cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trehalose Degradation by Cellvibrio japonicus Exhibits No Functional Redundancy and Is Solely Dependent on the Tre37A Enzyme.

ABSTRACT The α-diglucoside trehalose has historically been known as a component of the bacterial stress response, though it more recently has been studied for its relevance in human gut health and biotechnology development. The utilization of trehalose as a nutrient source by bacteria relies on carbohydrate-active enzymes, specifically those of the glycoside hydrolase family 37 (GH37), to degrade the disaccharide into substituent glucose moieties for entry into metabolism. Environmental bacteria using oligosaccharides for nutrients often possess multiple carbohydrate-active enzymes predicted to have the same biochemical activity and therefore are thought to be functionally redundant. In this study, we characterized trehalose degradation by the biotechnologically important saprophytic bacterium Cellvibrio japonicus. This bacterium possesses two predicted α-α-trehalase genes, tre37A and tre37B, and our investigation using mutational analysis found that only the former is essential for trehalose utilization by C. japonicus. Heterologous expression experiments found that only the expression of the C. japonicus tre37A gene in an Escherichia colitreA mutant strain allowed for full utilization of trehalose. Biochemical characterization of C. japonicus GH37 activity determined that the tre37A gene product is solely responsible for cleaving trehalose and is an acidic α-α-trehalase. Bioinformatic and mutational analyses indicate that Tre37A directly cleaves trehalose to glucose in the periplasm, as C. japonicus does not possess a phosphotransferase system. This study facilitates the development of a comprehensive metabolic model for α-linked disaccharides in C. japonicus and more broadly expands our understanding of the strategies that saprophytic bacteria employ to capture diverse carbohydrates from the environment. IMPORTANCE The metabolism of trehalose is becoming increasingly important due to the inclusion of this α-diglucoside in a number of foods and its prevalence in the environment. Bacteria able to utilize trehalose in the human gut possess a competitive advantage, as do saprophytic microbes in terrestrial environments. While the biochemical mechanism of trehalose degradation is well understood, what is less clear is how bacteria acquire this metabolite from the environment. The significance of this report is that by using the model saprophyte Cellvibrio japonicus, we were able to functionally characterize the two predicted trehalase enzymes that the bacterium possesses and determined that the two enzymes are not equivalent and are not functionally redundant. The results and approaches used to understand the complex physiology of α-diglucoside metabolism from this study can be applied broadly to other polysaccharide-degrading bacteria.
Dynamic monitoring of LLC lung metastasis development and prevention

4633 This study focuses on tumor cell survival and angiogenesis after tumor cell intravasation of vasculature. Dynamic monitoring was performed using the mouse lung metastasis model treated with platelet activation inhibitor (PGI2) and VEGFR inhibitor (SU5416). 3x105 DiI labeled LLC (Lewis lung carcinoma) cells were injected into the tail veins of C57BL6J mice to develop tumor metastasis in lung. The experimental animals were divided into control, PGI2 (100ug/mouse, once), and SU5416 (25mg/kg daily, for 5 days) groups. Lung, liver, and spleen frozen sections were cut and stained with DAPI at 15 min, 24 hours, 4 days, 8 days, 13 days and 15 days after injection of LLC cells for fluorescence microscopy assay. A similar experiment was performed (5 mice each group) and lung and liver were investigated at 15 days after injection of LLC cells for metastasis tumor colonies. A novel vivo and vitro combination technique was developed to test platelet active LLC cells binding on HUVEC capillary-like structures. The capability of VEGFR inhibitor (SU 5416) in blocking new vasculature development was tested in a mouse dorsal vascular window model. The dynamic monitoring shows that DiI labeled LLC cells accumulated in the lungs of all treatment groups (with slightly less accumulation in mice treated with PGI2). Very little DiI labeled LLC cells accumulated in liver and spleen at 15 min after injection. At the 24 hours and 4 days time points, DiI( red ) density was increasing in liver and spleen, but decreased at 8 day, 13 day, and 15 day time points. Meanwhile, DiI density in lung was changing with time, treatment, and tumor cell survival. Lung surface tumor colony counts show that there are 40-50 times more colonies in control lungs than SU5416 and combination groups, and the weights of lungs are also significantly different. Histology evidence is consistent with the above results. PGI2 significantly reduced LLC cell binding to HUVEC capillary-like structures (10 times lower). The dorsal window model with LLC cells showed that treatment with 5 doses of the VEGFR inhibitor SU5416 (3 mice) completely impeded angiogenesis compared to the control (3 mice). Conclusions: 1).The first several days are crucial in LLC cells developing metastasis in lung after intravasation. 2). VEGFR inhibitor (SU5416) can significantly prevent LLC cells from developing metastasis in lung. 3). Platelet activation inhibitor (PGI2) efficiently reduces LLC cell adhesion on endothelium (HUVEC). 4). VEGFR inhibitor (SU5416) is seemingly more effective than platelet activation inhibitor (PGI2) in impeding LLC lung metastasis formation after intravasation.
Exploratory Hand: Leveraging Safe Contact to Facilitate Manipulation in Cluttered Spaces

We present a new gripper and exploration approach that uses a finger with very low reflected inertia for probing and then grasping objects. The finger employs a transparent transmission, resulting in a light touch when contact occurs. The finger elements are stiff and mounted on precise Cartesian axes for accurate proprioceptive sensing. Experiments show that the finger can safely move faster into contacts than industrial parallel jaw grippers or even most force-controlled grippers with backdrivable transmissions. This property allows rapid proprioceptive probing of objects. Contact information is leveraged to execute grasping actions with a contact-first strategy and to reduce environment state uncertainty. We evaluate a particle filtering algorithm that inputs contact information from either proprioception, or a combination of tactile sensing and proprioception, to estimate object location. Both methods can estimate location within 2 mm; combined tactile sensing and proprioception requires fewer observations.
Public Opinion About Police Weapons and Equipment: An Exploratory Analysis:

Despite debates about the “material militarization” of the police, relatively little information on mass public opinion about police weapons, equipment, and gear currently exists. We analyze data f...
Sclérothérapie et ablation thermique chez les patients sous anticoagulants

Le traitement des varices des membres inferieurs repond aujourd’hui a des recommandations de haut grade. La pathologie variqueuse est frequente, selon la Haute Autorite de sante elle touche plus d’un tiers de la population francaise. Le nombre de patients traites par anticoagulants (causes cardiaque et thromboembolique veineuse) ne cesse de croitre. Le medecin vasculaire est donc de plus en plus amene a proposer des traitements endoveineux chimiques ou thermiques a des patients sous traitement anticoagulant au long cours. Cette presentation aura pour objectif, a travers un etat des lieux et une recherche des publications, recommandations repertoriant cette problematique, d’apporter au praticien un eclairage concernant la securite et l’efficacite des traitements endoveineux chez les patients traites par anticoagulant.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction as a treatment for Chronic Insomnia in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients (P3.6-023)

Objective: Determine if the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is effective in reducing chronic insomnia in Traumatic Brain Injury patients. Background: Chronic insomnia is experienced by over 70% of service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and limited evidence guides the therapy decisions of current usual care. Ineffective medications are often prescribed, yielding only dangerous side effects. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia has been tested in small studies in TBI veterans, but it may fail to address typical comorbidities such as PTSD and chronic pain. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) –an internationally standardized protocol, has been shown to reduce insomnia and chronic pain in recent studies in civilians, and reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans with TBI. However, its effectiveness on treating chronic insomnia in TBI patients has not yet been evaluated. Design/Methods: A prospective, randomized trial with 1:1 randomization to usual care versus MBSR. The primary endpoint is a reduction of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) after eight weeks of MBSR group therapy. Several secondary endpoints have been identified, including ISI scores at six months (results pending), fatigue severity scale (FSS), perceived stress scale (PSS), and PHQ-9 scales, total sleep time and sleep efficiency as measured by actigraphy watch. Outcomes scores were compared with the Student’s T test. Results: Subjects receiving MBSR (N=10) had an average improved ISI by −5.1 (95% CI −1.4 to −8.3) compared to −1.4 (95% CI −5.3 to 1). No statistical significant change in FSS, PSS, or PHQ-9 was noted. Objective measures show no statistical difference (sleep efficiency, total sleep time). Conclusions: MBSR has the potential to become a preferred adjunct method of treatment for patients with mild to moderate TBI in order to alleviate the symptoms of chronic insomnia. Disclosure: Dr. Werner has nothing to disclose.
Size and Quality Enhancement of 2D Semiconducting Metal-Organic Chalcogenolates by Amine Addition.

The use of two-dimensional (2D) materials in next-generation technologies is often limited by small lateral size and/or crystal defects. Here, we introduce a simple chemical strategy to improve the size and overall quality of 2D metal-organic chalcogenolates (MOCs), a new class of hybrid organic-inorganic 2D semiconductors that can exhibit in-plane anisotropy and blue luminescence. By inducing the formation of silver-amine complexes during a solution growth method, we increase the average size of silver phenylselenolate (AgSePh) microcrystals from 1 mm, while simultaneously extending the photoluminescence lifetime and suppressing mid-gap emission. Mechanistic studies using 77Se NMR suggest dual roles for the amine in promoting the formation of a key reactive intermediate and slowing down the final conversion to AgSePh. Finally, we show that amine addition is generalizable to the synthesis of other 2D MOCs, as demonstrated by the growth of single crystals of silver 4-methylphenylselenolate (AgSePhMe), a novel member of the 2D MOC family.
Temperature-Dependent Polarization in Field-Effect Transport and Photovoltaic Measurements of Methylammonium Lead Iodide

While recent improvements in the reported peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells have been truly astonishing, there are many fundamental questions about the electronic behavior of these materials. Here we have studied a set of electronic devices employing methylammonium lead iodide ((MA)PbI3) as the active material and conducted a series of temperature-dependent measurements. Field-effect transistor, capacitor, and photovoltaic cell measurements all reveal behavior consistent with substantial and strongly temperature-dependent polarization susceptibility in (MA)PbI3 at temporal and spatial scales that significantly impact functional behavior. The relative PCE of (MA)PbI3 photovoltaic cells is observed to reduce drastically with decreasing temperature, suggesting that such polarization effects could be a prerequisite for high-performance device operation.
Selective separations by reactive ion exchange: Part II. preconcentration and determination of complex iron cyanides in waters

Abstract Reactive ion exchange has been applied to the determination of p.p.b. concentrations of hexacyanoferrate(II) and hexacyanoferrate(III) in various water matrices. The in situ precipitation of copper hexacyanoferrate(II) or hexacyanoferrate(III) preconcentrates the complex cyanides on shallow beds of sulfonated cation-exchange resin in the copper(II) form. Hydrochloric acid reactively elutes other cations including concomitant iron species from the resin bed and, finally, aqueous ammonia reactively releases and elutes the hexacyanoferrate(II) (or III) species through the formation of the copper-ammine complex. Preconcentration factors of 100 or more are possible when 1-1 samples are used. Final determination of the complex cyanides is performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (for iron).
Mobile-satellite systems: a perspective on technology and trends

Upto just past the turn of the century several mobile-satellite systems will be in commercial operation. These systems will co-exist with terrestrial cellular systems augmenting their coverage and providing wide area roaming via the use of dual-mode (satellite-cellular) phones. Handheld phones that are competitive in size and features with cellular phones are a key factor for commercial success of a dual mode service. The design of such a system is challenging. The technical challenges and requirements on mobile satellite systems for providing good service to small handheld phones are reviewed.
Darwiniana; Essays and Reviews Pertaining to Darwinism

Darwiniana is a collection of critical essays on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution that were originally published in scientific journals by his friend and correspondent Asa Gray, Professor of Botany at Harvard. Gray was one of Darwin's strongest supporters in the American scientific community; he was also a Presbyterian and discussed questions of natural theology, design and teleology, including an earlier version of Chapter 3 of this book, with Darwin by letter over several years. Darwiniana (1876) was intended to provide a balanced assessment of Darwin's theory of evolution and to familiarise readers with the different aspects of Darwinism and its implications. The opening essays of the volume focus on the scientific and philosophical features of the theory, others analyse the reactions of Darwin's contemporaries and, most famously, argue for a reconciliation of religion and science in the light of Darwin's theory.
The metabolism of plasma glycoproteins. Studies on the incorporation of L-fucose-1-14C into tissue and serum in the normal rat.

Abstract The metabolism of fucose has been investigated by administration of tracer amounts of l-fucose-1-14C. In a 6-hour period, 1.6% of radioactivity appeared as 14CO2, 30% appeared in the urine mainly as free fucose, and most of the remainder was associated with tissue and serum glycoproteins. Study of trichloracetic acid-soluble intermediates yielded data suggesting that exogenous fucose is incorporated into glycoproteins by the following sequence of reactions: Fucose → fucose-1-P → GDP-fucose → glycoprotein The proteins of liver, small intestine, and serum were the most highly labeled, but all tissues examined contained some labeled protein-bound fucose. Removal of hepatic tissue greatly reduces the incorporation of fucose into serum glycoproteins but has little effect on protein-bound radioactivity in other tissues. Therefore it is concluded that the peripheral tissues can form glycoproteins without the participation of hepatic tissue. Although the liver is the major site of synthesis of serum glycoproteins, the appearance of protein-bound fucose in the serum of hepatectomized rats indicates that extrahepatic tissues do contribute to the circulating glycoproteins. Incorporation of labeled fucose into body tissues, other than liver and small intestine, was minimal in comparison.
Subelliptic Cordes estimates

We prove Cordes type estimates for subelliptic linear partial differential operators in non-divergence form with measurable coefficients in the Heisenberg group. As an application we establish interior horizontal W 2,2- regularity for p-harmonic functions in the Heisenberg group H 1 for the range 17-1 2 ≤ p < 5+5 2.
Curriculum Evaluation and Assessment of Multicultural Genetic Counselor Education

Multicultural competence in genetic counseling integrates racial-cultural knowledge, awareness, and skills into clinical interventions and research practices. Researchers and educators often cite racial-cultural factors as obstacles for visible racial-cultural people seeking help. However, the professional's unfamiliarity of how his or her own racial-cultural group affiliations are influenced by the history of discrimination and oppression coupled with their lack of self-understanding of racial-cultural issues for him- or herself has also limited the effectiveness of genetic counseling. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Handbook of Cross-Cultural Genetic Counseling, a multicultural curriculum developed for genetic counselor education for increasing multicultural counseling competence. The multicultural curriculum was evaluated for its effectiveness of increasing multicultural counseling competence using a nonequivalent control group design. A participant's multicultural counseling competence was hypothesized to increase after being taught the curriculum. The curriculum was effective for increasing multicultural counseling competence. Additionally, achieved multicultural counseling competence was not influenced by when the curriculum was taught. Trend analyses measuring the longitudinal impact of the curriculum on multicultural competence were significant. Implications of the results are discussed.
Titanium Compounds, Organic

Organic titanium compounds are materials having a covalent bond between titanium and another atom that is also bonded to a carbon-based group. Titanium tetrachloride, the basic raw material from which organic titanate compounds are made, is readily converted to tetraisopropyl titanate, TYZOR TPT, by the Nelles process. This ester can be converted by alkoxy exchange (transesterification) to a wide variety of tetraalkyl titanates, which in turn react with other ligands and chelating agents to give complexes having properties significantly different from the starting materials. This article covers all aspects of the organic titanium compound, from properties, reactions, and synthesis, to uses and health and safety factors. Keywords: Titanium compounds; organic; Alkoxides; Alkoxy halides; Chelates; Complexes; Ligands; Titanium silicates; Lower valent; Organometallics; Glass coatings; Paints; Printing inks; Peroxides; Water repellent wax; Sol-gel technology
Power and Principle: Human Rights Programming in International Organizations

Power and Principle: Human Rights Programming in International Organizations. By Joel E. Oestreich. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2007. 243p. $59.95 cloth, $29.95 paper. The power of human rights to shape the mandate and operations of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) is vividly illustrated in this timely study. Highly readable and original, it holds great appeal for both students and scholars in the fields of international organizations (IOs) and human rights.
Ionic liquids from the bottom up: local assembly motifs in [EMIM][BF4] through cryogenic ion spectroscopy.

To clarify the intramolecular distortions exhibited by the complementary ions in the archetypal ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [EMIM][BF4], we report the vibrational spectra of the isolated ionic constituents and small aggregates cooled to about 10 K. Deuteration of bare EMIM+ at the C(2) position, the putative hydrogen bond donating group, establishes that the observed bulk red shift is too small (<10 cm−1) for hydrogen bonding to be a dominant structural feature. We then analyze how the vibrational patterns evolve with increasing size to identify the spectral signatures of well-defined structural motifs in the growing assembly. Surprisingly, the main features of the bulk spectrum are already developed in the cluster with a single BF4 − anion sandwiched between just two EMIM+ cations. We suggest that this local motif, while not strongly hydrogen bonded, nonetheless induces considerable intensity in the C(2)H stretches and is a robust feature in the local molecular structure of the liquid.
Behavioural response of female dark-eyed juncos to the experimental removal of their mates: implications for the evolution of male parental care

Abstract Male dark-eyed juncos, Junco hyemalis , are monogamous and normally help females feed nestlings. We removed males at hatching of their eggs and examined female parental behaviour in response to male removal. We compared parental behaviour of unaided females (experimentals) with that of (1) females aided by their mates (control females) and (2) females and their mates working together (control pairs). Unaided females fed their young at least twice as often as did aided females and as often as the combined efforts of pairs. The increased rate of food delivery by unaided females was accompanied by a decrease in time brooding the young and an increase in the amount of time the female's nest was unattended, suggesting that feeding and brooding are competing parental behaviours. Feeding rates of both unaided females and pairs increased as brood size increased, but the response to brood size was stronger in unaided females than in either aided females or pairs. An earlier study indicated that, despite their compensatory feeding rates, unaided females experienced greater partial brood loss than did pairs. Perhaps males bring more food per feeding trip, or food of a different quality. It seems likely that males can improve fledging success by bringing food to the young, both during the early nestling stage when brooding is crucial and also later, during the period of rapid growth.
Magnetic domain refinement of silicon-steel laminations by laser scribing

Laser scribing of 3% silicon steel laminations was carried out using three different lasers: a KrF excimer laser, a pulsed Nd:YAG laser and a continuous wave CO2 laser. The processing parameters included the energy fluence at the surface of the workpiece, pulse repetition rate and pulse separation distance (for the pulsed lasers), scan separation distance and scan direction. The samples were tested for hysteresis loss, permeability, coercivity, remanence and saturation induction before and after laser treatment. An overall improvement in the core loss was observed in the laser-scribed samples. The best improvement in core loss was obtained in excimer laser scribing on the rolling direction and CO2 laser scribing in the transverse direction. Three mechanisms were proposed to explain the improvement in energy efficiency characteristics of the silicon-steel samples: magnetic domain refinement, stress relaxation and inhibition of domain-wall movement. Domain refinement, namely the formation of subdomains, results from the shocks induced by the beam. Laser scribing also relieves the stresses that are induced in the material during manufacture. The scribe lines increase the surface resistivity of the material, resulting in reduced eddy current loss. Tensile stresses are created between the laser scribe lines that elongate the domains and serve to refine the domain-wall spacing thus inhibiting the wall movement and reducing core losses.
Stomatal Opening in Isolated Epidermal Strips of Vicia faba. II. Responses to KCl Concentration and the Role of Potassium Absorption

The stimulation by KCl of stomatal opening in isolated epidermal strips of Vicia faba was examined. In dark + normal air the opening response was maximal at 100 mm KCl while in light + CO(2)-free air it was maximal at about 10 mm KCl. CO(2)-free air was more influential than light in reducing the KCl concentration required for maximal opening. K(+) was essential while Cl(-) seemed to be of secondary importance in these processes.The use of (86)Rb(+) as a tracer for K(+) showed that the increase in stomatal aperture under various conditions was well correlated with K(+) uptake. The estimated amount of K(+) taken up by guard cells, along with a counter ion, was sufficient to account for the changes in solute potential associated with opening. It is suggested that the absorption of extracellular solutes, such as K(+), may be the primary mechanism of stomatal opening. Both opening and K(+) absorption are stimulated by light + CO(2)-free air.The increase in stomatal aperture was also well correlated with the decrease in stainable starch in guard cells under all conditions. It is suggested that this is a secondary change, although perhaps closely linked to K(+) absorption.
THERMODYNAMICALLY CONSISTENT THERMOMECHANICAL MODELING OF KINETICS OF MACROSCOPIC PHASE TRANSITION IN SMA USING PHASE FIELD THEORY

Experimental observations have shown that polycrystalline NiTi wires, strips and tubes develop inelastic strain via nucleation and growth of macroscopic martensitic domains under mechanical loading. These domains consist of almost fully-transformed grains, which result from micro-domains that are formed at the grain-size level. Evolution of these macroscopic domains via transformation front propagation is accompanied by complex interactions between mechanical work, latent heat, heat transfer, and loading rates. These interactions could affect the performance reliability or controllability of the material when deployed. Therefore, modeling effort is necessary to describe these interactions so as to improve the design and application of SMA devices. A 3-D thermodynamically consistent thermomechanical macroscopic model, which is able to describe phase transition kinetics in shape memory alloys, is proposed in this work. The model employs a Ginzburg-Landau-type kinetic law resulting from the notion of configurational forces associated with the gradient of an order parameter (a field variable). As a first attempt to demonstrate the capability of the model, 1-D simplification of the model is implemented within a finite element framework. Kinetics of phase transition and the effects of heat production associated with the thermomechanical coupling on the stress-strain response of an SMA are examined. In particular, the roles of external loading rate and heat transfer boundary conditions on the stress-strain response are investigated for displacement-controlled loading. Results obtained are in good agreement with experimental trends.© 2014 ASME
Strategic purchasing and supplier partnerships—The role of a third party organization

Abstract This study explored how a credible third party facilitated the development of supplier partnerships. By identifying qualified potential suppliers, serving as a surrogate for legitimacy for supplier firms and providing a market place for the potential partners to meet, the third party organization provided key compensating mechanisms to reduce the power and social distance and overall transaction costs associated with collaborating to effect supplier relationships between the parties. The study contributes to the supply and purchasing literature by integrating the role of third parties into research on buyer–supplier relationships that have so far been viewed predominantly as dyads and by demonstrating how third parties may actually influence relationships between buyers and suppliers. Our findings also provide firms with some guidelines on building successful buyer–supplier partnerships.
Experiments using least square lattice filters for the identification of structural dynamics

An approach for identifying the dynamics of large space structures is applied to a free-free beam. In this approach the system's order is determined on-line, along with mode shapes, using recursive lattice filters which provide a least square estimate of the measurement data. The mode shapes determined are orthonormal in the space of the measurements and, hence, are not the natural modes of the structure. To determine the natural modes of the structure, a method based on the fast Fourier transform is used on the outputs of the lattice filter. These natural modes are used to obtain the modal amplitude time series which provides the input data for an output error parameter identification scheme that identifies the ARMA parameters of the difference equation model of the modes. the approach is applied to both simulated and experimental data.
Encapsulation of lead from hazardous CRT glass wastes using biopolymer cross-linked concrete systems

Discarded computer monitors and television sets are identified as hazardous materials due to the high content of lead in their cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Over 98% of lead is found in CRT glass. More than 75% of obsolete electronics including TV and CRT monitors are in storage because appropriate e-waste management and remediation technologies are insufficient. Already an e-waste tsunami is starting to roll across the US and the whole world. Thus, a new technology was developed as an alternative to current disposal methods; this method uses a concrete composite crosslinked with minute amounts of biopolymers and a crosslinking agent. Commercially available microbial biopolymers of xanthan gum and guar gum were used to encapsulate CRT wastes, reducing Pb leachability as measured by standard USEPA methods. In this investigation, the synergistic effect of the crosslinking reaction was observed through blending two different biopolymers or adding a crosslinking agent in biopolymer solution. This CRT-biopolymer-concrete (CBC) composite showed higher compressive strength than the standard concrete and a considerable decrease in lead leachability.
Boron Abundances and Internal Mixing in Stars. I. The Hyades Giants

The boron abundances of two giants and one turno† star in the Hyades, and the -eld K0 III giant b Gem, have been measured from spectra obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope in the vicinity of the B I lines near 2500 This provides a test of the dilution of giant envelopes predicted by standard stellar ". evolutionary models: since B is destroyed by (p, a) reactions at a temperature near 5 ) 106 K, it is expected to be preserved only in an outer shell on the main sequence and diluted by B-free interior material on the giant branch. We -nd that the B abundance in each giant is reduced below solar by the factor of 10 predicted by standard stellar evolution models. Li, which is more fragile than B, is reduced in the same stars by a factor of 160; the prediction is 60. However, when non-LTE e†ects are accounted for, the observed Li dilution factor becomes 80, equaling the predicted value within measurement error and resolving a long-standing discrepancy. No unusual mass loss or nonstandard internal mixing is required to match the observations. Subject headings: stars: abundances E stars: evolution E stars: interiors E stars: late-type
A Galilean Approach to the Galileo Affair, 1609–2009

Galileo’s telescopic discoveries of 1609–1612 provided a crucial, although not conclusive, confirmation of the Copernican hypothesis of the earth’s motion. In Galileo’s approach, the Copernican Revolution required that the geokinetic hypothesis be supported not only with new theoretical arguments but also with new observational evidence; that it be not only supported constructively but also critically defended from objections; and that such objections be not only refuted but also appreciated in all their strength. However, Galileo’s defense of Copernicanism triggered a sequence of events that climaxed in 1633, when the Inquisition tried and condemned him as a suspected heretic. In turn, the repercussions of Galileo’s condemnation have been a defining theme of modern Western culture for the last four centuries. In particular, the 20th century witnessed a curious spectacle: rehabilitation efforts by the Catholic Church and anti-Galilean critiques by secular-minded left-leaning social critics. The controversy shows no signs of abating to date, as may be seen from the episode of Pope Benedict XVI’s attitude toward Paul Feyerabend’s critique of Galileo. Nevertheless, I have devised a framework which should pave the way for eventually resolving this controversy, and which is modeled on Galileo’s own approach to the Copernican Revolution.
A base-controlled regioselective synthesis of allyl and vinyl phenyl sulfones

Abstract A reaction of diethyl phenylsulfonylmethylphosphonate with 2-arylacetaldehydes in the presence of a catalytic excess of sodium hydride (1.1 equiv) yields allyl phenyl sulfones in excellent yield under mild reaction conditions. In contrast, when less than 1 equiv of sodium hydride (0.90 equiv) is used, the corresponding vinyl phenyl sulfones are obtained exclusively. The vinyl phenyl sulfones can be completely converted to allyl phenyl sulfones with only 0.2 equiv of NaH, suggesting that the second hydride involvement in the above transformation is catalytic. The regioselective control observed in these reactions offers a general method for synthesizing novel vinyl and allyl phenyl sulfones in one step from the same starting materials. The regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of this reaction, however, are not maintained when 2-alkylacetaldehydes are reacted with diethyl phenylsulfonylmethylphosphonate under identical reaction conditions. Our results indicate that an extended conjugation of the double bond in allylsulfones formed from the reaction of 2-arylacetaldehydes is required for the observed regio- and stereoselectivity.
Highly fluorescent molecular organic composites for light-emitting diodes

Abstract Organic films of tris-(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (III) and N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′diamine doped with highly fluorescent molecules were prepared by vacuum deposition. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the composites were measured as a function of dopant concentration. These films were also used as the emitting layer in light-emitting diodes, where their electroluminescence spectra was studied as a function of dopant concentration. Color tunability from the blue-green to the red-orange based on variation in the fluorescent molecule and dopant concentration was attained, and quantum efficiencies were found to be enhanced upon doping of the emitter layer.
Discovering small-molecule estrogen receptor α/coactivator binding inhibitors: high-throughput screening, ligand development, and models for enhanced potency.

Small molecules, namely coactivator binding inhibitors (CBIs), that block estrogen signaling by directly inhibiting the interaction of the estrogen receptor (ER) with coactivator proteins act in a fundamentally different way to traditional antagonists, which displace the endogenous ligand estradiol. To complement our prior efforts at CBI discovery by de novo design, we used high-throughput screening (HTS) to identify CBIs of novel structure and subsequently investigated two HTS hits by analogue synthesis, finding many compounds with low micromolar potencies in cell-based reporter gene assays. We examined structure-activity trends in both series, using induced-fit computational docking to propose binding poses for these molecules in the coactivator binding groove. Analysis of the structure of the ER-steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) complex suggests that all four hydrophobic residues within the SRC nuclear receptor box sequence are important binding elements. Thus, insufficient water displacement upon binding of the smaller CBIs in the expansive complexation site may be limiting the potency of the compounds in these series, which suggests that higher potency CBIs might be found by screening compound libraries enriched with larger molecules.
The importance of the etiology of hypokalemic alkalosis in determining replacement therapy.

Abstract Fifteen patients with potassium depletion were studied during the development and/or correction of their depletion. Alkalosis occurred in all these subjects. In every instance the alkalosis was associated with a positive cation excess: sodium was retained in excess of chloride in those patients depleted by sodium cycle exchange resins, and chloride was lost in excess of sodium in those patients depleted with diuretics. In every instance correction of the alkalosis was associated with a negative cation excess: chloride was retained in excess of sodium in those patients depleted with diuretics, and sodium was lost in excess of chloride in those patients depleted by sodium cycle exchange resins. Potassium depletion and particularly hypokalemia may be corrected independently of the alkalosis. Chloride is necessary for the correction of metabolic alkalosis only when there has been chloride loss during the development of alkalosis.
Immunocytochemical analyses of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase in cultured human fetal adrenal cells.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is the major steroid secretory product of the human fetal adrenal gland. Several factors have been shown to modulate the secretion of this steroid by cultured fetal adrenal cells. In addition to the cytochrome P450 enzymes that are important in steroid biosynthesis, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (DST) is likely to be a key regulated enzyme in the formation of sulfated steroids, which are characteristic of the human adrenal cortex, particularly that of the fetus and the adult zona reticularis. In the present investigation, we sought to evaluate the cellular localization of DST in cultures derived from the fetal zone, neocortex, and adrenal capsule and to determine the effects of ACTH and other agonists of the protein kinase-A pathway on the abundance of DST in such cells. Cells derived from the fetal zone, neocortex, and adrenal capsule were either precultured for 3-13 days in plastic flasks followed by culture on coverslips or were cultured directly on coverslips i...
A comparison of ethical perceptions of business and engineering majors

Previous research has reported that ethical values of business students are lower than those of their peers in other majors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a self-selection bias with respect to ethical values exists among students enrolled as business majors when compared with students planning to enter the engineering profession. Engineering students are exposed to a similar technical orientation in academic curricula and also supply the market for managers. A survey instrument was administered to 195 students enrolled in undergraduate business and engineering programs and a graduate business program. The research instrument measured how business and engineering students perceive their own ethical beliefs and actions and how they perceived the ethical beliefs and actions of their peers. The results indicate a perceptual trap, or the self-versus-others disparity exists for the entire sample. However, there was a divergence between the two groups on the issue of “whistle blowing.” Engineers may be more sensitive to this issue. It was concluded that if a self-selection process exists, it is present for both business and engineering professional tracks with implications for educators in both disciplines. It is not enough to teach a man a specialty. Through it he may become a kind of useful machine, but not a harmoniously developed personality. It is essential that the student acquire an understanding of and a lively feeling for values. He must acquire a vivid sense of the beautiful and of the morally good. Otherwise he — with his specialized knowledge — more closely resembles a trained dog than a harmoniously developed person. He must learn to understand the motives of human beings, heir illusions, and their sufferings in order to acquire a proper relationship to individual fellow men and to the community. — Albert Einstein
Anxiety, impulsivity and depressed mood in relation to suicidal and violent behavior

Many different variables have been associated with suicidal behavior as well as with violent behavior. This study was designed to test a model that attempts to relate such variables to violence and suicide risk. Sixty psychiatric patients were evaluated and divided into suicidal and nonsuicidal groups and then into violent and nonviolent groups. Scores on suicide risk, violence risk, anxiety, anger, impulsivity and mood were then compared between these groups. In a second analysis, scores on suicide risk and violence risk were correlated with all the other variables. Anxiety and impulsivity were found to strongly correlate with suicide risk. Angry and resentful mood correlated with violence risk; trait anxiety correlated negatively with violence risk. The results contribute further insight into the authors' two-stage model of countervailing forces.
Hazard detection and avoidance sensor for NASA's planetary landers

An optical terrain analysis based sensor system specifically designed for landing hazard detection as required for NASA's autonomous planetary landers is introduced. This optical hazard detection and avoidance (HDA) sensor utilizes an optoelectronic wedge-and-ting (WRD) filter for Fourier transformed feature extraction and an electronic neural network processor for pattern classification. A fully implemented optical HDA sensor would assure safe landing of the planetary landers. Computer simulation results of a successful feasibility study is reported. Future research for hardware system implementation is also provided.
Political protest Italian-style: The blogosphere and mainstream media in the promotion and coverage of Beppe Grillo's V-day

We analyze the organization, promotion and public perception of "V-day", a political rally that took place on 8 September 2007, to protest against corruption in the Italian Parliament. Launched by blogger Beppe Grillo, and promoted via a word of mouth mobilization on the Italian blogosphere, V-day brought close to one million Italians in the streets on a single day, but was mostly ignored by mainstream media. This article is divided into two parts. In the first part, we analyze the volume and content of online articles published by both bloggers and mainstream news sources from 14 June (the day V-day was announced) until 15 September 2007 (one week after it took place). We find that the success of V-day can be attributed to the coverage of bloggers and small-scale local news outlets only, suggesting a strong grassroots component in the organization of the rally. We also find a dissonant thematic relationship between content published by blogs and mainstream media: while the majority of blogs analyzed promote V-day, major mainstream media sources critique the methods of information production and dissemination employed by Grillo. Based on this finding, in the second part of the study, we explore the role of Grillo in the organization of the rally from a network analysis perspective. We study the interlinking structure of the V-day blogosphere network, to determine its structure, its levels of heterogeneity, and resilience. Our analysis contradicts the hypothesis that Grillo served as a top-down, broadcast-like source of information. Rather, we find that information about V-day was transferred across heterogeneous nodes in a moderately robust and resilient core network of blogs. We speculate that the organization of V-day represents the very first case, in Italian history, of a political demonstration developed and promoted primarily via the use of social media on the Web.
Mathematical dynamic optimization model for electrical distribution system planning

Abstract A dynamic mixed-integer programming model is presented that has been developed to solve a distribution system expansion problem. The results of the study indicate that the computerized modelling approach is a promising tool that can provide considerable savings to the electrical utility industry in reducing not only planning man-hours but also the fixed and variable costs of distribution system operation and the final cost to the consumer.
Oxidative-Alkaline Leaching of Washed 241-SY-102 and 241-SX-101 Tank Sludges and Its Impact on Immobilized High-Level Waste

Abstract This report describes work designed to evaluate the effectiveness of alkaline permanganate contacts at selectively removing chromium from the Hanford tank sludges 241‐SY‐102 and 241‐SX‐101. The key variables examined in this study, as compared to contact with the standard conditions of stoichiometric permanganate in 3 M hydroxide at elevated temperature, were: a) excess permanganate and hydroxide at elevated temperature, b) sequential elevated temperature 3 M hydroxide leach combined with either a room temperature permanganate contact or an elevated temperature permanganate contact at 0.25 M hydroxide. It was determined that sequential permanganate and caustic leaching can provide as effective removal of Cr as the combined high hydroxide permanganate contact at elevated temperature while minimizing concomitant Pu dissolution.
An automated forward operating base electrical distribution system simulator

In this paper, an automated forward operating base electrical distribution system simulator (ODCC) is developed. The ODCC has been developed based on the open platform distribution system simulator (DSS) that is able to create variable models of electrical systems and performing many types of analysis.
Ferromagnetic Resonance in Thin Films. III. Theory of Mode Intensities

A theory of surface-spin pinning and its effects on the ferromagnetic-resonance mode intensities is presented. The pinning by a surface inhomogeneity (e.g., a demagnetization field from surface imperfections or an inhomogeneous saturation magnetization) of thickness $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ is considered. Roughly speaking, the modes are nearly unpinned for a thin-surface inhomogeneity (${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}$, where $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ is the exchange constant in the exchange field $\ensuremath{\Lambda}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}^{2}\mathrm{M}$), while the low-order modes are pinned by a thick-surface inhomogeneity (${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ not satisfied). The theory indicates that the low-order modes should be pinned unless great care is exercied in the film preparation. In 80% Ni-20% Fe permalloy, ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}{\ensuremath{\pi}})}^{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{\cong}90$ \AA{}; thus, the surface region would have to be only a few lattice constants thick in order for there to be no pinning. These results are obtained by considering the equation of motion of the magnetization in the surface region as well as the bulk region. The intensities and frequencies of magnetostatic modes (negligible exchange energy) are relatively independent of surface-spin pinning, in contrast to the result for exchange modes (negligible microwave demagnetization energy) that pinning the surface spins gives rise to large intensities of even modes.
Regulation of intrasynaptosomal free calcium concentrations: studies with the fluorescent indicator, fluo-3

Abstract Intracellular free calcium concentrations in synaptosomes from mouse forebrain were determined fluorometrically with the recently developed calcium indicator, fluo-3. Resting cytosolic calcium concentrations fell within the range of those previously reported in synaptosomes with quin 2 and fura-2. Both the resting and KCl-induced rise in cytosolic calcium were dependent on the concentration of extracellular calcium. Although both 1 mM norepinephrine and carbachol stimulated phospholipase C activity as assessed by the production of inositol mono- and bisphosphates, neither was able to elevate resting cytosolic free calcium. In the absence of extracellular calcium, the addition of Br A 23187 , a non-fluorescing calcium ionophore, elicited a significant rise in cytosolic calcium indicating that the fluo-3 method employed in the present investigation was sufficiently sensitive to detect release of membrane bound calcium. It is concluded that fluo-3 is a highly suitable dye for determining cytosolic calcium concentrations in synaptosomal preparations, and secondly, that receptor stimulation of synaptosomal phospholipase C activity is insufficient to alter resting cytosolic calcium.