cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Models of intermediates in metallocene-catalyzed alkene polymerizations: observation of a d0 cationic titanium–alkyl-alkene complex and decomposition by β-allyl elimination

Abstract Low temperature activation of Cp * 2 Ti[ η 1 , η 1 - CH 2 CH(CH 2 CHCH 2 )CH 2 ] (3) with [HN(CH 3 )(C 6 H 5 ) 2 ] [B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] led to the formation of Cp * 2 Ti[ η 1 , η 2 -CH 2 CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CHCH 2 ][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] ( 6 ) as determined by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Cp * 2 Ti[ η 1 , η 2 -CH 2 CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CHCH 2 ][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] undergoes rapid quantitative β-allyl elimination at temperatures as low as −140 °C. The resulting cationic titanium allyl complex [Cp * 2 Ti( η 3 -CH 2 CHCH 2 )][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] ( 4 ) exhibits a static structure at low temperatures, but interconversion of η 3 – η 1 binding modes can be observed at higher temperatures. Lineshape analysis of this process yielded Δ G ‡ (−10 °C)= 13.7 ± 0.6 kcal mol −1 , Δ H ‡ =9.8 ± 0.6 kcal mol −1 , and Δ S ‡ =−15 ± 3 eu. The use of neutral borane B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 also resulted in β-allyl elimination with the formation of [Cp * 2 Ti( η 3 -CH 2 CHCH 2 )][CH 2 =CHCH 2 B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ] ( 8 ).
Estimate of density-of-states changes with disorder in A − 15 superconductors

Data are presented which show that the density of states changes dramatically, as does ${T}_{c}$, in both ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sn and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Ge samples which were disordered by $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle irradiation. The density of states is derived from the strong-coupling modifications to the theory of type-II superconduction along with measurements of ${(\frac{d{H}_{c2}}{\mathrm{dT}})}_{\mathrm{Tc}}$ and the residual normal-state resistance ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{0}$.
Vasoactive effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on isolated vascular smooth muscle

Dietary intake of unsaturated fatty, acid of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is thought to reduce the size and incidence of myocardial infarction. These beneficial effects are postulated to be due to chronic antithrombotic properties of EPA itself. We studied the possible direct effects of EPA on vascular smooth muscle as well as the ability of EPA to modify the vasoactivity of constrictor mediators in rabbit and cat aortic rings and isolated cat coronary arterics. EPA concentration-dependently (30 to 300 μM) relaxed rabbit and cat aortic rings having an intact endothelium, while EPA did not show any significant vasodilator effects on rings without an endothelium. This EPA-induced vasorelaxation was not altered by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen, but was totally abolished by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue, indicating an endothelium-dependent smooth muscle relaxation mechanism. In isolated perfused cat coronary arteries, EPA (3 to 300 μM) exerted a dilator effect which was endothelium-independent and not affected by ibuprofen. The response was attenuated by propyl gallate, a lipoxygenase inhibitor. EPA also inhibited leukotriene (LT) C4, (50 nM) and LTD4 (50 nM)-induced vasoconstriction of isolated cat coronary arteries ranging from a blockade of 10% to 15% (P<0.05) at 3 μM of EPA to a blockade of 89% to 93% (P<0.01) at 300 μM. In contrast, the thromboxane analog, CTA2, induced coronary constriction was not significantly altered by EPA. Thus, EPA produces endothelium-dependent relaxation in rabbit and cat aorta and endothelium-independent vasodilation in cat coronary arteries (i.e., intact vessels or helical strips). Moreover, EPA exerts acute anti-leukotriene actions in coronary arteries. In the case of long-term dietary intake of EPA, these actions may contribute to the protective action of EPA in myocardial ischemia.
Airflow and Water-Drop Trajectories at Instrument Sampling Points around the Beechcraft King Air and Lockheed Electra

Abstract Due to distortion of airflow streamlines, flow velocities and droplet size distributions measured around a moving aircraft can differ from freestream conditions. This can complicate measurements made from aircraft platforms. Potential flow calculations were used to predict airflow characteristics and the spatial distribution of different-sized droplets around the Lockheed Electra L-188 and Beechcraft King Air-200 aircraft at a variety of instrument mounting locations. Large deviations from freestream conditions were found to occur at certain locations on both aircraft near the fuselage and in regions of strong curvature. The number concentration of droplets 100–200 µm in diameter is most seriously affected by flow distortion effects. Calculation results were in reasonable agreement with measurements at a forward mounting location on the King Air.
Numerical Simulations of Merging Clusters of Galaxies

We present results from three-dimensional numerical simulations of head-on mergers between two clusters of galaxies using a hybrid hydro/N-body code. In these simulations, the gaseous intracluster medium (ICM) is evolved as a massless Nuid within a changing gravitational potential de-ned by the collisionless dark matter component. The ICM is represented by the equations of hydrodynamics which are solved by an Eulerian, -nite-di†erence method. The cluster dark matter component is represented by the N-body particle distribution. A series of simulations have been conducted in which we have system- atically varied the cluster-subcluster mass ratio between 8:1 and 1:1. We -nd that cluster-subcluster mergers result in an elongation of both the cluster dark matter and gas distributions. The dark matter distribution is elongated parallel to the merger axis and accompanied by anisotropy in the dark matter velocity dispersion. Both the elongation and corresponding velocity anisotropy are sustained for more than 5 Gyr after the merger. The elongation of the gas distribution is also generally along the merger axis, although shocks and adiabatic compressions produce elongations perpendicular to the merger axis at various times during the merger. We also -nd a signi-cant o†set between dark matter and gas centroids in the period following core passage. The gasdynamics is also severely a†ected by the cluster-subcluster merger. In these simulations, the subcluster enters the primary at supersonic speeds initiating bulk Nows that can exceed 2000 km s~1. The width of the bulk Nows are seen to range between several hundred kiloparsecs to nearly 1 Mpc. We believe the bulk Nows can produce the bending of wide-angle tailed (WAT) radio sources. The most signi-cant gasdynamics is seen to subside on timescales of 2 Gyr, although still signi-cant dynamics is seen even after 5 Gyr. The merger-induced gasdynamics may also play a role in the formation of radio halo sources, and, consequently, the sustained nature of the gasdynamics may extend the lifetime of halos beyond the canonical synchrotron lifetime of the source. Substructure, shocks, and adiabatic cooling during the merger can result in a very complex tem- perature structure within the intracluster medium. As a result of these mergers, we -nd temperature inhomogeneities of several keV on linear scales of "0.5 Mpc. Finally, these simulations indicate that even relatively high mass-ratio mergers (e.g., 8:1) result in non- equilibrium conditions for an extended period of time. The period of time with the most signi-cant dynamical evolution is within 2 Gyr after core passage. The nonequilibrium conditions have implications for cluster mass estimates. The observable consequences of cluster mergers and their inNuence on cluster mass estimates are addressed in Roettiger, Burns, & Loken (1996). Subject headings: galaxies: clusters: general E intergalactic medium E hydrodynamics E methods: numerical
Binding Dynamics of Isolated Nucleoporin Repeat Regions to Importin-β

Summary The nuclear pore complex, through the interaction of its proteins with transport receptors, controls the transport of large molecules into and out of the cell's nucleus. There is ample evidence for proteins with FG sequence repeats playing an essential role in this control. Previous studies have elucidated binding spots for FG sequence repeats on the surface of the transport receptor importin-β by X-ray crystallography and mutational studies. Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to characterize the interaction of FG sequence repeats with the transport receptor. Observed binding spots have been verified and novel sites discovered, suggesting that importin-β features many more binding spots than suspected so far. The observed binding spots are in accord with several models of nucleocytoplasmic transport, and the large number of binding spots on importin-β may be necessary for the pore complex to distinguish between importin-β and inert proteins, and to allow for its passage through the pore.
The First Frontier: High Altitude Ballooning as a Platform for Student Research Experiences in Science and Engineering

High altitude balloon platforms are ideal for providing hands-on research experiences for students in physics, atmospheric science, engineering, and other aerospace-related disciplines. We describe a basic high altitude balloon platform that can be constructed and operated by undergraduate students. The existing HARBOR and BOREALIS programs are used to illustrate some possible science and engineering research projects that students can pursue as part of a high-altitude flight program.
Fast updating in MRI via multiscale localization

In this paper we introduce an algorithm for fast updating of projection reconstruction MRI images. This algorithm makes use of range characterizations of the Radon transform, and sampling techniques of computerized tomography. Our algorithm differs from other attempts to image time-varying phenomena in that it does not average over time, but rather localizes in time for 'snap-shot' imaging. This uses the fact that image features from different scales can be updated at different rates. We also introduce a technique for spatial localization of MRI data. This technique shows promise for fast updating of locally changing phenomena in MR. Clinical applications of this technique include dynamic imaging of time dependent physiological processes like oxygen usage and blood flow in the brain.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Subtle gender bias in the assessment of managerial potential

The effects of gender on evaluations of managerial potential within a corporate assessment center program were investigated. The sample consisted of 375 men and 61 women (94% White, 3% Black, 2.3% Asian, and .7% Hispanic) assessed between 1980 and 1985. Candidates were assessed on their intellectual ability, performance and interpersonal skills, and overall management potential. Women were rated higher than men on the performance-style skills; however, there were no differences in overall management potential ratings or in actual long-term job advancement. The results suggest that subtle gender bias affects evaluations of managerial potential and subsequent promotion decisions.
Abstract 2437: PKA/AMPK signaling is a mediator of the anti-proliferative effect of adiponectin on multiple myeloma cells

Obesity increases the risk of developing multiple myeloma (MM). Adiponectin is a cytokine produced primarily by adipocytes, but paradoxically decreased in obesity, that has been implicated in progression of multiple myeloma. Herein, we evaluated the effects of prolonged exposure to adiponectin on the survival of MM cells as well as putative signaling mechanisms. We found that adiponectin activates PKA, which leads to decreased AKT activity and increased AMPK activation. AMPK, in turn, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Adiponectin-induced apoptosis may be mediated, at least in part, by the PKA/AMPK-dependent decline in the expression of the enzyme acetyl-CoA-carboxylase (ACC), which is critical to lipogenesis and thus cell survival. Importantly, supplementation with palmitic acid, the preliminary end product of fatty acid synthesis, rescues MM cells from adiponectin-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furan carboxylic acid (TOFA), an ACC inhibitor, exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects on MM cells that could also be inhibited by fatty acid supplementation. Thus, the effect of adiponectin to reduce survival of MM cells appear to be mediated via its ability to suppress lipogenesis. Our findings suggest that activators of the PKA/AMPK pathway, or inhibitors of ACC, may be useful adjuvants in the treatment of MM. Moreover, the anti-myeloma effect of adiponectin supports the concept that decreased circulating levels of the adipokine, as occurs in obesity, promotes MM tumor progression. Citation Format: Edward Antonio Medina, Srikanth R. Polusani, Kelli Oberheu, Babatunde Oyajobi. PKA/AMPK signaling is a mediator of the anti-proliferative effect of adiponectin on multiple myeloma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2437. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2437
A radiotracer study of air-water exchange of synthetic organic compounds

Abstract A simple radiotracer technique was used to determine the Henry's Law Constants for some prevalent organic pollutants. The effects of salinity, organic co-solutes and degree of chlorination were studied. The results obtained with this technique are in good agreement with the few other data available in the literature.
The Role of High Molecular Weight Chains in Flow-Induced Crystallization Precursor Structures

Flow-induced crystallization in a bimodal polyethylene blend was investigated by means of in situ shear-WAXD (wide-angle x-ray diffraction) and shear-SAXS (small-angle x-ray scattering) techniques. The blend contained a low molecular weight (Mw = 50 000 g mol−1 and polydispersity = 2) polyethylene copolymer matrix (MB-50k) with 2 mol% of hexene, and a nearly monodisperse high molecular weight (Mw = 161 000 g mol−1 and polydispersity = 1.1) hydrogenated polybutadiene component (MD-161k), which has the microstructure of an ethylene–butene copolymer with 4 mol% butene. At the experimental temperatures of 112 and 115 °C, MB-50k exhibited faster crystallization kinetics and higher crystallinity due to higher chain mobility and higher ethylene content than those of the MB-50k/MD-161k blend. However, both WAXD and SAXS results indicated that the high molecular weight component (MD-161k) is responsible for the formation of more highly oriented crystals, which we relate to a shear-induced precursor scaffold. Values of the lamellar long period in all experimental runs were found to slightly decrease in the beginning of crystallization and then reached a plateau value. Vonk's method for single lamella scattering was employed to estimate the lamellar thickness in the MB-50k/MD-161k blend at high temperature (115 °C), where the lamellar thickness was also found to decrease in the beginning and remained about constant afterward. Twisted lamellar structures were observed in all formed kebabs.
Deuterium NMR characterization of noncovalent interactions between monoaromatic compounds and fulvic acids

Abstract Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 2 H-NMR) spin–lattice relaxation ( T 1 ) experiments were used to measure noncovalent interactions between deuterated monoaromatic compounds (phenol- d 5 , pyridine- d 5 , benzene- d 6 ) and fulvic acids isolated from the Suwannee River and Big Soda Lake. Noncovalent interactions, in aqueous solution, were examined as a function of monoaromatic hydrocarbon functional groups, fulvic acid concentration and identity, and solution pH. Phenol did not exhibit noncovalent interactions with either fulvic acid at any pH. Pyridine, in a pH range from 3 to 8, interacted with Suwannee River fulvic acid, forming a bond involving the lone pair of electrons on nitrogen. Conversely, no interactions were observed between pyridine and Big Soda Lake fulvic acid; the difference in noncovalent interactions is attributed to the structural and chemical differences of the two fulvic acids. The translational and rotational molecular motion of benzene increased in the presence of both fulvic acids, indicating that in aqueous solution, fulvic acids solubilize benzene rather than forming discrete bonds as with pyridine. The results of this study demonstrate that monoaromatic functional groups, solution pH, and identity and concentration of fulvic acid can influence the type and degree of noncovalent interactions with dissolved organic matter.
Parent and Public Interest in Whole Genome Sequencing

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the baseline interest of the public in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for oneself, parents' interest in WGS for their youngest children, and factors associated with such interest. Methods: A random sample of adults from a probability-based nationally representative online panel was surveyed. All participants were provided basic information about WGS and then asked about their interest in WGS for themselves. Those participants who were parents were additionally asked about their interest in WGS for their children. The order in which parents were asked about their interest in WGS for themselves and for their child was randomized. The relationship between parent/child characteristics and interest in WGS was examined. Results: The overall response rate was 62% (55% among parents). 58.6% of the total population (parents and nonparents) was interested in WGS for themselves. Similarly, 61.8% of the parents were interested in WGS for themselves and 57.8% were interested in WGS for their youngest children. Of note, 84.7% of the parents showed an identical interest level in WGS for themselves and their youngest children. Mothers as a group and parents whose youngest children had ≥2 health conditions had significantly more interest in WGS for themselves and their youngest children, while those with conservative political ideologies had considerably less. Conclusions: While US adults have varying interest levels in WGS, parents appear to have similar interests in genome testing for themselves and their youngest children. As WGS technology becomes available in the clinic and private market, clinicians should be prepared to discuss WGS risks and benefits with their patients.
The Admissibility of Certain Invariant Statistical Tests Involving a Translation Parameter

Introduction. The notion of invariance (or symmetry) has such strong intuitive appeal that many current statistical procedures have the invariance property and are in fact the best invariant procedures although they were proposed long before a general discussion of invariance was available. Hotelling [1], [2] and Pitman [3], [4] emphasized the invariant nature of certain tests and esti-mates. A general definition of the notion for the problem of testing hypotheses was given by Hunt and Stein who showed that in this case under severe restric-tions on the group of transformations an optimum invariant test is most stringent or more generally minimax with respect to an invariant loss function (see [5]). This result has been extended to more general decision problems and more general groups by Peisakoff [6]. However, these results do not prove admissibility of the procedures in question unless the group of transformations is compact.
Development of a prelabeling approach for a targeted nanochelator

The polymer polyethyleneimine with primary and secondary chelators can retain 225Ac and its daughters. In this study we optimize a prelabeling approach, followed by addition of secondary chelators and explore crosslinking approaches to add a targeting molecule. A (N-Succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)-propionate crosslinking approach was used to obtain a ~1 to 1 ratio of the modified PEI to Trastuzumab. This approach coupled with the prelabeling approach would allow the synthesis of the radiolabeled targeted polymer for 225Ac radioimmunotherapy.
Recent studies improve understanding of population dynamics across species ranges

Opinion is intended to facilitate communication between reader and author and reader and reader. Comments, viewpoints or suggestions arising from published papers are welcome. Discussion and debate about important issues in ecology, e.g. theory or terminology, may also be included. Contributions should be as precise as possible and references should be kept to a minimum. A summary is not required.
Study of the most probable explanation in hybrid Bayesian networks

In addition to computing the posterior distributions for hidden variables in Bayesian networks, one other important inference task is to find the most probable explanation (MPE). MPE provides the most likely configurations to explain away the evidence and helps to manage hypotheses for decision making. In recent years, researchers have proposed a few methods to find the MPE for discrete Bayesian networks. However, finding the MPE for hybrid networks remains challenging. In this paper, we first briefy review the current state-of-the-art in the literature regarding various explanation methods. We then present an algorithm by using a modified max-product clique tree to find the MPE for accommodating the needs in hybrid Bayesian networks. A detailed example is demonstrated to show the algorithm.
Spin-Polarized Radical Ion Pair Formation Resulting from Two-step Electron Transfer from the Lowest Excited Singlet State of a Fixed-Distance Photosynthetic Model System at 5 K

Abstract A photosynthetic reaction center model consisting of a zinc porphyrin primary electron donor, ZP, positioned between a naphthoquinone electron acceptor, NQ, and an N,N,N,N–tetraalkyl–p–phenylenediamine secondary electron donor, TAPD, was synthesized. The resulting rigid structure places the TAPD donor at a fixed 23 A center–to–center distance from the NQ acceptor. Excitation of ZP with 540 nm light in butyronitrile glass at 5 K results in two–step sequential electron transfer: TAPD–1*ZP–NQ > TAPD–ZP+−NQ− −> TAPD+−ZP–NQ−. The final TAPD+−ZP–NQ− radical pair lives for 4 ms and exhibits a spin–polarized EPR spectrum characteristic of a spin–correlated radical pair. The EPR spectrum of this long–lived, spin–polarized radical ion pair closely mimics the bacteriochlorophyll cation – quinone anion radical pair produced in photosynthetic reaction centers.
Model microporous carbons: Microstructure, surface polarity and gas adsorption

Abstract A new molecular model for activated carbons is presented, which consists of a collection of randomly oriented carbon crystallites. The carbon displays energetic heterogeneity as a result of its complex microstructure and surface polarity. Adsorption isotherms and isosteric heats of adsorption for methane, ethane and their binary mixtures were estimated by grand-canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Simulations of the adsorption of water vapor were performed to adjust the surface polarity of the adsorbent.
The chromogranins: Their roles in secretion from neuroendocrine cells and as markers for neuroendocrine neoplasia

Chromogranins are the major components of the secretory granules of most neuroendocrine cells. Within the secretory pathway, chromogranins are involved in granulogenesis, and in sorting and processing of secretory proteincargo prior to, secretion. Once secreted, they have hormonal, autocrine, and paracrine activities. The chromogranin family includes chromogranins A (CgA) and B (CgB)and secretogranin II (Sgll, once called chromogranin C). The related “granins” NESP55, 7B2, secretogranin III/1B 1075 (SgIII), and secretogranin IV/HISL-19 antigen (SgIV), are also sometimes included when considering the chromogranins. While it is useful to consider the granin proteins as a family with many common features, it is also necessary to examine the distinct features and properties of individual members of the granin family to understand fully their functions, employ them efficiently as tissue, serum, and urinary markers for neuroendocrine neoplasia, and develop an evolutionary-biologic perspective on their contribution to mammalian physiology. Recent advances in chromogranin research include establishing the role of CgA in granulogenesis and the role of CgB in nuclear transcription; new biologic activities for CgA-, CgB-, and SgII-derived peptides; and new marker functions for granins and their proteolytically processed products in endocrine neoplasias
Quantitative Abel tomography robust to noisy, corrupted and missing data

A mixed-variable optimization (MVO) approach to quantitative tomography was applied to experimental x-ray data. The results were found to be comparable to previous tests on synthetic data. The MVO method was tested for robustness to realistic data problems: actual radiographic occlusions, simulated amplified noise, and random pixel rejection. Significant levels of data corruption, which easily render inverse methods ineffective or unreliable, do not noticeably impact the MVO method reliability. The success of the MVO method lies in its use of a reduced dimension object description designed to capture prior knowledge about the class of potential imaged objects.
The economic characteristics of IMF program countries

Abstract A logit analysis is utilized to identify the factors that characterized developing nations that entered IMF stabilization programs in the early 1980s. Program countries recorded higher rates of domestic credit growth, larger shares of government expenditure, more severe current account deficits, smaller reserve holdings and lower per-capita incomes.
Playful Textbook Previews: Letting Go of Familiar Mustache Monologues

Elementary teachers lead students on prereading picture walks, engage them in prediction activities, and model previewing processes, secondary teachers often fail to do much more than distribute the textbook. To help middle and high school students learn to use their content area textbooks more effectively, teachers can engage them in previewing activities designed for expository text. Students are taught to find and use the special features and learning aids in their textbooks. They become engaged in content overviews to activate their background knowledge and get them thinking about course topics from the very first day of class. This article presents eight textbook preview ideas that can be easily adapted for any textbook in any content area.
Development of Alaska North Slope Natural Gas Resources: A Historical Perspective and Future Potential

This paper presents a historical analysis of plans proposed by the private sector to develop and commercialize the natural gas resources found on the North Slope of Alaska. It evaluates current proposals to commercialize North Slope gas and discusses the potential economic benefits to be derived from gas commercialization. First, we describe the natural gas resources of the North Slope. Second, a resource-allocation optimization model is presented to evaluate quantitatively the options available for gas utilization. The model is applied to the North Slope to screen the various gas utilization alternatives and to recommend the economically feasible options. The optimal decision is a major gas (LNG) sale to the Pacific Rim countries. The LNG project involves conditioning natural gas on the North Slope and transporting the gas by pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to a tidewater port where it can be liquefied and shipped by tankers to the Pacific Rim markets.
Why the past matters

L'A. formule et discute deux manieres fondamentales de rendre compte des cas ou un jugement prescriptif fait au moins implicitement reference a des evenements passes: la theorie "consequentialiste" et la theorie "antecedentialiste". A quelles conditions peut-on dire que les caracteristiques d'un evenement ou d'un acte du passe determinent un sujet dans son comportement futur?.
Synthesis of the first poly(diaminosulfide)s and an investigation of their applications as drug delivery vehicles.

This paper reports the first examples of poly(diaminosulfide)s that were synthesized by the reaction of a sulfur transfer reagent and several secondary diamines. The diaminosulfide group has the general structure of R2N–S–NR2, and although it has been used in the synthesis of small molecules, it has never been utilized in the synthesis of macromolecules until this report. A series of poly(diaminosulfide)s were synthesized at elevated temperatures, and the molecular weights of the polymers were as high as 12 400 g mol–1 with conversions for the polymerization reaction up to 99%. The rate constants for the transamination reactions that lead to the polymers were measured in several solvents to provide an understanding of the reaction conditions necessary to polymerize the monomers. The degradation of diaminosulfides was studied in D2O, C6D6, CD3OD, CDCl3, and DMSO-d6/D2O to demonstrate that they were very stable in organic solvents but degraded within hours under aqueous conditions. These results clearly dem...
Evaluation of fetal heart dimensions from 12 weeks to term

To evaluate whether fetal cardiac measurements can be made in the second trimester, we examined a cohort of normal pregnancies between 12 and 18 weeks' gestation using state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment. We examined this population longitudinally at intervals of 2 weeks, as well as at 32 weeks' gestation. From the 4-chamber view we measured the ventricular and atrial cavity dimensions, the thickness of the ventricular walls and septum at end-diastole, and the annulus dimensions of the mitral and tricuspid valves. Using a variety of views we also measured the long and cross-sectional diameters of the atria, the aorta, the pulmonary artery and its main left and right branches, the ductus arteriosus, and the superior and inferior vena cavae. To test the frequency with which measurements could be made, we divided them into measurements that were clear and easy to define (statistically good), to those that were unclear (statistically bad), or those that were not measured at all (none). Data were then analyzed by regression analysis, analysis of variance, and covariance. The frequency of reliable measurements varied inversely with gestational age. The inflection point for measurements was approximately at 16 weeks. Data from this longitudinal study were evaluated against those obtained from our previous study. Because no statistical differences were found in measurements between these studies where they overlapped, the data were pooled into 1 large group and the mean and SEEs calculated for all variables. Our study demonstrates that with current transabdominal imaging, fetal cardiac measurements can be made reliably in normal fetuses from 16 weeks' gestation onward. The frequency of obtaining data in younger normal fetuses suggests it is unlikely that reliable observations can be made routinely in abnormal fetuses < 16 weeks old, although this might be possible in individual fetuses.
Data-driven Study of Network Administration in the Evolving Landscape of Software Defined Networking

In this paper, we make an initial attempt to employ Grounded Theory approach to gather the corpus of common human errors in the current process of network administration and management over a large variety of organizations and working environments; categorize such errors regarding their potential impact on the security of future script-based management of SDN and analyze these impacts to produce a scientific basis for the design of future resilient networks with adaptive automated device management. Our main contribution is to start introducing a more data-driven scientific approach to solving the misconfiguration problem by studying the effect of network administrators' actions and decisions in configuration of network devices.
Optical crystallographic properties of some sulfonamides and their diliturates

The optical properties of sulfacetamide, sulfathalidine, Gantrisin, and Elkosin have been investigated. A series of dilituric acid salts of three of the above sulfonamides has been prepared and their melting points, analyses, and optical properties have been determined. The densities and molar refractions of the four sulfonamides and of three of their diliturate salts have been reported.
Reliability of an electrode and a water analysis kit for determination of ammonia in aquaculture systems.

Abstract An ammonia electrode and the nesslerization procedure of a water quality test kit were compared in measurements of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) in standard solutions, well water, and water from various aquaculture systems. The electrode generally was satisfactory, the test kit less so—especially in water fertilized with animal manure. Distillation did not improve accuracy or precision of the electrode when it was used with raw water samples, but TAN concentrations were affected by interferences when water from some wells was analyzed without distillation. In general, the ammonia test kit should be satisfactory for aquacultural use, but in intensive-culture systems the performance of the ammonia electrode seems to warrant its higher expense.
How to design injection protocols for multiple detector-row CT angiography (MDCTA).

The basis of the development of optimal injection protocols for multiple detector-row CT-angiography is knowledge of the physiological and pharmacokinetic principles of arterial enhancement. This article reviews the key rules of early arterial contrast medium dynamics: (1) Arterial enhancement is directly proportional to the iodine administration rate (iodine flux), and can be controlled by the injection flow rate and the iodine concentration of the contrast medium; (2) Arterial enhancement continuously increases over time with longer injection durations, due to the cumulative effects of bolus broadening and recirculation; (3) The strength of an individual’s enhancement response to intravenously administered CM depends primarily on the patient’s cardiac output and correlates inversely with body weight.
The pneumococcus: why a commensal misbehaves

Several characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) combine to make it a particularly problematic pathogen. Firstly, the pneumococcus has the capacity to cause disease through the expression of virulence factors such as its polysaccharide capsule and pore-forming toxin. In addition, the pneumococcus is highly adaptable as demonstrated by its ability to acquire and disseminate resistance to multiple antibiotics. Although the pneumococcus is a major cause of disease, the organism is most commonly an "asymptomatic" colonizer of its human host (the carrier state), with transmission occurring exclusively from this reservoir of commensal organisms. Thus, it is unclear how the organism's virulence and adaptability promote its persistence or host to host spread during its carrier state. This review summarizes current understanding of how these characteristics may contribute to the commensal lifestyle of the pneumococcus.
The Time Is Now

To supply our economy with the professional man-power it must have to meet the political, economic, and military challenges of the Soviet Union and to harvest for the benefit of all people the tremendous potential of the scientific age, America must provide an education that will permit all young people to realize their full potential for mental and intellectual development. These are challenges to man's capacity to know and to understand and to his capacity for disciplined and responsible intelligence. To meet these challenges, America must 1) devise a diverse, multilevel collegiate structure aimed at the development of individual talents and abilities rather than at the inculcation of a fixed body of knowledge; 2) conduct basic research into the educative process to find ways of improving our instruction while increasing its efficiency; 3) re-examine our methods of teaching to find means of emphasizing the development of creativity; 4) establish systematic methods of identifying our talented youth early in their school programs; 5) effect a change in general attitude toward scholarship in our country; and 6) find an equitable and satisfactory means of financing education in proportion to its value for America.
Effect of polymer additives on Görtler vortices in Taylor—Couette flow

Taylor—Couette flow is ideal for studying drag-reducing polymer additives because, unlike turbulent boundary layers, the instabilities are better understood. Video records of laser-induced fluorescence experiments with and without polymers will be presented. Polyethylene-oxide (PEO) ‘oceans’ were used in concentrations of 20 and 100 p.p.m. In the Taylor number range, 3 × 10 4 ≤ Ta ≤ 10 8 , Newtonian flow consisted of Taylor vortices which span the gap between cylinders and much smaller Gortler vortices at the inner cylinder wall. Measurements of core-to-core separation between counter-rotating vortices were made to estimate the Gortler instability wavenumber. These measurements show that PEO addition increases the Gortler wavenumber for a given Taylor number. At the lower Taylor numbers, Gortler vortex formation was suppressed by PEO. This implies that polymers directly affect the evolution of centrifugal instabilities.
Morphine Activates Opioid Receptors without Causing Their Rapid Internalization

We have examined the endocytic trafficking of epitope-tagged delta and mu opioid receptors expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. These receptors are activated by peptide agonists (enkephalins) as well as by the alkaloid agonist drugs etorphine and morphine. Enkephalins and etorphine cause opioid receptors to internalize rapidly (t1/2 approximately 6 min) by a mechanism similar to that utilized by a number of other classes of receptor, as indicated by localization of internalized opioid receptors in transferrin-containing endosomes and inhibition of opioid receptor internalization by hypertonic media. Remarkably, morphine does not stimulate the rapid internalization of either delta or mu opioid receptors, even at high concentrations that strongly inhibit adenylyl cyclase. These data indicate that agonist ligands, which have similar effects on receptor-mediated signaling, can have dramatically different effects on the intracellular trafficking of a G protein-coupled receptor.
Greenhouse gas fluxes in southeastern U.S. coastal plain wetlands under contrasting land uses

Whether through sea level rise or wetland restoration, agricultural soils in coastal areas will be inundated at increasing rates, renewing connections to sensitive surface waters and raising critical questions about environmental trade-offs. Wetland restoration is often implemented in agricultural catchments to improve water quality through nutrient removal. Yet flooding of soils can also increase production of the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide and methane, representing a potential environmental trade-off. Our study aimed to quantify and compare greenhouse gas emissions from unmanaged and restored forested wetlands, as well as actively managed agricultural fields within the North Carolina coastal plain, USA. In sampling conducted once every two months over a two-year comparative study, we found that soil carbon dioxide flux (range: 8000-64 800 kg CO2� ha � 1� yr � 1 ) comprised 66-100% of total greenhouse gas emissions from all sites and that methane emissions (range: � 6.87 to 197 kg CH4� ha � 1� yr � 1 ) were highest from permanently inundated sites, while nitrous oxide fluxes (range: � 1.07 to 139 kg N2Oha � 1 � yr � 1 ) were highest in sites with lower water tables. Contrary to predictions, greenhouse gas fluxes (as CO2 equivalents) from the restored wetland were lower than from either agricultural fields or unmanaged forested wetlands. In these acidic coastal freshwater ecosystems, the conversion of agricultural fields to flooded young forested wetlands did not result in increases in greenhouse gas emissions.
Assay of prolactin in vertebrate pituitaries by its dispersion of xanthophore pigment in the teleost Gillichthys mirabilis.

A simple, rapid assay for prolactin is described using the pigment-dispersing response of the xanthophores in the teleost Gillichthys mirabilis. The assay is highly specific for prolactin in lower vertebrates, but mammalian growth hormone (STH) also produces a response in the assay. The assay is sensitive, detecting 10−11 gm (dry weight) of a teleostean pituitary rostral lobe. Taxonomic specificity is high: 5 μg ovine prolactin is required for a similar effect. Activity in the agnathan pituitary was negligible. In elasmobranchs, teleosts and reptiles, activity was localized in the rostral pituitary region. Lung-fish pituitary activity was low, resembling that in tetrapods. Comparison of pituitary xanthophore activity from the several vertebrate classes indicates an inverse relationship with pigeon cropsac activity, previously published, suggesting that the evolution of a single active site on the prolactin molecule could account for both activities.
Photorefractoriness and Sexual Response in Aging Partridge Kept Under Constant Long- and Short-Day Photoperiods

The duration of post-juvenile refractoriness was studied in Red-legged partridge kept under a long constant 16-hr photoperiod from hatch to 55 months of age. A second group of partridge was kept under a short constant 8-hr photoperiod from hatch to 38 months of age. Body weight was measured bimonthly, and daily egg production kept on birds reaching sexual maturity. Eighty one percent of all birds were alive at 36 months of age. Birds kept under a constant 16-hr photoperiod were generally heavier at all ages than comparable birds kept under 8-hr photoperiods. Refractoriness was terminated in 38% of the hens kept continuously under a 16-hr day. The first hen laid at 475 days of age. Median age at first egg for other sexually mature birds was 968 days. Forty percent of all birds kept under a constant 8-hr day laid at a median age of 339 days. It was concluded that post-juvenile refractoriness can be interrputed in some partridge without previous exposure to a short-day photoperiod. It is likely that uncontrolled resident temperature fluctuations and other seasonal effects may serve as preconditioners to lay.
Increases In Consumer Cost Sharing Redirect Patient Volumes And Reduce Hospital Prices For Orthopedic Surgery

Some employers are implementing reference-pricing benefit designs, which establish limits on the amount they will pay for some procedures covered by employer-sponsored insurance. Employees are required to pay the difference between the employer’s contribution limit and the actual price received by the hospital. These initiatives encourage patients to select low-price facilities and indirectly encourage facilities to reduce prices to increase patient volume. We evaluated the impact of reference pricing on the use of and prices paid for knee and hip replacement surgery by members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) from 2008 to 2012, using enrollees in Anthem Blue Cross as a comparison group. In the first year after implementation, surgical volumes for CalPERS members increased by 21.2 percent at low-price facilities and decreased by 34.3 percent at high-price facilities. Prices charged to CalPERS members declined by 5.6 percent at low-price facilities and by 34.3 percent at high...
Polarizabilities of highly ionized atoms

An extrapolation method based on a screening approximation, applied to available initial values of polarizability for low stages of ionization, is used to obtain dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities for more highly ionized members of many isoelectronic sequences. It is suggested that the derived screening constants x sub L and limiting ratios F sub L may have significant physical meaning, especially the latter which may have an interpretation in terms of hydrogenic polarizabilities.
X-ray imaging observations of active galactic nuclei and quasars

I summarize the results obtained from X-ray imaging observations of active galactic nuclei and quasars with the Einstein Observatory. The X-ray luminosities of these objects form a continuous sequence with the least active objects, Seyfert 2 galaxies, being the least luminous and the most active objects, quasars, being the most luminous.
Kawasaki Syndrome (Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome)

Kawasaki syndrome or the mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS, MLNS) is an acute febrile exanthematous illness of children, first recognized in Japan by Kawasaki in 1967.1 In 1970, the Research Committee of MCLS, supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Japanese government, organized a case registry to elucidate the clinical, pathologic, epidemiologic, and etiologic features. By 1974, the committee had collected approximately 5,000 cases from all over Japan.1,2 The illness has continued to be recognized in Japan with more than 10,000 cases registered by 1979. The disease was recognized independently in the United States by Melish et al with 12 cases encountered between 1971 and 1974.3,4 Although these American workers had no knowledge of the Japanese experience they independently identified the same diagnostic criteria. Later consultations with Japanese MCLS researchers have established that the cases in Hawaii and the cases in Japan were indistinguishable in their presenting manifestations and their clinical course. Since 1974, Kawasaki syndrome has been recognized worldwide. Outside Japan, the illness appears to be most prevalent in Hawaii which has the largest published series3; the largest proportion of cases in the United States reported to the Center for Disease Control come from this state. The experience at the Kapiolani-Children9s Medical Center now includes more than 100 cases from various parts of Hawaii.
A High-Resolution Seismic Survey to Image the Top of Salt at Avery Island, Louisiana

Abstract A shallow high-resolution 2D seismic reflection survey was acquired to image the top of the salt dome at Avery Island, Louisiana. The goals were to identify the salt-sediment interface and to gain a better understanding of its location within the subsurface. Previous seismic studies were unable to properly image the top of salt. The survey was conducted using a 48-channel seismograph with an Elastic Wave Generator as the source. Source and receiver intervals were set at 10 ft (3m) in order to properly illuminate salt surface features at maximum expected depth (~530 ft). Because local well information was unavailable during processing and analysis, the survey results are not calibrated to a known geologic section or to any direct velocity measurements. Analysis of the seismic stack shows five well-defined reflectors near the north end of the profile. Measured stacking velocities associated with deep events were observed to be greater than 2,000 m/s. This indicates possible pore space salt cementation in sediments above the salt body. To the south, the top of salt is interpreted to approach the surface with one area displaying evidence of a possible collapse feature. The five reflectors expand northward from the edge of the top of salt, and show evidence of minor faulting. This is consistent with draping and post-sedimentation movement. Further studies to better identify the collapse feature and to calibrate seismic to stratigraphy by well coring is warranted.
Structural Basis for Recruitment and Activation of the AP-1 Clathrin Adaptor Complex by Arf1

AP-1 is a clathrin adaptor complex that sorts cargo between the trans-Golgi network and endosomes. AP-1 recruitment to these compartments requires Arf1-GTP. The crystal structure of the tetrameric core of AP-1 in complex with Arf1-GTP, together with biochemical analyses, shows that Arf1 activates cargo binding by unlocking AP-1. Unlocking is driven by two molecules of Arf1 that bridge two copies of AP-1 at two interaction sites. The GTP-dependent switch I and II regions of Arf1 bind to the N terminus of the β1 subunit of one AP-1 complex, while the back side of Arf1 binds to the central part of the γ subunit trunk of a second AP-1 complex. A third Arf1 interaction site near the N terminus of the γ subunit is important for recruitment, but not activation. These observations lead to a model for the recruitment and activation of AP-1 by Arf1.