cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of 2-hydroxy-pyridine modified Group 4 alkoxides

AbstractThe reaction of Group 4 metal alkoxides ([M(OR)4]) with the potentially bidentate ligand, 2-hydroxy-pyridine (2-HO-(NC5H4) or H-PyO), led to the isolation of a family of compounds. The products isolated from the reaction of [M(OR)4] [where M = Ti, Zr, or Hf; OR = OPri (OCH(CH3)2), OBut (OC(CH3)3), or ONep (OCH2C(CH3)3] under a variety of stoichiometries with H-PyO were identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction as [(OPri)2(PyO-κ2(O,N))Ti(μ-OPri)]2 (1), [(ONep)2Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ2(O,N))2(μ-ONep)Ti(ONep)3] (2), [(ONep)2Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ2(O,N))(η1(N),μ(O)-PyO)(μ-O)Ti(ONep)2]2 (2a), [H][(PyO-κ2(O,N))(η1(O)-PyO)Ti(ONep)3] (3), [(OR)2Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ2(O,N))2(μ-OR)Zr(OR)3] (OR = OBut (4), ONep (5)), [(OR)2Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ2(O,N))2(μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OR)3] (OR = OBut (6), ONep (7)), [[(OBut)2Zr(μ(O)-PyO-(κ2(N,O))(μ(O,N)-PyO)2Zr(OBut)](μ3-O)]2 (6a), [[(ONep)(PyO-κ2(N,O))Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ2(N,O))2(μ(O)-PyO-κ2(N,O))Zr(ONep)](μ3-O)]2 (7a), [(OBut)(PyO-κ2(O,N))Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ2(O,N))2((μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OBut)3] (8), [(OBut)2Hf(μ(O)-Py...
Testis tumor markers: How accurate are they?

AbstractInitial reports on the usefulness of radioimmunoassays for the beta chain of human chorionic gonadotropin and for alpha-fetoprotein suggested that these 2 tests would detect metastatic nonseminomatous testicular cancer in 93 per cent of the cases. In a review of 30 patients with stages 2 and 3 non-seminomatous testicular cancer in our institutions we found a 20 per cent falsely negative rate for these serum assays. In all of these cases the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alphafetoprotein levels were simultaneously negative despite proved existence of metastatic disease.
Systemic Sclerosis and Malignancy: A Review of Current Data.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with increased risk of malignancy. The organ systems most commonly affected are the lungs, the breasts and the hematological system. Risk factors predisposing a SSc patient for development of malignancy are not well defined, and the pathogenic basis of the association is yet to be explained. The incidence of malignancies in SSc patients is variable from one report to another, but most importantly, questions regarding the role of immunosuppressive therapies and the effect of autoantibodies have weak or sometimes contradictory answers in most of the currently available literature and physicians have no available guidelines to screen their SSc patients for malignancies. The lack of a concretely defined high-risk profile and the absence of malignancy screening guidelines tailored for SSc patients raise the importance of the need for more studies on the association of SSc and cancer and should incite rheumatology colleges to develop specific recommendations for the clinician to follow while approaching patients with SSc. J Clin Med Res. 2016;8(9):625-632 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2606w
The Action Imitation network and motor imitation in children and adolescents with autism

While deficits in imitation had been reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its exact nature remains unclear. A dysfunction in mirroring mechanisms (through action imitation) has been proposed by some studies to explain this, although some recent evidence points against this hypothesis. The current study used behavior and functional MRI to examine the integrated functioning of the regions that are considered part of the Action Imitation network (AIN) in children and adolescents with ASD during a motor imitation task. Fourteen ASD and 15 age-and-IQ-matched typically developing (TD) children were asked to imitate a series of hand gestures in the MRI scanner. Intact performance on imitation (accurate imitation of hand gestures outside the scanner) in both ASD and TD groups was accompanied by significantly lower activity in ASD participants, relative to TD, in right angular gyrus, precentral gyrus, and left middle cingulate. In addition, autism traits were found to be significantly correlated with activation in the right angular gyrus. Overall, the findings of this study support the role of AIN in imitation and a potential difference in the recruitment of this network in ASD children.
Anilinopyridinate-supported Ru2x+ (x = 5 or 6) paddlewheel complexes with labile axial ligands.

Five new metal–metal bonded Ru2 compounds are presented and discussed: Ru2(ap)4ONO2 (2), [Ru2(ap)4NCMe][BF4] (3), Ru2(ap)4FBF3 (4), Ru2(ap)4OTf (5), and [Ru2(ap)4OTf][Ag(OTf)2] (6) (ap = 2-anilinopyridinate). All compounds have a (4,0) arrangement of the ap ligands about the Ru–Ru bond and contain one sterically blocked axial site and one site containing a labile ligand. These compounds display some of the shortest Ru–Ru distances known for this class of compounds. We demonstrate a reversible interconversion between compounds 3 and 4 as the MeCN and BF4− ligands are readily displaced. Despite the presence of labile axial ligands, compounds 2–5 remain high spin with an S = 3/2 ground state as determined by EPR spectroscopy.
O-025 The vital trial: volumetric integral phase-shift spectroscopy for the noninvasive detection of hemispheric bioimpedance asymmetry in severe brain pathology

Introduction Given the robust evidence supporting thrombectomy in the treatment of acute stroke, accurate prehospital triage to thrombectomy capable centers has become an imperative. Here we present the results of a large scale clinical trial evaluating a non-invasive, hand-held device capable of identifying large vessel occlusion and other severe brain pathologies in neurologically compromised patients. Methods We are currently completing a multicenter derivation study of up to 158 adult patients presenting to the hospital with atraumatic severe brain pathology who are evaluated with this new technology. The presence or absence of LVO and other severe brain pathology was confirmed on neuroimaging including CT, MR, and/or angiography. Results The results of this study will be complete by early-June and are planned to be presented. Conclusion We will present the conclusions of a large scale clinical trial evaluating a new hand-held non-invasive brain scanning device that has the potential to transform pre-hospital triage of patients with neurologic impairment. Disclosures C. Kellner: None. A. Alexandrov: None. V. Investigators: None.
Enhanced mobility in vertically scaled N-polar high-electron-mobility transistors using GaN/InGaN composite channels

A GaN/InGaN composite channel design for vertically scaled N-polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structures is proposed and demonstrated by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. In a conventional N-polar HEMT structure, as the channel thickness (tch) decreases, the sheet charge density (ns) decreases, the electric field in the channel increases, and the centroid of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) moves towards the back-barrier/channel interface, resulting in stronger scattering and lower electron mobility (μ). In this study, a thin InGaN layer was introduced in-between the channel and the AlGaN cap to increase the 2DEG density and reduce the electric field in the channel and therefore increase the electron mobility. The dependence of μ on the InGaN thickness (tInGaN) and the indium composition (xIn) was investigated for different channel thicknesses. With optimized tInGaN and xIn, significant improvements in electron mobility were observed. For a 6 nm channel HEMT structure, the electron mobility increased from 606 to 1141 cm2/(V·s) when the 6 nm thick pure GaN channel was replaced by the 4 nm GaN/2 nm In0.1Ga0.9N composite channel.
Thyroid hormones and menstrual cycle function in a longitudinal cohort of premenopausal women.

Background Previous studies have reported that hyperthyroid and hypothyroid women experience menstrual irregularities more often compared with euthyroid women, but reasons for this are not well-understood and studies on thyroid hormones among euthyroid women are lacking. In a prospective cohort study of euthyroid women, this study characterised the relationship between thyroid hormone concentrations and prospectively collected menstrual function outcomes. Methods Between 2004-2014, 86 euthyroid premenopausal women not lactating or taking hormonal medications participated in a study measuring menstrual function. Serum thyroid hormones were measured before the menstrual function study began. Women then collected first morning urine voids and completed daily bleeding diaries every day for three cycles. Urinary oestrogen and progesterone metabolites (estrone 3-glucuronide (E1 3G) and pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (Pd3G)) and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured and adjusted for creatinine (Cr). Results Total thyroxine (T4 ) concentrations were positively associated with Pd3G and E1 3G. Women with higher (vs lower) T4 had greater luteal phase maximum Pd3G (Pd3G = 11.7 μg/mg Cr for women with high T4 vs Pd3G = 9.5 and 8.1 μg/mg Cr for women with medium and low T4 , respectively) and greater follicular phase maximum E1 3G (E1 3G = 41.7 ng/mg Cr for women with high T4 vs E1 3G = 34.3 and 33.7 ng/mg Cr for women with medium and low T4 , respectively). Conclusions Circulating thyroid hormone concentrations were associated with subtle differences in menstrual cycle function outcomes, particularly sex steroid hormone levels in healthy women. Results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between thyroid function and the menstrual cycle, and may have implications for fertility and chronic disease.
Soybean Oil-Based Thermoset Films and Fibers with High Biobased Carbon Content via Thiol–Ene Photopolymerization

While a number of vegetable oil derivatives have been integrated with petroleum-based materials to prepare thermosetting polymers, existing examples usually incorporate low total biorenewable content into the final product. With the goal of generating thermosets with high biorenewable content, two different soybean oil derivatives with multifunctional thiol and acrylate groups were photocured via thiol–acrylate photopolymerization. For this purpose, l-cysteine, a nonhazardous amino acid, was coupled with epoxidized soybean oil to synthesize a mercaptanized soybean oil derivative containing multiple thiol groups. After being mixed with acrylate counterparts suitable for performing thiol–ene photopolymerizations, these monomer mixtures were processed into thermoset films (via monomer mixture film casting followed by photopolymerization) and fibers (via simultaneous electrospinning of the monomer mixture and photopolymerization in flight). The resulting materials possessed high biobased carbon content (BCC; ...
The Basic Principles of Behaviorism

Systematic viewpoints in psychology are often characterized in terms of their stances on the subject matter and methods of the discipline. In this regard, behaviorism is often characterized as the viewpoint holding that the appropriate subject matter for psychology is behavior, rather than mental/subjective experience, and that the appropriate methods are those of the natural sciences, rather than introspection (see Addis, 1982; Bergmann, 1956).
5-Hydroxytryptamine — Serotonin

The most striking fact about the distribution of 5-HT is its occurrence in living beings so far removed from each other, as vertebrates and flowering plants. It appears that the ability to produce serotonin might be primitive in an evolutionary sense, as are the agents related to it, such as tryptophan, which is universally distributed in living species. The presence of 5-HT was detected in mammalia, dogs, rabbits, hens and ducks (Erspamer and Pavan, 1954), in tortoises and grass snakes (Udenfriend et al., 1952), in pisces (Erspamer, 1954), in cephalopoda and pelecypoda (Welsh, 1954; Twarog, 1954), in insecta and arachnida (Jaques and Schachter, 1954; Erspamer and Pavan, 1954; Adam and Weiss, 1956) and others. According to Collier (1957), 5-HT was found in dogs in almost all organs, such as the stomach, small intestine, liver, kidney, spleen, lung, ear, skin, tongue, muscle, brain, vagus and sciatic nerves and even in the diaphragm. While polymorphonuclear leucocytes do not contain 5-HT, platelets, non-argentaffin carcinoid cells and mast cell tumors have a moderate amount of the metabolites. The argentaffin cell carcinoid levels of 5-HT are as high as 58–3620 γ/g (Snow et al., 1955).
Chapter 101 – Vascular Mechanisms of Hypertension in the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity during pregnancy, affecting ~5–10% of all pregnancies. Classical hallmarks of the disorder include de novo hypertension, proteinuria, and marked edema, and at present the only effective treatment for the disorder is early delivery of the fetus. In normal gestation, the mother experiences increased cardiac output and fluid volume, while total vascular resistance, renal vascular resistance, vascular reactivity, and arterial pressure show marked decreases. This is in contrast to preeclampsia, in which vascular resistance, pressor response to vasoconstrictors, and arterial pressure are all increased. Recent evidence suggests that these hemodynamic changes are secondary to factors released from the placenta in response to hypoxia and ischemia seen during preeclampsia. This chapter highlights the mechanisms involved and discusses the effects of placental ischemia on the vasculature of the preeclamptic patient.
Responses to Macronutrient Deprivation

Photosynthetic organisms have developed elaborate mechanisms to acquire macronutrients and to adjust to conditions in which those nutrients become limiting to growth. Some of the responses of photosynthetic organisms to macronutrient limitation may be specific for a particular nutrient and involve the development of various mechanisms to scavenge the limiting nutrient from the external milieu, which may require elevated synthesis of high affinity transport systems, the redistribution of internal nutrient stores and the synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes that release the nutrient from organic substrates in the soil. Other responses may be of a more general nature, occurring during a number of different nutrient limitation conditions, and involve modifying the biosynthetic machinery of the cell, including the photosynthetic apparatus. In this review we focus on the acquisition of the macronutrients nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus from the environment, and the ways in which the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii acclimates to changes in its nutrient environment.
The systolic blood pressure sweet spot after intracerebral hemorrhage: 130 mm Hg?

Acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the most severely disabling type of stroke, has few proven therapies. The mainstay of care remains acute blood pressure (BP)–lowering treatment, in order to mitigate hematoma expansion, perihematomal edema, and the attendant mass effects, each linked to early neurologic deterioration (END), death, and major disability.1,2 More than 5 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have proven the safety and support the efficacy of early intensive BP-lowering treatment, as opposed to conservative BP control. These trials include the Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial 2 (INTERACT-2) and Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage (ATACH-2) trials, which were recently compared3 and compiled in a large meta-analysis.4 Mounting evidence,1 particularly ad hoc analyses of INTERACT-2,5,6 suggests that the earlier the treatment, the steeper the drop, and the lower the BP achieved, the better the outcome,1,6 halting radiologic or clinical deterioration2 and, more importantly, improving quality of life and shifting toward better functional physical outcome at 3 months.4–6 Furthermore, INTERACT-2 data revealed a dose effect with linear relationship between achieved systolic BP (SBP) and reducing hematoma growth5 and improved functional outcome.6
The impact of serum zinc normalization on clinical outcomes in severe burn patients.

Abstract Introduction Patients with thermal burns become zinc deficient due to exudative losses, increased urinary excretion, and reduction of carrier proteins which results in impaired immunity, wound healing and glucose control. Previous trials have demonstrated improved wound healing utilizing fixed zinc supplementation, but none have assessed the potential benefits associated with normalizing serum zinc concentrations. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of zinc normalization on clinical outcomes in patients with severe thermal burns. Methods This retrospective, single-center study of patients with at least 10% total body surface area (TBSA) burn and three serum zinc concentrations compared the ratio of hospital length of stay (LOS) over TBSA burned (LOS/TBSA index) between those with normal (≥60 mcg/mL) and non-normal ( Results A total of 56 patients were included for evaluation (11 normal and 45 non-normal). Burn size was 20.5% TBSA [11–29] for those with normal zinc and 27.3% [22–36] for non-normal; number of grafts for each group was 1 [0–1] vs 2 [1–3] respectively. LOS/TBSA index did not differ significantly between groups (1.10 normal vs. 1.21 non-normal, unadjusted p = 0.69; p = 0.75 adjusting for number of grafts). Time to 90% epithelialization was reduced in the normal group (27.5 vs. 57 days, p = 0.02), but this did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for %TBSA and number of grafts (p = 0.18). The groups did not differ significantly in incidence of infection or hyperglycemia in either unadjusted or adjusted analyses. Conclusions This was the first study, to our knowledge, to assess the clinical impact of normalizing serum zinc levels in patients with severe burns. Our results suggest the normalization of serum zinc levels through individualized zinc supplementation is not associated with improvement in clinical outcomes during hospitalization and therefore fixed-dose zinc supplementation without acquisition of serum zinc measurements should be considered.
Too Big to Comprehend? A Research Note on How Large Number Disclosure Format Affects Voter Support for Government Spending Bills

ABSTRACT Prior research suggests individuals have difficulty comprehending large magnitude numbers commonly associated with government spending (e.g., millions and billions). We conduct an experime...
Theoretical Perspectives to Guide the Practice of Perinatal Palliative Care

Theories are useful for practitioners to guide their thinking when providing perinatal palliative care to families with multiple needs. This chapter presents several theories, from sociocultural, grief and bereavement, and developmental perspectives. After describing theories under these broad headings, they are applied to a case of a couple continuing pregnancy with a life-limiting fetal condition.
Reading Cold War Queer Literature Today: Recognition Beyond LGBTQ Identity Politics

The Cold War witnessed the worldwide emergence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) minority communities. Activists struggled for the political, social and cultural recognition of sexual and gender difference as a mode of group identification rather than as criminal behaviour or psychological deviance. As LGBTQ existence was perceived increasingly as a ‘lifestyle’ linked to market niches, this once-radical minority paradigm became a neo-liberal export of the United States, where it originated. LGBTQ-identified authors often strove to humanise queer persons by promoting their social recognition, although their reparative efforts also often emphasised individual personhood over group identification. Cold War queer literature thus cultivated new perceptions of queer existence beyond the limits of LGBTQ identity politics, perceptions with continuing value for readers today.
Cancer of the Vulva: A Review.

Background Vulvar cancers, although rare, are becoming an increasingly serious threat to women's health. Cancer of the vulva accounted for 0.3% of all new cancers in the United States in 2019, with 6,070 newly diagnosed cases. This review details the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of vulvar malignancies. Objective To review cancer entities of the vulva, including vulvar intraepithelial neoplasms, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and adenocarcinomas. Materials and methods Literature review using PubMed search for articles related to cancer of the vulva. Results Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasms represent premalignant precursors to SCC of the vulva. There are several different histopathologic subtypes of SCC, and treatment is dependent on characteristics of primary tumor and lymph node involvement. Melanoma is the second most common cancer to affect the vulva, and staging is based on tumor, node, and metastatic spread. Conclusion Vulvar malignancies are rare, and diagnosis is dependent on biopsy and pathologic evaluation. Treatment for vulvar malignancies depends on histopathologic diagnosis but ranges from wide local excision with or without lymph node biopsy or dissection to radiation therapy with chemo- or immunotherapy. Overall survival varies by diagnosis.
Exploring Human Factors in Trauma

This chapter focuses on identifying ways to improve trauma care using human factors approaches. Two cases are analyzed: one demonstrates the effects of a system that is not functioning optimally, while the other represents a situation where things go well. The authors discuss interventions that have been both successful and unsuccessful in improving the process and discuss the importance of obtaining input from frontline providers and trialing interventions, especially those involving the introduction of complex technology.
Characteristics of Matriculants to Thoracic Surgery Residency Training Programs.

BACKGROUND Thoracic surgery (TS) residency positions are in high demand. There is no study describing the nationwide attributes of successful matriculants in this specialty. We examined the characteristics of TS resident applicants and identified factors associated with acceptance. METHODS Applicant data from 2014 to 2017 application cycles was extracted from the Electronic Residency Application System and stratified by matriculation status. Medical education, type of general surgery residency, and research achievements were analyzed. The number of peer-reviewed publications and the corresponding impact factor for the journals where they were published were quantified. RESULTS There were 492 applicants and 358 matriculants. The overall population was primarily male (79.5%), white (55.1%), educated at United States allopathic medical schools (66.5%), and trained at university-based general surgery residencies (59.6%). Education at United States allopathic schools (odds ratio [OR], 2.54; P < .0001), being a member of the American Osteopathic Association (OR, 3.27; P = .021), general surgery residency affiliation with a TS residency (OR, 2.41; P = .0003) or National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (OR, 1.76; P = .0172), and being a first-time applicant (OR, 4.71, P < .0001) were independently associated with matriculation. Matriculants published a higher number of manuscripts than nonmatriculants (median of 3 vs 2, P < .0001) and more frequently published in higher impact journals (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Our study includes objective and quantifiable data from recent application cycles and represents an in-depth examination of applicants to TS residency. The type of medical school and residency, as well as academic productivity, correlate with successful matriculation.
Alternate Nostril Breathing to Reduce Stress: An Option for Pregnant Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence?

Background:Stress resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV) on pregnant women causes and sustains poor health and contributes to poor pregnancy and birth outcomes. Appropriate interventions to...
Update on Leishmania Mediators That Promote Immune Evasion

Parasites of the Leishmania genus are the causative agents of the complex disease called leishmaniasis. Clinical manifestations in this disease range from cutaneous lesions, disseminated cutaneous lesions, mucocutaneous lesions, and visceral disease. Even though immune responses are elicited in response to infection, infection with several Leishmania species is not self-limited. The mechanism(s) by which parasites avoid the lethal effects of the immune response is the subject of intense research. This research includes studies on the identity and targets of the parasite mediators that are deployed to limit effectors of the immune response. This review will profile some of the parasite mediators for which there has been recent progress and the processes that they target.
CHANNEL MIGRATION AND REGENERATION OF BALD CYPRESS IN WESTERN TENNESSEE

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) regeneration was examined in the bottomland forest of the lower Hatchie River in western Tennessee. Bald cypress is found mostly in abandoned meanders. Its absence along the active channel indicates that colonization begins after the meander cuts off, creating an oxbow lake. Analysis of the size, the age, and the spatial structure of the stands indicates that the individuals first establish along the margins of the lake, and then colonize the interior as the lake fills in and new surfaces are exposed. Bald cypress will dominate abandoned meanders for several centuries. However, it will not regenerate in stands with a well-developed forest canopy. Bald cypress is eventually replaced by shade tolerant species and, therefore, only rarely occurs on older surfaces. Channel migration and the subsequent creation of oxbows will maintain bald cypress as a major component of bottomland forests. However, many of the major streams in the lower Mississippi River alluvial valley have b...
Speckle noise removal by robust modeling

A robust modeling approach is applied to remove speckle noise in synthetic aperture images. Conventional adaptive filtering approaches in speckle filtering smoothes the image selectively depending on the details of underlying textures, and tend to blur details after speckle removal. In the proposed approach, the image is assumed to be composed of structural and stochastic components, and the stochastic component is modeled by a robust model. The proposed method is applied to real synthetic aperture images to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the algorithm.
Variation in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in an ozone-stressed ponderosa pine stand: light response

The seasonal course (May to October 1977) of gross photosynthesis (from /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ uptake and stomatal conductance) in a stand of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) in the San Bernardino National Forest was characterized as a function of light. Nine sapling trees, classified for comparative studies into three chronic injury classes (slight, moderate, severe) had experienced oxidant fumigations from California's South Coast Air Basin for approximately 18 years, since their establishment following fire. The CO/sub 2/-transfer pathway was partitioned into its stomatal and residual (mesophyll, carboxylation, excitation) resistance components, for conditions of light saturation and 20/sup 0/C. Light-saturated gross photosynthetic rates and photochemical conversion efficiencies were highest in the current-year needles and decreased with increasing needle age and oxidant injury. Maximum stomatal conductance and stomatal sensitivity to increasing light during stomatal opening followed a trend similar to that of photosynthesis, except for current-year needles, where conductance parameters were highest in the severely injured trees. This higher conductance may contribute to observed differential ozone sensitivity in ponderosa pine. Premature senesence and abscission of the 1-year (severely injured trees) and 2-year (slight to moderate injury) needles occurred at about the time CO/sub 2/ uptake dropped to 10 percent of the potentialmore » for current needles of slightly injured trees without foliar injury symptoms. The ratio of the stomatal CO/sub 2/ resistance to the total CO/sub 2/ resistance decreased with increasing oxidant injury and needle age, suggesting that loss of photosynthetic capacity was primarily related to the loss of chloroplast function rather than to increased resistance of CO/sub 2/ diffusion through the stomata.« less
The influence of uremia and immunosuppression on an animal model for ischemic colitis

Up to 1 percent of renal transplant recipients have been reported to develop ischemic colitis. Immunosuppressive agents and uremia have been implicated in the development of this complication, but their exact relationship remains unclear. A rat model was developed to determine the effects of uremia alone and in combination with immunosuppression on the development of ischemic colitis. Seventy-six animals were included in the study. Uremia and ischemic colitis were induced surgically. The immunosuppressive agents azathioprine and methylprednisolone were administered for 72 hours after a colonic segment was devascularized in chronically uremic rats. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that uremia potentiates colonic ischemia significantly (4.09 cm2 vs 1.25 cm2,P<0.03). The addition of parenteral steroids (methylprednisolone) or azathioprine alone and in combination did not potentiate or reduce this ischemic process in uremic animals. Each of these factors alone is commonly present in the renal transplant population and can contribute to the development of potentially fatal ischemic colitis.
Investigation of the defect density in ultra-thin Al2O3 films grown using atomic layer deposition

Abstract The film perfection in terms of pinhole defect densities of ultra-thin Al2O3 grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been quantitatively characterized. A significant defect density reduction from ~ 1.2 × 105/cm2 to ~ 90/cm2 was demonstrated for 2 nm-thick Al2O3 by using an ALD tungsten (W) buffer layer on the nickel (Ni) substrate. The reason for the defect reduction was attributed to efficient nucleation of ALD Al2O3 on ALD W. The effect of the buffer layer becomes less essential as the Al2O3 thickness increases, where the substrate surface physical conditions such as particle contamination become the main cause for defects.
Perceived Environmental Utility under the Influence of Alternative Transportation Systems: A Framework for Analysis

The view that citizens should be involved in transportation planning is now widely accepted. However, there have been few attempts to measure residents' perceptions of the effect of alternative transportation proposals on their environment. The study reported here draws up a conceptual framework for measuring firstly the perceived attributes of a residential environment, and secondly how a population evaluates such an environment under different transportation options. In each instance the conceptual framework is tested by making use of case study data. At the first stage it is demonstrated how Kelly's Personal Construct Theory and related procedures can be applied to elicit cognised environmental components of urban places. One urban place is selected and population clusters which are ‘homogeneous' in socioeconomic characteristics and activity patterns are defined. The INDSCAL model is then specified and applied to determine whether members of each population cluster evaluate the attributes of their envi...
The gravitational attraction of any polygonally shaped vertical prism with inclined top and bottom faces

A closed formula for computing the gravitational attraction of a general vertical prism with N+2 faces (N faces are vertical planes, the other two are the inclined top and bottom planes) in Cartesian coordinates is presented. In addition, the special case of a triangular prism is discussed. Algebraic differences and overlooked singularity conditions of a previously published formula of this computation (which was only for the triangular special case) were identified and are also presented.
THE SATURATED (3 × 3)-H/Cu(111) SYSTEM: A STRUCTURAL STUDY USING MEDIUM-ENERGY ION SCATTERING AND HELIUM ATOM SCATTERING

The adsorption of atomic hydrogen on Cu(111) has been studied using the techniques of helium atom scattering (HAS) and medium-energy ion scattering (MEIS). Ion scattering investigations of the saturated (3 × 3)-H/Cu(111) system indicate that no reconstruction of the Cu substrate exists along the high symmetry directions of the surface. The HAS hydrogen cross-section for H/Cu(111) has been determined to be (12.5 ± 2.5 A2). The symmetry of the HAS diffraction pattern shows that the (3 × 3)-H/Cu(111) system is formed of a single domain structure.
Let's Hear It for the "Dumb Jock": What Athletics Contribute to the Academic Program

If interscholastic athletic programs are conducted so they enhance the intellectual and social development of students, athletic participation can become a valuable educational experience. Offering students the opportunity to participate in athletic activities may be a significant way for schools to bring about changes in their students' educational orientations.
Effect of morphine on the turnover and synthesis of (LEU3H)-protein and (Ch14C)-phosphatidylcholine in discrete regions of the rat brain

Abstract The effect of acute and chronic morphine treatment on the synthesis and turnover of 3 H-leucine-labeled protein and 14 C-choline-labeled phosphatidylcholine was measured in discrete regions of the rat brain. Chronic morphine treatment had the following effects on turnover. In the crude mitochondrial fraction of all brain regions studied, the turnover of 3 H-protein was decreased. Microsomal 3 H-protein turnover was increased in the cerebellum and hypothalamus and decreased in the cortex. The turnover of 14 C-phosphatidylcholine was increased in the crude mitochondrial fraction of the brain stem, hypothalamus and diencephalon, but decreased in the cortex. In the microsomal fraction, the turnover of 14 C-phosphatidylcholine was decreased in the cortex, brain stem and caudate nucleus, but increased in the diencephalon. Acute morphine treatment decreased 14 C-phosphatidylcholine synthesis in the cortex (58 per cent) and cerebellum (49 per cent), but increased synthesis in the hypothalamus (95 per cent) and diencephalon (285 per cent). Acute morphine treatment decreased 3 H-protein synthesis in the cortex (77 per cent) and diencephalon (73 per cent), but increased 3 H-protein synthesis in the hypothalamus (55 per cent) and caudate nucleus (146 per cent). The relevance of these findings to current theories of narcotic tolerance and physical dependence development is discussed.
Shear velocity structure and mineralogy of the transition zone beneath the East Pacific Rise

Abstract Models of seismic velocity as a function of depth through the upper mantle provide some of the strongest constraints on the mineralogy and composition of the mantle. Although receiver function studies have provided new information on the depths of upper mantle discontinuities they do not provide as much information on seismic gradients between discontinuities and absolute velocities within the upper mantle. The waveforms and travel times of upper mantle turning waves provide the strongest constraints on vertical variations in upper mantle velocity although in the past they suffered from the lack of dense profiles of data sampling a single part of the upper mantle that would minimize effects of 3D variations in velocity. Here we model three dense profiles of triplicated upper mantle broadband S and SS waves recorded by USArray, Canadian and NARS-Baja stations located in western North America. Earthquakes along the East Pacific Rise were recorded along profiles within 5° back azimuth windows and with stations at a maximum of 0.5° separation. The distance range covered is from 35° to 60° and thus the waves sample the mantle from the shallow upper mantle to depths near 1000 km. The data were inverted using a conjugate gradient algorithm that utilizes the reflectivity synthetic technique. The results show a much smaller gradient within the transition zone than the PREM model with larger jumps in velocity across the 410 km and 660 km depth discontinuities. These results are consistent with velocities predicted for a pyrolite composition mantle transition zone. Compositional models with lower olivine content, such as piclogite, are not consistent with our seismic model.
Spin dependence in inclusive reactions

We treat the spin dependences of high-energy inclusive reactions from the viewpoint of a $J$-plane analysis. Measurements of various spin correlations are shown to bear directly on questions such as factorization of residues at Regge poles and the strengths of $J$-plane cuts. We provide examples of experiments which test these ideas using polarized beams, polarized targets, or polarized products. Electroproduction and high-energy neutrino reactions are viewed as sources for polarized spin-one "beams," and the implications for the processes are drawn in detail. Finally, we consider scaling properties of these latter reactions and discuss produced-particle multiplicity in the scaling region.
Multiphoton processes in an intense laser field: III. Resonant ionization of hydrogen by subpicosecond pulses

We have calculated photoelectron energy spectra for ionization of H(1s) by subpicosecond pulses with wavelengths 608 and 616 nm and with maximum intensity 1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The main features of the recently measured spectrum (at 608 mm) are reproduced.
Dispersion and catalysis of platinum in bimetal/zeolite catalysts

Abstract The dispersion and the thermal stability of platinum in Zeolite Y is dramatically increased by non-reducible cations of transition or rare earth metals. These ions basically exert three functions: they can (1) occupy exchange sites in small cages thus forcing platinum ions to stay in supercages; they (2) interact chemically with platinum particles, anchoring them to the zeolite matrix; and (3) they act as catalyst promoters. Accordingly we found that Pt/FeNaY zeolite catalysts exhibit higher activities for benzene hydrogenation and n-hexane hydrogenolysis than Pt/NaY, but the activity for methylcyclopentane (MCP) hydrogenolysis is lower for Pt/FeNaY. Catalysis of Pt/NaY is similar to that of Pt/SiO 2 , but the ring opening selectivity of MCP is significantly different, presumably due to geometric constraints.
Modeling the VEGF–Bcl-2–CXCL8 Pathway in Intratumoral Agiogenesis

Recent experiments show that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the crucial mediator of downstream events that ultimately lead to enhanced endothelial cell survival and increased vascular density within many tumors. The newly discovered pathway involves up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, which in turn leads to increased production of interleukin-8 (CXCL8). The VEGF–Bcl-2–CXCL8 pathway suggests new targets for the development of anti-angiogenic strategies including short interfering RNA (siRNA) that silence the CXCL8 gene and small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2. In this paper, we present and validate a mathematical model designed to predict the effect of the therapeutic blockage of VEGF, CXCL8, and Bcl-2 at different stages of tumor progression. In agreement with experimental observations, the model predicts that curtailing the production of CXCL8 early in development can result in a delay in tumor growth and vascular development; however, it has little effect when applied at late stages of tumor progression. Numerical simulations also show that blocking Bcl-2 up-regulation, either at early stages or after the tumor has fully developed, ensures that both microvascular and tumor cell density stabilize at low values representing growth control. These results provide insight into those aspects of the VEGF–Bcl-2–CXCL8 pathway, which independently and in combination, are crucial mediators of tumor growth and vascular development. Continued quantitative modeling in this direction may have profound implications for the development of novel therapies directed against specific proteins and chemokines to alter tumor progression.
THREE YEAR EFFICACY RESULTS OF A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TO DOSE RESPONSE STUDY OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE IN TURNER'S SYNDROME

Two hundred thirty-two females with Turner's syndrome, diagnosed by karyotype, were enrolled in this ongoing, age-stratified, double-blinded, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled (18 months) to dose response study conducted by 50 investigational sites in the United States. Patients were randomized to one of five treatment groups: 0.09 mg/kg thrice weekly with or without daily estrogen, 0.12 mg/kg thrice weekly with or without daily estrogen, or placebo injections with placebo tablets. After 18 months, significant differences (by rank based analysis) were observed between the least responsive treatment group and the remaining four treatment groups for mean change in height, Lyon height standard deviation score (SDS) and growth rate. Additionally, the least responsive treatment group demonstrated a significant (p<0.01) increase in 18-month mean Lyon SDS over baseline (+0.14, n=41). Following this initial 18-month period, the least responsive treatment group was reassigned to one of the remaining treatment groups to become a dose response study extended to final height. After 36 months on study, the initial least responsive treatment group (during the first 18 months) remained statistically different from the other treatment groups for mean change in height for the first 36 months. We therefore believe that somatropin with or without estrogen causes a significant increase in growth rate, height, and change in height after 36 months, however the overall effect on final height remains to be quantified. The increase in mean Lyon SDS during the initial 18 months seen for the least responsive treatment group suggests that using Lyon's data as a historical control may over estimate the ultimate effect of growth hormone on final height for U.S. Turner syndrome patients.
The Maras of Guatemala City: Notes on an Anguished World of Teenagers

In Guatemala City, on October 6, 1986, the newspaper El Gr?fico reported that some youths in a bus had thrown a hand grenade at a crowd of teenagers in front of a discoth?que called "La Monta?a P?rpura." One of the wounded?a ten-year-old who had been on his way downtown to buy a pair of sneakers?offered a somewhat different account. A group in a school bus, he said, descended upon him and others with knives and guns, snatched gold chains, and fled. A few days later, Carlos Escoto of the National Police delivered the official version: the grenade had gone off by itself in the midst of a band of drugged youths loitering in front of La Monta?a P?rpura. After disclosing that the youths belonged to the "Mara 33," a criminal band operating out of a poor neighborhood, Escoto explained that the group had its origin in U.S. television programs and misguided parenting: "This evil affecting our youth is the fault of irresponsible parents who have permitted their children to live in complete freedom."l Thus began, in some confusion, both the public life of the urban youth gangs known as mar as and the public critique of them. Since then, the maras have received extensive, indeed extravagant, publicity from Guatemalan politicians and from the media. Many observers link the gangs to "terrorism" and la subversi?n and think that they loom as the single greatest threat to the country's civilian government. Others consider them apolitical pockets of despair. Still others, aligned with the city's powerful Evangelical movement, describe them as "materialistic cults driven by Satan."2 Amid these alarmed condemnations, there has been no shortage of explanations for the deeper causes behind the emergence and growth of gangs: a breakdown in the family, a slavish devotion of Guatemalan youth to the worst aspects of U.S. culture, alienation and frustration bred by poverty, and so on.3 Despite their differences, though, all these explanations interpret the maras solely with reference to the adult worlds that surround the gang members, as if young people are mere puppets who do no designing of their own. Always the gangs are seen to reflect the intrinsic weakness of youth when confronted with hostile social, cultural, or religious forces. The following brief, preliminary report offers a rather different view of the maras. Imperfect though the available data is, it indicates that while the maras
Intrathecal bupivacaine reduces pruritus and prolongs duration of fentanyl analgesia during labor: a prospective, randomized controlled trial

Pruritus is a frequent complication (40%-100%) of intrathecal (IT) fentanyl 25 [micro sign]g (F) for labor analgesia. The addition of IT bupivacaine 2.5 mg (B) to F has been reported in a nonrandomized series to have a 17.3% incidence of pruritus. This study prospectively evaluated the incidence and distribution of pruritus in laboring parturients receiving IT F + B. Sixty-five laboring parturients were randomly assigned to receive IT F, B, or F + B as part of a combined spinal-epidural technique. Visual analog scores, sensory level, motor strength, and pruritus were recorded before injection and at intervals thereafter. When present, the distribution of pruritus was evaluated. The duration of analgesia was determined as the time from IT drug administration until the patient requested supplemental analgesia. The median duration of analgesia in the F, B, and F + B groups was 62.5, 55.0, and 94.5 min, respectively. Compared with F alone, the combination of F + B led to a decreased frequency of pruritus (36.4% vs 95%). The incidence of facial pruritus (25%) was same in the F + B and F groups; however, the occurrence of pruritus distributed over the rest of the body was significantly more frequent in the F compared with the F + B group. The combination of F + B prolongs the duration of labor analgesia compared with IT F or B alone. F + B also leads to a decreased incidence of pruritus, except in the facial region. Implications: When administered intrathecally with fentanyl 25 [micro sign]g in laboring parturients, bupivacaine 2.5 mg attenuates the frequency of pruritus on all parts of the body except the face. This combination also results in a rapid onset and prolonged duration of labor analgesia compared with either drug alone. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:1309-15)
Erasable holographic recording in photosensitive polymer optical fibers

We report what is to our best knowledge the first holographic recording in photosensitive polymer optical fibers by guided beams. The fibers are made of poly(methyl methacrylate) doped with Disperse Red 1 dye. We also demonstrate what we believe is the first recording of Fourier-transform images in these fibers.
The human IKKβ subunit kinase domain displays CK2-like phosphorylation specificity

NF-kappaB activation in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli relies upon phosphorylation of IkappaB alpha at serines 32 and 36 by the beta subunit of the IkappaB kinase complex (IKK). In this study, we build upon the observation that highly purified human IKKbeta subunit preparations retain this specificity in vitro. We show that IKKbeta constructs that lack their carboxy-terminus beginning at the leucine zipper motif fail to phosphorylate IkappaB alpha at Ser-32 and Ser-36. Rather, these constructs, which contain the entire IKKbeta subunit kinase domain, phosphorylate serine and threonine residues contained within the IkappaB alpha carboxy-terminal PEST region. Furthermore, removal of the leucine zipper and helix-loop-helix regions converts IKKbeta to monomer. We propose that the helix-loop-helix of the human IKKbeta subunit is necessary for restricting substrate specificity toward Ser-32 and Ser-36 in IkappaB alpha and that in the absence of its carboxy-terminal protein structural motifs the human IKKbeta subunit kinase domain exhibits a CK2-like phosphorylation specificity.