cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
5‐Substituierte β‐[Furyl‐(2)]‐propionsäureester. Synthese aus β‐Furfurylidenketonen und ihre Hydrierung

Die Alkoholyse von Furfurylidenacetophenon fuhrt in sehr guter Ausbeute zu β-[5-Phenyl-furyl-(2)]-propionsaureestern. Die allgemeine Anwendbarkeit wird an weiteren β-Furfurylidenketonen des Typs gezeigt. Die Hydrierung der gewonnenen Ester mit Raney-Nickel fuhrt zu γ-substituierten γ-Butyrolactonen. Mit Kupfer-Chromit-Kontakten entstehen ω-substituierte Alkandiole. Durch Kondensation und Hydrierung der erhaltenen Produkte werden weitere technisch interessante Alkohole erhalten.
Remodeling of an identified motoneuron during metamorphosis: central and peripheral actions of ecdysteroids during regression of dendrites and motor terminals.

During metamorphosis of the moth Manduca sexta, an identified leg motoneuron, the femoral depressor motoneuron (FeDe MN), undergoes reorganization of its central and peripheral processes. This remodeling is under the control of two insect hormones: the ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone (JH). Here, we asked whether peripheral or central actions of the ecdysteroids influenced specific regressive aspects of MN remodeling. We used stable hormonal mimics to manipulate the hormonal environment of either the FeDe muscle or the FeDe MN soma. Our results demonstrate that motor-terminal retraction and dendritic regression can be experimentally uncoupled, indicating that central actions of ecdysteroids trigger dendritic regression whereas peripheral actions trigger terminal retraction. Our results further demonstrate that discrete aspects of motor-terminal retraction can also be experimentally uncoupled, suggesting that they also are regulated differently.
MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF COALS. I. THE ORGANIC PHASE OF BITUMINOUS COALS AS A MACROMOLECULAR NETWORK

The organic phase of bituminous coals may be represented as a three-dimensional macromolecular network, with chains consisting of aromatic or heterocyclic clusters and smaller connecting bonds, usually of etheric, sulfidicor methylenic nature. The crosslinks are covalently bonded bridges or hydrogen-bonded structures. The molecular weight between crosslinks, [Mbar]C, and other parameters of the crosslinked structure can be calculated using the results of various experiments and applying theories widely used for the analysis of polymeric networks, albeit with significant modifications.
Adsorption of mixed metals and cadmium by calcium-alginate immobilized Zoogloea ramigera

Zoogloea ramigera 115 cells were immobilized into beads of calcium alginate and used in air-bubbled column reactors to remove cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and strontium (Sr) from dilute and concentrated solutions. By placing three bubble columns in sequence it was possible to achieve Cd adsorption efficiencies of 99% or greater. During ten applications of approximately 100 μg·ml-1 Cd to three reactors in sequence, the immobilized Z. ramigera adsorbed 99.9% of the metal. The efficiency of the first column decreased from 92.2% on the first day to 53.8% on the tenth day, but the overall efficiency remained high because of the other two reactors. Exposure of bubble columns to mixed metal solutions yielded similar results. Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Sr were adsorbed at 95.9% or better when concentrations in the mixtures ranged from 12 to 117 μg·ml-1 per metal. Pb was the least efficiently adsorbed metal with 81.3% and 74.7% removed from solutions containing 12 and 23 μg·ml-1, Pb respectively. Recovery and concentration of the metals was possible with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) treatment; which desorbed >77% of the accumulated Cd from the immobilized cells. Recovery of metals from beads which had been exposed to mixed metals depended on the metal; only 5.8% of the adsorbed Sr was recovered, but 98.3% of Zn was desorbed.
Improved time-of-flight mass spectrometric resolution with UV laser irradiation of a metal surface

Abstract A method by which molecules are ionized with UV laser excitation coupled to a metal surface by refraction through a quartz prism is demonstrated as an ionization source for time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). For the case of aniline molecules (mass = 93 amu) sprayed onto a thin gold film, resolution of up to 2700 has been achieved. This resolution is approximately an order of magnitude better than that obtained with gas phase ionization in the same instrument. In contrast with gas phase ionization, no fragmentation of the parent ion has been observed using this method.
Estimating Results of a Proposed Simple Performance Test for Hot-Mix Asphalt from Superpave Gyratory Compactor Results:

This study intended to use the Superpave® gyratory compactor (SGC) as a basis for estimating the stability of asphalt mixtures as a surrogate for proposed method for the simple performance test. Several asphalt mixtures were produced with varying aggregate sources, asphalt contents, and gradations. Every mixture was compacted with the SGC and evaluated with the repeated compression test procedure for rutting measurements recommended by NCHRP Project 9-19 and the AASHTO 2002 pavement design manual to evaluate whether the results from the SGC can be related to the rutting of mixtures. Densification curves produced by the SGC were used to determine the volumetric properties besides the calculation of the traffic densification index (TDI), which represents the densification experienced by traffic loading during pavement service life. The traffic force index (TFI) was also calculated with a special accessory added to the SGC during compaction (the pressure distributor analyzer). The TFI represents the work done by the traffic to densify the mixture. Results from the mixture rutting tests were used to estimate the flow number (FN). The FN, an important mixture property, is shown to have a strong correlation to the TFI. The TFI was also found to be strongly correlated with the TDI and gives an opportunity to estimate the mixture resistance to compaction forces with the use of its volumetric behavior. The main finding of the study is that the SGC appears to give information that can be used to characterize the stability of the mixtures. Such information could be used as an initial screening criterion to select mixtures for various traffic levels.
Novel, Organic Acid-Based Etchants for InGaAlAs/InP Heterostructure Devices with AlAs Etch-Stop Layers

Several organic acids have been identified that enable the etching of indium compounds, while maintaining selectivity with respect to AlAs, and these acids have been used to develop InGaAlAs etching solutions that allow the selective etching of InP lattice-matched InGaAlAs heterostructures using thin pseudomorphic AlAs layers as etch stops. Of the organic acids tested, the nonaromatic, polycarboxylic acids have been found to be most effective, and some of the best results have been obtained for etchants consisting of succinic acid, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide
Electric System Impacts of Storage Heating and Storage Water Heating - Part II of Two Parts (Primary and Secondary Distribution System Analysis)

This is the second part of a two-part paper dealing with an evaluation of primary and secondary electric distribution impacts of thermal storage heating and water heating systems. Part I contained background information on the use of customer energy storage systems for load management, a description of the systems and the U. S. DOE/ORNL demonstration program as well as a summary of load research data used in the analysis. Part II examines the distribution impacts based on the load characteristics observed.
Indoleamine compartmentation in human blood

Abstract Improved methods are described for the fluorimetric determination of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and tryptophan (TRP) in plasma, platelet and RBC blood compartments. The methods for 5-HT and 5-HIAA utilize ion exchange chromatography and allow simultaneous determinations to be made on the same blood sample. The tryptophan assay is a modification of an existing extraction method. All of the 5-HT in whole blood was found to be associated with the platelet fraction (122.6 ng/ ml), whereas all 5-HIAA was distributed between the plasma (78.3 ng/ml) and RBC (124.0 ng/ml) compartments. Tryptophan was found in all three compartments although the majority of this amino acid was in the plasma (4.3 μg/ml) and RBC (1.7 μg/ml) fractions.
Tripyrrindiones and a red-emitting fluorescent derivative

Orange-colored 7,8-dimethyl-2,3,12,13-tetramethoxy-(15H,17H)-tripyrrin-1,14-dione and its 2,3,7,8,12,13-hexaethyl analog were synthesized and converted to fluorescent derivatives by bridging a lactam nitrogen to the adjacent pyrrole nitrogen in a reaction with carbonyldiimidazole. The tripyrrindiones were also converted to the corresponding mono lactim methyl ethers by reaction with neat trimethylphosphite, and a corresponding difluoroboryl (BODIPY) derivative was made from the lactim by reaction with boron trifluoride etherate. X-ray structures of the tetramethoxytripyrrindione, the N,N′-carbonyl-bridged hexa-ethyltripyrrindione, and the lactim methyl ether of the hexa-ethyltripyrrindione were determined. The N,N′-bridged pigments exhibited very large Stokes’ shifts with fluorescence quantum yields ranging from 1.0 to 0.02.
Analytical Assays Based on Detecting Conformational Changes of Single Molecules

One common strategy for the detection of biomolecules is labeling either the target itself or an antibody that binds to it. Herein, a different approach, based on detecting the conformational change of a probe molecule induced by binding of the target is discussed. That is, what is being detected is not the presence of the target or the probe, but the conformational change of the probe. Recently, a single-molecule sensor has been developed that exploits this mechanism to detect hybridization of a single DNA oligomer to a DNA probe, as well as specific binding of a single protein to a DNA probe. Biomolecular recognition often involves large conformational changes of the molecules involved, and therefore this strategy may be applicable to other assays.
Food availability and daily biological rhythms.

Abstract Restricted daily feeding schedules result in the partial or complete synchronization of a wide range of rhythmic biological functions in rodents. In some cases, exemplified by drinking behavior and liver tyrosine transaminase activity, this represents primarily a direct, exogenous influence of food intake. In others, synchronization is achieved by entrainment of a circadian time-keeping mechanism distinct from that which underlies free-running rhythms in these functions. This food-entrained mechanism is responsible for the timing of anticipatory increases in locomotor and lever-pressing activity immediately prior to food delivery, and may also underlie similar anticipatory increases in body temperature, corticosterone secretion, and in the activities of some intestinal enzymes. It is suggested that such a mechanism may enable an animal to recognize and take advantage of the periodic recurrence of significant events in its biotic environment.
The Safety of Rosuvastatin as Used in Common Clinical Practice A Postmarketing Analysis

Background— Statins are currently the mainstay of dyslipidemia management for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Controversial concerns about the safety of the newly marketed statin rosuvastatin have been raised on the basis of premarketing studies and a few postmarketing reports. Methods and Results— We reviewed rosuvastatin-associated adverse events reported to the US Food and Drug Administration over its first year of marketing. On the basis of prescription data obtained from IMS Health, rates of adverse event reports (AERs) per million prescriptions were calculated. Rates of rosuvastatin-associated AERs over its first year of marketing were compared with those seen with atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin over the concurrent timeframe and during their respective first years of marketing. Comparison was also made to the first year of marketing of cerivastatin. The primary analysis examined the composite end point of AERs of rhabdomyolysis, proteinuria, nephropathy, o...
Response of RF Tuned Circuits in Television Tuners at Frequencies FAR from Resonance

If the bandwidth of an RF tuned circuit is satisfactory at a few decibels down, it is often assumed that its attenuation continues to increase progressively with further departures from the resonant frequency. That this is not the case for many practical resonant circuits is demonstrated by measurements of the performance of the RF input tuned circuits of several television receivers. Typical variations from simple resonant circuit response are shown to be such as to make the receivers vulnerable to interference from strong signals on freqencies far from the wanted channel. It is suggested that, by giving more attention to the selectivity at frequencies away from resonance, designers will have the possibility of reducing the susceptibility of receivers to certain types of interference.
Multicenter Phase II Study of Tivozanib (AV-951) and Everolimus (RAD001) for Patients With Refractory, Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background Treatments that target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway have efficacy in colorectal cancer. We evaluated tolerability and efficacy of tivozanib (an oral VEGF receptor-1, -2, -3 inhibitor) plus everolimus (an oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor). Methods The phase Ib study followed a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design with three dose levels. The primary objective in the follow-on phase II study was improvement in 2-month progression-free survival (PFS) from 30% (historical benchmark) to 50% in patients with refractory, metastatic colorectal cancer. Results Dose-limiting toxicities in the phase Ib study were grade 3 fatigue and dehydration. Oral tivozanib (1 mg daily for 3 of 4 weeks) and oral everolimus (10 mg daily continuously) were advanced to a 40-patient phase II study. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia and hypophosphatemia. The 2-month PFS rate was 50%, with 20 of 40 patients having stable disease (SD). Seven (18%) patients were treated for ≥6 months. Median PFS and overall survival (OS) times were 3.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9-3.6 months) and 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.4-10.6 months), respectively. Patients who developed grade 1+ hypertension had increased SD rates (65.2% vs. 29.4%) and longer OS times (10.6 vs. 3.7 months). Conclusions The oral combination of tivozanib and everolimus was well tolerated, with stable disease achieved in 50% of patients with refractory, metastatic colorectal cancer.
Unification of polaron and soliton theories of exciton transport.

We present a unified theory of polaron and soliton dynamics by combining time-dependent variational methods recently applied to the theory of Davydov solitons with partial-dressing methods well known from polaron theory. We focus on the simplest partial-dressing assumption, applying a common dressing fraction to all phonon modes. Our fundamental result is a system of nonlinear evolution equations in which the tendency of a system to form Davydov solitons is balanced against its tendency to form small polarons. We subsequently apply time-independent variational methods to determine the optimal dressing fraction in a mean-field manner. The characterization of the partially dressed soliton states that results is complete with respect to the system parameter space. Consistent with prior works from polaron theory, we find a self-trapping transition that is only weakly modified by our inclusion of nonlinearities, and we reinterpret this transition in terms of our newly obtained soliton states. Applying our results to a central problem in bioenergetics, we obtain results markedly different from well-known results of Davydov's theory.
The mass spectra of some 5′-alkul substituted 5′-thioadenosine trimethylsilyl derivatives†

Trimethylsilyl derivatives of 5′-S-alkyl substituted 5′-thioadenosines give mass spectra that are characterized by a number of highly intense ions. These ions are formed by the fragmentation of the alkyl substituted sugar moicty and are specific for the alkyl group in the substitution.
Allium Chemistry: Synthesis of 1-[Alk(en)ylsulfinyl]propyl Alk(en)yl Disulfides (Cepaenes), Antithrombotic Flavorants from Homogenates of Onion (Allium cepa)

A series of 1-[alk(en)ylsulfinyl]propyl alk(en)yl disulfides (α-sulfinyl disulfides) of structure RS(O)CHEtSSR‘, R, R‘ = Me, (E,Z)-MeCHCH, n-Pr, and CH2CHCH2, termed cepaenes, have been synthesized by a variety of routes including oxidation of 1-[alk(en)ylthio]propyl alk(en)yl disulfides, RSCHEtSSR‘, termed deoxycepaenes. The cepaenes are identical to compounds isolated from homogenates of onion (Allium cepa) and to compounds identified in these homogenates by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, while the deoxycepaenes are identical to compounds found in Allium distilled oils and in other materials. The antithrombotic activities for several cepaenes are reported. Keywords: Allium chemistry; onion (Allium cepa); a-sulfinyl disulfides; cepaenes; antithrombotic compounds
Evidence for a role for the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate/protein kinase-A pathway in regulation of the gonadotropin subunit messenger ribonucleic acids.

cAMP regulation of gonadotropin secretion and subunit mRNA levels was studied in pituitary cells perifused with pulses of GnRH. Pituitary cells from 7-week-old male rats castrated at 5 weeks of age were stimulated hourly for 9-24 h with 1-min pulses of GnRH, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, the cell-permeable cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP (8Br-cAMP), or control medium. Cells were also treated with the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug flufenamic acid, which reduces pituitary cAMP levels. During perifusion, the effluent was collected in 10-min fractions for FSH and LH assay. At the completion of perifusion, total RNA was extracted, and gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels were quantitated by Northern analysis. Continuous administration of flufenamic acid gradually reduced the amplitude of GnRH-stimulated FSH and LH pulses to nadir values of 40 +/- 4.7% and 62 +/- 12% of the control value, respectively. Flufenamic acid decreased (P < 0.05) FSH beta and alpha-subunit mRNA levels and blocked the effect of G...
Growth and characterization of thin epitaxial Co3O4(111) films

Abstract The growth and characterization of epitaxial Co 3 O 4 ( 1 1 1 ) films grown by oxygen plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on single crystal α - Al 2 O 3 ( 0 0 0 1 ) is reported. The Co 3 O 4 ( 1 1 1 ) grows single crystalline with the epitaxial relation Co 3 O 4 ( 1 1 1 ) [ 1 ¯ 2 1 ¯ ] ‖ α - Al 2 O 3 ( 0 0 0 1 ) [ 10 1 ¯ 0 ] , as determined from in situ electron diffraction. Film stoichiometry is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while ex situ X-ray diffraction measurements show that the Co 3 O 4 films are fully relaxed. Post-growth annealing induces significant modifications in the film morphology, including a sharper Co 3 O 4 / α - Al 2 O 3 interface and improved surface crystallinity, as shown by X-ray reflectometry, atomic force microscopy and electron diffraction measurements. Despite being polar, the surface of both as-grown and annealed Co 3 O 4 ( 1 1 1 ) films are ( 1 × 1 ) , which can be explained in terms of a surface inversion in the spinel structure.
Rheumatoid arthritis synovial macrophages express the Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein and are refractory to Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Objective The chronic inflammation and progressive joint destruction observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are mediated in part by macrophages. A paucity of apoptosis has been observed in RA synovial tissues, yet the mechanism remains unknown. The present study sought to characterize the expression of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), and Fas-associated death domain–like interleukin-1β–converting enzyme–inhibitory protein (FLIP), and to quantify the apoptosis induced by agonistic anti-Fas antibody, using mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients. Methods The expression of Fas, FasL, and FLIP and apoptosis induced by agonistic anti-Fas antibody in MNC from the PB and SF of RA patients were determined by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry employing a monospecific anti-FLIP antibody was performed on RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissue. Results CD14-positive monocyte/macrophages from normal and RA PB and from RA SF expressed equivalent levels of Fas and FasL. Furthermore, unlike the CD14-positive PB monocytes, RA SF monocyte/macrophages were resistant to the addition of agonistic anti-Fas antibody. In contrast, both CD14-positive PB and SF monocyte/macrophages were sensitive to apoptosis mediated by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor. Intracellular staining of the caspase 8 inhibitor, FLIP, in CD14-positive SF monocyte/macrophages revealed a significant up-regulation of FLIP compared with normal and RA PB monocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of synovial tissue from RA and OA patients revealed increased FLIP expression in the RA synovial lining compared with the OA synovial lining. Furthermore, FLIP expression was observed in the CD68-positive population in the RA synovial lining. Forced reduction of FLIP by a chemical inhibitor resulted in RA SF macrophage apoptosis that was enhanced by agonistic anti-Fas antibody, indicating that FLIP is necessary for SF macrophage survival. Conclusion These data suggest that up-regulation of FLIP in RA macrophages may account for their persistence in the disease. Thus, the targeted suppression of FLIP may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the amelioration of RA.
High-accuracy calculation of muonic molecules using random-tempered basis sets

We use random-tempering formulas and explicitly correlated Slater-type geminals to calculate the S and P bound-state energies of the muonic molecules xy\ensuremath{\mu}, where x,y=p,d,t. The final binding energies are accurate to about 1 \ensuremath{\mu}eV or better except for the weakly bound td\ensuremath{\mu}(11) state. For this state we get a binding energy of 0.660 1721 eV, which is better than any previous calculation.
The Failure of Memory: Reflections on Rhetoric and Public Remembrance

The rapid growth of public memory studies in the field of rhetoric suggests the need to reflect upon the ways in which the practices of rhetoric and the notion of memory intersect. In this essay, I trace the intersection between memory and rhetoric back to the works of Plato and Aristotle. These early works suggest that one reason for attending to memory as a concept was the fear of memory's failure, understood not in terms of forgetting but in terms of misremembering, or remembering differently. Rhetoric is implicated in this concern and the present essay suggests ways in which the practice of rhetoric is involved with concerns over memory, recollection, and remembrance.
Rates of brood development in a social wasp: effects of colony size and parasite infection

Colonies of eusocial insect species are most vulnerable during the founding stage. Many species have evolved means to minimize the length of the founding, or pre-emergence, stage by accelerating the rate of development of the first worker offspring. Other things being equal, the sooner a colony can begin producing workers, the less the risk of colony failure, the steeper the growth curve of the colony during the ergonomic stage, and the larger the colony will be at reproductive maturity. Swarm-founding species, whose founding units consist of hundreds or thousands of workers, may face less selection pressure to minimize the duration of the founding stage than independent-founding species. However, swarm size varies within species, and small swarms face greater risk of extinction during the founding stage than large swarms. This consideration predicts that within a species, small swarms should have shorter founding stages than large swarms, likely by rearing a small group of precocious brood. On the other hand, evidence that large social groups organize colony labor more efficiently, gather resources more predictably, and homeostatically maintain physical conditions inside the nest within narrower ranges, predicts that larger groups should rear all brood more rapidly and therefore have shorter founding stages. To test whether small or large swarms have shorter founding stages in colonies of Polybia occidentalis, a Neotropical swarm-founding wasp, we measured brood development rates in colonies collected after 28 days of development, just short of the minimum egg-to-adult development time. We found that as size increased across colonies, pre-emergence times decreased, mean age of pupae in the nest increased, and median age of the brood (larvae + pupae) increased. That is, brood developed significantly faster in large colonies than in small ones. Using these same measures, we also found that infection by a gregarine parasite increased brood development time, independently of colony size.
Region of interest template for the human basal ganglia: comparing EPI and standardized space approaches.

Identifying task-related activation in the basal ganglia (BG) is an important area of interest in normal motor systems and cognitive neuroscience. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in brain activation in the BG using results obtained from two different masking methods: a mask drawn in standardized space from a T1-weighted anatomical image and individual region of interest (ROI) masks drawn from each subject’s echo-planar image (EPI) from different tasks with reference to the high resolution fast spin echo image of each subject. Two standardized masks were used: a mask developed in Talairach space (Basal Ganglia Human Area Template (BGHAT)) and a mask developed in Montreal Neurological Institute space (MNI mask). Ten subjects produced fingertip force pulses in five separate contraction tasks during fMRI scanning. ROIs were the left caudate, putamen, external and internal portions of the globus pallidus, and subthalamic nucleus. ANOVA revealed a similar average number of voxels in the EPI mask across tasks in each BG region. The percent signal change (PSC) was consistent within each region regardless of which mask was used. Linear regression analyses between PSC in BGHAT and EPI masks and MNI and EPI masks yielded r2 values between 0.74–0.99 and 0.70–0.99 across regions, respectively. In conclusion, PSC in different BG ROIs can be compared across studies using these different masking methods. The masking method used does not affect the overall interpretation of results with respect to the effect of task. Use of a mask drawn in standardized space is a valid and time saving method of identifying PSC in the small nuclei of the BG.
Ophthalmology of South American camelids.

In the past 10 years, information about South American camelid anatomy, physiology, medicine, and surgery has increased exponentially, including information about the eye. Although trauma-related diseases are the most common eye problems for which camelids are presented to veterinarians, there have recently been many anecdotal reports and published case reports of camelids having ocular malignancies and potentially hereditary ocular abnormalities. The increased number of ocular diseases being reported may be because of increased recognition of camelid diseases or an increase in these diseases as a result of restricted gene pools as a consequence of inbreeding. As the popularity of camelids is steadily increasing, owners are becoming more knowledgeable about their animals, and there is more need for veterinarians who understand their ocular anatomy, physiology, disease susceptibility, and recommended treatments. This article provides the relevant information about the eye.
Knowledge integration with a 24-hour help desk

The University of Pittsburgh's Computing Services and Systems Development organization is focused on the needs of the faculty and student population, totaling nearly 40,000 users. Computing Services and Systems Development has operated the Help Desk call center 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for nearly two years. Concurrent with the establishment of the 24 hour Help Desk was an effort to create an online information resource that would serve as a repository of institutional-specific knowledge. During the past two years, IT resources have been centralized and expanded to provide customers with a single Web site from which they will obtain all IT information and software support tools. These include an enhanced version of the knowledge base currently offered to the University community, integrated Help Desk support tools allowing customers to create and view the status of support requests, and the provision of automated system tools. Knowledge base support resources are regularly updated and maintained. Such resources, while designed for customer use, will also be used by IT support staff, including the Help Desk Analysts. The conversion to online technical support resources through the knowledge base will improve customer service and eventually result in the resolution of basic support requests without the involvement of the Help Desk staff. The presentation will detail the experiences and processes that the Computing Services and Systems Development organization encountered during the planning, justification, integration, implementation, and growth of the University of Pittsburgh's knowledge base. Topics such as the work flow, conversion of existing documentation, and training will be included. Detailed statistics and graphs will be used throughout the presentation. The presenters will report on the successes and failures of the project from its inception in early 1998, through recent changes during 2000. Future plans for the Computing Services and Systems Development knowledge base will complete the presentation.
Laboratory host specificity testing of the fire ant microsporidian pathogen Vairimorpha invictae (Microsporidia: Burenellidae)

Abstract The host specificity of Vairimorpha invictae, a microsporidian pathogen of fire ants in South America, was assessed in the laboratory. Species evaluated included the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata, the southern fire ant, Solenopsis xyloni, and the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile. The two fire ant species are native to North America. The Argentine ant is a widespread, exotic species that co-occurs with the native North American fire ants as well as with the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, and the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri, in the US. Inoculations of V. invictae-infected S. invicta brood to laboratory colonies did not result in any infections of S. geminata, S. xyloni, or L. humile, while 60% of the S. invicta colonies developed infections. V. invictae was not detected in smaller groups of S. geminata and S. xyloni larvae that were tended by V. invictae-infected adult, S. invicta workers, but was detected in 40% of the S. invicta larval groups tended by infected workers. This was the first report of V. invictae transmission to larvae by infected adult worker ants. Exposure to V. invictae by contact with infected brood and workers partially emulated possible field interactions between infected and uninfected ant species. These results are congruent with previous field surveys which indicate that the host range of V. invictae is limited to fire ants of the Solenopsis saevissima species group.
Medium-dependent dynamics in Fermi systems from a pair-composite viewpoint

We examine the effects of medium dependence of the two-body dynamics on the many-body properties of Fermion systems, with approximation ultimately aimed at lower densities for all temperatures. The dynamics are initially treated in terms of a pair-composite formulation given previously, and the underlying single-Fermion nature of the pair constituents allows interpretation via more conventional thermal many-body formalism. This permits construction of coupled equations for composite amplitudes and bound states, single-particle energy and momentum distributions, and macroscopic thermodynamic properties. We explore differences between our results and those of traditional theories which incorporate two-body correlations in some fashion, and we display explicitly how correct limiting results are recovered from our equations when the density and/or coupling strength is decreased. Finally, we provide an interpretation of our results via a form of quasiparticle quantum cluster expansion analogous to the familiar particle quantum cluster expansion.
Three Processes of Value Change Without Behavioral Change

Two experiments on information processing replicate earlier findings that a person's evaluation of an object changes as a function of its salience to him, its pertinence relations with other objects, and the reduction of cognitive dissonance. However, these effects do not carry over to corresponding changes in his directed behavior toward the object. It is suggested that communication research might limit itself to value change and those cognitive processes that precede it, rather than try to predict behavioral change directly from value change.
Multiphoton ionization photoelectron spectroscopy: xenon and nitric oxide

Abstract Photoelectron spectra (≈50 mcV, full width at half maximum) following resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization of xenon and nitric oxide have been recorded and compared to the previous low-resolution (≈120 mcV) results. Several new features have been resolved and additional experiments, which include iso topic substitution and two-color multiphoton ionization. have been performed.
Differential induction of chemokines in human microglia by type I and II interferons.

Chemokines are secreted proteins that function as chemoattractants, mediating the recruitment of specific subsets of leukocytes to sites of tissue damage and immunological reactions. Chemokines may also function as antiviral agents, since viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) use chemokine receptors as co-receptors for viral entry. This study examines whether virus-induced interferon, IFNβ, or immune-related interferon, IFNγ, affects the production of β-chemokines by CNS microglia and peripheral monocytes. When IFNβ was used as the stimulus, induction of MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1, and RANTES mRNA and protein was observed within 12 h of stimulation in microglia. By contrast, when IFNγ was used as the stimulus, only MCP-1 was induced. IFNβ stimulation of blood monocytes resulted in upregulation of MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and MCP-1. Thus, type I and II interferons differentially regulate β-chemokines in human fetal microglia and peripheral blood monocytes. These observations may have relevance for the therapeutic activity of IFNβ in multiple sclerosis and for the antiviral effects of IFNβ for HIV-1 infection of monocytes and microglia. GLIA 29:273–280, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Screening for colorectal cancer.

This report is on the yield of one-time screening for colorectal cancer with combined fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) and examination of the distal colon. The study population included 2885 subjects without symptoms who underwent one-time FOBT and colonoscopy. The information obtained from the examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon during colonoscopy was used as a surrogate for the results of sigmoidoscopy. The population's mean age was 63 yr, and 96.8% were male. It was found that 306 patients (10.6%) had advanced neoplasia, which the authors defined as tubular adenoma of >10 mm, adenoma with villous features, high grade dysplasia, or invasive cancer. Positive FOBTs were found in 23.9% (n = 239). The sensitivity of the test for detecting cancer or high grade dysplasia was 35.6%. The positive predictive value of the test for advanced neoplasia was 39.7% and the negative predictive value was 87.8%. The relative risk of having advanced neoplasia when the FOBT is positive was 3.47 with a 95% CI. There was a strong association between number of positive FOBT cards and the presence of advanced neoplasia (p < 0.001). The analysis assumed that if the first test had a positive result, a colonoscopy would be performed. Accordingly, if sigmoidoscopy was performed alone, the total number of endoscopic examinations would be 3451 (instead of 2885). The rate of detecting advanced neoplasia would be 70.3%, and the number of colonoscopic examinations needed to identify one subject with advanced neoplasia would be 2.6. The addition of the FOBT to sigmoidoscopy would identify 75.8% of the subjects with advanced neoplasia, a statistically insignificant increase in the rate of detection. The combined modality would slightly reduce the number of endoscopies (3365 vs 3451 examinations). No correlation was found between age and the frequency of positive FOBTs or age and detection of advanced neoplasia. In the group of subjects with no adenoma in the distal colon but with advanced neoplasia in the proximal colon, the sensitivities of the FOBT decrease with age (p < 0.02).
Sum normal optimization of fuzzy membership functions

Given a fuzzy logic system, how can we determine the membership functions that will result in the best performance? If we constrain the membership functions to a certain shape (e.g., triangles or trapezoids) then each membership function can be parameterized by a small number of variables and the membership optimization problem can be reduced to a parameter optimization problem. This is the approach that is typically taken, but it results in membership functions that are not (in general) sum normal. That is, the resulting membership function values do not add up to one at each point in the domain. This optimization approach is modified in this paper so that the resulting membership functions are sum normal. Sum normality is desirable not only for its intuitive appeal but also for computational reasons in the real time implementation of fuzzy logic systems. The sum normal constraint is applied in this paper to both gradient descent optimization and Kalman filter optimization of fuzzy membership functions. The methods are illustrated on a fuzzy automotive cruise controller.
Increased secretion of vasopressin and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate from hypothalamic-posterior pituitary units of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To determine if the increased vasopressin (AVP) levels observed in the blood and urine of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are a response to peripheral factors that may influence AVP release or are a consequence of altered hypothalamic- neurohypophysial activity, AVP release from hypothalamic- neurohypophysial units was studied using an in vitro perifusion system. Spontaneous and 30 mM K+-stimulated AVP release was significantly greater from tissue of SHR rats than from those of WKYN. Adenosine (10-5 M) added to the perifusion medium increased AVP release into the perifusate in both strains, even though AVP release into the perifusate was greater in tissue of SHR rats. Measurement of AVP content revealed that hypothalamic AVP was lower in SHR rats, whereas the neural lobes of the SHR contained a significantly higher concentration of AVP compared to the tissue of WKYN rats. In addition, exposing tissue from SHR rats to 30 mM K+ stimulated an increase in cAMP release into the perifusate, whereas tissue...
Determination of small rapid volume changes in a muscle during activity.

A METHOD has been developed for measuring small rapid volume changes occurring in a muscle during a single twitch. In order to achieve the necessary sensitivity and speed of response, a capacitance transducer has been developed which uses a commercially available detector-amplifier circuit (the ‘Dynagage’, from Photocon Products). The changes are displayed on a cathode-ray oscilloscope. Single gastrocnemius and sartorius muscles from Rana pipiens are used.
Autocorrelation estimation of time series with randomly missing observations

SUMMARY Estimation of the autocorrelations of a time series is considered when some observations are missing. Missing observations are assumed to occur at random. Estimators are proposed and approximate formulae are derived for their covariance and bias. Some particular cases are discussed.
Interaction of Ir and IrO2 thin films with polysilicon, W and WSIx

Abstract Ir and IrO2 thin films have been identified as potential electrode materials for ferroelectric capacitors. These electrodes have shown excellent electrical characteristics. The integration of ferroelectric capacitors into memory cell requires the bottom electrode material to be placed directly over a contact plug. This paper studies the interaction of Ir and IrO2 with commonly used plug materials such as polysilicon, tungsten (W), and tungsten silicide (WSix) after a post-deposition annealing at 800°C. Film properties such as composition, resistivity, crystallinity, adhesion, and micro-structure have been examined before and after anneal. The results show that W is a possible plug material for Ir electrode; while polysilicon and WSix are potential candidates if IrO2 electrodes are used.
Detection of Escherichia coli using immunomagnetic separation and bacteriophage amplification coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The application of whole cell analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has emerged as a valuable tool for rapidly identifying/detecting bacteria. This technique requires minimal sample preparation and is simple to perform, but is generally limited to purified samples of bacteria at concentrations greater than 1.0 × 106 cells/mL. In this paper, we describe a bacterial detection method that integrates immunomagnetic separation with bacteriophage amplification prior to MALDI-MS analysis. The developed method consists of three main stages: (1) isolation of a target bacterium by immunomagnetic separation; (2) infection of the immuno-captured bacterium with a lytic bacteriophage; and (3) assay of infected medium for bacteriophage progeny using MALDI-MS to produce a molecular weight signal for the virus capsid protein. With this technique, the presence of Escherichia coli in broth was determined in less then 2 h total analysis time at a concentration of ∼5.0 × 104 cells/mL. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and implementation of a problem-focused neurological assessment system

A menu-driven, problem-focused neurological assessment system was constructed and implemented after concerns at a six-hospital teaching center about the quality of nursing assessments for patients with neurological diagnoses were validated. This system enables the physician to guide the nurse's assessment by ordering specific neurological tests for each patient. Extensive staff training took place to develop competence with this system. This new system has resulted in positive changes for this facility. Nurses acknowledge greater comfort with performing neurological assessment; documentation of assessment has improved; and the assessments are becoming more individualized for each patient. This system resulted in a higher quality of neurological care for patients.
Complete hematologic and hepatic recovery in a patient with chloramphenicol hepatitis-pancytopenia syndrome

1. Jacobs AH: Eruptions in the diaper area, Pediatr Clin North Am 25:209, 1978. 2. Gellis SE: Eruptions in the diaper area. In Gellis SE, Kagan BM, editors: Current pediatric therapy, ed. 9, Philadelphia, 1980, W. B. Saunders Co., p 466. 3. Dixon PN, Warin RP, English MP: Role of Candida albicans infection in napkin rashes, Br Med J 2:23, 1969. 4. Kozinn P J, Taschdijana CL: Enteric candidiasis: Diagnosis and clinical considerations, Pediatrics 30:71, 1962. 5. Leyden J J, Kligman AM: The role of microorganisms in diaper dermatitis, Arch Dermatol 114:56, 1978. 6. Rebora A, Marples RR, Kligman AM: Experimental infection with Candida albicans, Arch Dermatol 108:69, 1973. 7. Silva-Hutner M, Cooper BH: Medically important yeasts. In Lennette EH, Spaulding EH, Truant JP, editors: Manual of clinical microbiology, Washington D.C., 1974, American Society of Microbiology, p 491. 8. Montes LF, Pittillo RF, Hunt D, Narkates A J, Dillon HC: Microbial flora of infant's skin: Comparison of types of microorganisms between normal skin and diaper dermatitis, Arch Dermatol 103:640, 1971. 9. Leyden J J, Katz S, Stewart R, Kligman AM: Urinary ammonia and ammonia-producing microorganisms in infants with and without diaper dermatitis, Arch Dermatol 113:1678, 1977. 10. Kucers A, Bennett NM: The use of antibiotics, ed. 3, Philadelphia, 1979, J. B. Lippincott Co., p 924.
Inhibition by chlorophyllin of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f] quinoline-induced tumorigenesis in the male F344 rat

Abstract This report describes a 1-year carcinogenicity bioassay in which male F344 rats received 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) by gavage 2–3 times per week throughout the first 35 weeks of study, while 0.1% sodium/copper chlorophyllin (CHL) was given concomitantly in the drinking water. The carcinogen dose was calculated to provide an average exposure of 4.2 mg IQ/rat per day, equivalent to that reported in a previous carcinogenicity study in which rats were given 0.03% IQ in the diet. Adjusted for length of follow-up, inhibition was highly significant for total tumor burden (P
Silver alloys for high-temperature superconducting wire

The silver cladding for high-temperature superconducting wire can be modified for various applications by alloying. For example, for powder-in-tube wire, stiffer cladding improves the smoothness of the interface. For large coils, higher strength is needed at low temperatures to hold them together. Power applications require more resistance in the cladding. We have made a survey of the properties of alloys to check their feasibility for various applications. Alloys with several elements added to silver have been prepared and evaluated for hardness, electrical properties, and compatibility with high-temperature superconductors during processing.
Three-dimensional scattering-assisted tunneling in resonant-tunneling diodes.

A quantum model and simulator for resonant tunneling diodes that includes three-dimensional (3D) scattering-assisted tunneling processes is reported. The 3D phase-breaking or quasi-phase-breaking scattering processes considered are polar scattering by optical phonons, deformation potential scattering by acoustic phonons, interface roughness scattering, and alloy scattering. The simulator solves Schrodinger equation in 3D using an expansion in terms of sequential scattering events. The average transmission and reflected currents are then calculated using an (analytic) ensemble average over the scatterers
THE INFLUENCE OF IODINE ON PERITONEAL IMPLANTATION OF TUMORS.

Summary Irrigation with a weak solution of iodine (Lugol's) has been evaluated as a means of preventing tumor implantation at the anastomotic site and in the peritoneal cavity following an open anastomosis of the colon. The Brown-Pearce tumor was used in the rabbit. The incidence of tumor implantation at the anastomosis and in the peritoneal cavity was the same after irrigation with iodine or physiologic saline. Irrigation of the cut ends of the bowel and the peritoneal cavity with a weak solution of iodine as employed here cannot be recommended since it was no more effective in preventing tumor implantation than irrigation with the less toxic physiologic saline.
The chemistry of the carbon-transition metal double and triple bond: Annual survey covering the year 2011

Abstract This is a review of papers published in the year 2011 that focus on the synthesis, reactivity, or properties of compounds containing a carbon-transition metal double or triple bond.