cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The new urban crisis: How our cities are increasing inequality, deepening segregation, and failing the middle class—and what we can do about it, by Richard Florida

In order to attract and retain talent, Los Angeles–area employers have to develop special hiring packages that offset the city’s high cost of living (Lien, 2017). For employees who opt not to live ...
Metoclopramide and Diphenhydramine: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Treatment for Headache in Pregnancy when Acetaminophen Alone Is Ineffective (MAD Headache Study).

Objective We investigated whether metoclopramide administered with diphenhydramine (MAD) relieves headache in pregnant women when acetaminophen alone is ineffective, using codeine for comparison. Study Design Normotensive pregnant women in the second or third trimester were randomized to MAD intravenously (10 mg and 25 mg, respectively) or codeine orally (30 mg) for headache after 650 to 1,000 mg of acetaminophen failed to relieve their headaches. Headache severity (pain score 0–10) was noted at intervals over 24 hours. The primary outcome was reduction in pain score 6 hours after medication administration. A sample size calculation of 35 patients per group was based on estimated reduction in headache pain score by at least two points, with an α of 0.05 and a power of 80%. Results No difference was seen in the primary outcome. MAD pain scores were lower at 30 minutes (3 ± 2.8 versus 5.8 ± 2.3, p Conclusion MAD effectively relieves headaches in pregnant women when acetaminophen fails.
Automation and quality control in the coagulation laboratory.

Hemostasis is a balance between complex interactions of directly opposing systems (coagulation and fibrinolysis) with seemingly unrelated systems at both the enzymatic and cellular levels (platelets, endothelium, leukocytes). It should not be surprising that coagulation disorders often accompany many different disease states. Because the function of each protein involved in coagulation is now better defined, newer methodologies have been developed to assay them. In this regard, the hemostasis laboratory can take a two-step approach to diagnosis: global screening and targeted analysis. Several new global test systems provide more detailed, quantitative, and more physiologically relevant evaluations than earlier assays allowed. In addition, individual enzymes, inhibitors, cellular release products, and low molecular weight products of activation reactions (molecular markers) can now be measured in sensitive, specific assays. With this new perspective, genetic predisposition to pathologic hemostatic conditions can be identified through molecular biology and can be identified during the early stages of disease (i.e., at subclinical stages before major pathologic complications are established), and more specifically targeted prophylactic, as well as therapeutic drug interventions, can be administered. The molecular markers of hemostatic activation that can be assessed by various immunochemical methods provide very early evidence of thrombotic, fibrinolytic, or platelet-involved aberrations. Technological advances in methodology and instrumentation have changed the scope of all clinical laboratories but, in particular, that of the coagulation laboratory. The dramatic growth and development have resulted from the influences of clinical chemistry, clinical immunology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and biotechnology. Analytical instruments for use in hemostatic testing go beyond plasma or whole blood clot-based readers, platelet aggregometers, and microscopes to a range of automated, discrete, chemistrylike analyzers, spectrophotometers, microliter ELISA systems, RIA systems, and multiprobe instruments designed to measure simultaneously the different assay end-points of colorimetric and clotting assays and flow cytometers. Instruments are designed for batch processing of single tests on multiple samples or multiple test panels on a single sample. Versatility ranges from instruments that measure only the final reaction solution, by end-point or kinetic analysis, to instruments that automatically pipet reagents and sample, incubate, and analyze the reaction for truly walk-away assay performance. Typically, a wider range of assays are available in automated laboratories as opposed to laboratories performing manual assays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Rule 404(B) and Reversal on Appeal

This article discusses a strange case, United States v. Bell, 516 F.3d 432 (6th Cir. 2008), that illustrates the point that, if hard cases make bad law, strange cases sometimes produce surprising appellate decisions. The case began with a domestic violence call to the police, led to a consent search of a home and discovery of drugs and guns, and produced a conviction on drug and weapons charges. Despite the abuse of discretion standard of review and the usual deference appellate courts give to trial judge decisions with respect to the admissibility of uncharged crime evidence, the court of appeals reversed.
High Energy Ultrafast Fiber Lasers Based on Coherent Pulse Stacking Amplification

Coherent pulse stacking amplification extends ultrashort pulse energies from a fiber amplifier by approximately two orders of magnitude compared to CPA, and can lead to compact coherently-combined laser systems with TW-peak and kW-average powers.
Revaluing Prosper of Aquitaine in Contemporary Liturgical Theology

Contemporary liturgical theologians rely upon the now classic passage from Prosper of Aquitaine—ut legem credendi lex statuat supplicandi—as a foundation for much of their constructive proposals. H...
Artificial Aurora Experiments and Application to Natural Aurora

A review is given of the effects observed during injections of powerful electron beams from sounding rockets into the upper atmosphere. Data come from in situ particle and wave measurements near a beam emitting rocket and ground-based optical, wideband radiowave, and radar observations. The overall data cannot be explained solely by collisional degradation of energetic electrons but require collisionless beam plasma interactions (BPI) be taken into account. The beam-plasma discharge theory describes the features of the region near a beam-emitting rocket, where the beam-excited plasma waves energize plasma electrons, which then ignite the discharge. The observations far beneath the rocket reveal a double-peak structure of artificial auroral rays, which can be understood in terms of the beam-excited strong Langmuir turbulence being affected by collisions of ionospheric electrons. This leads to the enhanced energization of ionospheric electrons in a narrow layer termed the plasma turbulence layer (PTL), which explains the upper peak. Similar double-peak structures or a sharp upper boundary in rayed auroral arcs have been observed in the auroral ionosphere by optical, radar, and rocket observations, and called Enhanced Aurora. A striking resemblance between Enhanced and Artificial Aurora altitude profiles indicates that they are created by the above BPI process which results in the PTL.
What We Have Learned about Terrorism since 9/11

This overview examines critically the post-9/11 empirical literature on terrorism. Major contributions by both economists and political scientists are included. We focus on five main themes: the changing nature of terrorism, the organization of terrorist groups, the effectiveness of counterterrorism policies, modern drivers or causes of terrorism, and the economic consequences of terrorism. In so doing, we investigate a host of questions that include: How do terrorist groups attract and retain members? What determines the survival of terrorist groups? Is poverty a root cause of terrorism? What counterterrorism measures work best? In the latter regard, we find that many counterterrorism policies have unintended negative consequences owing to attack transference and terrorist backlash. This suggests the need for novel policies such as service provision to counter some terrorist groups' efforts to provide such services. Despite terrorists' concerted efforts to damage targeted countries' economies, the empirical literature shows that terrorism has had little or no effect on economic growth or GDP except in small terrorism-plagued countries. At the sectoral level, terrorism can adversely affect tourism and foreign direct investment, but these effects are rather transient and create transference of activities to other sectors, thus cushioning the consequences.
Drops with insoluble surfactant squeezing through interparticle constrictions

The interfacial behaviour of surfactant-laden drops squeezing through tight constrictions in a uniform far-field flow is modelled with respect to capillary number, drop-to-medium viscosity ratio and surfactant contamination. The surfactant is treated as insoluble and non-diffusive, and drop surface tension is related to surfactant concentration by a linear equation of state. The constriction is formed by three solid spheres held rigidly in space. A characteristic aspect of this confined and contaminated multiphase system is the rapid development of steep surfactant-concentration gradients during the onset of drop squeezing. The interplay between two physical effects of surfactant, namely the greater interface deformability due to decreased surface tension and interface immobilization due to Marangoni stresses, results in particularly rich drop-squeezing dynamics. A three-dimensional boundary-integral algorithm is used to describe drop hydrodynamics, and accurate treatment of close squeezing and trapped states is enabled by advanced singularity subtraction techniques. Surfactant transport and hydrodynamics are coupled via the surface convection equation (or convection–diffusion equation, if artificial diffusion is included), the interfacial stress balance and a solid-particle contribution based on the Hebeker representation. For extreme conditions, such as drop-to-medium viscosity ratios significantly less than unity, it is found that upwind-biased methods are the only stable approaches for modelling surfactant transport. Two distinct schemes, upwind finite volume and flow-biased least squares, are found to provide results in close agreement, indicating negligible numerical diffusion. Surfactant transport is enhanced by low drop-to-medium viscosity ratios, at which extremely sharp concentration gradients form during various stages of the squeezing process. The presence of surfactant, even at low degrees of contamination, significantly decreases the critical capillary number for droplet trapping, due to the accumulation of surfactant at the downwind pole of the drop and its subsequent elongation. Increasing the degree of contamination significantly affects surface mobility and further decreases the critical capillary number as well as drop squeezing times, up to a threshold above which the addition of surfactant negligibly affects squeezing dynamics.
An evolutionary medicine perspective on pain and its disorders

Enormous progress in understanding the mechanisms that mediate pain can be augmented by an evolutionary medicine perspective on how the capacity for pain gives selective advantages, the trade-offs that shaped the mechanisms, and evolutionary explanations for the system's vulnerability to excessive and chronic pain. Syndromes of deficient pain document tragically the utility of pain to motivate escape from and avoidance of situations causing tissue damage. Much apparently excessive pain is actually normal because the cost of more pain is often vastly less than the cost of too little pain (the smoke detector principle). Vulnerability to pathological pain may be explained in part because natural selection has shaped mechanisms that respond adaptively to repeated tissue damage by decreasing the pain threshold and increasing pain salience. The other half of an evolutionary approach describes the phylogeny of pain mechanisms; the apparent independence of different kinds of pain is of special interest. Painful mental states such as anxiety, guilt and low mood may have evolved from physical pain precursors. Preliminary evidence for this is found in anatomic and genetic data. Such insights from evolutionary medicine may help in understanding vulnerability to chronic pain. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of mechanisms and behaviour important for pain'.
Prevalence and impact of hypogonadism in cancer patients with severe muscle wasting in phase IIb enobosarm trial.

e19582 Background: Hypogonadism has been associated with weight loss and poor outcomes in cancer patients. Up to 50% of males with advanced cancer are hypogonadal at presentation or during the cour...
From water abundance to water scarcity: the case of the Chontalpa, Mexico

This article uses original ethnographic data to show how a development program known as Plan Chontalpa failed to extend potable water provision to rural people in Chontalpa, in Tabasco, Mexico. Despite arguably short-term benefits, this large state-led, large-scale hydrodevelopment program created overly large infrastructures and imposed a hierarchical water management regime on previously open-access water resources, negatively impacting the communities it purported to serve. This article demonstrates how, in lieu of the vulnerabilities created by the Plan, residents have resiliently devised their own water management system that combines customary techniques, such as harvesting rainwater, with formal and informal ones. In conclusion, this article insists that water management resilient practices at the household level can teach us alternative ways of decision-making that can transform local development efforts. Keywords : resilience, political ecology, water harvesting technique, household management, hydrodevelopment
Support in times of need: How depressive symptoms can impact receipt of social support among aging adults in rural South Africa

Abstract The relationship between mental health and receipt of social support is not well understood in low- and middle-income countries. In this paper, we focus on a cohort of older adults (40-plus) in rural South Africa to unpack associations between mental health and receipt of social support, and the extent to which marital status modifies these associations. We use baseline data from a population-based study, Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI), conducted between 2014 and 2015. Our results suggest that men and women who report depressive symptoms are less likely to receive social support: women are less likely to receive emotional and financial support, and men are less likely to receive physical and financial support. Both men and women who are married or partnered are more likely to receive social support than their non-married counterparts. The association between depressive symptomology and receipt of social support differs for women who are separated/divorced and for men who are widowed. Specifically, the association between having depressive symptoms and receiving physical or financial support is more positive for separated/divorced women than their married/cohabiting counterparts; for men, the association between having depressive symptoms and receiving physical support is more positive for widowed men than their married/cohabiting counterparts. Our findings speak to the complicated associations between social support, marriage and mental health in later life and the different experiences that men and women may have.
Radiation Mapping for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: Development and Simulated Testing of Algorithms for Source Mapping and Navigation Path Generation.

ABSTRACT Image reconstruction algorithms were developed for radiation source mapping and used for generating the search path of a moving radiation detector, such as one onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle. Simulations consisted of first assuming radioactive sources of varying complexity and estimating the radiation fields that would then be produced by that source distribution. Next, the "measurements" that would result from a pair of adjacent spatial locations were computed. A crude estimate of the source distribution likely to have produced such "measurements" was reconstructed based upon the limited measurements. Location of the next "measurement" was then determined as halfway between the location of the estimated source and the current "measurement." With each additional sample, improved source distribution reconstructions were made and used to inform the immediate direction of detector motion. Source reconstruction or mapping was formulated as an inverse problem solved with either maximum a posteriori or least squares (LS) regression deconvolution methods. Different amounts of noise were added to the simulated "measurements," allowing evaluation of the methods' performances as functions of signal-to-noise ratio of the measured map. As expected, methods that promote sparsity were better suited in reconstructing point sources. Reliable prior information of the source distribution also improved the reconstruction results, especially with distributed sources. With a non-negative least square algorithm and the suggested paths it generated, location of sources was successfully estimated to an accuracy of 0.014 m within nine iterations in a single-source scenario and 12 iterations in a two-source scenario, given a 10% error on the integrated counts and a Poisson distribution of the noise associated with the measured counts.
The Need for Antiviral Drugs for Pandemic Coronaviruses From a Global Health Perspective

Respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2 has caused widespread mortality, creating an urgent need for effective treatments and a long-term need for antivirals for future emergent coronaviruses. Pharmacotherapy for respiratory viruses has largely been unsuccessful with the exception of early treatment of influenza viruses, which shortens symptom duration and prevents infection in close contacts. Under the rapidly evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, most clinical trials of experimental treatments in the United States have focused on later stages of the disease process. Worldwide, the clinical studies of the most impactful drugs, remdesivir and dexamethasone in ACTT-1, RECOVERY, and Solidarity, have studied hospitalized patients. Less than half of clinical trials in the U.S. have investigated oral agents, and the majority have taken place in hospitals at a disease stage where the viral load is already decreasing. The limited success of treatments for respiratory viruses and the viral dynamics of COVID-19 suggest that an antiviral therapy with the greatest impact against pandemic coronaviruses would be orally administered, well-tolerated, target a highly conserved viral protein or host-coronavirus interaction and could be used effectively throughout the world, including resource-poor settings. We examine the treatment of respiratory viral infections and current clinical trials for COVID-19 to provide a framework for effective antiviral therapy and prevention of future emergent coronaviruses and call attention to the need for continued preclinical drug discovery.
Factors Affecting the Infection of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Fruit by Podosphaera cerasi

Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera cerasi is the most important fungal disease of sweet cherries in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. In this study, several factors related to disease e...
Unoccupied aerial systems discovered overlooked loci capturing the variation of entire growing period in maize

Traditional phenotyping methods, coupled with genetic mapping in segregating populations, have identified loci governing complex traits in many crops. Unoccupied aerial systems (UAS)-based phenotyping has helped to reveal a more novel and dynamic relationship between time-specific associated loci with complex traits previously unable to be evaluated. Over 1,500 maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid row plots containing 280 different replicated maize hybrids from the Genomes to Fields (G2F) project were evaluated agronomically and using UAS in 2017. Weekly UAS flights captured variation in plant heights during the growing season under three different management conditions each year: optimal planting with irrigation (G2FI), optimal dryland planting without irrigation (G2FD), and a stressed late planting (G2LA). Plant height of different flights were ranked based on importance for yield using a random forest (RF) algorithm. Plant heights captured by early flights in G2FI trials had higher importance (based on Gini scores) for predicting maize grain yield (GY) but also higher accuracies in genomic predictions which fluctuated for G2FD (-0.06∼0.73), G2FI (0.33∼0.76), and G2LA (0.26∼0.78) trials. A genome-wide association analysis discovered 52 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), seven were found consistently in more than one flights or trial; 45 were flight or trial specific. Total cumulative marker effects for each chromosome's contributions to plant height also changed depending on flight. Using UAS phenotyping, this study showed that many candidate genes putatively play a role in the regulation of plant architecture even in relatively early stages of maize growth and development.
The Impact of Mother Support and Natural Mentoring on the Depressive Symptoms of Black Youth

Research indicates both natural mentoring and family factors such as parental support are beneficial for the psychological wellbeing of youth. Despite the existing evidence on the benefits of natural mentoring and parental support, there has been little evidence that considers the simultaneous influence of these factors on the depressive symptoms among Black youth. Guided by Keller’s systemic model of mentoring, we investigated the influence of mother support and the characteristics of natural mentoring relationships on depressive symptoms among Black youth. We used nationally representative data of Black youth from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 2344). The findings indicate that both mentor bonding and mother support were significant predictors of depressive symptoms among Black youth. However, mother support was positively associated with depressive symptoms and mentor bonding was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of natural mentors in the lives of Black youth and suggest they may be useful in alleviating depressive symptoms.
Recognition of Disproportion

Recognition of molding, fundal height measurement, estimated fetal weight, and clinical pelvimetry will lead to the diagnosis of cephalopelvic disproportion.
Beneficial effects of novel antagonists of GHRH in different models of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent debilitating disorder of the central nervous system. Neuroendocrine mechanisms appear to play an important role in this insidiously developing disease. In the present study, the effects of a recently developed growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist (MIA-690) were evaluated in vivo observing the behavior of genetically modified "Alzheimer's" 5XFAD mice in a Morris water maze (MWM). The effects of the antagonist were also evaluated in vitro using HCN2 human cortical cell cultures treated with amyloid-β1-42. In vivo, the indices of cognitive performance (latency, cumulative index etc.) were followed up for 6 months. In vitro, the formation of reactive oxygen species, markers of inflammatory and neurohormonal signaling were measured by fluorescent detection, PCR, and ELISA. Accumulation of amyloid-β1-42 rafts and τ filaments in necropsied brain samples was verified with the help of ELISA. In the MWM experiments, MIA-690 decreased escape latency, and, in the brain samples, it inhibited the concentration of amyloid-β1-42 and τ filaments. In cell cultures, the GHRH analog showed anti-oxidative and neuro-protective properties and inhibited the GHRH-growth hormone-insulin like growth factor axis. Our data strongly suggest the merit of further studies with GHRH analogs in models of Alzheimer's disease and in elementary clinical trials.
Learning in Adulthood

In recent years, a number of theories and frameworks have emerged that try to address both the potentials and limitations of effective cognitive and social functioning during the adult years (e.g., Baltes & Staudinger, 2000; Baltes, Staudinger, & Lindenberger, 1999; Hoyer & Rybash, 1994; Lemme, 1999; Rowe & Kahn, 1997; Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000; Staudinger & Pasupathi, 2000; Wapner & Demick, this volume). Such frameworks have aided the articulation of the characteristics of adult development by integrating observations that would otherwise have been disconnected pieces of a puzzle and less meaningful. In the study of adult cognitive development, for example, much of the available data and theory address the description and explanation of age-related cognitive decline. However, everyday observations and the results from some studies suggest that there are improvements or stability as well as declines in cognitive function during the adult years. The aim of the present chapter is to describe what is known about the potentials as well as limits of learning during the adult years.
Optical pulses in tritiated solid hydrogen

We report light-emission data from a solid deuterium-tritium sample between 2.4 and 4 K. We have measured the relative intensity as a function of temperature both from a steady-state background and pulsed flashes which we stimulate with a small heater. The pulse of light is believed to be related to heat spikes previously observed in tritiated solid hydrogen and allows a study of the dynamics of this process without coupling to the apparatus. The pulse of light does not have a sharp cutoff with temperature, but decreases in intensity and increases in duration with increasing temperature such that the area under the pulse is roughly constant between 2.4 and 4 K. We are able to confine most of the light to wavelengths longer than 780 nm.
Deceptive advertising and third-person perception: The interplay of generalized and specific suspicion

The present research examines the extent to which consumers perceive deceptive advertising claims as effective (i.e., affect one's purchase decision) for themselves and others. Results in two experiments suggest that consumers tend to consider an advertising claim more effective for others than for themselves, when they realize the claim is highly deceptive. In contrast, when perceived deceptiveness is moderate or low, the self–others difference is moderated by consumer dispositional difference in skepticism toward advertising. The effect appears to be driven by the interplay of generalized and specific suspicion, which has a stronger impact on consumer judgment about the effect of deceptive advertising on the self than on others.
Are the enolates of amides and esters stabilized by electrostatics

The fact that amides and esters form less stable enolates than ketones might be seen as evidence that electrostatic stabilization is unimportant in these anions. However, ab initio molecular orbital calculations show that electrostatic stabilization does in fact lie beneath the competing resonance effect that causes the decrease in acidity. The electrostatic contribution is revealed by examining torsionally twisted amide and ester structures in which the π resonance interactions are largely inhibited. These twisted amides and esters have greater enolate acidity than the corresponding ketones. Qualitatively similar behavior is observed with respect to protonation, such that twisted amides and esters are generally less basic than the reference ketones, in striking contrast to their behavior in the normal geometries.
Induction of Podocyte VEGF164 Overexpression at Different Stages of Development Causes Congenital Nephrosis or Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

The tight regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) signaling is required for both the development and maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier, but the pathogenic role of excessive amounts of VEGF-A detected in multiple renal diseases remains poorly defined. We generated inducible transgenic mice that overexpress podocyte VEGF164 at any chosen stage of development. In this study, we report the phenotypes that result from podocyte VEGF164 excess during organogenesis and after birth. On doxycycline induction, podocin-rtTA:tet-O-VEGF164 mice express twofold higher kidney VEGF164 levels than single transgenic mice, localized to podocytes. Podocyte VEGF164 overexpression during organogenesis resulted in albuminuria at birth and was associated with glomerulomegaly, uniform podocyte effacement, very few and wide foot processes joined by occluding junctions, almost complete absence of slit diaphragms, and swollen endothelial cells with few fenestrae as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Podocyte VEGF164 overexpression after birth caused massive albuminuria in 70% of 2-week-old mice, glomerulomegaly, and minimal changes on light microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy showed podocyte effacement and fusion and morphologically normal endothelial cells. Podocyte VEGF164 overexpression induced nephrin down-regulation without podocyte loss. VEGF164-induced abnormalities were reversible on removal of doxycycline and were unresponsive to methylprednisolone. Collectively, the data suggest that moderate podocyte VEGF164 overexpression during organogenesis results in congenital nephrotic syndrome, whereas VEGF164 overexpression after birth induces a steroid-resistant minimal change like-disease in mice.
Reversible arrhythmias observed in patients treated with recombinant alpha2 interferon

We have treated 25 patients, 7 with breast cancer and 18 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with recombinant alpha2 interferon. In 5 patients we observed cardiac arrhythmias that were unexpected and required treatment. No deaths have occured that we can attribute to interferon, though 1 patient had to be resuscitated. Age, prior cardiac disease, prior treatment with doxorubicin, and interferon dose appear to be predisposing factors for this toxicity.
Solid-Phase Synthesis of the Alkenyldiarylmethane (ADAM) Series of Non-Nucleoside HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

The Sonogashira and Stille cross-coupling reactions have been employed in the synthesis of several non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) in the alkenyldiarylmethane (ADAM) series. The synthesis has been carried out both in solution and on a solid support. In contrast to previous syntheses of NNRTIs in the ADAM series, the present strategy allows the incorporation of differently substituted aromatic rings in a stereochemically defined fashion. The most potent of the new ADAMs inhibited the cytopathic effect of HIV-1RF in CEM-SS cell culture with an EC50 value of 20 nM.
Agape and Karuna: Some comparisons

Abstract Agape in Western Christianity and Karuna in Mahayana Buddhism are central concepts which serve as a basis for comparing the views of the “self”; and its altruistic concern for the “other”; in the two traditions. The Bodhisattva Vow is compared with the emphasis on disinterested love in some teachings of Christianity, and attitudes towards enemies are examined. The foundations in religious practice and world views are examined by comparing such terms as grace and prajna.
Properties and reactions of salicyl-coenzyme A.

Abstract Salicyl-coenzyme A (salicyl-CoA) has been prepared by organic synthesis, and its properties compared to those of benzoyl-CoA. Salicyl-CoA reacts with glycine acyl transferase prepared from both beef and human liver to form salicyluric acid. For both enzymes the rate with salicyl-CoA is approximately 50 per cent of the rate with benzoyl-CoA. In addition, there is a small non-enzymatic acylation of glycine by salicyl-CoA.
Resurrecting the Ancestral Steroid Receptor: Ancient Origin of Estrogen Signaling

Receptors for sex and adrenal steroid hormones are absent from fully sequenced invertebrate genomes and have not been recovered from other invertebrates. Here we report the isolation of an estrogen receptor ortholog from the mollusk Aplysia californica and the reconstruction, synthesis, and experimental characterization of functional domains of the ancestral protein from which all extant steroid receptors (SRs) evolved. Our findings indicate that SRs are extremely ancient and widespread, having diversified from a primordial gene before the origin of bilaterally symmetric animals, and that this ancient receptor had estrogen receptor-like functionality. This gene was lost in the lineage leading to arthropods and nematodes and became independent of hormone regulation in the Aplysia lineage.
Thermal processing of EVA encapsulants and effects of formulation additives [for solar cells]

The authors investigated the in-situ processing temperatures and effects of various formulation additives on the formation of ultraviolet (UV) excitable chromophores in the thermal lamination and curing of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulants for solar cells. A programmable, microprocessor-controlled, double-bag vacuum laminator was used to study two commercial as-formulated EVA films, A9918P and 15295P, and solution-cast films of Elvax/sup TM/ (EVX) impregnated with various curing agents and antioxidants. The results show that the actual measured temperatures of EVA lagged significantly behind the programmed profiles for the heating elements and were affected by the total thermal mass loaded inside the laminator chamber. The antioxidant Naugard p/sup TM/, used in the two commercial EVA formulations, greatly enhances the formation of UV-excitable, short chromophores upon curing, whereas other tested antioxidants show little effect. A new curing agent chosen specifically for the EVA formulation modification produces little or no effect on chromophore formation, no bubbling problems in the glass/EVX/glass laminates, and a gel content of /spl sim/80% when cured at programmed 155/spl deg/C for 4 min. Also demonstrated is the greater discoloring effect with higher concentrations of curing-generated chromophores.
Effects of accumulated film layers on the accuracy of quartz film thickness monitors

The effect of accumulation layers on the accuracy of quartz thin-film thickness monitors is evaluated. Use of an expanded plane wave ultrasonic propagation theory correctly accounts for observed experimental data. The magnitude of the maximum errors calculated for simply reversing the order of a series of aluminum gold deposits is on the order of 5%. If one totally neglects intervening layers, multiple film propagation and nonlinearity can produce errors greater than 50%.
Are biosafety practices in anatomical laboratories sufficient? A survey of practices and review of current guidelines

Biosafety practices in anatomical pathology laboratories are crucial to prevent unnecessary exposures to both chemical and biological agents. Regulatory and guidance agencies have general regulations and recommendations regarding anatomical pathology laboratory biosafety practices. This study aimed to determine if professionals' perceptions and actual practice mirror these guidelines. Current available regulations and recommendations for biosafety practices in anatomical pathology laboratories were reviewed and used to construct a brief, validated online survey distributed to anatomical pathology professionals. The survey was completed by 39 survey participants in pathology departments from diverse institutions. An average of 44% of respondents reported receiving inadequate biosafety training. At survey initiation, 61.5% of respondents felt that the risks of chemical and infectious disease exposures had been clearly explained to them; however, by completion of the survey, only 21% believed risks to be clearly explained. Respondents use a variety of personal protective equipment, yet only 60% would have been classified as meeting recommendations. Most respondents reported having a needle stick or cut (56.3%) or formalin exposure by splash or prolonged direct skin contact (62.5%). The survey indicated that there is a dire need for improved training in anatomical pathology biosafety as daily practices do not reflect current guidelines. In addition, improved training on exposure risks, including needle-stick injuries, personal protective equipment, and chemical hazards, is needed. Finally, the success of this training should be monitored locally as regulatory agency requirements do not seem to alter daily practice.
Isolattion and Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Samples of Citrus Molasses and Unpasteurized Orange Juice

Commercially produced samples of citrus molasses, unpasteurized orange juice and frozen concentrated orange juice were qualitatively assayed for lactic acid bacteria. Two species of Lactobacillus (L. fermentun and L. plantarum) and three species of Leuconostoc (Le. mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum, Le. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides and Le. paramesenteroides) were found. L. fermentum and Le. paramesenteroides have not previously been reported in citrus products.
Synthesis, processing, and deformation of bulk nanophase Fe-28Al-2Cr intermetallic

Nanophase Fe-28Al-2Cr powder was obtained by ball milling and consolidated by shock wave compaction. Fully-dense well-bonded compacts were produced with a diameter of 32 mm and a thickness of [approx]6 mm. The grain size in the compacts was [approx]80 nm. In tension, the nanophase intermetallic is brittle with a failure strength ([sigma][sub f] = 0.65 GPa) comparable to a coarse-grained intermetallic with similar composition. In compression, the nanophase material exhibits superplastic-like flow during room temperature quasistatic deformation to true strains greater than 1.4. The compressive flow strength is 2.1 GPa and no macroscopic strain hardening is observed. This behavior is compared to the coarse-grained material that has a yield strength of 0.25 GPa, displays significant work hardening and little tension-compression anisotropy. TEM examination of the nanophase material before and after deformation shows a refinement of the microstructure during deformation. The microstructure refines to [approx]10 nm grains surrounded by amorphous material.
Optimization of active-contour model parameters using genetic algorithms: segmentation of breast lesions in mammograms

Genetic algorithms (GA's) were used to find optimal sets of parameters for an active contour model (ACM) algorithm that segments breast lesions in mammography images. These parameters, which are typically determined empirically, are used in an energy function that is minimized by the ACM algorithm when producing a segmentation contour. Using manually segmented contours supplied by experienced radiologists, GA techniques were used to vary the parameter values until the contours produced by the ACM algorithm closely matched those of the radiologists.
Prednisolone disposition in steroid-dependent asthmatic children.

Abstract The pharmacokinetics of a 40-mg intravenous dose of prednisolone were determined in 10 steroid-dependent asthmatic children with highly variable prednisone requirements (5 mg every other day to 40 mg a day). Concentrations of prednisolone and cortisol in plasma over a 24-hr test period were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Eosinophil concentrations and the concentration-dependent protein binding of prednisolone were also determined. The mean (±SD) apparent half-life of prednisolone in these children was 2.5 ± 0.5 hr. The mean total volume of distribution was 52.8 ± 14.5 L/1.73 m 2 and mean plasma clearance was 246 ± 62 ml/min/1.73 m 2 . These pharmacokinetic parameters, as well as the protein binding and eosinopenic response, were similar to values from healthy and steroid-dependent asthmatic adults. The data were also similar in both responsive and relatively resistant patients. The pharmacokinetics and protein binding of prednisolone are not responsible for the highly variable prednisone requirement and clinical response of these children to prednisone therapy.
The laser two-photon photolysis of liquid carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract The two-photon photolysis of liquid CCl4 with 25 ps pulses of 266 nm light has been studied and compared with similar studies with high energy radiation. Both neutral and ionic species are produced from excited states and ionization. The emphasis of the study is on the ionic processes, while some data related to excited states and free radicals are presented. In both radiolysis and photolysis, a solvent separated charged pair, CCl3+‖Cl−, exhibiting a λmax at 475 nm, is observed that exhibits a total growth over 38 to 100 ps. Solutes with ionization potentials less than that of CCl4 (11.47 eV) reduce the yield of the 475 nm species producing radical cations of the solute. The efficiency of this process is about 10-fold larger in radiolysis compared with photolysis. Analysis of the data suggest that the lower energy of two-photon photolysis produces a charge pair CCl4+‖CCl4−, which decays in about 3 ps to CCl4+‖Cl−. This species then decays to CCl3+‖Cl−. The lifetime of the growth of the 475 nm is ...
Evaluation of Methods for Predicting the Toxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Mixtures

Risk assessments of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures are hindered by a lack of reliable information on the potency of both mixtures and their individual components. This paper examines methods for approximating the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures. PAHs were isolated from a coal tar and then separated by ring number using HPLC. Five fractions (A−E) were generated, each possessing a unique composition and expected potency. The toxicity of each fraction was measured in the Salmonella/mutagenicity assay and the Chick Embryo Screening Test (CHEST). Their abilities to induce ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and to inhibit gap junction intercellular communication in rat liver Clone 9 cells were also measured. In the Salmonella/mutagenicity assay, fractions were predicted to have potencies in the order C > D > E > B > A. Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for fractions A−E were in the order E ≥ D > C > B > A. TEF values were 20 652, 20 929, 441, 306, and 74.1 μg of BaP equiv/g, respec...
Small Industrial Gas Turbine Combustor Performance With Low BTU Gas Fuels

To permit the use of gasifier-generated low BTU gas fuels in the LM500 engine, a modified version of its existing combustor was defined and tested. The LM500 engine is a small aircraft-derivative engine in the four megawatt class and is used in a variety of industrial applications. The combustor of this engine consists of a short-length and compact annular design with 18 fuel injectors. To accommodate the high volumetric flow rates associated with the use of low BTU gas fuels, a modified fuel injector configuration was defined. With this modified configuration, the combustor was found to operate satisfactorily with low BTU gases over a wide range of heating values. Stable combustion was obtained with fuels having heating values as low as 3.72 MJ/m3 (100 BTU/SCF). Also, acceptable combustion efficiency levels and exit temperature distributions were obtained. Based on these results, it is concluded that the LM500 engine can satisfactorily accommodate low BTU gas fuels typical of those produced by coal or biomass gasifiers and by other industrial processes.Copyright © 1985 by ASME
Partition Analysis of an Enzyme Acting Concurrently upon Two Substrates in a Continuous Multiwavelength Assay

Abstract We describe a multiwavelength method for measuring an enzyme's discrimination of one substrate over another by continuously monitoring the reactions of the two substrates simultaneously. This method is generally applicable to ultraviolet–visible diode array or rapid-scanning spectrophotometers and the measurement requires a single incubation of enzyme with two substrates. Rates at each of the wavelengths may be fit globally by using a nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure which provides adequate statistical analysis. The specificity of trypsin for N -α-benzoyl- l -arginine p -nitroanilide (BRpNA) over N - t -butyloxycarbonyl- l -alanine- p -nitrophenylester (BocApNP) was 2.1 as measured by the multiwavelength partition method and 2.3 by comparing the individual k cat / K m 's for the two substrates. Multiwavelength analysis was applied to two enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway for fungal melanin: scytalone dehydratase and trihydroxynaphthalene reductase from Magnaporthea grisea. The specificity of trihydroxynaphthalene reductase for 2,3-dihydro-2,5-dihydroxy-4 H -benzopyran-4-one compared toscytalone, a natural substrate for the enzyme, was 95. Scytalone dehydratase was eight-fold more specific for 2,3-dihydro-2,5-dihydroxy-4 H -benzopyran-4-one than it was for scytalone. Multiwavelength analysis was also used to measure an equilibrium constant of 0.040 for the reaction {dihydroorotate + oxonic acid ↔ orotate + dihydrooxonic acid} catalyzed by dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Advantages, limitations, and further applications of this steady-state method, which directly measures relative substrate specificities, are delineated. All studies described in this paper were at pH 7.0 and 25°C.
Teaching for Deeper Understanding and Lifelong Learning

A growing body of research confirms that active approaches to learning offer many advantages over traditional instructional methods, including improved retention of information, conceptual understanding, and problem-solving skills. Content coverage in active-learning courses can be facilitated through careful selection and design of activities that guide student learning. Importantly, activities should engage groups of students in cooperative questioning, problem solving, analytical reasoning, and critical thinking. Focused instruction and reflection on thinking and learning help students develop as intentional learners.
Cell Response to RGD Density in Cross-Linked Artificial Extracellular Matrix Protein Films

This study examines the adhesion, spreading, and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on cross-linked films of artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) proteins. The aECM proteins described here were designed for application in small-diameter grafts and are composed of elastin-like structural repeats and fibronectin cell-binding domains. aECM-RGD contains the RGD sequence derived from fibronectin; the negative control protein aECM-RDG contains a scrambled cell-binding domain. The covalent attachment of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to aECM substrates reduced nonspecific cell adhesion to aECM-RDG-PEG but did not preclude sequence-specific adhesion of endothelial cells to aECM-RGD-PEG. Variation in ligand density was accomplished by the mixing of aECM-RGD-PEG and aECM-RDG-PEG prior to cross-linking. Increasing the density of RGD domains in cross-linked films resulted in more robust cell adhesion and spreading but did not affect cell migration speed. Control of cell-binding domain density in aECM proteins can thus be used to modulate cell adhesion and spreading and will serve as an important design tool as these materials are further developed for use in surgery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
New bifunctional anion-exchange resins for nuclear waste treatment

Additional1 bifunctional anion-exchange resins have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for their ability to take up Pu(IV) from nitric acid solutions. Bifunctionality is achieved by adding a second anion-exchange site to the pyridine nitrogen (also an anion-exchange site) of the base poly(4-vinylpyridine) resin. Previous work focused on the effect of varying the chemical properties of the added site along with the length of an alkylene ‘spacer’ between the two sites. Here we examine four new 3- and 4-picolyl derivatives which maintain more rigidly defined geometries between the two nitrogen cationic sites. These materials, which have the two anion-exchange sites separated by three and four carbons, respectively, exhibit lower overall Pu(IV) distribution coefficients than the corresponding N-alkylenepyridium derivatieves with more flexible spacers. Methylation of the second pyridium site results in a ca. 20% increase in the Pu(IV) distribution coefficients.