cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical attributes of transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) – a generic product development review

Bioequivalence testing of transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) has always been a subject of high concern for generic companies due to the formulation complexity and the fact that they are subtle to even minor manufacturing differences and hence should be clearly qualified in terms of quality, safety and efficacy. In recent times bioequivalence testing of transdermal patches has gained a global attention and many regulatory authorities worldwide have issued recommendations to set specific framework for demonstrating equivalence between two products. These current regulatory procedures demand a complete characterization of the generic formulation in terms of its physicochemical sameness, pharmacokinetics disposition, residual content and/or skin irritation/sensitization testing with respect to the reference formulation. This paper intends to highlight critical in vitro tests in assessing the therapeutic equivalence of products and also outlines their valuable applications in generic product success. Understanding these critical in vitro parameters can probably help to decode the complex bioequivalence outcomes, directing the generic companies to optimize the formulation design in reduced time intervals. It is difficult to summarize a common platform which covers all possible transdermal products; hence few case studies based on this approach has been presented in this review.
K-ABC Theory in Historical and Current Contexts

This article reviews the development of the conceptual principles of the K-ABC theoretical model and places them in contemporary perspective. The K-ABC is deeply rooted in theories associated with clinical and experimental neuropsychology and, to a lesser extent, cognitive psychology. The sequential/simultaneous model is also an outgrowth of the Kaufmans' research with the McCarthy Scales and the WISC-R. Various studies of the validity of the K-ABC theory suggest that this theory warrants further research. There are additional studies, however, that propose alternative interpretations of the data. Overall, the wealth of research evidence to date makes the K-ABC sequential/simultaneous model a useful heuristic for the study of children's intelligence.
Multiwavelength Variability of the Synchrotron Self-Compton Model for Blazar Emission

Motivated by recent reports of strongly correlated radio and X-ray variability in 3C 279 (Grandi et al.), we have computed the relative amplitudes of variations in the synchrotron flux at ν and the self-Compton X-ray flux at 1 keV [R(ν)] for a homogeneous sphere of relativistic electrons orbiting in a tangled magnetic field. We consider three cases: the Thomson depth of the sphere (τT) varying at fixed magnetic field strength (B), B varying at fixed τT, and equal fractional changes in τT and B. Relative to synchrotron self-Compton scattering without induced Compton scattering, stimulated scattering reduces the amplitude of R(ν) by as much as an order of magnitude when τT 1. When τT varies in a fixed magnetic field, Rτ increases monotonically from 0.01 at ν0, the self-absorption turnover frequency, to 0.5 at 100ν0. Variations in B reduce R at all ν, up to a factor of 2 if τT is constant, and introduce local extrema in R. The relative amplitudes of the correlated fluctuations in the radio-millimeter and X-ray fluxes from 3C 279 are consistent with the synchrotron self-Compton model if τT varies in a fixed magnetic field and induced Compton scattering is the dominant source of radio opacity. The variation amplitudes are too small to be produced by the passage of a shock through the synchrotron emission region unless the magnetic field is perpendicular to the shock front.
The Impact of Total Ionizing Dose on Unhardened SRAM Cell Margins

Static random access memory (SRAM) cells have diminishing read and write margins due to fabrication variations. These variations are a direct result of the small device sizes necessary to maintain scaling commensurate with Moore's law. Total ionizing dose (TID) primarily affects NMOS device characteristics, which are the most important to maintaining SRAM cell read stability. A test structure allowing direct measurement of SRAM cell electrical characteristics in an SRAM memory bank is presented. Experimentally measured results from this structure, fabricated on a 90 nm process, show impact of Co-60 irradiation on SRAM cell margins. This test structure is fabricated on the same die as a 1.2 Mbit SRAM, allowing comparison of the individual cell characteristics with the overall leakage impact on the large SRAM. The results indicate that by simply providing sufficient margins during SRAM cell design, functionality at high TID can be achieved without the use of radiation hardening by design (RHBD) techniques. The implications for future unhardened SRAMs operating in TID environments and on design to maintain margins are discussed.
Protective flexible coatings on copper by spontaneous polymerization

Spontaneous polymerization (S-Poly) is a novel process for forming protective polymer coatings on metals. The S-Poly mechanism on copper is discussed for one typical monomer system. Poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (EEM), a flexible monomer, was first introduced into a styrene/N-phenyl maleimide system that we had used for aluminum and steel. The effects of EEM on the composition, apparent molecular weight, thermal properties, and other properties of the coatings were studied with reflectance Fourier transform infrared, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and water-uptake and adhesion experiments. N-(4-Fluorophenyl) maleimide (4FMI), a strongly hydrophobic monomer, was further incorporated into the EEM copolymer for improved water impermeability. The resultant coatings, which included EEM and 4FMI units, showed good bonding strength to copper and better ductility and protective properties than other coatings in both corrosion and pinhole tests. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1749–1757, 2002
Culture and the Economy

In a sample of 18 industrialized nations, measures of national character did not improve the power of socioeconomic variables in predicting unemployment rates.
Legal concerns in community college employment matters

The American community college has posed, for a period of time, some distinctively unique concerns pertaining to legal issues. However, the most pressing legal issues facing community colleges now are those regarding personnel.
Atomic structure of the epitaxial BaO/Si(001) interface.

We present the structure of the interface responsible for epitaxy of crystalline oxides on silicon. Using synchrotron x-ray diffraction, we observe a 2 x 1 unit cell reconstruction at the interface of BaO grown on Si(001) terminated with 1/2 ML of Sr. Since this symmetry is not present in bulk BaO or Si, only the interface contributes to diffracted intensity. First principles calculations accurately predict the observed diffraction and identify the structure of the BaO/Si interface, including the elemental composition and a sub-{angstrom} rumpling due to epitaxial strain of the 7 adjacent BaO and Si layers.
Comparison of immunogenicity of opiates bound to protein at different sites on the molecule: N-carboxy morphine-BSA

Abstract Morphine-protein conjugates were prepared, using three sites on the morphine molecule for protein conjugation. The synthesis of N-carboxy morphine and proof of its structure is presented. Antisera raised against bovine serum albumin attached to positions 3 and 6 on the morphine molecule were studied, but the antisera to N-carboxy morphine-BSA did not recognize morphine, only the protein carrier.
Cortical reorganization in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Object Recent investigations have demonstrated that the cerebral cortex can reorganize as a result of spinal cord injury and may play a role in preserving neurological function. Reorganization of cortical representational maps in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) has not been previously described. The authors sought to determine the feasibility of using functional magnetic resonance (fMR) imaging in patients with CSM to investigate changes in the cortical representation of the wrist and ankle before and after surgical intervention. Methods Four patients with clinical and imaging evidence of CSM were prospectively enrolled in this study. The patients underwent preoperative neurological examination, functional assessment, cervical imaging, and brain fMR imaging. The fMR imaging activation task undertaken was either wrist extension or ankle dorsiflexion, depending on whether the patient's primary impairment was hand dysfunction or gait difficulty. The cohort then underwent further evaluatio...
Robust and high performance subthreshold standard cell design

Digital subthreshold circuits are gaining importance because of their ability to serve as an ideal low power solution. In this paper, a methodology to design a performance enhanced subthreshold standard cell library robust to process variations is discussed. Several approaches to design a performance enhanced cell library are discussed and an optimal design choice is made with energy-delay product as a metric. Significant performance improvements of 2X, 8X and 1.5X are achieved for inverter, AND, and OR cells respectively over regular cell library. The variation in delay for the proposed standard cell library with respect to four process corners is studied. A significant reduction of about 75.6% in delay variation across worst case process corners was observed when a normal inverter and inverter from the high performance cell library were simulated.
Photoanthropometric study of craniofacial traits of individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.

A photoanthropometric method, which enables an objective description of facial structures, was used to better delineate the craniofacial characteristics of 37 individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS; 21 males and 16 females; 22 with 15q11q13 deletions and 15 with normal-appearing chromosome 15s) between the ages of 0 to 12 years. Facial parameters were measured from strict frontal and profile photographic 35 mm slides and compared with other facial measurements from the same face (e.g., palpebral fissure width to bizygomatic diameter). We studied 16 photoanthropometric craniofacial indices following the protocols established by Stengel-Rutkowski et al. [1984: Hum Genet 67:272–295] and Butler et al. [1988: Am J Med Genet 30:165–168]. Based on our measurements of 37 Prader-Willi syndrome individuals, none of the parameters were consistently outside of the normal range when compared with photoanthropometric index standards for age established from white control children [Stengel-Rutkowski et al., 1984]. However, several suggestive findings were documented by our analysis including: narrow palpebral fissure width [particularly in older children (6–12 years)], high midface, broad interalar distance, short back of the nose, prominent high chin, and broad low-set ears. No significant differences were found in craniofacial parameters between deletion or nondeletion Prader-Willi syndrome patients with this methodology. These craniofacial parameters (many not previously evaluated in PWS patients) may become useful for early detection, and aid in the diagnosis and the study of the development of the characteristic face seen in Prader-Willi patients. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Prolactin regulation of cryptic prolactin receptors in cultured rat mammary tumor cells

Rat mammary tumors contain a unique class of cryptic cell-surface prolactin receptors that can be unmasked by depleting the cells of energy. These cryptic receptors, which are found in mammary tumors and nonlactating normal mammary cells but not in differentiated mammary tissue, are continuously inserted and rapidly removed from the cell surface. In this report we demonstrate that prolactin regulates the level of cryptic receptors. Treatment of primary cultures of rat mammary tumor cells with prolactin at concentrations between 0.1 and 0.5 ng/ml caused cryptic receptor levels to increase within 24 h, and this increase was maintained for up to 6 days. At prolactin concentrations of 10-50 ng/ml, receptor levels were the same as in cells incubated without hormone, while a decrease in the steady-state level of cryptic receptors was induced within 24 h by 100-500 ng prolactin/ml. Concentrations of 1,000-5,000 ng prolactin/ml caused a rapid, dose-dependent down regulation of cryptic receptor sites. Down regulation at 5,000 ng prolactin/ml was (1) complete (84 +/- 5% reduction) in 1 h; (2) specific for lactogenic hormones; (3) completely reversed within 10 h after prolactin removal; (4) energy dependent; and (5) not blocked by the cytoskeleton active agents cytochalasin B and colchicine or by NH4Cl, which inhibits hormone degradation. We conclude that rat mammary tumor cells have the capacity to auto-regulate cryptic prolactin receptors, a property that supports our notion that such receptors play a role in regulating prolactin responsiveness. The observed pattern of cryptic receptor autoregulation in response to prolactin concentration and time of exposure suggests that a pool of cryptic sites provides these cells with the capacity to respond to prolactin concentrations from pg to microgram/ml, a range well beyond the Kd for the receptor itself. Since prolactin receptors in mammary tumors are not down regulated unless prolactin concentrations are well beyond the saturation point, these cells may have a selective growth advantage over cells in normal mammary tissue.
Suggested reduction of permissible exposure to plutonium and other transuranium elements.

The historical development of the value of maximum permissible body burden of 239Pu is presented and present considerations for the revision of this standard are given. Some evidence is presented t...
Effects of Teaching Strategies on Group Dynamics and Individual Learning

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of adaptive teaching strategies to enhance training in cooperative learning settings. The Biology Sleuth is a multi-media learning environment developed as a testbed to vary the distribution of critical resources and the use of teaching strategies, and to study their effects on group dynamics and individual learning. Students work in a cooperative environment, aided by various resources including a knowledge-base, each other, the software, and the teacher. This study examines the effects of two teaching strategies in this environment and suggests these strategies can have a large impact on both group dynamics and individual learning. A 35% improvement (p < .05) was measured in the treatment group. This suggests that while many design features are chosen while developing training tools, designers also need to explicitly consider how these environments can be adapted during use to maximize the learning experience.
Adenovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer in the Midgestation Fetal Mouse

Abstract Background. The development of strategies for gene transfer in utero will make possible the amelioration, and eventually the cure, of genetic diseases associated with pre- and postnatal morbidity and mortality. We have developed a murine model for in utero, intrahepatic, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in Day 15 fetuses and compared the level and distribution of luciferase reporter gene expression in newborns with those observed in adult animals injected intravenously. Material and methods. CD-1 fetuses underwent intrahepatic injection on Day 15 of gestation with 1 × 10 7 particle-forming units (PFU) of an E1- and E3-deleted recombinant adenovirus containing the luciferase reporter gene or with normal saline. At birth, pups were euthanized, and the brain, heart, intestine, liver, lungs, and spleen harvested and analyzed for luciferase activity. Results. Two adenovirus-injected litters proceeded to term and one female aborted. Tissues from 10 newborn mice in the experimental group and 5 newborns in the control group were analyzed; tissues from the remaining newborns were reserved for other studies. High-level luciferase expression was detected in all adenovirus-injected newborn livers. Lower levels of luciferase activity were detected in distant organs. Hepatic toxicity as determined by serum transaminase elevations was observed in adult, but not in newborn mice previously injected with the adeno-luciferase virus. Conclusions. In utero intrahepatic gene delivery with adenoviral vectors in the developing murine fetus is feasible and produces high-level gene expression. These studies suggest that viral and nonviral gene delivery vectors may be useful in the development of future approaches to prenatal treatment of genetic disorders.
Mink Epithelial Cell Killing by Pathogenic Murine Leukemia Viruses Involves Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

We previously demonstrated that mink cells undergo apoptosis after MCF13 murine leukemia virus (MLV) infection. In this study, we observed that virus-infected mink epithelial cells had significantly larger amounts of steady-state levels of MCF13 MLV envelope precursor protein (gPr80(env)) than did Mus dunni fibroblasts, which are resistant to virus-induced cytopathicity. Infection of mink cells with the noncytopathic NZB-9 MLV did not result in the accumulation of gPr80(env). MCF13 MLV infection of mink cells produced low cell surface expression of envelope glycoprotein and less efficient spread of infectious virus. Western blot analysis of mink epithelial cells infected with MCF13 MLV showed an increase in GRP78/BiP, which was not observed for either mink cells infected with NZB-9 MLV or M. dunni fibroblasts infected with MCF13 MLV. MCF13 MLV infection of mink cells also resulted in a significant upregulation of CHOP/GADD153. These results indicate that the accumulation of MCF13 MLV gPr80(env) triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress, which may mediate apoptosis in mink epithelial cells.
Old texts, new practices: Islamic reform in modern Morocco

Etty Terem's Old texts, new practices: Islamic reform in modern Morocco takes readers on a journey across a tumultuous period in Moroccan history through the eyes of one scholar, al-Mahdi al-Wazzan...
Structural requirements for stabilization of vascular elastin by polyphenolic tannins.

Abstract Elastin-associated degeneration and calcification are potential causes of long-term failure of glutaraldehyde (Glut) fixed tissue bioprostheses used in cardiovascular surgery. This vulnerability may be attributed to the inability of Glut to cross-link and adequately protect vascular elastin from enzymatic attack. Tannic acid (TA), a poly galloyl glucose (Glc), is compatible with Glut fixation, binds to vascular elastin, improves resistance to degradation and reduces in vivo calcification. While these results provided evidence of a beneficial interaction between elastin and TA, the nature and mechanisms of these interactions are unclear; moreover, TA–elastin binding exhibits a partial instability after long-term interaction with vascular elastin which could contribute to issues of implant toxicity. In present studies, we used resistance to elastase, mechanical properties, and cell viability assays to evaluate the elastin-stabilizing potential and cytotoxicity of TA derivatives and individual TA components such as acetylated TA (AcTA), pentagalloylglucose (PGG), free gallic acid (Gall) and Glc. Our comparative study demonstrates that polyphenolic hydroxyl groups are the main structural groups essential to the interaction between TA and elastin. Furthermore, we show that PGG, the core structure of TA, possesses the same unique elastin-stabilizing qualities of TA, yet it is much less cytotoxic than TA and thus could be potentially useful as an elastin-stabilizing agent for cardiovascular bioprostheses.
Discriminative models of integrating document evidence and document-candidate associations for expert search

Generative models such as statistical language modeling have been widely studied in the task of expert search to model the relationship between experts and their expertise indicated in supporting documents. On the other hand, discriminative models have received little attention in expert search research, although they have been shown to outperform generative models in many other information retrieval and machine learning applications. In this paper, we propose a principled relevance-based discriminative learning framework for expert search and derive specific discriminative models from the framework. Compared with the state-of-the-art language models for expert search, the proposed research can naturally integrate various document evidence and document-candidate associations into a single model without extra modeling assumptions or effort. An extensive set of experiments have been conducted on two TREC Enterprise track corpora (i.e., W3C and CERC) to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed framework.
Observation of mass transport through solid 4He

By use of an experimental design that provides for superfluid helium in contact with bulk hcp $^{4}\text{H}\text{e}$ off the melting curve, we have observed the dc transport of mass through a cell filled with solid $^{4}\text{H}\text{e}$ in the hcp region of the phase diagram. Flow, which shows characteristics of a superflow, is seen to be independent of the method used to grow the solid but depends on pressure and temperature. The temperature dependence suggests the possibility of hysteresis.
Pancreatic ribonuclease: enzymic and physiological properties of a cross-linked dimer.

Monomeric ribonuclease A has very low activity toward typically double-stranded RNA9s; the dimeric form of ribonuclease A obtained by cross linking the enzyme by dimethyl suberimidate has more than 78 times the activity of the monomer toward polyadenylate · polyuridylate and 440 times the activity of the monomer toward the double-stranded RNA of a virus from Penicillium chrysogenum. The half-life of the dimer in the bloodstream of the rat is 12 times that of the mononmer.
Xenia and Maternal Effects on Maize Kernel Development

Maize (Zea mays L.) kernel mass is a primary grain yield component controlled by genes from both the pollen and the maternal plant. We studied the contribution of genes attributable to kernel weight difference when inherited through the pollen versus the plant. We measured grain-filling characteristics, kernel moisture concentration, rate of moisture ross, and mature kernel dry weight for apical, mid-ear, and basal kernels of field-grown plants. We produced 12 hybrid strains by reciprocally intercrossing three strains that differ for grain-filling rates [high (tiC), random (RC), and low (LC) R-nj color expression] with two kernel-weight strains [large .(LG) and small (SM)]. Plants of each hybrid strain were pollinated with either LG or SM pollen in Fargo, ND, in 1990, 1991, and 1992. Multivariate analyses of variance showed that LG and SM pollen effects differed for rate of grain filling, lag phase duration, and kernel dry weight. Kernels from LG pollen had 0.4% shorter lag phases, grew 5.2% faster, and were 3.9% heavier at maturity than kernels from SM pollen. Developmental similarities among apical, mid-ear, and basal kernels suggested that a common assimilate supply controlled their growth. Kernels from LG plants had 2.6% higher grain-filling rates, 5.9% longer effective filling periods, 0.7% shorter lag phases, 7.6% heavier mature kernds, and 23 g kg−1 lower moisture concentration at physiological maturity than kernels from SM plants. We found reciprocal effects among hybrid plants for all traits. Kernel-weight genes produced xenia effects for three traits determining kernel dry weight, but affected many additional traits when inherited via the plant.
Influence of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on Wall Shear Stress and Nitric Oxide Levels

Wall shear stress (WSS) in blood vessels has been shown to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. In particular, regions of low and oscillating WSS have been shown to correlate with the localization of atherosclerosis. Thus, we hypothesize that increasing the WSS for patients with peripheral vascular diseases (PVD) will either reduce PVD severity or slow its progression. We analyzed WSS changes from a study by Delis et al. on 32 limbs of PVD patients [1]. Results show that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) increases mean WSS by 170% and 240% in PVD patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Peak WSS was found to increase by 93% and 40% in PVD patients and healthy subjects, respectively. In addition, we examined changes in NOX level with use of IPC on five limbs from PVD patients. Our study demonstrated increased NOx levels in subjects after IPC. Further research is needed to determine the benefits of IPC for PVD patients.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The Whitman Recording

Describes the rediscovery of the "tape-recording of what may be an 1889 or 1890 wax-cylinder recording of Walt Whitman reading four lines of his late poem 'America.'"
Native and recombinant Slc26a3 (downregulated in adenoma, Dra) do not exhibit properties of 2Cl-/1HCO3- exchange.

The recent proposal that Dra/Slc26a3 mediates electrogenic 2Cl−/1HCO3− exchange suggests a required revision of classical concepts of electroneutral Cl− transport across epithelia such as the intes...
Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein by Cu2+ and lipoxygenase: an electron spin resonance study.

Abstract The aim of this work was to obtain spectroscopic evidence for free radicals formed during copper ion- and lipoxygenase-catalyzed oxidation of the low-density lipoprotein. During the initial oxidation phase, a free-radical metabolite derived from the endogeneous α-tocopherol present in the low-density lipoprotein was detected by the electron spin resonance technique. The divalent copper ions were bound to the residual EDTA present in the low-density lipoprotein and to the protein. Production of the α-tocopherol radical was suppressed in the presence of spin traps. Evidence for the low-density lipoprotein-lipid derived radicals was obtained by ESR-spin trapping methods. Implications of these findings in the oxidative modification of the low-density lipoprotein are discussed.
A surface texturing approach for cleaner disc brakes

Brake dust generated in vehicle brakes causes discoloration of wheels and, more importantly, the emission of particles suspected of health hazard in the environment. Laboratory testing of brake pad materials against cast iron discs revealed that the majority of wear particles are submicrometer in size. Wear particles with a size of 350 nm had the highest percentage in the particle size distribution plots, regardless of the magnitude of the nominal contact pressure and the sliding speed. Due to their predominantly submicrometer size, a significant amount of brake dust particles may be inhalable in environmental and occupational exposure situations. In order to prevent the dispersion of particles into surrounding environments, a surface topography design with radial microgrooves on the disc was utilized to trap wear particles immediately after their formation. The particles moved radially outward in the microgrooves due to the centrifugal force and were collected in a reservoir. The design yielded a cleaner...
A striatal serotonergic involvement in the behavioural effects of anticholinesterase organophosphates

Acute administration of the anticholinesterase agents diisopropylfluorophosphate, soman, sarin and tabun to rats in sub-convulsive doses produced tremors and hind-limb abduction. The ratios of the levels of 5-HIAA to 5-HT in the striatum showed a consistent tendency to be increased, suggesting an increase in 5-HT turnover. Both the behavioural and the biochemical changes were antagonized by atropine. The possible involvement of a cholinergic-serotonergic interaction in these tremors and hind-limb abduction is discussed.
Cystometry: Unstable Bladder and Urinary Tract Infection

Summary— In order to study the effect of urinary infections upon the incidence of bladder instability during cystometric evaluation, 15 women underwent cystometry during the course of significant bacteriuria (105 organisms/ml) and again 2 weeks after treatment. The pre-treatment incidence of bladder instability (53%) dropped by 50% following treatment of the infection but other cystometric measurements remained unchanged. Urinary tract infections must be treated adequately before treating bladder instability.
Ultrasound diagnosis of fatty liver in patients with chronic liver disease: a retrospective observational study.

ObjectivesHepatic ultrasound (US) is readily available and physicians usually trust the results of an US report suggesting fatty liver, but there are conflicting reports on its accuracy, especially in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Therefore, we retrospectively examined liver biopsies in
Reciprocal Beating Induced by Ventricular Pacing

Ventricular pacing is frequently associated with retrograde ventriculo-atrial conduction. In the absence of atrioventricular (A-V) block, the relatively intact antegrade A-V conduction system supplies the necessary pathway for a re-entry mechanism that may become operative in the presence of delayed retrograde conduction. Two patients with bradycardia and unimpaired antegrade A-V conduction exhibited reciprocal (echo) beating following nodal beats before ventricular pacing was instituted. After the introduction of an artificial ventricular pacemaker, reciprocal beats followed the paced ventricular beats in both patients. These observations suggest that a similar mechanism is involved in the production of reciprocal beats linked to impulses originating from the A-V node and the ventricles. When ventricular pacing is indicated for the treatment of bradycardia in the presence of intact antegrade A-V conduction, a situation which may produce echo beats, demand pacing is considered preferable to fixed-rate pac...
Ab initio treatment of the chemical reaction precursor complex Br(2P)-HCN. 2. Bound-state calculations and infrared spectra

Rovibronic energy levels and properties of the Br(2P)-HCN complex were obtained from three-dimensional calculations, with HCN kept linear and the CN bond frozen. All diabatic states that correlate to the 2P3/2 and 2P1/2 states of the Br atom were included and spin-orbit coupling was taken into account. The 3 x 3 matrix of diabatic potential surfaces was taken from the preceding paper (paper 1). In agreement with experiment, we found two linear isomers, Br-NCH and Br-HCN. The calculated binding energies are very similar: D0 = 352.4 cm(-1) and D0 = 349.1 cm(-1), respectively. We established, also in agreement with experiment, that the ground electronic state of Br-NCH has |Omega| = (1/2) and that Br-HCN has a ground state with |Omega| = (3/2), where the quantum number, Omega, is the projection of the total angular momentum, J, of the complex on the intermolecular axis R. This picture can be understood as being caused by the electrostatic interaction between the quadrupole of the Br(2P) atom and the dipole of HCN, combined with the very strong spin-orbit coupling in Br. We predicted the frequencies of the van der Waals modes of both isomers and found a direct Renner-Teller splitting of the bend mode in Br-HCN and a smaller, indirect, splitting in Br-NCH. The red shift of the CH stretch frequency in the complex, relative to free HCN, was calculated to be 1.98 cm(-1) for Br-NCH and 23.11 cm(-1) for Br-HCN, in good agreement with the values measured in helium nanodroplets. Finally, with the use of the same potential surfaces, we modeled the Cl(2P)-HCN complex and found that the experimentally observed linear Cl-NCH isomer is considerably more stable than the (not observed) Cl-HCN isomer. This was explained mainly as an effect of the substantially smaller spin-orbit coupling in Cl, relative to Br.
High concentrations of persistent organic pollutants including PCBs, DDT, PBDEs and PFOS in little brown bats with white-nose syndrome in New York, USA.

Abstract White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a condition associated with white fungal growth on ears, wings, and nose of hibernating bats; this condition has recently resulted in high bat mortality in the northeastern United States. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of morbidity and mortality are still unknown. Elevated exposure to toxic contaminants could be a contributing factor via the consequent immunosuppression and endocrine disruption. In this study, diseased little brown bats ( Myotis lucifugus ) were collected from several hibernacula in eastern New York State in 2008. Fat tissues of bats were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs; DDT, chlordanes, HCB, and HCH), and liver was analyzed for perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). A reference population of little brown bats, not affected by WNS, was also collected from a cave in Kentucky for the analysis of trace organic contaminants. Concentration of PCBs in fat tissues of bats from New York ranged from 1900 ng g −1 to 35 000 ng g −1 , lipid wt, with the highest concentrations found in bats collected from caves in Albany County. High concentrations of PCBs were also found in bats from Kentucky (17 100–18 400 ng g −1 , lipid wt). Total PBDE concentrations in fat tissues ranged from 520 ng g −1 to 10 900 ng g −1 , lipid wt, in bats from New York and from 4300 ng g −1 to 13 000 ng g −1 , lipid wt, in bats from Kentucky. High concentrations of DDT (26 900 ng g −1 , lipid wt), chlordanes (6350 ng g −1 , lipid wt), and HCB (260 ng g −1 , lipid wt) were found in bats from New York. Concentrations of hexabromobiphenyl congener 153 (PBB 153) in bats from New York ranged from 8.6 ng g −1 to 12 4000 ng g −1 , lipid wt. Concentrations of PFCs were on the order of a few tens to a few hundreds of nanograms per gram liver, on a wet weight basis. Overall, high concentrations of PCBs, PBDEs, DDT, and chlordanes were found in fat tissues of diseased bats from New York, although the concentrations in bats from non-diseased, reference population, from Kentucky were also high.
A method for estimating surface reaction energetics: Application to the mechanism of ethylene decomposition on Pt(111)

Abstract We present a scheme for calculating the heats of formation of adsorbed species on surfaces. Using this approach, we can estimate the relative stabilities of surface intermediates and adsorbate-surface bond strengths. We report the application of this method to obtaining a better understanding of the mechanism and energetics of ethylene decomposition on clean and potassium-promoted Pt(111). We estimate heats of formation, heats of reaction, and Pt-carbon bond strengths for adsorbed ethylene, ethylidene, ethylidyne, ethyl, vinyl, acetylene, vinylidene, ethynyl, methyl, methylene, methyne, and carbide. These equilibrium thermodynamic estimates clearly rule out several previously proposed mechanisms, favoring instead a reaction sequence in which ethylene isomerizes to ethylidene, followed by dehydrogenation to form ethylidyne, which then dehydrogenates further to form ethynyl (via vinyl and acetylene) and C 2(a) . Carbon-carbon bond cleavage is also thermodynamically accessible throughout the decomposition. Potassium alters the metal-carbon bond character in these adsorbed hydrocarbon fragments such that hydrogen-rich adsorbates are favored over the more fully dehydrogenated species, an effect attributable to the relative stabilities of the isolated hydrocarbanions. As a result, although adsorbed hydrogen is stabilized by potassium, the activation energies for C-H and C-C bond cleavage increase dramatically.
A quantitative-experiential analysis of human emotions

A study was carried out in which participants provided written first-person present-tense descriptions of experiences of ordinary human emotions and visual analogue scale responses to intensities of desire, expectation, and positive or negative emotional feeling that were present during these experiences. Functional interrelationships found in this analysis could be described by the general equations (1) Feeling intensity=K1Desire+K2Desire×expectations5 for positive approach goals and (2) Feeling intensity=K1Desire×K2Desire×expectation2.0 for negative avoidance goals. Both equations have the same general form and indicate that desire and expectation have a multiplicative interaction with respect to their effects on emotional feeling intensity. Furthermore, when combined with consideration of the intentions, meanings, and body sensations present during common emotions, these factors and their interrelationships can help characterize emotions of satisfaction, excitement, anxiety, frustration, and depression. This characterization provides the basis for an experiential theory of human emotions.
Indole-3-acetic acid levels after phytochrome-mediated changes in the stem elongation rate of dark- and light-grown Pisum seedlings.

The effect of red (R) and far-red (FR) light on stem elongation and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels was examined in dwarf and tall Pisum sativum L. seedlings. Red light reduced the extension-growth rate of etiolated seedlings by 70–90% after 3 h, and this inhibition was reversible by FR. Inhibition occurred throughout the growing zone. After 3 h of R, the level of extractable IAA in whole stem sections from the growing zone of etiolated plants either increased or showed no change. By contrast, extractable IAA from epidermal peels consistently decreased 3 h after R treatments. Decreases of 40% were observed for epidermal peels from the top 1 cm of tall plants receiving 3 h R. Brief R treatments resulted in smaller decreases in epidermal IAA levels and these decreases were not as great when FR followed R. In lightgrown plants, end-of-day FR stimulated growth during the following dark period in a photoreversible manner. The uppermost 1 cm of expanding third internodes was most responsive to the FR. Extractable IAA from epidermal peels from the upper 1 cm of third internodes increased by 30% or more 5 h after FR. When R followed the FR the increases were smaller. Levels of IAA in whole stem sections did not change and were twofold greater than in dark-grown plants. In both dark- and light-grown tall plants, IAA levels were lower in epidermal peels than in whole stem segments. These results provide evidence that IAA is compartmentalized at the tissue level within the growing stem and that phytochrome regulation of stem elongation rates may be partly based on modulating the level of IAA within the epidermis.
Laser communication transceiver for space station Freedom

This paper describes the design of the Laser Communication Transceiver (LCT) system which was planned to be flight tested as an attached payload on Space Station Freedom. The objective in building and flight-testing the LCT is to perform a broad class of tests addressing the critical aspects of space-based optical communications systems, providing a base of experience for applying laser communications technology toward future communications needs. The LCT's functional and performance requirements and capabilities with respect to acquisition, spatial tracking and pointing, communications, and attitude determination are discussed.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Positive contrast following gradual and abrupt increases in reward magnitude using delay of reinforcement

Abstract In Experiment 1, rats were given a 1-pellet reward for 48 preshift trials. During a subsequent 20-trial postshift phase, one group was shifted to a 12-pellet reward on Trial 1, a second was shifted on Trial 11, and a third was given 1 more pellet each trial and then 12 pellets for the last 10 trials. The speeds of all three groups increased to a level above that of a control group given a 12-pellet food reward throughout training (positive contrast). In experiment 2, rats were shifted from 1 to 12 pellets either gradually or abruptly following either abbreviated training (9 trials) or extended training (20 trials). One group of control subjects received 12 pellets throughout training. The results revealed a positive contrast effect for gradually shifted subjects following extended training but not following abbreviated training. The abrupt shift procedure produced positive contrast following abbreviated training but only a marginal effect following extended training. These results indicate that, contingent upon the amount of preshift training, either gradual or abrupt reward increases may produce positive contrast.
Conductance Bistability in a Single Porphyrin Molecule in a STM Junction: A Many-Body Simulation Study

The conductance spectrum of the neutral and charged states of a single magnesium porphine molecule is simulated by calculating many-electron states at the Hartree-Fock and configuration interaction singles level; numerical results reproduce the hysteretic switching behavior observed in a recent experiment (Wu, S. W.; Ogawa, N.; Ho, W. Science 2006, 312, 1362).
A study of noncoherent rotational switching for thin magnetic films

Thin magnetic film switching was investigated for fields near those needed for pure rotation. Experimentally the films were switched using <0.4 ns rise time field pulses. The resulting flux changes were detected in the easy and hard direction with a response time of 0.6 ns. Measurements were made for pulses both longer and shorter than the magnetization switching times. By analyzing the voltage waveforms and flux changes, it was concluded that instabilities and rapid rearrangements of the magnetization can occur within a few nanoseconds, causing anomalous results during switching. Equations of existing quantitative switching models-pure rotation, spin-wave, and stripe domain-were solved with a digital computer. To better compare theory and experiment, the solutions were modified to account for the sense system's finite rise time. It was found that none of the existing models adequately described the switching processes for low amplitude magnetic fields. However, qualitatively, the stripe domain model best fit the experimental data.
Gene regulation and signal transduction in the immune system

A report of the meeting 'Gene Expression and Signaling in the Immune System', Cold Spring Harbor, USA, 22-26 April 2008.
PPPS-2013: Energy conserving numerical schemes for Vlasov-Ampere and Vlasov-Maxwell systems

We develop energy conserving schemes for Vlasov-Ampere and Vlasov-Maxwell systems. The proposed methods preserve the total energy of the system on the fully discrete level, and they have a systematic framework to incorporate explicit and implicit temporal discretizations. The discontinuous Galerkin methods with suitable numerical fluxes are used to guarantee such properties, and they could be designed with potential implementations on unstructured meshes. Benchmark numerical test results will be provided.
Firmware validation: challenges and opportunities

Firmware validation is driven by imperatives and challenges distinct from those of application level software. In this tutorial we will survey the characteristics of firmware projects, focusing on those that make them particularly challenging and important to validate. Well look at the tasks accomplished using firmware, the environments in which it executes, and how firmware is shaped by the constraints imposed by the greater product development program in which it fits. Finally, well look at some of our experiences in firmware validation and the lessons weve learned from them. Specifically, well be looking for lessons that can help to guide the selection of problems to study and appropriate case studies on which to evaluate them.
Postinduction repression of the beta-interferon gene is mediated through two positive regulatory domains.

Abstract Virus induction of the human beta-interferon (beta-IFN) gene results in an increase in the rate of beta-IFN mRNA synthesis, followed by a rapid postinduction decrease. In this paper, we show that two beta-IFN promoter elements, positive regulatory domains I and II (PRDI and PRDII), which are required for virus induction of the beta-IFN gene are also required for the postinduction turnoff. Although protein synthesis is not necessary for activation, it is necessary for repression of these promoter elements. Examination of nuclear extracts from cells infected with virus reveals the presence of virus-inducible, cycloheximide-sensitive, DNA-binding activities that interact specifically with PRDI or PRDII. We propose that the postinduction repression of beta-IFN gene transcription involves virus-inducible repressors that either bind directly to the positive regulatory elements of the beta-IFN promoter or inactivate the positive regulatory factors bound to PRDI and PRDII.
Hypoglycemia: A pathophysiologic approach

An exploration of the factors that sustain glucose levels in the normal fasting subject reveals that the single major component is conservation of glucose rather than gluconeo-genesis. Conservation is achieved by recycling of glucose carbon as lactate, pyruvate and alanine, and a profound decrease in the oxidation of glucose by the brain brought about by the provision and use of ketones. What glucose continues to be oxidized is for the most part formed from glycerol. Gluconeogenesis from protein plays little part in the process. Fasting hypoglycemia results from disorders affecting either one of the two critical sustaining factors—the recycling process or the availability and use of ketones. Individual hypoglycemic entities are examined against this background.
Urban Adolescents’ Perceptions of their Neighborhood Physical Activity Environments

Reduced physical activity is particularly pronounced among lower income individuals and racial/ethnic minorities, and may be related to unsupportive neighborhood environments for physical activity. The purpose of this research was to conduct focus groups with low-income urban Black and Latino adolescents to identify whether these adolescents were physically active, in what settings, and what features of the settings were important for encouraging their physical activity. Results suggest potential gender differences, but little difference across race/ethnicity. Results can inform the development of a park/physical activity setting characteristics survey to help improve conditions of parks.
Clinical Techniques In The Treatment Of Juvenile Sex Offenders

This article examines techniques to engage and treat mandated juvenile sex offenders. From the referral on, the clinician needs to orchestrate treatment maneuvers which help facilitate a working relationship with the adolescent along with the other "clients" in the system, i.e., the family, the referent, probation and/or child protective services and society at large. A discussion of how the client can be encouraged to define his/her issues in therapy is provided, along with an examination of practical concerns pertinent to treating this type of client. The paper concludes with the issue of reintegrating the adolescent into society safely.
Reliability and validity effects under mail survey conditions

Abstract In searching for means to reduce error in mail surveys researchers have focused largely on one component of total survey error—sampling error; means have been sought for its reduction by increasing mail survey response rates. The second component of total survey error, nonsampling error (e.g., response bias), has received relatively little attention. This study focuses on the second type of survey error through the development of indices of retest reliability and covergent validity. These indices were applied in a field experiment involving manipulations of survey administration conditions previously linked to response rate effects. The results indicate that in addition to influencing response rates, survey sponsorship, cover letter message, question order, and notification method can substantially affect the retest reliability and covergent validity of data obtained from mail questionnaires.