cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
o-(Trifluoromethyl)aryl Interactions and Stabilization in Hypervalent Germanium Compounds

A series of o-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl-substituted germanes have been synthesized to study the potential for weak Ge−F bonding interactions. 1H−19F coupling constants in these compounds range between 2 and 5 Hz. These coupling magnitudes are consistent with previously reported literature examples in 19F and multinuclear NMR spectra for derivatives of the [2,4,6-(CF3)3C6H2]− ligand. Solid-state structural characterization of these germanes consistently reveals Ge−F contacts at 2.8−2.9 A, midway between the longest single bond and the longest expected van der Waals contact. For the simple unsymmetrical catenate, [3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]2Ge(H)Ge(H)[2,4,6-(CF3)3C6H2]2 (4), there are close contacts to both germanium atoms from the ortho-CF3 groups. 4 is not otherwise sterically constrained to force distal, intramolecular contacts, and thus a weak Ge−F bonding interaction is invoked for the entire series of o-(trifluoromethyl)aryl-substituted tetravalent Ge compounds. The synthetic approaches to these germanes make exte...
Explaining Variation in Rates of Entrepreneurship in the United States: 1899-1988

This paper examines rates of entrepreneurship over time in the U.S. economy. It finds strong support for the argument that variations in rates of entrepreneurship follow a Schumpeterian model. Changes in rates of entrepreneurship appear to be driven by changes in technology. Some evidence is also found for the effects of the Protestant Ethic, interest rates, prior rates of entrepreneurship, risk-taking propensity, business failure rates, economic growth, immigration, and age distribution of the population.
A THz source by up-converting radio frequency with plasma waveguide

The discharged frequency of a radio frequency (rf) cavity is independent of its charging source frequency and defined only by its geometry. If the dimension of a cavity could be effectively changed during its discharging state, it will emit electromagnetic energy at a different frequency than its charging source frequency. By treating the plasma as a conductor wall, we simulated the process to generate a tunable terahertz (THz) source by putting a hollow conductor wall in an rf cavity. We found that the rf energy trapped inside the “plasma wall” will be effectively converted to a higher frequency electromagnetic wave, whose parameters are determined by the radius, thickness, and density of the wall. Computer simulations have been used to study this process in detail. The study confirms that THz could emit from a discharged rf cavity by properly setting the plasma parameters. It has a great potential to develop a table-top THz source with the technology. Besides, the source will have tunability in phase, a...
Electrospun carbon nanofibers for improved electrical conductivity of fiber reinforced composites

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF), and then electrospun to generate nanofibers using various electrospinning conditions, such as pump speeds, DC voltages and tip-to-collector distances. The produced nanofibers were oxidized at 270 °C for 1 hr, and then carbonized at 850 °C in an argon gas for additional 1 hr. The resultant carbonized PAN nanofibers were placed on top of the pre-preg carbon fiber composites as top layers prior to the vacuum oven curing following the pre-preg composite curing procedures. The major purpose of this study is to determine if the carbonized nanofibers on the fiber reinforced composites can detect the structural defects on the composite, which may be useful for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the electrospun PAN fibers were well integrated on the pre-preg composites. Electrical conductivity studies under various tensile loads revealed that nanoscale carbon fibers on the fiber reinforced composites detected small changes of loads by changing the resistance values. Electrically conductive composite manufacturing can have huge benefits over the conventional composites primarily used for the military and civilian aircraft and wind turbine blades.
Tropical forest carbon balance: effects of field- and satellite-based mortality regimes on the dynamics and the spatial structure of Central Amazon forest biomass

Debate continues over the adequacy of existing field plots to sufficiently capture Amazon forest dynamics to estimate regional forest carbon balance. Tree mortality dynamics are particularly uncertain due to the difficulty of observing large, infrequent disturbances. A?recent paper (Chambers et al 2013 Proc. Natl Acad. Sci.?110 3949?54) reported that Central Amazon plots missed 9?17% of tree mortality, and here we address ?why? by elucidating two distinct mortality components: (1)?variation in annual landscape-scale average mortality and (2)?the frequency distribution of the size of clustered mortality events. Using a stochastic-empirical tree growth model we show that a power law distribution of event size (based on merged plot and satellite data) is required to generate spatial clustering of mortality that is consistent with forest gap observations. We conclude that existing plots do not sufficiently capture losses because their placement, size, and longevity assume spatially random mortality, while mortality is actually distributed among differently sized events (clusters of dead trees) that determine the spatial structure of forest canopies.
Successive discrimination reversal performance as a function of level of drive and incentive

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the roles of drive and incentive upon the successive discrimination reversal performance of rats. Two levels of drive, high and low, and two values of incentive, large and small, were imposed upon four groups of Ss in a factorial design. All training and measurement were conducted in a simultaneous discrimination General Testing Apparatus. An overall analysis of variance indicated significant main effects of incentive and problems. The results were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that incentive exerts a significant and persistent effect upon reversal set performance in rats.
Monolithic integration of strained-layer InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs lasers with photodiodes by selective-area MOCVD

Characteristics of strained-layer InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs lasers with monolithically integrated photodiodes fabricated by selective-area epitaxy are presented. Threshold currents as low as 8 mA (approximately 300 A/cm2) were obtained for uncoated devices operating cw at room temperature. Responsivities of 71, 41, and 6.7 (mu) A/mW was obtained for devices with photodiode etched facet angles of 3 degree(s), 14 degree(s), and 45 degree(s), respectively, and a photodiode bias of 0 V.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Energy–angle correlation of neutrons and gamma-rays emitted from an HEU source

Abstract Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) yield very unique fission signatures, namely correlated neutrons and gamma-rays. A major challenge is not only to detect, but also to rapidly identify and recognize SNM with certainty. Accounting for particle multiplicity and correlations is one of standard ways to detect SNM. However, many parameter data such as joint distributions of energy, angle, lifetime, and multiplicity of neutrons and gamma-rays can lead to better recognition of SNM signatures in the background radiation noise. These joint distributions are not well understood. The Monte Carlo simulations of the transport of neutrons and gamma-rays produced from spontaneous and interrogation-induced fission of SNM are carried out using the developed MONSOL computer code. The energy spectra of neutrons and gamma-rays from a bare Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) source are investigated. The energy spectrum of gamma-rays shows spectral lines by which HEU isotopes can be identified, while those of neutrons do not show any characteristic lines. The joint probability density function (JPDF) of the energy–angle association of neutrons and gamma-rays is constructed. Marginal probability density functions (MPDFs) of energy and angle are derived from JPDF. A probabilistic model is developed for the analysis of JPDF and MPDFs. This probabilistic model is used to evaluate mean values, standard deviations, covariance and correlation between the energy and angle of neutrons and gamma-rays emitted from the HEU source. For both neutrons and gamma-rays, it is found that the energy–angle variables are only weakly correlated.
A critical review of the afferent pathways and the potential chemical mediators involved in cardiac pain

There is considerable evidence that on the anterior surface of the heart (which is usually supplied by the left anterior descending and the proximal part of the left circumflex coronary arteries), sympathetic efferent reflexes characterized by tachycardia and/or hypertension predominate following experimental or pathological perturbations. These cardiovascular reflexes are accompanied by an increase in presumed nociceptive afferent traffic and, in pathological condition, by pain. In these experiments, there is generally no effect of vagotomy on afferent nerve traffic, and lower cervical and upper thoracic sympathectomies help provide relief from angina. On the other hand, experimental or pathological perturbations involving the inferior-posterior surface of the heart (supplied by the right and distal parts of the left circumflex coronary arteries), are characterized by vagal efferent reflexes, resulting in bradycardia and/or hypotension. These reflexes are accompanied by an increase in vagal afferent nerve traffic and, in pathological conditions, by pain. In these experiments, vagotomy generally abolishes such cardiovascular reflexes, and lower cervical and upper thoracic sympathectomies are not effective in the relief from angina. Although cardiac sympathetic afferents are unquestionably involved in the central transmission of nociceptive information from the heart, it is also likely that there is a contributing role from the vagus in cardiac pain. It is important experimentally to understand the natural stimulus that gives rise to angina. In the clinical situation, a decrease in coronary blood flow or an increase in the metabolic demands of the myocardium due to increased work are obvious precipitating factors which lead to myocardial ischemia. In the experimental situation, occlusion of the coronary arteries is often used as a stimulus which mimics myocardial ischemia. As people who frequently experience angina have varying degrees of coronary artery disease, it is difficult to accept that the state of the coronary arteries of the normal experimental animal bear any resemblance to the state of the coronary arteries under pathological conditions. That is, the gain of homeostatic reflexes, the basal concentrations of neuroactive substances in the plasma, the myocardium and the afferent terminals, the excitability of the afferents, access of chemical mediators (e.g. bradykinin, 5-HT, adenosine, histamine, prostaglandins, potassium, lactate), to afferents, and the overall function of the animal are all significantly different. We have no idea how control mechanisms have been altered in the person with severe coronary artery disease compared to the normal patient or the "normal" experimental animal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Fluctuations in two osmoregulatory components, urea and sodium chloride, of the clearnose skate, Raja eglanteria bosc 1802—I. Upon laboratory modification of external salinities☆

Abstract 1. 1. Clearnose skates (Raja eglanteria) acclimated to high salinities (above 26.50%) experienced loss of serum chloride and urea when exposed to lower salinities (as low as 16.19%). 2. 2. Skates acclimated to 21.14% experienced increases in serum chloride and urea when exposed to higher salinities (as high as 31.02%). 3. 3. A change in serum levels of the primary osmotic components, urea and sodium chloride produces a change in the resultant serum osmotic pressure. 4. 4. Forty-eight hours is required for skate serum to acclimate osmotically to a salinity change as small as 2.4% while a change of 10.0% requires 70 hr.
TH‐B‐211‐02: Patient Organ Doses From Imaging in IGRT: KV Radiograph Vs. KV‐ CBCT Vs. MV Portal Image Vs. MV‐CBCT

Image‐guidedradiation therapy(IGRT) plays an increasingly essential role in the accurate delivery of highly conformal dose to the target as it makes it possible to see the target and organs at risk before treatment while the patient is in the treatment position. X‐ray imaging devices, especially kilovoltage x‐ray imaging devices integrated in a radiation treatment delivery unit, are increasingly available in the clinics. The conventional electronic portal imaging devices(EPID) using megavoltage photon beams are still available and being used as well. X‐ray imaging procedures deliver additional radiationdose to patients and this dose may entail risk to patients. Knowledge of radiationdose resulting from x‐ray imaging and the techniques to reduce the imagingdose are important for clinicians in making informed decisions for treatment management regarding the benefit and risk to patients. This lecture will provide an overview of radiationdoses to patients resulting from different imaging procedures and an update on the progress of AAPM TG‐180 report. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the different available image guidance modalities and devices used in IGRT; 2. Understand the magnitude of the organdose resulting from difference devices and acquisition procedures; 3. Understand the variation of patient imagingdose distributions among different imaging procedures; 4. Understand how patient dose distributions from an image procedure are calculated 5. Understand the increased magnitude of the dose to bone as compared to soft tissue for kilovoltage x‐rays; 6. Learn the techniques to reduce the imagingdose to patients and sensitive organs; 7. Update on the progress of AAPM TG‐180 report: “Modeling and Accounting for the Imaging Guidance RadiationDoses to Radiotherapy Patients in Treatment Planning”
Fundamentals of the theory of gas scavenging by rain

Abstract The calculation of precipitation scavenging rates for trace gases in the atmosphere is complicated by a number of factors, including reversible sorption behavior, liquid phase mixing and chemical reaction. Despite the large quantity of work that has been devoted to other areas in the field, there exists at present no generalized basis for analyzing the variety of gas scavenging problems that are of potential importance to the atmospheric sciences. The analysis presented in this paper provides such a basis. This analysis examines relationships between the fundamental equations of continuity for a trace contaminent in the air-precipitation system, and suggests classifications for various limiting situations of interest. Criteria for approach of these limiting cases are derived. The general problem of modelling macrophysical systems in the atmosphere is discussed as it relates to the pertinent microphysical phenomena of drop-gas interactions.
"Can you SEE me now?" A Measurement Study of Mobile Video Calls

Video telephony is increasingly being adopted by end consumers. It is extremely challenging to deliver video calls over wireless networks. In this paper, we conduct a measurement study on three popular mobile video call applications: Face- Time, Google Plus Hangout, and Skype, over both WiFi and Cellular links. We study the following questions: 1) how they encode/decode video in realtime under tight resource constraints on mobile devices? 2) how they transmit video smoothly in the face of various wireless network impairments? 3) what is their delivered video conferencing quality under different mobile network conditions? 4) how different system architectures and design choices contribute to their delivered quality? Through detailed analysis of measurement results, we obtain valuable insights regarding the unique challenges, advantages and dis- advantages of existing design solutions, and possible directions to deliver high-quality video calls in wireless networks.
Ultrastructure of aesthetasc innervation and external morphology of the lateral antennule setae of the spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus (Randall)

Six types of setae and one type of cuticular depression were examined on the lateral antennule of the spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus using scanning electron microscopy. The organization and ultrastructure of the innervation of the most numerous setal type, the aesthetasc, were investigated using light-and transmission electron microscopy.
Acute pancreatitis as a complication of polyarteritis nodosa

Conclusions: Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) must be considered as one of the rare causes of “idiopathic” acute necrotizing pancreatitis.
Characterization of an acsD disruption mutant provides additional evidence for the hierarchical cell-directed self-assembly of cellulose in Gluconacetobacter xylinus

The acsD gene is involved in cellulose biosynthesis among the Acetobacter species. In the current study, we created an acsD disruption mutant in the acsABCD cellulose synthase operon of Gluconacetobacter xylinus and characterized the resulting cellulose to aid in providing insight into the function of the acsD gene. Both the wild type G. xylinus AY201 (derivative of Gluconacetobacter hansenii ATCC 23769) and the acsD disruption mutant produced crystalline cellulose I microfibrils. The cellulose produced by both appeared to be synthesized from an aggregate of pores known as a linear terminal complex; however the total cellulose synthesized was 10 % that of the wild type G. xylinus AY201. TEM observations of the acsD disruption mutant confirmed that microfibrils and bundles of microfibrils were similar in size to the G. xylinus AY201 wild type; however, the final ribbon dimensions were narrower (53.4 ± 13.1 nm wt, vs. 28.2 ± 8.2 nm). Additional TEM observations of the mutant cells incubated at 4 °C revealed an abnormal linear terminal complex orientation whereby the resulting band material could be observed in a transverse orientation as well as longitudinally to the long axis of the cell. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that acsD aids in the proper orientation of the linear terminal complexes along the longitudinal axis of the cell indicating the AcsD protein is involved in the final level of the hierarchical assembly of cellulose resulting in highly efficient cellulose synthesis.
RSV-induced tumors in chickens: resistance to pulsed current in terminal and non-terminal types.

Abstract Terminal Rous sarcoma virus-induced tumors in chickens had lower resistance to a pulsed current than non-terminal tumors or healthy tissues. This finding suggests the existence of some basic physiological difference between terminal and non-terminal tumors. The terminal tumors may have a higher concentration of mobile ions than either non-terminal types or healthy tissue.
Reaction Time, Movement Time, and Intelligence

Speed of information processing is measured in terms of reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) to five stimulus displays which differ in the amount of information transmitted, over a range from 0 to 3 bits of information. RT, but not MT, increases as a linear function of the number of bits in the stimulus display. RT and MT show reliable individual differences which are significantly correlated with intelligence as measured by Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices.
Distributed Generator Coordination for Initialization and Anytime Optimization in Economic Dispatch

This paper considers the economic dispatch problem for a group of generator units communicating over an arbitrary weight-balanced digraph. The objective of the individual units is to collectively generate power to satisfy a certain load while minimizing the total generation cost, which corresponds to the sum of individual arbitrary convex functions. We propose a class of distributed Laplacian-gradient dynamics that are guaranteed to asymptotically find the solution to the economic dispatch problem with and without generator constraints. The proposed coordination algorithms are anytime, meaning that its trajectories are feasible solutions at any time before convergence, and they become better solutions as time elapses. In addition, we design the provably correct determine feasible allocation strategy that handles generator initialization and the addition and deletion of units via a message passing routine over a spanning tree of the network. Our technical approach combines notions and tools from algebraic graph theory, distributed algorithms, nonsmooth analysis, set-valued dynamical systems, and penalty functions. Simulations illustrate our results.
Gas-phase reactions of ClMn(H2O)+ with polar and nonpolar hydrocarbons in a mass spectrometer.

The gas-phase reactions of ClMn(H2O)+ with a variety of volatile and nonvolatile, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons have been examined by using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT/ICR). The ClMn(H2O)+ ion reacts rapidly by exclusive H2O ligand displacement with all the hydrocarbons studied, including highly branched alkanes that usually fragment upon ionization. These observations are rationalized on the basis of the electronic structure of ClMn+. Collision-activated dissociation of the product ions provides structural information which promises to allow the distinction and structural characterization of isomeric hydrocarbons. These findings suggest that the ClMn(H2O)+ ion is a highly promising chemical ionization reagent for mass spectrometric characterization of hydrocarbons, including those that commonly exist in petroleum
Susceptibility studies of piperazinyl–cross-linked fluoroquinolone dimers against test strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

Susceptibility testing was used to evaluate potential spectrum of action for piperazinyl-cross-linked fluoroquinolone dimers against test strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and to evaluate dimers against fluoroquinolone-resistant and fluoroquinolone-susceptible strains of streptococci. Individual dimers displayed equivalent or lowered MIC values compared with parent fluoroquinolone monomers against test strains of S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, E. coli, and VRE. Raised MIC values were observed for all dimers in comparison to monomers against test strains of P. aeruginosa and E. coli. In comparison to parent fluoroquinolones, all dimers displayed decreased percent inhibition of growth against M. tuberculosis. Structural requirements for activity of dimers and partial dimers against all organisms, including lower MICs against certain fluoroquinolone-resistant and fluoroquinolone-susceptible strains of streptococci, were consistent with requirements previously observed for dimers against fluoroquinolone-susceptible and fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of S. aureus. In contrast, the 10- to 100-fold lowering of MICs against wild-type and fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of S. aureus previously observed for individual cross-linked dimers was not observed with test strains of the various organisms used here.
Probing the Energy Landscape of Protein Folding/Unfolding Transition States

Abstract Previous molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the thermal denaturation of chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 (CI2) have provided atomic-resolution models of the transition state ensemble that is well supported by experimental studies. Here, we use simulations to further investigate the energy landscape around the transition state region. Nine structures within ∼35 ps and 3 A Cα RMSD of the transition state ensemble identified in a previous 498 K thermal denaturation simulation were quenched under the quasi-native conditions of 335 K and neutral pH. All of the structures underwent hydrophobically driven collapse in response to the drop in temperature. Structures less denatured than the transition state became structurally more native-like, while structures that were more denatured than the transition state tended to show additional loss of native structure. The structures in the immediate region of the transition state fluctuated between becoming more and less native-like. All of the starting structures had the same native-like topology and were quite similar (within 3.5 A Cα RMSD). That the structures all shared native-like topology, yet diverged into either more or less native-like structures depending on which side of the transition state they occupied on the unfolding trajectory, indicates that topology alone does not dictate protein folding. Instead, our results suggest that a detailed interplay of packing interactions and interactions with water determine whether a partially denatured protein will become more native-like under refolding conditions.
Living the Plan: Strategic Planning Aligned with Practice and Assessment

Abstract The purpose of this article is to provide leaders of continuing education enterprises with an integrated model for sustaining strategic planning initiatives. Global economic conditions, shifting competitive forces, continuing calls for accountability, and dramatic changes in institutional funding streams contribute to an environment characterized by both opportunity and challenges. These shifts in the landscape of American higher education increasingly elevate strategic planning efforts to high levels of importance, and continuing education leaders can benefit from planning models that integrate mission and vision-based initiatives with practice and continuous assessment. The authors provide a model designed to move beyond the traditional strategic planning processes by aligning strategic planning initiatives with continuing higher education practice, employee performance, and outcomes assessment. This proposed model will assist leaders engaged in strategic planning efforts in attaining identifie...
Elsewhere in Contemporary Art: Topologies of Artists' Works, Writings, and Archives

On September 2004, when I arrived in Rio de Janeiro on my way to the 26th Sao Paulo Bienal, images of Eduardo Kac's GFP Bunny—his transgenic rabbit created in 2000‘—were strategically placed throughout the city on three types of advertising displays: illuminated advertising signs mounted above digital clocks and thermometers showed the enigmatic, fluorescent-green bunny; panels at bus stops announced Kac's solo exhibition at Laura Marsiaj Arte Contemporânea in Ipanema; and constantly rotating displays in kiosks presented images of cultural events in the city, among them Kac's GFP Bunny and Bebel Gilberto's new CD album cover. A week later, at the Sao Paulo Bienal, Kac presented a transgenic installation entitled Move 36, which along with Paulo Bruscky's apartment/studio/archive—one of the biennial's eight special rooms—was identified by the media as a “must-see” among the works by 135 artists from 62 countries. Interviews with both artists and images of their installations appeared in the major newspapers...
OPPOSITIONAL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES: An Adaptational Dance in Space and Time

A conceptual map is proposed in which oppositional behavior is seen as an adaptational struggle within a context of interpersonal and intrapsychic spheres of family systems. Preservation of self is viewed as inherent in all childhood psychological symptomatology, and oppositionalism serves as a prime survival strategy, aimed at navigating the conflictual forces of connectedness and individuation and regulating the progression, through time, of the family life cycle.
An ultrastructural study of interstitial implantation in captive-bred, short-tailed fruit bats, Carollia perspicillata: trophoblastic adhesion and penetration of the uterine epithelium

Trophoblastic adhesion to, and penetration of, the uterine epithelium during implantation have been examined in captive-bred Carollia perspicillata at the light and electron microscopic levels. Initial adhesion is localized to marginal ridges immediately over the apical intercellular junctions of the epithelial cells. Penetration then involves the intrusion of trophoblastic processes between the epithelial cells and the formation of junctional complexes between the two cell types. As larger areas of adhesion develop, they still occur most often near the intercellular boundaries between the more flattened epithelial cells or on their lateral sides. This suggests that many (if not all) of these broad areas of adhesion to the trophoblast had actually formed along what had originally been part of the lateral (rather than the apical) surfaces of the epithelial cells. Portions of the apical cell surfaces further removed from their intercellular boundaries usually were not adherent to the trophoblast and still had microvilli. Upon reaching the basal lamina of the uterine epithelium, invasion of the endometrium is temporarily retarded, and trophoblast cells migrate instead between the basal lamina and the epithelial cells. This occurs extensively along both the luminal and glandular epithelia around the implantation site, but not significantly along their apical surfaces. This again indicates that adhesive interactions between the trophoblast and those apical surfaces are at most very limited in Carollia. The epithelial cells appear to be viable until separated from their basal laminae by the trophoblast. They are then phagocytized by the trophoblast. During initial penetration of the uterine luminal epithelium, the trophoblast is still entirely of the cellular variety. Syncytiotrophoblast does not begin to appear until later, when the trophoblast first comes into contact with endometrial capillaries.
Effects of Propranolol on the Pressor Response to Noxious Stimuli in Hypertensive Patients

Abstract Propranolol was administered orally in doses up to 150 mg. daily to 11 hospitalized patients with hypertension of mild to moderate severity. Although the compound significantly lowered the basal pulse rate and the chronotropic response to pressor stimuli, it failed to affect either the basal blood pressure or the pressor response to cold and ischemic pain. Urinary catecholamine excretion in response to the stimuli similarly was unaffected although plasma free fatty acid mobilization tended to be dampened. When contolled for responses to hospitalization and placebo, the effect of propranolol on ambulatory blood pressures was negligible. The failure to influence reactivity of the blood pressure to noxious stimuli, despite blockage of beta adrenergic receptors by propranolol, is interpreted as indicating persistence and probable potentiation of alpha adrenergic receptors and peripheral vasoconstrictive mechanisms.
Controlled placement of nanoscale building blocks: Toward large-scale fabrication of nanoscale devices

Much effort has been made recently to develop future devices or sensors comprising nanoscale building blocks such as nanowires, carbon nanotubes, DNA, proteins, and nanoparticles. One of the key requirements to realize these devices/sensors is the capability to place individual nanoscale building blocks onto exact substrate locations. This article will review recent progress in various approaches exploited to place or assemble nanoscale building blocks in a controlled way.
Extermination of the Gypsies in Estonia during World War II: Popular Images and Official Policies

A discussion of Nazi anti-Gypsy policy in Estonia needs to center on local interpretation and implementation of RSHA and RKO orders. Contradictions between various German instructions, which often discriminated among sedentary and itinerating Gypsies, created a state of confusion that increased chances for survival. Since in Estonia Sonderkommando 1a of the German Security Police exercised oversight rather than itself carrying out atrocities, the destruction of the Gypsy community in Estonia proceeded at a pace slower than elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Interested in exploiting slave labor, the German Security Police in Estonia did not consider liquidation of the Gypsies a priority. Acculturated to traditional anti-Gypsy prejudices and burdened by their own wartime travails, the majority of Estonians remained indifferent when Estonian police deported Gypsies.
Tautomeric 6‐oxoisocytidine (methanol solvate)

Ambiguity concerning the base structure of 6-oxoisocytidine methanol solvate {systematic name: 4-(R)-[4-amino-2,6-dioxo­pyrimidine-1-yl]-3(S)-hydroxy-2(R)-furanmethanol methanol solvate}, C18H18N18O18·CH3OH, is resolved by the crystal structure reported here. The 3-imine N site is protonated and forms a hydrogen bond with the 6-oxo carbonyl group of an adjacent mol­ecule. The solid-state packing leads to the formation of sheets of mol­ecules with the intervening space occupied by disordered methanol solvent mol­ecules.
Factors related to risky sexual behaviors and effective STI/HIV and pregnancy intervention programs for African American adolescents.

Objective The purpose of this integrative literature review study was to investigate factors related to risky sexual behaviors among African American adolescents, to evaluate which of the factors are common across successful and effective STI/HIV and pregnancy intervention programs, and finally, to propose suggestions for future intervention programs for African American adolescents in West Englewood, Chicago. Design An integrative literature review was conducted. Using CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest database, the following terms were searched: African American, Black, adolescents, teenagers, sexual behavior, cultural factors, pregnancy, STIs/HIV/AIDS, and intervention programs. Result A total of 18 articles were reviewed, findings indicated there were five major contributing factors related to risky sexual behaviors: substance use, gender roles, peer influences, parental involvement, and level of knowledge and information on sex and STIs. Six successful STI/HIV and pregnancy programs that incorporated those factors to effectively reduce risky sexual behaviors were identified. Conclusion After analyzing six national intervention programs proven to be effective, the findings suggest that future prevention programs should be designed with more emphasis on avoidance or limited substance use, increased parental involvement, integration of cultural teaching components such as storytelling and history as suggested from the Aban Aya Youth Project. This study also concluded that future prevention programs should consider the length of programs be longer than 1 year, as it has been shown to be more effective than shorter programs.
Conversion of an interim into a definitive speech aid: A predictable approach☆☆☆★★★

In patients with partial or total soft palatectomy, an interim prosthesis generally is inserted as soon as possible after surgery. Over the average postoperative healing period of 3 months, numerous clinical appointments are needed to shape the prosthesis. When the definitive prosthesis is completed, reshaping the pharyngeal portion of the speech aid unnecessarily involves duplication of work by the clinician. A laboratory procedure is described that can save clinic time, increase cost-effectiveness, and shift work normally performed by the maxillofacial prosthodontist to the maxillofacial laboratory technician. This technique is particularly useful with prostheses that are difficult to shape because of trismus or lack of residual lateral and posterior pharyngeal movement.
A model of non-isothermal degradation of nutrients, pigments and enzymes

Published isothermal degradation curves for chlorophyll A and thiamine in the range 100–150 °C and the inactivation curves of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in the range 50–80 °C could be described by the model C(t)/C0 = exp[−b(T)tn] where C(t) and C0 are the momentary and initial concentrations, respectively, b(T) a temperature dependent ‘rate parameter’ and n, a constant. This suggested that the temporal degradation/inactivation events of all three had a Weibull distribution with a practically constant shape factor. The temperature dependence of the ‘rate parameter’ could be described by the log logistic model, b(T) = loge[1 + exp[k(T − Tc)], where Tc is a marker of the temperature level where the degradation/inactivation occurs at a significant rate and k the steepness of the b(T) increase once this temperature range has been exceeded. These two models were combined to produce a non-isothermal degradation/inactivation model, similar to one recently developed for microbial inactivation. It is based on the assumption that the local slope of the non-isothermal decay curve, ie the momentary decay rate, is the slope of the isothermal curve at the momentary temperature at a time that corresponds to the momentary concentration of the still intact or active molecules. This model, in the form of a differential equation, was solved numerically to produce degradation/inactivation curves under temperature profiles that included heating and cooling and oscillating temperatures. Such simulations can be used to assess the impact of planned commercial heat processes on the stability of compounds of nutritional and quality concerns and the efficacy of methods to inactivate enzymes. Simulated decay curves on which a random noise was superimposed were used to demonstrate that the degradation/inactivation parameters, k and Tc, can be calculated directly from non-isothermal decay curves, provided that the validity of the Weibullian and log logistic models and the constancy of the shape factor n could be assumed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
The Value of Upsloping ST Depression in Diagnosing Myocardial Ischemia

We evaluated the value of upsloping ST-segment depression in predicting the severity of myocardial ischemia. Comparison of the exercise electrocardiographic changes was made to myocardial perfusion images and coronary angiograms as the criteria for ischemia. We retrospectively reviewed 621 patients who underwent exercise technetium-99m tetrofosmin single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for the assessment of suspected or known coronary artery disease followed by coronary angiography within a 3-month period. The test sensitivity and specificity of 1 mm horizontal or downsloping ST depression in predicting reversible ischemia as assessed by gated SPECT imaging (GSI) were 65% and 87%, respectively. The corresponding values were 67% and 94% compared to coronary angiography. The sensitivity and specificity of gated SPECT imaging compared to coronary angiography were 78% and 89%. On the other hand when 1 mm upsloping ST depression at 70 ms past the J-point was regarded as abnormal, along with horizontal and downsloping, the sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 90% compared to myocardial perfusion imaging, and 77% and 92% as assessed by coronary angiography. We conclude that upsloping ST-segment depression is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease and is a valuable predictor of myocardial ischemia.
First example of ‘palladium-nanoparticle’-catalyzed selective alcoholysis of polyhydrosiloxane: a new approach to macromolecular grafting

‘Palladium-polysiloxane’ nanocomposites were synthesized as stable and isolable powder by reduction of Pd(OAc)2 with polymethylhydrosiloxane, which functions as a reducing agent and as a capping agent for the generation and stabilization of ‘palladium’-nanoclusters. Redispersion of ‘palladium-polysiloxane’ nanocomposite in common organic solvents, in the presence of polymethylhydrosiloxane, yielded catalytically active polysiloxane-wrapped soluble ‘palladium’-nanoclusters. Polysiloxane-encapsulated ‘palladium’-nanoclusters were used as recyclable catalyst for macromolecular grafting via alcoholysis of polyhydrosiloxane. Selective alcoholysis of polyhydrosiloxane took place in fair to excellent yields under moderate reaction conditions with a variety of alcohols (primary, secondary, tertiary/sterically bulky and functional alcohols). ‘In situ’ electron microscopy studies of the reaction mixtures in conjunction with controlled poisoning experiments revealed catalytic participation of ‘palladium’-nanoclusters during substitution reactions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meet the Virts: Virtualization technology isn’t new, but it has matured a lot over the past 30 years.

When you dig into the details of supposedly overnight success stories, you frequently discover that they’ve actually been years in the making. Virtualization has been around for more than 30 years since the days when some of you were feeding stacks of punch cards into very physical machines yet in 2007 it tipped. VMware was the IPO sensation of the year; in November 2007 no fewer than four major operating system vendors (Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, and Sun) announced significant new virtualization capabilities; and among fashionable technologists it seems virtual has become the new black.
The Effect of Vasodilator Therapy on Systolic and Diastolic Time Intervals in Congestive Heart Failure

To determine the effects of vasodilator drugs on systolic and diastolic time intervals in patients with congestive heart failure, these noninvasive measurements were made in 50 patients with moderately severe disease before and after vasodilator therapy. These data were compared with direct hemodynamic measurements obtained simultaneously from a flow-directed triple-lumen pulmonary artery catheter placed in each patient. Oral vasodilators included isosorbide dinitrate 20 mg (n-8), hydralazine 75 mg (n-8), and 100 mg (n-8), and first-dose prazosin 2 mg (n-8) and 5 mg (n-8). Ten additional patients received intravenous dose-response infusions of isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin, and nitroprusside. Increases in cardiac output and stroke volume effected a decrease (improvement) in the systolic time interval parameter of ventricular performance, PEP/LVET. The correlation coefficient for vasodilator-induced changes in cardiac output vs changes in PEP/LVET was –0.82 (P
Radial Velocities and the Curvature of Space-time

RETURNING to my letter on this subject published in NATURE of April 26, p. 602, I should like, in the first place, to amend an erroneous formula given in the last section of that letter. Through a bad slip of the pen, the earth's velocity component V was subtracted from v0, the star's integration constant, instead of being deduced from the whole effect cD which, to a high degree of approximation, represents the total radial velocity of the star relatively to the sun at the moment of observation. Ultimately, the correct formula, readily obtainable by applying a local Lorentz transformation to the observer's world-line and confounding a factor I+v0V/c2 with unity, is, instead of (3), p. 603, Here D is the effect as observed from a terrestrial station. In fine, the usual formula for “the reduction to sun” is, apart from immeasurably small terms, the correct one. Thus also the equality c(D1–D2)=V2–V1 should hold not only for R = but also for any finite value of the radius, and it can be considered as sufficiently verified by numerous previous spectrograms.
A study of the relation between translational and rotational diffusion through measurement of molecular recollision

Translational and rotational diffusion rates of perdeuterated tempone (PDT) in ethanol are determined using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The translational motion is measured on two scales: the macroscopic, as represented by the Heisenberg spin-exchange rate, and the microscopic, which entails recollisions between the same spin-exchange particle pair. The spin-exchange and recollision rates are used together to calculate the overall translational diffusion coefficient without recourse to assumptions concerning the value of the Stokes radius or collision distance. When observed as a function of solvent isothermal compressibility, the recollision time in ethanol is displaced from the common alkane curve at low temperatures but joins that curve at higher temperatures. Rotational correlation times in ethanol are obtained and show a decreasing rotation-translation coupling with increasing temperature, revealing a pattern that is qualitatively identical with respect to both collision and recollision. In comparison, an examination of PDT diffusion in toluene reveals an increasing rotation-translation coupling with increasing temperature. The contrasting behavior of the coupling in the two solvents is attributable to the degree of anisotropy in PDT rotation.
An Ultrastructural Study of Lentomonas applanatum (Preisig) N. G. (Euglenida)

. Lentomonas applanatum (syn. Entosiphon applanatum Preisig) is a biflagellate, phagotrophic euglenid found in intertidal salt marshes. Lentomonas applanatum bears a superficial similarity to Entosiphon sulcatum, however, an ultrastructural study of L. applanatum revealed many features that are atypical for other described species of the genus Entosiphon. These features include number and organization of pellicular strips, construction of the feeding apparatus, nature of the flagellar transition zone and flagellar apparatus, and point of flagellar emergence. These differences show that L. applanatum is related more closely to phagotrophic genera such as Ploeotia than to E. sulcatum. The construction of the feeding apparatus and pellicle suggest that L. applanatum has retained many of the pleisiomorphic characters that were present in the earliest euglenids. The presence of similar structures in other related protists may provide important clues as to the evolution of the Euglenida.
Expression of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus G protein-coupled receptor monocistronic and bicistronic transcripts in primary effusion lymphomas.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) encodes a G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) in open reading frame (ORF) 74, which is homologous to human chemokine receptors. KSHV vGPCR is constitutively active and induces VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. Previous studies have shown that ORF 74 is transcribed as part of a bicistronic message containing ORF K14 upstream of ORF 74, with an early lytic pattern of expression. We have now extended these studies by analyzing three different KSHV-positive primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cell lines and three PEL clinical samples. In addition, we have identified another less abundant monocistronic transcript containing only ORF 74. Both transcripts were identified at low but similar levels in two PEL clinical samples. We evaluated the degree of sequence and functional conservation of ORF74 in three additional PELs and two KS clinical specimens, demonstrating complete identity at the amino acid level among all isolates. While it is expressed as an early lytic transcript in PEL cell lines, in primary clinical PEL samples transcription of KSHV vGPCR can be readily detected.
α-Hydroxylation of lignoceroyl-CoA by a cyanide-sensitive oxygenase in rat brain microsomes

Abstract 1. 1. The enzymatic mechanism of α-hydroxylation of lignoceroyl-CoA, an intermediate in the synthesis of hydroxyceramide, was studied. In the presence of NADPH, sphingosine and microsomes from 20-day-old rat brain, 14C from [1-14C]lignoceroyl-CoA was incorporated into hydroxyceramide. 2. 2. Activity was linear with time (up to 40 min) and with protein (up to 0.8 mg). The apparent Km for lignoceroyl-CoA was about 10 μM. 3. 3. NADPH was a more efficient electron donor than NADH. Oxygen was required for activity, which increased linearly up to 20% O2. 4. 4. In 5 and 10% oxygen, the reaction was inhibited by 0.1 mM cyanide and by electron transfer chain inhibitors, cytochrome c, ferricyanide, menadione, and p-chloromercuriphenyl sulphonate; CO and SKF-525A had no effect. Moreover none of the inhibitors affected the formation of hydroxyceramide. 5. 5. Lignoceroyl-CoA α-hydroxylase appears to be an oxygenase requiring NADPH and oxygen, which involves cyanide-sensitive enzyme.