cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure-activity relationships in a novel series of 7-substituted-aryl quinolines and 5-substituted-aryl benzothiazoles at the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5.

Abstract The metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) has been implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders including addiction. We have discovered that the rigid diaryl alkyne template, derived from the potent and selective noncompetitive mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), can serve to guide the design of novel quinoline analogues and pharmacophore optimization has resulted in potent mGluR5 noncompetitive antagonists (EC 50 range 60–100 nM) in the quinoline series.
A novel purine nucleoside synthesis: 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-adenine

Aus Thionooxazolidin (I) entsteht mit NaH und HgBr2 das Salz (II), das mit dem Chlorpyrimidin (III) zum N-Substitutionsprodukt (IV) reagiert.
A patient-derived perspective of health-related quality of life with peripheral arterial disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the patient's perspective to establish a foundation for systematic PAD-specific HRQoL assessment in this population. Design: Grounded theory methodology. Methods: Open-ended, tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 38 patients (24 men, 14 women) 44 to 83 years old (mean 65) from two US medical centers to report patient experience of PAD and its perceived effects on HRQoL. Tapes were transcribed and analyzed to identify themes and conceptual domains pertinent to the experience of PAD in this population. Results: Seven major themes were identified: (a) delay in diagnosis and frustration with management of disease; (b) pain; (c) limitation in physical functioning; (d) limitation in social and role functioning; (e) compromise of self; (f) uncertainty and fear; and (g) adaptation to the effects of the disease and demonstration of resiliency. Conclusions: These findings indicate important psychosocial and emotional consequences of PAD that existing HRQoL questionnaires do not indicate. More complete data might lead to greater understanding of the effects of PAD, serving as the foundation for a more sensitive instrument to assess HRQoL as a basis for more effective interventions.
GEOGRAPHICAL ECOLOGY AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL: PERSPECTIVES ON THE DIVERSITY OF NEW WORLD BATS

The ubiquity of the latitudinal gradient of species richness is well documented at coarse scales of resolution, but the extent to which the pattern is recapitulated at the level of local communities for any aspect of biodiversity (i.e., richness, evenness, or di- versity) is unclear. We examined how attributes of New World bat diversity vary with each other and with latitude at two scales of resolution: local communities and regional species pools. We calculated 14 indices of diversity (species richness (three), evenness (four), dominance (three), and diversity (four)) from species abundance distributions for 32 in- tensively sampled local sites between 42.258 N and 24.128 S latitude. The species richness of each corresponding regional pool was estimated from published range maps. In general, the gradient of local species richness was less steep than the corresponding gradient of regional species richness; beta diversity in the tropics is greater than that for temperate communities. All aspects of diversity at the local scale did not vary with latitude in the same manner. The latitudinal gradient in species diversity of local communities was pri- marily a consequence of the corresponding gradient in species richness. Local richness increased and became more variable with decreasing latitude. In contrast, species evenness did not vary in a systematic fashion with latitude. Although the absolute number of rare species in communities increased faster with latitude than did that of common species, both abundance classes proportionately increased with latitude in equivalent ways throughout the New World. In general, latitudinal variation at the community level was detected in diversity indices that were insensitive to the abundance of species. The dramatic increase in species richness at broad scales of resolution toward the tropics (gamma diversity) was as much a consequence of increased richness at the local level (alpha diversity) as it was a consequence of the latitudinal increase in species turnover among communities (beta diversity). Future theoretical research should examine the correlates of latitude that enhance differentiation among communities at low latitudes (i.e., those which enjoy high produc- tivities). Conservation strategies based on assessments of diversity at coarse levels of resolution (gamma diversity) should be implemented with caution because beta diversity inflates regional estimates of diversity.
Pain anxiety, acceptance, and outcomes among individuals with HIV and chronic pain: a preliminary investigation.

Abstract The current study investigated the role of during treatment changes in pain anxiety in the relation between during treatment changes in pain acceptance and chronic pain outcomes. Participants included 45 (15 women) adults ( M age = 50.42, SD = 7.69) who were HIV positive and experienced chronic pain. They were offered 12 weekly, 90-min group CBT sessions to increase understanding about chronic pain and to improve coping skills. Four hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the mediating role of treatment changes in pain anxiety in the relation between treatment changes in pain acceptance and chronic pain outcomes. Results suggest that increases in pain acceptance during treatment were associated with decreased levels of pain anxiety during treatment, as well as decreases in pain-related impairment at treatment completion. Furthermore, decreases in pain anxiety during treatment were associated with decreases in pain-related impairment at treatment completion. Finally, treatment changes in pain anxiety were found to partially mediate the association between treatment changes in pain acceptance and pain-related impairment at treatment completion. Results are discussed within the context of better understanding the processes of change within a CBT model for chronic pain patients.
Host-guest hydrogen atom transfer induced by electron capture

1,n-Alkanediammonium cations in noncovalent complexes with two dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether (DBCE) ligands undergo an unusual intramolecular tandem hydrogen atom and proton transfer to the crown ether ligand upon charge reduction by electron capture. Deuterium labeling established that both migrating hydrogens originated from the ammonium groups. The double hydrogen transfer was found to depend on the length of the alkane chain connecting the ammonium groups. Ab initio calculations provided structures for select alkanediammonium·dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether complexes and dissociation products. This first observation of an intra-complex hydrogen transfer is explained by the unusual electronic properties of the complexes and the substantial hydrogen atom affinity of the aromatic rings in the crown ligand.
Robustness of Flexible Systems With Component-Level Uncertainties

Robustness of flexible systems in the presence of model uncertainties at the component level is considered. Specifically, an approach for formulating robustness of flexible systems in the presence of frequency and damping uncertainties at the component level is presented. The synthesis of the components is based on a modifications of a controls-based algorithm for component mode synthesis. The formulation deals first with robustness of synthesized flexible systems. It is then extended to deal with global (non-synthesized ) dynamic models with component-level uncertainties by projecting uncertainties from component levels to system level. A numerical example involving a two-dimensional simulated docking problem is worked out to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.
A Simplified Approach to Workpiece Temperatures in Fine Grinding

Summary Surface temperatures play an important role in fine grinding and are usually treated by application of the Classical moving heat Source theory of Jaeger (1942) A simplified linear approach is presented that is particularly useful in estimating the partition of energy between wheel and work. This simplified theory is then employed to explain several typical grinding questions
Previous ectopic pregnancy as a predictor of methotrexate failure.

Ectopic pregnancy is a leading cause of death in the first trimester accounting for up to 13% of all pregnancy-related deaths w1x. Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used for medical management of ectopic pregnancy w2x. Elevated hCG levels, fetal cardiac activity, cul-de-sac free fluid, and ectopic diameters )3.5 cm have been identified as predictors of treatment failure w3,4x. The study reviewed the medical records of 102 patients treated with single-dose MTX for an ectopic pregnancy, over a 2-year period, to assess the treatment outcome and to determine predictors of treatment failure. Ectopic pregnancies were diagnosed by clinical presentation and correlation of beta hCG levels with vaginal probe ultrasound. Inclusion criteria for methotrexate therapy included:
Ceftazidime as single-agent therapy for gram-negative aerobic bacillary osteomyelitis.

Abstract The cases of 28 patients who received ceftazidime as single-agent therapy in prospective clinical trials for biopsy culture-proven osteomyelitis were reviewed. These cases all involved infection caused by gram-negative aerobic bacilli, the most frequent agent (83% of patients) being Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Posttreatment follow-up for patients with acute osteomyelitis was continued for at least 6 months, while follow-up for at least 12 months was done for patients with chronic osteomyelitis. A regimen of 2 g of ceftazidime intravenously every 12 h was used for most patients. The overall cure rates were 77% (acute disease) and 60% (chronic disease). Development of resistance to ceftazidime was not problematic, and the drug was well tolerated. Ceftazidime is effective for serious gram-negative bacillary osteomyelitis, including that due to P. aeruginosa. The twice-daily regimen did not cause major organ toxicity, eliminating the need for concentration monitoring and making it feasible to use the drug for home parenteral therapy.
Genetic Polymorphisms in Parkinson Disease Subjects With and Without Hallucinations: An Analysis of the Cholecystokinin System

Background Hallucinations in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), occurring in about one third of those receiving long-term dopaminergic therapy, contribute to morbidity and mortality. In matched Chinese PD subjects with and without hallucinations, the presence of the –45C/Tlocus in the cholecystokinin (CCK) gene, particularly when combined with theCCKreceptor,CCKAR(cholecystokinin A receptor),Cpolymorphism, was associated with increased hallucination risk. BecauseCCKgene polymorphisms vary across ethnic groups, the presence of similar associations in white PD subjects merits investigation. Objective To determine whether polymorphisms ofCCKandCCKreceptor genes are associated with hallucinations in white PD subjects. Design Case-control study of PD subjects with and without chronic hallucinations matched for age and dopaminergic medication. Genomic DNA was analyzed forCCK,CCKAR, andCCKBR(cholecystokinin B receptor) polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction. Genotype distributions and allele frequencies were compared between groups and in matched pairs. Results Comparing matched pairs, we found more frequent representation of theCCK Tallele in hallucinating PD subjects, although this finding was not statistically significant (P= .06). Of 5 cases with bothCCK TandCCKAR Calleles, 4 were hallucinators. Cases and controls did not differ inCCKARorCCKBRpolymorphisms. Conclusions Our study supports a previous association of hallucinations in PD subjects with theCCK Tallele and the combinedCCK TandCCKAR Callele, suggesting that the CCK system may influence the development of hallucinations in PD subjects. The lower representation of theTallele in our white sample limited our statistical power. Further assessment of theTallele as a risk factor for hallucinations would include longitudinal study of nonhallucinators to detect the evolution of hallucinations relative toTallele frequency.
An Acid Phosphatase from Aspergillus ficuum Has Homology to Penicillium chrysogenum PhoA

Three secreted acid phosphatases had previously been characterized from Aspergillus ficuum grown under conditions of limited phosphate. One of these could not be readily separated from AFPhyB, a pH 2.5 optimum acid phosphatase with phytase activity. From extensive protein sequence analysis and subsequent cloning of the gene, we have shown that the AFPhyB protein fraction contains a fourth secreted acid phosphatase (AFPhoA) that has 64% homology to a phosphate-repressible acid phosphatase from Penicillium chrysogenum. Garnier plot analysis revealed that the putative phosphate catalytic domain of AFPhoA at His215Asp216 is similar to those of other acid phosphatases, but that AFPhoA lacks the phosphate-binding motif RHGXRXP of known histidine phosphatases.
In-situ capability of ion beam modification and characterization of materials at Los Alamos National Laboratory☆

Abstract The capability of in-situ ion beam modification and characterization of materials developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory is described. A beam-line from a 3 MV tandem accelerator and a beam-line from a 200 kV ion implanter are joined together in an in-situ target chamber. The chamber is equipped with a cold and hot sample stage with a temperature range from −100 to 500°C. The angular (sample spin and basal rotation) motions and translational motions of the sample stage are controlled by a multi-axis goniometer. This chamber provides a unique capability to conduct a temperature dependent experiment of ion irradiation and sequential backscattering and channeling analysis. The efficiency and reliability of in-situ ion beam techniques are demonstrated by two examples, irradiation damage in (100) MgAl2O4 spinel crystals and ion-beam-induced densification of zirconia sol-gel thin films.
Ontogeny of methionine utilization and splanchnic uptake in critically ill children

To determine the rates of methionine splanchnic uptake and utilization in critically ill pediatric patients we used two kinetic models: the plasma methionine enrichment and the “intracellular” homo...
Insights into the development of molecular therapies for craniosynostosis

For the past 2 decades, clinical and basic science researchers have gained significant insights into the molecular and genetic pathways associated with common forms of craniosynostosis. This has led to invaluable information for families and physicians in their attempts to understand the heterogeneity of craniosynostosis. Genetic mutations have been identified in the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) as well as in other targets, including TWIST1, BMP, and RUNX2. Greater understanding of these and other pathways has led to the development of innovative approaches for applying medical therapies to the treatment of craniosynostosis, in particular by maintaining suture patency. In this article, the authors discuss the molecular pathophysiological mechanisms underlying various forms of craniosynostosis. They also highlight recent developments in the field of molecular craniosynostosis research with the hope of identifying targets for medical therapies that might augment the results of surgical interve...
Acute Heart Failure Due to Transient Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony: Case Study

This case study describes an unusual cause of acute heart failure that resolved with early beta-blockade therapy. A 52-year-old woman who had acute heart failure with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and left bundle branch block was admitted to a university medical center. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images of the heart did not show any evidence of myocardial infarction or myocarditis. Rate-related left bundle branch block and subsequent left ventricular dyssynchrony resulted in acute systolic dysfunction that resolved with beta-blockade therapy that allowed heart rate control and narrowing of the QRS complex. Of note, the use of inotropic agents would have dramatically worsened the cardiac condition.
Achievement Test Scores in the Middle Grades: The Influence of Cognitive Reasoning:

The purpose of this study was to examine how middle school students' cognitive reasoning level (e.g. concrete versus formal reasoning ability) contributes to the variability of their achievement test performance. While previous investigations have indicated that measures of reasoning development are associated with measures of achievement, few such studies have attempted to control for differences in scholastic aptitude. In this particular investigation, the performance of 213 middle grades students on a test of formal reasoning was analyzed in comparison with scores on tests of achievement and scholastic aptitude. Results support cognitive reasoning as a significant correlate of achievement test performance when considered alone and when controlling for scholastic aptitude. Results suggest that performance on reasoning tests is related to performance on achievement tests in a fashion different from performance on scholastic aptitude tests. Results further encourage middle grades educators to consider stu...
Neurological effects on startle response and escape from predation by medaka exposed to organic chemicals

Simultaneous electrophysiological and behavioral studies were performed on 21–32 day old juvenile medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed at sublethal concentrations to organic chemicals representing various modes of action. Non-invasive recordings were made of the electrical impulses generated within giant neuronal Mauthner cells, associated interneurons and motoneurons, and axial musculature, all of which initiate the startle or `escape' response in fish. Timing in ms between these electrical sequelae was measured for each fish before and after 24 and 48 h exposure to a chemical. Carbaryl and phenol affected Mauthner cell to motoneuron transmission while chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, phenol and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) showed neuromuscular effects. The variety of neurological effects detected at various concentrations of chemicals tested here suggest that different mechanisms may be responsible. Also noted was the number of startle responses to number of stimuli ratio (R/S); this ratio was affected by most chemicals. Medaka generally appeared to be more susceptible to predation after exposure to chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, fenvalerate, endosulfan, phenol, 1-octanol and DNP. The effects threshold for many of the test compounds was found to be consistent for both the neurophysiological and behavioral endpoints. Consequently, electrophysiological responses of Mauthner cell-initiated startle responses provided a measure of neurological injury that is also directly correlated to a definitive and ecologically relevant behavioral endpoint.
Capillary surfaces in an exotic container: results from space experiments

Experimental results from the Interface Conflguration Experiment (ICE) performed aboard the Space Shuttle and the Mir Space Station are reported. The experiment concerns ∞uid interfaces in certain \exotic" containers in a low-gravity environment. These containers are rotationally symmetric and have the property that for given contact angle and liquid volume, a continuum of distinct rotationally symmetric equilibrium conflgurations can appear, all of which have the same mechanical energy. These symmetric equilibrium conflgurations are unstable, in that deformations that are not rotationally symmetric can be shown mathematically to yield conflgurations with lower energy. It is found experimentally, in conflrmation of mathematical results and of numerical computations, that distinct locally stable conflgurations can form that are not rotationally symmetric and have difiering dynamic characteristics. It is found that this intriguing phenomenon of asymmetric local energy minimizers can occur even if conditions for an exotic container are not entirely met.
Numerical Study of Detailed Flow Affecting a Direct Measuring Skin-Friction Gauge

The detailed flow characteristics of a direct measuring skin-friction gauge are examined. This type of device uses a small, movable head mounted flush to a wall, such that the head is assumed to be exposed to the same shear stress from the flow as the surrounding wall. The resulting deflection can be monitored by instruments such as strain gauges mounted on a flexure below the head. The goal of this study was to develop an understanding of the effects that the geometric design and installation parameters of the device have on the surrounding flow and the ability of the gauge to reflect the undisturbed shear stress value. Factors influencing the performance of a skin-friction gauge include the presence of the necessary gaps in the wall around the floating head, improper installation/misalignment issues with respect to the wall, and extraneous forces arising from pressure gradients. All of these effects are studied here computationally with a three-dimensional, Navier-Stokes code based on the finite element technique
Inversion of the global methane cycle using chance constrained programming: Methodology and results

Abstract This paper presents a new methodology for constraining. sources and sinks in mass balances and applies it to a global model of methane. Sources and sinks are treated as random variables that are constrained by isotopic mass balance and ice-core data. A chance constrained programming formulation is used to perform inverse calculations and determine constrained bounds on sources of methane. Budgets consistent with atmospheric concentrations, flux measurements, and priors on model variables and parameters are derived. It is observed that global budgets of methane presented in the literature have greater uncertainty ranges than allowed by the constraints on its global cycle. The analysis shows that emissions from rice paddies and wetlands may be lower than presented in previous budgets, a result that is in agreement with recent estimates based on flux measurements. Ranges for other anthropogenic sources such as biomass burning, and fossil and landfill emissions are also obtained. Sensitivity analysis is used to determine the key uncertain parameters in the global methane budget.
Modeling the interaction between densification mechanisms in powder compaction

In this paper a micromechanical model of the interaction between densification mechanisms in powder compaction is presented. It accounts for elastic and power-law creep deformation of the bulk material along with stress-driven diffusion along the interparticle contact areas and curvature-driven diffusion on the pore surfaces. The finite element method is used to obtain the time-dependent deformation of the powder aggregate under plane strain deformation conditions. To reduce the number of case calculations needed to analyze the process, important dimensionless parameters that measure the relative magnitude of the densification mechanisms are identified. The calculated densification rates of the compact are compared with those predicted by analytical models, and conclusions are drawn on the significance of including the interaction between the densifying mechanisms in powder compaction models.
Gonadal steroid regulation of pineal melatonin synthesis.

Abstract The regulation of gonadal function by the vertebrate pineal, primarily through the biological actions of melatonin has received much attention from investigators during the past decade (1–5). Melatonin is synthesized from serotonin through the activities of the pineal enzymes N-acetyl transferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT). NAT converts serotonin to N-acetyl serotonin by coupling of the acetyl function from Acetyl Coenzyme A to serotonin. HIOMT transfers the methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to N-acetyl serotonin, to form melatonin.
An early Cenozoic perspective on greenhouse warming and carbon-cycle dynamics

Past episodes of greenhouse warming provide insight into the coupling of climate and the carbon cycle and thus may help to predict the consequences of unabated carbon emissions in the future.
Quorum sensing Escherichia coli regulators B and C (QseBC): a novel two‐component regulatory system involved in the regulation of flagella and motility by quorum sensing in E. coli

Quorum sensing is a cell-to-cell signalling mechanism in which bacteria secrete hormone-like compounds called autoinducers. When these auto-inducers reach a certain threshold concentration, they interact with bacterial transcriptional regulators, thereby regulating gene expression. Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 as well as E. coli K-12 produces the autoinducer-2 (AI-2), which is synthesized by the product of the luxS gene, and previous work from our laboratory has shown that genes encoding the EHEC type III secretion system were activated by quorum sensing. Recently, by hybridizing an E. coli K-12 gene array with cDNA synthesized from RNA extracted from EHEC strain 86-24 and its isogenic luxS mutant, we observed that other potential virulence-associated factors, such as genes encoding the expression and assembly of flagella, motility and chemotaxis, were also activated by quorum sensing. The array data also indicated that several genes encoding putative E. coli regulators were controlled by quorum sensing. In this report, we describe a two-component system regulated by quorum sensing that shares homology with Salmonella typhimurium PmrAB, which we have named quorum sensing E. coli regulator B and C (QseBC). The qseBC genes, previously identified only as open reading frames b3025 and b3026, are organized in an operon in the E. coli chromosome, with qseB encoding the response regulator and qseC the sensor kinase. We confirmed the regulation of qseBC by quorum sensing using qseB::lacZ transcriptional fusions and characterized the phenotypes of an isogenic qseC mutation in EHEC. This mutant expressed less flagellin and had reduced motility compared with the wild-type and complemented strains. Transcription of flhD, fliA, motA and fliC::lacZ fusions was decreased in the qseC mutant, suggesting that qseBC is a transcriptional regulator of flagella genes. A qseC mutant was also generated in E. coli K-12 strain MC1000 that showed the same phenotypes as the EHEC mutant, indicating that qseBC regulates flagella and motility by quorum sensing in both EHEC and K-12. QseBC activates transcription of flhDC, which is the master regulator for the flagella and motility genes and, in the absence of flhD, QseBC failed to activate the transcription of fliA. Motility of a luxS, but not of a qseC, mutant can be restored by providing AI-2 exogenously as preconditioned media, suggesting that the qseC mutant is unable to respond to AI-2. However, QseC has no effect on the expression of other quorum sensing-controlled genes such as those encoding for the type III secretion system. These data indicate that QseBC is one component of the quorum-sensing regulatory cascade in both EHEC and K-12 that is involved in the regulation of flagella and motility genes, but that additional regulators in this cascade remain to be characterized.
Sedation in children outside the operating room: The rules of the road

Summary Children undergoing tests and treatments often require sedation, frequently in environments remote from the operating room. This article reviews national guidelines focusing on the safe provision of anesthesia for children remote from the operating room, demonstrating the evolution in care and increasing complexity faced by anesthesia and sedation providers. The weaknesses in the current literature about this topic are also discussed with different approaches to assessing efficacy of sedation/anesthesia explored, focusing on the use of pooled data from multiple institutions, the human factors aspects of sedation and simulation based training.
Introduction to Special Issue: Mind and body in the history of psychiatry

The contemporary assumption about the dissolution of the mind/body dichotomy has very specific roots in the debates about the normal and the pathological within psychiatry. The debates shape and ar...
Downregulation of Spry-1, an inhibitor of GDNF/Ret, causes angiotensin II-induced ureteric bud branching

Mutations of genes in the renin-angiotensin system are associated with congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract. The major signaling pathway for branching morphogenesis during kidney development is the c-Ret receptor tyrosine kinase whose ligand is GDNF and whose downstream target is Wnt11. We determined whether angiotensin II, an inducer of ureteric bud branching in vitro, influences the GDNF/c-Ret/Wnt11 pathway. Mouse metanephroi were grown in the presence or absence of angiotensin II or an angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist and gene expression was measured by whole mount in situ hybridization. Angiotensin II induced the expression of c-Ret and Wnt11 in ureteric bud tip cells. GDNF, a Wnt11-regulated gene expressed in the mesenchyme, was also upregulated by angiotensin II but this downregulated Spry1, an endogenous inhibitor of Ret tyrosine kinase activity in an AT1R-dependent manner. Angiotensin II also decreased Spry1 mRNA levels in cultured ureteric bud cells. Exogenous angiotensin II preferentially stimulated ureteric bud tip cell proliferation in vivo while AT1R blockade increased cell apoptosis. Our findings suggest AT1R-mediated inhibition of the Spry1 gene increases c-Ret tyrosine kinase activity leading to upregulation of its downstream target Wnt11. Enhanced Wnt11 expression induces GDNF in adjacent mesenchyme causing focal bursts of ureteric bud tip cell proliferation, decreased tip cell apoptosis and branching.
The Effects of Dibrom on Respiratory Activity of the Stonefly, Hydroperla crosbyi, Hellgrammite, Corydalus cornutus and the Golden Shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas

Abstract The respiratory activity of three aquatic animals, selected from different pollution index classifications, was examined in the presence of sublethal concentrations of Dibrom, a commonly used, broad spectrum, organophosphate insecticide. The oxygen consumption of Hydroperla crosbyi (Needham and Claassen), Corydalus cornutus L. and Notemigonus crysoleucas (Mitchill) was measured in a specially designed flowing-water respirometer, housed in an environmental chamber. The acute toxicity of Dibrom, measured as 24-hr LC50's for these animals, was compared in both static and flowing-water bioassays and found to be significantly more toxic to both the hell-grammites and stoneflies in the flowing system (LC50: 6.8 ppm and 11.4 ppb, respectively) than in the static bioassay (LC50:9.5 ppm and 16.0 ppb, respectively). There was a marked difference in the toxicity of Dibrom to golden shiners between flowing and static systems but this was not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Sublethal Di...
Nonisothermal Brownian motion: Thermophoresis as the macroscopic manifestation of thermally biased molecular motion

A quiescent single-component gravity-free gas subject to a small steady uniform temperature gradient T, despite being at rest, is shown to experience a drift velocity UD=-D* gradient ln T, where D* is the gas's nonisothermal self-diffusion coefficient. D* is identified as being the gas's thermometric diffusivity alpha. The latter differs from the gas's isothermal isotopic self-diffusion coefficient D, albeit only slightly. Two independent derivations are given of this drift velocity formula, one kinematical and the other dynamical, both derivations being strictly macroscopic in nature. Within modest experimental and theoretical uncertainties, this virtual drift velocity UD=-alpha gradient ln T is shown to be constitutively and phenomenologically indistinguishable from the well-known experimental and theoretical formulas for the thermophoretic velocity U of a macroscopic (i.e., non-Brownian) non-heat-conducting particle moving under the influence of a uniform temperature gradient through an otherwise quiescent single-component rarefied gas continuum at small Knudsen numbers. Coupled with the size independence of the particle's thermophoretic velocity, the empirically observed equality, U=UD, leads naturally to the hypothesis that these two velocities, the former real and the latter virtual, are, in fact, simply manifestations of the same underlying molecular phenomenon, namely the gas's Brownian movement, albeit biased by the temperature gradient. This purely hydrodynamic continuum-mechanical equality is confirmed by theoretical calculations effected at the kinetic-molecular level on the basis of an existing solution of the Boltzmann equation for a quasi-Lorentzian gas, modulo small uncertainties pertaining to the choice of collision model. Explicitly, this asymptotically valid molecular model allows the virtual drift velocity UD of the light gas and the thermophoretic velocity U of the massive, effectively non-Brownian, particle, now regarded as the tracer particle of the light gas's drift velocity, to each be identified with the Chapman-Enskog "thermal diffusion velocity" of the quasi-Lorentzian gas, here designated by the symbol UM/M, as calculated by de la Mora and Mercer. It is further pointed out that, modulo the collective uncertainties cited above, the common velocities UD,U, and UM/M are identical to the single-component gas's diffuse volume current jv, the latter representing yet another, independent, strictly continuum-mechanical concept. Finally, comments are offered on the extension of the single-component drift velocity notion to liquids, and its application towards rationalizing Soret thermal-diffusion separation phenomena in quasi-Lorentzian liquid-phase binary mixtures composed of disparately sized solute and solvent molecules, with the massive Brownian solute molecules (e.g., colloidal particles) present in disproportionately small amounts relative to that of the solvent.
1704 RUNNING IMPROVES FITNESS IN ASTHMATIC CHILDREN WITHOUT CHANGING AIRWAYS REACTIVITY OR VENTILATORY MUSCLE FUNCTION

We studied the effect of running 3km/day, 4 days/week for 6 weeks on 15 children ages 7-14 years who had severe asthma. All took oral theophylline and inhaled beclomethasone and sympathomimetics and 2 took prednisone. We studied each subject before and after a 4 week control period and after 6 weeks of running with the following: spirometry, body plethysmography, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), ventilatory muscle endurance as the sustained inspiratory pressure (SIP) by a new technique we have developed, a maximum exercise stress test on a bicycle ergometer followed by repeat spirometry and body plethysmography and a 12 minute run on a different day. The distance run in 12 minutes improved significantly without changes in pulmonary function or airways reactivity. The ventilatory muscle strength and endurance was initially greater than normal and did not increase. We conclude that running did not improve the pulmonary mechanics but did increase the specific muscle and cardiovascular fitness of these asthmatic children.
Identification of non-linear processes using reciprocal multiquadric functions

Abstract In this paper radial basis function (RBF) networks are used to model general non-linear discrete-time systems. In particular, reciprocal multiquadric functions are used as activation functions for the RBF networks. A stepwise regression algorithm based on orthogonalization and a series of statistical tests is employed for designing and training of the network. The identification method yields non-linear models, which are stable and linear in the model parameters. The advantages of the proposed method compared to other radial basis function methods and backpropagation neural networks are described. Finally, the effectiveness of the identification method is demonstrated by the identification of two non-linear chemical processes, a simulated continuous stirred tank reactor and an experimental pH neutralization process.
Nanoscale Nuclear Magnetic Resonance with a Nitrogen-Vacancy Spin Sensor

Extension of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to nanoscale samples has been a longstanding challenge because of the insensitivity of conventional detection methods. We demonstrated the use of an individual, near-surface nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond as a sensor to detect proton NMR in an organic sample located external to the diamond. Using a combination of electron spin echoes and proton spin manipulation, we showed that the NV center senses the nanotesla field fluctuations from the protons, enabling both time-domain and spectroscopic NMR measurements on the nanometer scale.
The theoretical foundations of knowledge management

Knowledge management has emerged as an important field for practice and research in information systems. This field is building on theoretical foundations from information economics, strategic management, organizational culture, organizational behavior, organizational structure, artificial intelligence, quality management, and organizational performance measurement. These theories are being used as foundations for new concepts that provide a rationale for managing knowledge, define the process of managing knowledge, and enable us to evaluate the results of this process. Based on articles published between 1995 and 2005, new concepts are emerging, including knowledge economy, knowledge alliance, knowledge culture, knowledge organization, knowledge infrastructure, and knowledge equity. An analysis of the theoretical foundations of knowledge management reveals a healthy arena with a strong foundation and clear directions for future work.
Steroids in late ARDS

Objective: To determine if low dose corticosteroids would improve survival among patients with persistent ARDS.Design: Multicenter randomized controlled trial.Setting: 25 hospitals in the United States that were part of the ARDS Clinical Trials Network.Subjects: 180 mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS of at least seven days duration.Intervention: Subjects were randomized to either intravenous methylprednisolone (steroid group) or placebo in a double-blind fashion. Those in the steroid group received 2 mg/kg loading dose followed by 0.5 mg/kg every 6 hours for 14 days, 0.5 mg/kg every 12 hours for 7 days, and then tapering of the dose over 2-4 days.Measurements and main results: The primary end point was mortality at 60 days. Secondary end points included the number of ventilator-free days and organ-failure-free days, biochemical markers of inflammation and fibroproliferation, and infectious complications. At 60 days, the hospital mortality rate was 28.6 percent in the placebo group (95 percent confidence interval, 20.3 to 38.6 percent) and 29.2 percent in the methylprednisolone group (95 percent confidence interval, 20.8 to 39.4 percent; P=1.0); at 180 days, the rates were 31.9 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 23.2 to 42.0 percent) and 31.5 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 22.8 to 41.7 percent; P=1.0), respectively. Methylprednisolone was associated with significantly increased 60- and 180-day mortality rates among patients enrolled at least 14 days after the onset of ARDS. Methylprednisolone increased the number of ventilator-free and shock-free days during the first 28 daysin association with an improvement in oxygenation, respiratory-system compliance, and blood pressure withfewer days of vasopressor therapy. As compared with placebo, methylprednisolone did not increase the rate ofinfectious complications but was associated with a higher rate of neuromuscular weakness.Conclusion: These results do not support the routine use of methylprednisolone for persistent ARDS despite the improvement in cardiopulmonary physiology. In addition, starting methylprednisolone therapy more than two weeks after the onset of ARDS may increase the risk of death.
Severe Reading Difficulties—Can They Be Prevented? A Comparison of Prevention and Intervention Approaches

This study evaluated the efficacy of a preventative program delivered in kindergarten to children who were identified as being at risk for experiencing reading difficulties. It also examined the effects of two1st-grade intervention programs delivered to children who demonstrated substantial difficulty with reading development at the beginning of 1st grade. The 1st-grade programs differed in the amount of emphasis placed on helping the children to develop phonological skills versus providing the children with the opportunity to read connected text with guidance. These kindergarten and 1st-grade intervention approaches were instituted in an effort to identify instructional approaches that would reduce the incidence of reading difficulties among at-risk children. Of particular interest was reduction in the incidence of treatment resisters—children who continue to experience serious reading difficulties despite being provided with early and intensive intervention services to alleviate their early difficulties...
Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Two-Parameter Decreasing Hazard Rate Distributions Using Censored Data

Abstract Problems of maximum likelihood estimation are discussed for shape and scale parameters from certain decreasing hazard rate distributions, typically either mixed-exponential or “work-hardened.” Sufficient conditions on the mixing distribution are given that guarantee regular behavior of the hazard rate and that ensure, even with highly censored data, that the MLE's exist from such DHR distributions whenever the sample satisfies a certain condition; otherwise a constant hazard rate is estimated as a limiting case. Some computational methods are given and applications made.
Corrigendum to ``Current irrigation practices in the central United States reduce drought and extreme heat impacts for maize and soybean, but not for wheat''[Sci. Total Environ. 508 (March 2015) 331-342]

Corrigendum to “Current irrigation practices in the central United States reduce drought and extreme heat impacts for maize and soybean, but not for wheat” [Sci. Total Environ. 508 (March 2015) 331–342] Tianyi Zhang, Xiaomao Lin⁎, Gretchen F. Sassenrath a Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-5501, USA b Southeast Agricultural Research Center, Kansas State University, P.O. Box 316, Parsons, KS 67357, USA
Transforming E-Assessment in American Sign Language: Pedagogical and Technological Enhancements in Online Language Learning and Performance Assessment.

The rapid increase in demand for American Sign Language (ASL) instruction between 1998 and 2002 created pervasive challenges in effectively assessing and documenting ASL learner performance. To address these challenges, we designed and developed the Avenue ASL e‐assessment environment: an integrated, network‐based software system to capture, evaluate, and manage ASL learner performances. In this paper, we present a design overview of the Avenue ASL system and use a lens of design‐based research to examine how the theoretical foundations of the project have been enhanced through an iterative continuation of theory, design, and implementation research. The paper concludes with a discussion of potential further design applications, beyond ASL.
Rationally designed nanostructures for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Research on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an area of intense interest because the technique allows one to probe small collections of, and in certain cases, individual molecules using relatively straightforward spectroscopic techniques and nanostructured substrates. Researchers in this area have attempted to develop many new technological innovations including high sensitivity chemical and biological detection systems, labeling schemes for authentication and tracking purposes, and dual scanning-probe/spectroscopic techniques that simultaneously provide topographical and spectroscopic information about an underlying surface or nanostructure. However, progress has been hampered by the inability of researchers to fabricate substrates with the high sensitivity, tunability, robustness, and reproducibility necessary for truly practical and successful SERS-based systems. These limitations have been due in part to a relative lack of control over the nanoscale features of Raman substrates that are responsible for the enhancement. With the advent of nanotechnology, new approaches are being developed to overcome these issues and produce substrates with higher sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility. This tutorial review focuses on recent progress in the design and fabrication of substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, with an emphasis on the influence of nanotechnology.
Quasi-biennial oscillation and solar cycle influences on winter Arctic total ozone

The total column ozone (TCO) observed from satellites and assimilated in the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts since 1979 is used as an atmospheric tracer to study the modulations of the winter Arctic stratosphere by the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and the solar cycle. It is found that both the QBO and solar forcings in low latitudes can perturb the late winter polar vortex, likely via planetary wave divergence, causing an early breakdown of the vortex in the form of sudden stratospheric warming. As a result, TCO within the vortex in late winter can increase by ~60 Dobson unit during either a solar maximum or an easterly phase of the QBO, or both, relative to the least perturbed state when the solar cycle is minimum and the QBO is in the westerly phase. In addition, from the solar maximum to the solar minimum during the QBO easterly phase, the change in TCO is found to be statistically insignificant. Therefore, the “reversal” of the Holton–Tan effect, reported in some previous studies using lower stratospheric temperature, is not evident in the TCO behavior of both observation and assimilation.
Executive function asymmetry in older adults genetically at-risk for Alzheimer's disease: Verbal versus design fluency

Recent studies have reported cognitive asymmetries in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in individuals with apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOE epsilon4) genotype who are in the preclinical phase of AD. This increased frequpncy of cognitive asymmetry, typically defined as a significant discrepancy (in either direction) between verbal and spatial abilities, often occurs despite an absence of differences on traditional measures of central tendency (i.e., mean test scores). We prospectively studied the relationship between APOE genotype and two modality-specific executive-function tasks: The Verbal Fluency and Design Fluency tests of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) in 52 normal functioning older adult participants who were grouped according to the presence (n=24) or absence (n=28) of the APOE e4 allele. Nondemented older adults with the APOE epsilon4 allele demonstrated a greater frequency of cognitive asymmetric profile on the new switching conditions of the Verbal and Design Fluency measures than the APOE non-epsilon4 individuals. This study further supports the utility of assessing cognitive asymmetry for the detection of subtle cognitive differences in individuals at-risk for AD, and suggests that dual-task executive function tests (i.e., fluency plus switching) may serve as a useful preclinical marker of AD.