon flash annealing to ∼1100 K. AES results rule out any aluminum enrichment or sulfide formation in the surface during exposure to H2S or thermal treatment. The presence of sulfur on the Ni3Al(111) surface retards its oxidation at room temperature. Sulfur is found to remain at the oxide/Ni3Al(111) interface during oxidation at ∼300 K.
Detection of femtomole quantities of mature cathepsin K with zymography

Cathepsin K, the most potent mammalian collagenase, has been implicated in osteoporosis, cancer metastasis, atherosclerosis, and arthritis. Although procathepsin K is stable and readily detected, the active mature cathepsin K eludes detection by in vitro methods due to its shorter half-life and inactivation at neutral pH. We describe, for the first time, reliable detection, visualization, and quantification of mature cathepsin K to femtomole resolution using gelatin zymography. The specificity of the method was validated with cathepsin K knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection of human monocyte-derived macrophages, and enzymatic activity confirmed with benzyloxycarbonyl-glycine-proline-arginine-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (Z-GPR-AMC) substrate hydrolysis was fit to a computational model of enzyme kinetics. Furthermore, cathepsin K zymography was used to show that murine osteoclasts secrete more cathepsin K than is stored intracellularly, and this was opposite to the behavior of the macrophages from which they were differentiated. In summary, this inexpensive, species-independent, antibody-free protocol describes a sensitive method with broad potential to elucidate previously undetectable cathepsin K activity.
Nuclear Translocation of Glyceraldehyde‐3‐Phosphate Dehydrogenase Isoforms During Neuronal Apoptosis

Treatment with cytosine beta-D-arabinoside (AraC; 300 microM) induced a time-dependent accumulation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) protein in nuclei purified from cultured cerebellar granule cells, with a concomitant degradation of lamin B1, a nuclear membrane protein and a substrate of CPP32/caspase-3. Moreover, Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (DEVD-fmk), a CPP32-selective antagonist, dose-dependently suppressed AraC-induced apoptosis of these neurons. Nuclear accumulation of GAPDH protein was associated with a progressive decrease in the activity of uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG), one of the nuclear functions of GAPDH. The nuclear dehydrogenase activity of GAPDH was initially increased after treatment and then decreased parallel to UDG activity. Six GAPDH isoforms were detected in the nuclei of AraC-treated cells. The more alkaline isoforms, 1-3, constituted the bulk of the nuclear GAPDH, and the remaining isoforms, 4-6, were the minor species. Levels of all six isoforms were increased after treatment with AraC for 16 h; a 4-h treatment increased levels of only isoforms 4 and 5. Thus, it appears that various GAPDH isoforms are differentially regulated and may have distinct apoptotic roles. Pretreatment with GAPDH antisense oligonucleotide blocked the nuclear translocation of GAPDH isoforms, and the latter process occurred concurrently with a decrease in cytosolic GAPDH isoforms. Sodium nitroprusside-induced NAD labeling of nuclear GAPDH showed a 60% loss of GAPDH labeling after AraC treatment, suggesting that the active site of GAPDH may be covalently modified, denatured, or improperly folded. The unfolded protein response elicited by denatured GAPDH may contribute to AraC-induced neuronal death.
On the importance of precise calibration techniques for an atomic force microscope.

Abstract Proper calibration of any instrument is vital to an investigator's ability to compare laboratory experiments, as well as to draw quantitative relations between experimental results and the real world. For the atomic force microscope, knowledge of quantities such as the probe spring constant, the piezoactuator voltage/height response, and the probe radius of curvature is necessary when transforming raw data into height, separation and force. These parameters are also prerequisites when applying mathematical models to the collected data. In this communication, we adapt existing techniques of quantifying these parameters to our equipment and show differences between the adjusted parameters and those provided by the manufacturer. The total statistical uncertainty attributable to these parameters was calculated as > 1500 % using the manufacturers’ values. After adjustment, this contribution drops to approximately 20%. The combined effect of quantifying these parameters, which had previously not been explored in concert, demonstrates the necessity of properly understanding one's equipment in order to generate reproducible and credible experimental results.
Influence of electrolytes on EDTA extraction of Pb from polluted soil

Because the economics of soil extraction processes depend on conservation and reuse of costly chelating agents, the ability of various electrolytes to modify EDTA extraction of Pb from a grossly-contaminated soil (PbT=21%) was investigated using batch equilibration experiments. In the absence of added electrolyte, a single 5-hr. extraction with 0.04 M EDTA (corresponding to 1∶1 PbT to EDTA ratio) released 65% of PbT over the pH 5 to 9 range. Under these conditions, Na+-, Li+-, and NH4ClO4 salts at 0.5 M increased Pb desorption to nearly 80%, probably from exchange displacement of soilbound Pb2+ and increased solubility of Pb-containing phases at higher ionic strength. Because Cl− and ClO4 − salts were equally effective, chlorocomplex formation was insignificant. Under slightly acidic conditions, Ca(ClO4)2 and Mg(ClO4)2 at 0.167 M caused roughly the same elevation in Pb recovery as 0.5M of the monovalent electrolytes. However, with progressively higher pH, Ca, and to a lesser extent Mg, suppressed Pb solubilization by competitive chelation of EDTA. Pb recovery by EDTA soil washing could be enhanced by addition of Ca salts at pH 4 to 6. Subsequent pH elevation in the presence of Ca would promote decomposition of Pb-EDTA complexes and separation of Pb as a hydroxide precipitate.
Studies of Human Ecology in Relation to Health and Behavior

Health and Behavior The general behavior of men, and that special form of organismic behavior that we call "illness," are most often studied in the laboratory, because it is thus possible to limit or control the variables that enter into the experiment under observation; but they can be fully understood only in terms of the context in which they naturally occur as manifestations of the complex, highly ordered, multivariate systems made up of people interacting with their environment. The branch of biology that deals with interactions between organisms and their environment is "ecology." The branch of human biology that deals with the interactions between men and their environment is "human ecology." The relation of infectious, parasitic, and dietary diseases to human ecology has been a concern of medicine for many years. During recent years this concern has been extended to the study of the relation of human ecology to health in general, and especially to the disturbances of mood, thought, and behavior, the disorders of adaptation, and the chronic degenerative diseases, all of which have been shown to be markedly influenced by the interaction between men and the
Survey of dietary patterns and health in community dwelling canines

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of performing an epidemiological analysis of dietary patterns and health of canines living in community households. The study was funded by the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation and was sponsored by Central Michigan University. Central Michigan University Institutional Review granted approval for human and animal subject participation. The American Kennel Club approved the project. The study included 50 humans and their canine companions that were recruited through word of mouth and advertisement. Participation in the study was voluntary and compensated with monetary incentives. Questionnaires were administered to the 50 participants and included questions regarding demographics, activity, diet recall, food frequency and general health. Three-day food recalls were validated against food frequency data and were coded to ID with no identifiers. Data were entered using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using spss v.14.0. The results of the study revealed 24% of canines enrolled were diagnosed as obese by their vet, which was consistent with self-reported weight status, where 11 subjects reported an overweight dog (22%). Of the 50 respondents, 38 stated their companion animal was at an ideal weight (76%) and one stated their companion animal was slightly underweight (2%). The majority of companion animals were standard to large size (32%). While small dogs represented 26% (n = 13), toy breeds represented 10% of the subject population (n = 5). The average age of the dogs sampled was 5 years. The four most common breeds were mutt (n = 15), Lab (n = 4), Terrier (n = 4), and Yorkie (n = 4). While only 11 companion animals were classified as overweight, 28 (56%) pets were diagnosed with a health condition and 25 were on some type of medication (50%) excluding heartworm and flea/tick preventatives. The majority of subjects fed their canines treats daily (94%) with an average of five treats per day. Fourteen per cent of respondents fed their dogs a specialized diet that was commercially available and only one respondent fed a prescription formulation. The majority of respondents fed a 'premium' commercially available dog food in dry form. Further research and additional analysis will be required to elucidate relationships between health status and dietary patterns in canines through survey methodologies.
Distinctive Menkes disease variant with occipital horns: Delineation of natural history and clinical phenotype

To delineate further the clinical spectrum of Menkes disease, an X-linked recessive disorder of copper transport, we studied 4 related males, ranging in age from 4-38 years, with a unique phenotype that combines manifestations of classical and mild Menkes disease and occipital horn syndrome (OHS). The propositus, an 18-year-old man, was evaluated following an intracerebral hemorrhage at age 15 years and was noted to have marked hypotonia, motor delay with mental retardation, bladder diverticula, failure to thrive, and diarrhea from infancy; seizures from age 3 years; and abnormal hair (pili torti) and face, cutis laxa, and multiple joint dislocations. Radiographic abnormalities included occipital exostoses, tortuous cerebral blood vessels with multiple branch occlusions, and hammer-shaped clavicles. Biochemical studies demonstrated reduced copper and ceruloplasmin levels in serum, and abnormal plasma catecholamine ratios. We reported previously the molecular defect in this family, a splice-site mutation that predicts formation of approximately 20% of the normal Menkes gene product. Here, we detail the clinical course and physical features and radiographic findings in these 4 individuals, and compare their phenotype with classical and mild Menkes and OHS. Unusual Menkes disease variants such as this may escape recognition due to anomalies that appear inconsistent with the diagnosis,more » particularly prolonged survival and later onset of seizures. Males with mental retardation and connective tissue abnormalities should be evaluated for biochemical evidence of defective copper transport. 28 refs., 8 figs.« less
Effect of buthionine sulfoximine on N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxysuccinimide and N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxysuccinamic acid nephrotoxicity.

N-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) is an agricultural fungicide which induces acute tubular necrosis as its primary toxicity. Two NDPS metabolites, N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxysuccinimide (NDHS) and N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxysuccinamic acid (NDHSA) previously have been shown to be more potent nephrotoxicants than NDPS. In addition, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a glutathione synthesis inhibitor, was found to attenuate NDPS-induced nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of BSO pretreatment on NDHS- and NDHSA-induced nephrotoxicity. Male Fischer-344 rats (4 rats/group) were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) BSO (890 mg/kg) 2 h before NDHS or NDHSA (0.1 or 0.2 mmol/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (sesame oil, 2.5 ml/kg), and renal function monitored at 24-h intervals for 48 h. BSO pretreatment markedly attenuated NDHSA (0.1 or 0.2 mmol/kg)-induced effects on the renal functional parameters monitored. BSO pretreatment also markedly reduced NDHS (0.1 mmol/kg)-induced renal effects. However, NDHS (0.2 mmol/kg) nephrotoxicity was attenuated to a lesser extent than NDHS (0.1 mmol/kg) nephropathy. These results indicate that glutathione is an important mediator of NDPS metabolite nephrotoxicity and suggests that BSO did not attenuate NDPS nephropathy by inhibiting NDPS biotransformation to NDHS or NDHSA.
Substrate Specificity of the Heparin Lyases from Flavobacterium heparinum

Abstract A detailed knowledge about the substrate specificities of the heparin lyases is necessary when using these enzymes as tools for elucidating the sequence of heparin and heparan sulfate. The substrate specificity of heparin lyases I, II, and III have been profiled with structurally defined, heparin-derived oligosaccharides. The primary substrate specificities of heparin lyases I and III require the presence of 2- O -sulfated α-L-idopyranosyluronic acid and β-D- glucopyranosyluronic acid residues, respectively, at the linkages being cleaved. Heparin lyase II demonstrates an intriguingly broad primary specificity for oligosaccharides, acting at linkages containing α-L-idopyranosyluronic and β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid as well as at linkages containing α-L-galactopyranosyluronic acid residues. In addition to their primary specificities, each lyase also demonstrates secondary specificities under forcing conditions. Differences in the sulfation pattern within uronic acid residues and sulfation of adjacent residues has profound impact on the ease of lyase cleavage of a glycosidic linkage. Specifically, heparin lyases I and III exhibit secondary specificity for oligosaccharides containing an unsulfated α-L-idopyranosyluronic acid residue. The lack of sulfation on residues adjacent to the linkage undergoing cleavage increases the action of heparin lyase III on a glycosidic linkage. In contrast, reduced sulfation on adjacent residues make glycosidic linkage resistant to heparin lyase I. The primary and secondary specificity can be rationalized on the basis of most favorable solution conformation of the uronic acid residues.
Postnatal Dexamethasone Treatment Decreases Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Increases Endothelin-1 Expression in the Developing Rat Lung

Postnatal Dexamethasone Treatment Decreases Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Increases Endothelin-1 Expression in the Developing Rat Lung
Organizing the Federal System for Homeland Security: Problems, Issues, and Dilemmas

Improving the capacity of U.S. governments to provide greater homeland security will require numerous changes in the way federal, state, and local governments are organized and operate. It also will require significant alterations in intergovernmental relations. Changes will be required in intergovernmental dimensions, including operational, financial, legal, and political dimensions. A dual-track approach to rearranging intergovernmental relationships in order to provide a coordinated intergovernmental response to the requirements of homeland security is to be expected. Language: en
Developmental toxicity of dimethyl sulfate by inhalation in the rat.

ABSTRACTDimethyl sulfate (DMS; CAS No. 77–78) is a colorless, oily liquid which is used as a chemical intermediate and as a reactant in producing polyurethane resins. In this study, groups of pregnant Crl:CD®BR rats were exposed, nose-only, to either 0.1, 0.7 or 1.5 ppm DMS by inhalation for 6 hr/day from Days 7 through 16 of gestation (day in which copulation plug was detected was designated Day 1G). A control group of pregnant rats was exposed simultaneously to air only. All female rats were euthanized on Day 22G and the fetuses were examined. A suppression of both food consumption and the rate of body weight gain was seen in the 0.7 and 1.5 ppm groups. No unusual clinical signs were seen in rats exposed to DMS. None of the reproductive parameters was altered in any of the groups and no statistically significant fetal effects were detected. DMS is not a developmental toxin in the rat following inhalation exposures up to 1.5 ppm during the period of major organogenesis.
Design of a Robust Adaptive Longitudinal Flight Control

A recently developed adaptive controller based on a disturbance attenuation problem is applied here to the longitudinaldynamics of theF-18 high angle-of-attack research vehicle. Forcommanded changein angleof attack, the controller blends aerodynamic controls with thrust vectoring. The blending is based on the uncertainty of the aerodynamic control moment coefe cient vs the restriction on thrust vectoring using paddles. The development of a controller for this complex control problem is based on an adaptive controller determined from solving, without any approximation, the disturbance attenuation problem, where the control coefe cient matrix is uncertain. This controller estimates online not only the system state but also the uncertain parameters in the control coefe cient matrix. The control is determined by maximizing a nonconcave function with respect to the uncertain parameters and is a function of the disturbance attenuation bound. In linear simulations, it is shown that as the bound is decreased, the transient response is signie cantly quickened, the thrust vectoring is used more heavily during the transient, and the steady state is achieved with only aerodynamic control.
Enzymatic Release and Macrolactonization of Cryptophycins from a Safety‐Catch Solid Support

the enzymes by a thioester, and in the final step cyclized by an integrated C-terminal thioesterase (TE) domain. The analogy of NRP and PKbiosynthesis to solid-phase synthetic methodology inspired us to develop a solid-phase chemoenzymatic synthetic approach for cryptophycins and potential analogues. Previous successful strategies for the synthesis and enzyme-catalyzed on-resin cyclization of peptides involved substrates bound by means of an ester or thioester linkage to a solid support. [2] In addition, recent reports of solid-phase synthesis of linear polyketides under diverse reaction conditions encouraged us to design a chemoenzymatic on-resin macrocyclization strategy using a robust linker that is stable to most chemical synthesis conditions. [3] To facilitate the synthesis of large libraries of macrocyclic compounds we also required a method suitable for the direct release and cyclization of compounds on-resin. This model study describes the solid-phase synthesis and on-resin cyclization of three cryptophycin analogues. Cryptophycins, a class of macrocyclic depsipeptides, were first isolated in the 1990s from Nostoc sp. ATCC 53789 and Nostoc sp. GSV 224. [4] The therapeutic potential of these
Interrelationships of the Threskiornithidae and the phylogenetic position of the Miocene ibis ‘Plegadis’ paganus from the Saint-Gérand-le-Puy area in central France

The fossil ibis Plegadis paganus is known from the Early Miocene of the Saint-Gerand-le-Puy area, France. It was first described in the 19th century by Milne-Edwards (1867–1868), who noticed similarities with members of the extant genera Eudocimus and Plegadis, a view endorsed by subsequent descriptions. The fossil's present placement within the genus Plegadis is not supported by synapomorphic features, and important differences with members of this genus have been noted in the past. The present analysis demonstrates that retention of P. paganus in the extant genus Plegadis is no longer justified, and it is therefore referred to the new genus Gerandibis. A phylogenetic analysis of 55 osteological characters supports placement of Gerandibis pagana in a clade together with Neotropical taxa. This analysis also allowed for an evaluation of the relationships among extant threskiornithids. Contrary to results obtained in molecular-based phylogenies, the present analysis supports a basal divergence of crown group Threskiornithidae into a clade comprising Threskiornis and Platalea and a clade comprising all other ibises. Within the latter, two clades, one made up of Old World taxa and the other consisting predominantly of New World taxa, were recovered.
Structure and Properties of Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Copolyesters

The phenomenon of liquid crystallinity was discovered by Reinitzer1 in 1888 during a study of the melting behavior of cholesteryl esters, and the structure-property relationships in low molecular weight liquid crystalline (LC) systems are now well understood (see e.g. References 2–4). Liquid crystallinity in higher molecular weight organic substances was reported more recently: in the 1950s, LC behavior was observed in solutions of biopolymers, such as poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate), hydroxypropyl-cellulose and tobacco mosaic virus.5 The role of liquid crystallinity in Nature has evoked a lot of interest because of its contribution to the spatial organization of macromolecules in the living organism, e.g. in the packaging of DNA in chromosomes and the aggregation of microtubules to form the structural framework of the cell.6
Fast decoding of tagged message formats

Many important protocols, such as Q.2931 or any protocol based on the ASN.1 basic encoding rules, are transmitted using tagged message formats, in which a message can be considered as a sequence of interleaved tag and data fields, where tag fields define the meaning of subsequent fields. These messages are computationally expensive to decode, partly because decoding each data field requires resting one or more tag fields. Evidence suggests that in some applications, although the potential space of message encodings may be very large, only a small number of message layouts are seen frequently, and thus some of the work required in decoding can be amortized over many messages. This paper analyzes the use of run-time code generation to generate optimized decoding instruction sequences for received messages matching previously observed layouts, and describes a prototype system that applies the techniques to decoding the Q.2931 and ASN.1 BER protocols. In the average case, substantial performance gains are seen.
Applicability of partial monomer volumes derived from the regular solution theory

We demonstrate that the regular solution theory is qualitatively successful in describing the composition dependence of partial monomer volumes in a compressible binary mixture of polymers only when the mixture is symmetric (see text for proper definition). For asymmetric mixtures, the partial monomer volumes can be non-monotonic with composition under ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure, which contradicts the prediction of the regular solution theory. The investigation enables us to conclude that the composition dependence of the partial monomer volumes obtained from the regular solution theory can be considered trustworthy only for a low degree of asymmetry.
Enforcing User-Defined Management Logic in Large Scale Systems

The ubiquity of information technology, technological advances, and utility computing trends have motivated large-scale systems, but managing and sustaining these systems is far from trivial. Automatic or semi-automatic monitoring and control are a potential solution to this problem. However, since management scenarios differ from system to system, a generic management framework that can manage a wide variety of systems should support user-defined management logic. This paper proposes a novel architecture that can manage large-scale systems according to user-specified management logic that depends on both global and local assertions of the managed system. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates that despite having a global view of the managed system, a management framework can scale to manage most real world use cases.
A continuous time synapse employing a refreshable multilevel memory

VLSI constraints affect hardware electronic neural systems. Some architectural modifications are discussed. Hardware implementation of neural networks is required to achieve real-time performance. The architecture is dominated by the size and performance of the synapse, and therefore its design is critical to a dense neural architecture. The major problem in designing an analog synapse is the development of an analog memory. Several possible analog memories have been proposed, but for many applications, dynamic refreshing schemes allow the best overall performance. Dynamic refreshing schemes potentially allow very compact synapses with fast read and write operations. The system presented employs a very dense synapse that allows dynamic refreshing of 8 to 10 bit accuracy with a 1 mu s refresh/read time using a 2-MHz, successive approximation, analog/digital-digital/analog converter. The synapse size is 95 mu m*70 mu m for a 2 mu m process. >
A Nonfluoroscopic Approach for Electrophysiology and Catheter Ablation Procedures Using a Three‐Dimensional Navigation System

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) electroanatomical navigation systems decrease the fluoroscopy time of electrophysiology and ablation procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a complete nonfluoroscopic approach for electrophysiologic studies and right-sided catheter ablations for supraventricular tachycardia in patients with normal cardiac anatomy using a 3D, surface electrode-based navigation system (NavX TM , St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA). Methods and Results: Electrophysiologic studies were performed in 26 consecutive cases (12.7 ± 7.5 years) using NavX TM without fluoroscopy. The procedure time was 98.7 ± 49.7 minutes. Nonfluoroscopic catheter ablations were performed in 24 of 28 consecutive patients. Cryoablation was used in 23 of 24. The procedure time was 193.5 ± 80 minutes. The coronary sinus access was obtained in 32.1 ± 12 (range: 15‐60) seconds. No complications occurred. All patients (n = 19) who underwent cryoablation for right-sided arrhythmia substrates with conventional fluoroscopic guidance in addition to NavX TM were used as a control group (10.1 ± 5.2 years). Catheter ablation success rate of the control group (16/19, 84%) was not significantly different compared to the patients who underwent ablation without fluoroscopy (22/24, 92%). The procedure time was also not significantly different between the two groups (P = NS). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that nonfluoroscopic electrophysiologic studies and right-sided catheter ablations for supraventricular tachycardia can be safely and effectively performed in the majority of patients with normal cardiac anatomy using NavX TM . Further studies will be necessary in order to establish the potential utility of NavX TM in eliminating or decreasing radiation exposure for other electrophysiology procedures. (PACE 2007; 30:519‐525)
A self-configuring RED gateway

The congestion control mechanisms used in TCP have been the focus of numerous studies and have undergone a number of enhancements. However, even with these enhancements, TCP connections still experience alarmingly high loss rates, especially during times of congestion. To alleviate this problem, the IETF is considering active queue management mechanisms, such as random early detection (RED), for deployment in the network. In this paper, we first show that the effectiveness of RED depends, to a large extent, on the appropriate parameterization of the RED queue. We then show that there is no single set of RED parameters that work well under different congestion scenarios. In light of this observation, we propose and experiment with more adaptive RED gateways which self-parameterize themselves based on the traffic mix. The results show that traffic cognizant parameterization of RED gateways can effectively reduce packet loss, while maintaining high link utilizations under a range of network loads.
Model-based error diffusion for high fidelity lenticular screening

Digital halftoning is the process of converting a continuous-tone image into an arrangement of black and white dots for binary display devices such as digital ink-jet and electrophotographic printers. As printers are achieving print resolutions exceeding 1,200 dots per inch, it is becoming increasingly important for halftoning algorithms to consider the variations and interactions in the size and shape of printed dots between neighboring pixels. In the case of lenticular screening where statistically independent images are spatially multiplexed together, ignoring these variations and interactions, such as dot overlap, will result in poor lenticular image quality. To this end, we describe our use of model-based error-diffusion for the lenticular screening problem where statistical independence between component images is achieved by restricting the diffusion of error to only those pixels of the same component image where, in order to avoid instabilities, the proposed approach involves a novel error-clipping procedure.
Some Properties of Epistemic Set Theory with Collection

Myhill [12] extended the ideas of Shapiro [15], and proposed a system of epistemic set theory IST (based on modal S 4 logic) in which the meaning of the necessity operator is taken to be the intuitive provability, as formalized in the system itself. In this setting one works in classical logic, and yet it is possible to make distinctions usually associated with intuitionism, e.g. a constructive existential quantifier can be expressed as (∃ x ) □ …. This was first confirmed when Goodman [7] proved that Shapiro's epistemic first order arithmetic is conservative over intuitionistic first order arithmetic via an extension of Godel's modal interpretation [6] of intuitionistic logic. Myhill showed that whenever a sentence □ A ∨ □ B is provable in IST, then A is provable in IST or B is provable in IST (the disjunction property), and that whenever a sentence ∃ x .□ A(x) is provable in IST, then so is A( t ) for some closed term t (the existence property). He adapted the Friedman slash [4] to epistemic systems. Goodman [8] used Epistemic Replacement to formulate a ZF-like strengthening of IST, and proved that it was a conservative extension of ZF and that it had the disjunction and existence properties. It was then shown in [13] that a slight extension of Goodman's system with the Epistemic Foundation (ZFE R , cf. §1) suffices to interpret intuitionistic ZF set theory with Replacement (ZFI R , [10]). This is obtained by extending Godel's modal interpretation [6] of intuitionistic logic. ZFE R still had the properties of Goodman's system mentioned above.
Solubility and Electrical Response of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thiolate Mediated Gold Nanoparticle Attachment

Dodecanethiol-stabilized-Au nanoparticles are successfully attached to the sidewall of as- grown single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a simple approach. This provides a straightforward method to functionalize and dissolve SWCNTs of full length in organic solvents. The modified nanotubes exhibit dramatic increase in tube resistance and strong gate dependence with a memory effect, which is explained in terms of nanotube structure deformation induced by surface thiolation. The mechanism for Au particle attachment is shown to be via dodecanethiol groups.
FIELD RELEASES OF TRICHOGRAMMA MINUTUM (HYMENOPTERA: TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE) FOR SUPPRESSION OF EPIDEMIC SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE), EGG POPULATIONS IN MAINE

Trichogramma minutum Riley was released in the field for suppression of epidemic spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens), egg populations in Maine from 1977 to 1981. Commercially reared California-strain T. minutum were released from the ground at single-point sources in 1977. In 1978, using 4-point-source releases, we found that the native Maine-strain performed better than the California strain. In 1979, broadcast and multiple releases from the ground gave slight improvement in parasitism over 4-point releases. In 1981, three closely timed, aerially broadcast releases from a helicopter yielded increases in parasitism rates significantly higher than those in control plots, but not sufficient to suppress epidemic spruce budworm populations. Important variables and suggestions for future aerial releases are discussed.
How does age affect leg muscle activity/coactivity during uphill and downhill walking?

Abstract Walking uphill and downhill can be challenging for community-dwelling old adults. We investigated the effects of age on leg muscle activity amplitudes and timing during level, uphill, and downhill walking. We hypothesized that old adults would exhibit smaller increases in ankle extensor muscle activities and greater increases in hip extensor muscle activities compared to young adults during uphill vs. level walking. We also hypothesized that, compared to level walking, antagonist leg muscle coactivation would be disproportionately greater in old vs. young adults during downhill walking. Ten old (72 ± 5 yrs) and ten young (25 ± 4 yrs) subjects walked at 1.25 m/s on a treadmill at seven grades (0°, ±3°, ±6°, ±9°). We quantified the stance phase electromyographic activities of the gluteus maximus (GMAX), biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), medial gastrocnemius (MG), soleus (SOL), and tibialis anterior (TA). Old adults exhibited smaller increases in MG activity with steeper uphill grade than young adults (e.g., +136% vs. +174% at 9°). A disproportionate recruitment of hip muscles led to GMAX activity approaching the maximum isometric capacity of these active old adults at steep uphill grades (e.g., old vs. young, 73% MVC vs. 33% MVC at +9°). Neither uphill nor downhill walking affected the greater coactivation of antagonist muscles in old vs. young adults. We conclude that the disproportionate recruitment of hip muscles with advanced age may have critical implications for maintaining independent mobility in old adults, particularly at steeper uphill grades.
Effects of immunization against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and treatment with trenbolone acetate on reproductive function of beef bulls and steers

The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the ability of trenbolone acetate (TBA) administered in tandem with LHRH immunization to suppress reproductive function in bulls and 2) to exam- ine the effects of LHRH and androgen (TBA) signal- ing on pituitary gland function. Forty-four Angus × Hereford crossbred calves (BW = 225 ± 2 kg; age = 187 ± 6 d) received castration, LHRH immunization, or TBA administration in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Treatment groups receiving LHRH immunization con- tained 6 animals, whereas other treatment groups con- tained 5 animals. Animals immunized against LHRH received a primary injection and 2 booster injections of ovalbumin-LHRH-7 fusion protein on d 0, 42, and 196, respectively. Animals treated with TBA were im- planted on d 224. Serum LHRH antibodies increased (P 0.10) of TBA on pituitary gland FSH content and only a tendency (P = 0.09) to increase pituitary gland LH content. Im- munization against LHRH decreased expression of LH β-subunit and common α-subunit genes (P < 0.001). Castration increased expression of LH β-subunit and common α-subunit genes (P = 0.02). Treatment with TBA further suppressed (P = 0.04) α-subunit mRNA expression in LHRH-immunized steers. In summary, LHRH immunization decreased synthesis and storage of LH and decreased storage, but not synthesis of FSH in bulls. The increased synthesis of LH and FSH in nonimmunized, but not LHRH-immunized steers sug- gests that castration removes the negative feedback on gonadotropin synthesis but that LHRH is still needed for release of these hormones. Androgen replacement with TBA did not restore the negative feedback control of gonadotropin synthesis.
The potential of advanced technologies to reduce carbon capture costs in future IGCC power plants

Abstract Over the next two decades, our nation will need to add a substantial amount of new power generation capacity. The possibility of more stringent environmental regulations for greenhouse gas emissions in the utility sector has provided a window of opportunity for integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCCs) equipped with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to participate significantly in this expansion. This paper analyzes several advanced technologies under development in the Department of Energy (DOE) research and development (R&D) portfolio that have the potential to improve process efficiency, reduce capital and operating expense, and increase plant availability resulting in a significant reduction in the cost of electricity for plants that capture carbon.