cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Therapeutic Loading and Delaying Transport via Molecular Imprinting and Living/ Controlled Polymerization

This work demonstrates for the first time molecular imprinting using a “living/controlled” polymerization (LCP) strategy to enhance template loading/affinity and delay release in weakly crosslinked gels. Two gel systems were studied: poly(DEAEM-co-HEMA-co-PEG200DMA) gels imprinted for diclofenac sodium and poly(MAA-co-EGDMA) gels imprinted for ethyl adenine-9-acetate. Experimental evidence confirms that template diffusion coefficients within imprinted gels can be heavily influenced by template binding affinity. Recognition studies revealed significant increases in template loading/affinity with large increases in loading for LCP, and dynamic template release studies showed that imprinting via LCP extends the template release profile by twofold over that of imprinting via conventional free-radical polymerization techniques and fourfold over the control network (less Fickian and toward zero-order release with a profile coefficient of 0.70). Analysis of reaction kinetics indicated that LCP with reversible termination events increases the chemically controlled chain propagation mechanism, and that binding sites are formed during this phase of the polymerization. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
SEED GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF CALLUNA VULGARIS

I N recent years the subject of symbiosis has received increasing attention, and one of the prominent investigations in this field is that of Rayner(6, 7,8) on the relation of the fungus to the heath plant Calluna vulgaris. These studies by Rayner were begun initially to determine the cause of the calcifuge habit of Calluna, but at the very outset it was apparent that attention would have to be given to the relation existing between the endophytic fungus and its host plant Calluna vulgaris. This involved a study of the distribution of the fungus in the host, isolation and description of the fungus and the physiological relations existing between the fungus and Calluna. Some of the salient points presented by Rayner are as follows: The fungus is present not only in the roots but it grows upward through the plant and may be found in the leaves. From the stem the fungus grows into the floral organs, extending its growth from the columella and walls of the fruit to the testa of the developing seed. Only the endosperm and embryo are free of the fungus. In the roots the fungus is clearly discernible within the large cells that comprise the single layer of cortex. In other tissues the fungus is not found within the cells but in an attenuated form it is noted in the middle lamellae, and appears likewise in the intercellular spaces of the leaves. In the root cells the fungus hyphae undergo digestion, and this occurs throughout the growing season. This digestion of the fungus is similar to the digestion of the fungus hyphae in orchid roots, and with the disintegration of the fungus nuclear changes may occur in the invaded cells. For this and other reasons Rayner considered Calluna as a dual organism. Rayner furthermore isolated the endophytic fungus and described it as Phoma radicis Callunae (8). This is given considerable significance because of the reported fixation of nitrogen in other species of Phoma (Ternetz(9), Duggar and Davis(2)). The essential feature of Rayner's work which concerns the present investigation is the relationship
Production of Crawfish in Earthen Ponds of Different Depths

Abstract Production of red swamp crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) was evaluated in deep (mean, 66 cm) and shallow (mean, 39 cm) earthen ponds over one production cycle. The first phase of production was based upon a rice (Oryza sativa) forage system; in the second phase a formulated feed served as a nutritional supplement. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels did not vary significantly with depth treatments; a decrease in DO levels was observed as the harvest season continued and water temperatures increased. The most noticeable decline in DO occurred when water temperatures reached 13°C. Production and total length (TL) of red swamp crawfish from all ponds averaged 662 kg/hectare and 88.7 mm, respectively. Crawfish production was significantly greater in deep ponds (16.28 kg/hectare per trap-day) than in shallow ponds (12.56 kg/hectare per trap-day). No difference was observed in the production of crawfish during rice forage and supplemental feeding phases of the study. Through supplemental feeding, the harvest se...
California Remote Subdivisions: Policy Implications for Consumers and Rural Communities

Extensive subdivision development on remote rural lands during the early 1970's has generated considerable concern about possible long-term consequences to purchasers and local government finances. This study of California's Northeastern Plateau region utilizes socio-economic characteristics, purchase motivations, and use-intentions of purchasers as the basis for examining possible local community and purchaser impacts. While purchaser characteristics indicate limited property use, expressed intentions to build or install residences prior to 1980 indicate a potentially dramatic impact on the region's population base. Although local government revenue impacts are impossible to assess conclusively, the results suggest local officials would be well advised to establish buildout policies for existing subdivisions prior to approving additional remote subdivisions. Expectations about property-use and investment potential appear to be unrealistic and are attributable to buyers' inexperience, inadequate information, and sales misrepresentations. While suggesting that the “fair, just and equitable” determination be re-examined for within-state sales, the results also suggest other states should not become overly optimistic about consumer protection provided by California's Subdivided Lands Act.
Activation of extracellular signaling regulated kinase in natural killer cells and monocytes following IL-2 stimulation in vitro and in patients undergoing IL-2 immunotherapy: analysis via dual parameter flow-cytometric assay

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) activates extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) within immune cells. To examine the profile of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) in IL-2 stimulated immune cells of normal donors and patients receiving IL-2 therapy, we developed a dual parameter flow-cytometric assay. An analysis of PBMCs stimulated with IL-2 indicated that IL-2 exposure induced p-ERK in CD56bright NK cells and CD14+ monocytes, but not in CD3+ T cells or CD21+ B cells. CD3+ T cells that were induced to express functional high-affinity IL-2R did not exhibit enhanced p-ERK following IL-2 treatment. Measurement of p-ERK within PBMCs from cancer patients 1 h following their first dose of IL-2 revealed a complete absence of circulating NK cells, consistent with earlier observations. However, the total number of circulating CD14+ monocytes increased in these samples and 97% of these cells exhibited ERK activation. p-ERK was not observed in T cells post-IL-2 therapy. Analysis of PBMCs obtained 3 weeks post-IL-2 therapy revealed high-p-ERK levels in CD56bright NK cells in a subset of patients, while levels of p-ERK returned to baseline in monocytes. These studies reveal an effective method to detect ERK activation in immune cells and demonstrate that IL-2 activates ERK in a subset of NK cells and monocytes but not T cells.
Characterization of a binding site for template competitive inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase using photolabeling derivatives.

Abstract Analogues of a novel class of template-competitive reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Li, K.; Lin, W.; Chong, K. H.; Moore, B. M.; Doughty, M. B. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2002 , 10 , 507) were analyzed as photoprobes of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) heterodimer. The two photoprobes, 2-(4-azidophenacyl)thio-1, N 6 -etheno-2′-deoxyadenosine 5′-triphosphate 2 and the tetrafluoro analogue 2-(4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenacyl)thio-1, N 6 -etheno-2′-deoxyadenosine 5′-triphosphate 3 , photodecomposed at 3500 A with half-lives of 4.0 and 2.5 min, respectively. Analysis of the photoproducts of 2m demonstrated that the etheno group is stable but the azido decomposes primarily to the 2-( S -[3H-diazepinon-4-yl]thio)-1, N 6 -etheno-dAMP. Photolysis of both 2 and 3 with RT resulted in a time-dependent loss of activity, with maximum inactivation of 83 and 60%, respectively. Both 2 and 3 showed concentration-dependent photoinactivation of RT in the concentration range from 0 to 100 μM, with EC 50 s of 20 and 25 μM and maximum inactivation of 80 and 60%, respectively. Both the time and concentration dependent photoinactivation were strongly protected by template-primer, but only poorly inhibited by even high concentrations of TTP. Radiolabeled analogues [β,γ- 32 P]-2 and [β,γ- 32 P]- 3 photoincorporated into the p66 subunit, an incorporation also protected by template primer. Identification of the site of incorporation was problematic for both photoprobes, but evidence presented is consistent with labeling sites for the phenacyl side chains of both 2 and 3 in the template grip. Nevertheless, the photoinactivation and incorporation data are consistent with our earlier conclusions from the kinetic data that these inhibitors are specific for the free form of RT in competition with template/primer, and thus represent a novel class of inhibitors.
Respiratory dynamics of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus in response to low oxygen and high temperature

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus Pallas) were fitted with masks for measurements of ventilation volume and post-gill oxygen tensions, and with arterial and venous cannulae. They were then subjected to periods of low oxygen levels and high temperature. Pre- and post-gill oxygen tension, blood oxygen tension and content, oxygen uptake, and ventilation volume were measured. Effectiveness of gas exchange across the gills, cardiac output, and transfer factor were calculated. A series of blood-oxygen dissociation curves were also constructed at two pH's and temperatures. The data suggest that flounder are able to regulate oxygen uptake down to an environmental oxygen tension of at least 50 mm Hg by increasing ventilation volume and transfer factor while not changing blood flow rate or pattern. Also, the flounder's response to temperature increase is similar to the expected response to exercise, with the exception of an increase in gill diffusion resistance.
Decision tree classifier for network intrusion detection with GA-based feature selection

Machine Learning techniques such as Genetic Algorithms and Decision Trees have been applied to the field of intrusion detection for more than a decade. Machine Learning techniques can learn normal and anomalous patterns from training data and generate classifiers that then are used to detect attacks on computer systems. In general, the input data to classifiers is in a high dimension feature space, but not all of features are relevant to the classes to be classified. In this paper, we use a genetic algorithm to select a subset of input features for decision tree classifiers, with a goal of increasing the detection rate and decreasing the false alarm rate in network intrusion detection. We used the KDDCUP 99 data set to train and test the decision tree classifiers. The experiments show that the resulting decision trees can have better performance than those built with all available features.
Edwin Ernest Salpeter. 3 December 1924 — 26 November 2008

Edwin E. Salpeter was a towering figure in twentieth-century astrophysics. Among his major scientific accomplishments is his 1955 paper ‘The luminosity function and stellar evolution’, where he first derived the empirical stellar initial mass function and estimated the probability for the creation of stars of given mass at a particular time, known as the Salpeter initial mass function. Just before this major achievement he had explained how giant stars burn helium to form carbon in the triple-alpha process, in which three helium nuclei combine to form carbon. This crucial step opened the path for the formation of elements as heavy as iron in the core of the stars. Salpeter showed the way to put physics into astronomy, and astrophysics has made enormous strides to understand the Universe. He once observed that most successful scientists are golf players; that is, they map out their own strategy and then write a unified theory. Salpeter said that he belonged to the minority of scientists who are Ping-pong players that react to influences from outside players. This approach made Salpeter a generalist.
New tool for presenting risk in obstetrics and gynecology

Abstract Background: The Paling Perspective Scale, a means of communicating risk in various settings, has been applied to diverse fields such as nuclear power, blood banking, and ophthalmology. Technique: Statistics of risk for various events in obstetrics and gynecology were collected from the literature and directly applied to the risk scale. Experience: The graphic simplicity and versatility of this scale make it adaptable for communicating risks to people of different technical and educational backgrounds. Conclusion: The Paling Perspective Scale might help obstetrician-gynecologists obtain informed consent for surgery, genetic counseling, and other topics.
Polarization characteristics of a two-mirror azimuth and elevation laser beam scanner

A miniature lidar beam steering unit was developed and used to determine the effect of the mirror coatings on the transmitted state of polarization. Results will be presented for pairs of mirrors with different coatings.
First Report of Late Blight Caused by Phytophthora infestans Clonal Lineage US-22 on Tomato and Potato in Wisconsin

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and potato (S. tuberosum) crops are grown on over 67,000 acres (27,114 hectares) in the state of Wisconsin each year. Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) deBary, is a potentially devastating oomycete pathogen that sporadically affects tomato and potato crops in the state. Prevention of this disease through prophylactic application of oomycete-specific fungicides can cost producers millions of dollars per year in additional chemical, fuel, and labor expenses. In 2009, late blight was observed on tomato and potato in over 25 Wisconsin counties. The epidemic initiated on tomato in southern WI in early August and progressed northward in the state with additional reports on tomato primarily from home gardens and small farms. Potato late blight was also identified but with limited incidence in central WI, likely due to routine fungicide programs in commercial production. Clonal lineages of P. infestans documented in Wisconsin in previous epidemics included US-1 in the 1970s and US-8 in the mid-1990s. Populations of P. infestans in the U.S. have recently undergone significant genetic changes, resulting in isolates with unique clonal lineages and epidemiological characteristics (1). Symptoms of late blight observed on tomato and potato included water-soaked to dark brown circular lesions with pale green haloes accompanied by signs of pathogen sporulation typically on leaf undersides during periods of high humidity. Isolates of P. infestans were generated from field infected tomato and potato foliar tissues. Axenic, single zoospore derived cultures were generated and maintained on Rye A agar for further characterization. Mycelium was coenocytic with hyphal diameter of 5 to 8 μm (n = 50). Sporangia were limoniform or ovoid, semi- to fully papillate, caducous, had short pedicels, and were 29.6 (h) × 16.8 μm (w) (n = 50). The average length/width ratio was 1.76. Allozyme banding patterns at the glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (Gpi) locus indicated a 100/122 profile, consistent with the US-22 clonal lineage (3). Mating type assays confirmed the isolates to be A2 and in vitro mefenoxam sensitivity was observed (4). Restriction fragment length polymorphic analysis of a representative isolate from Wisconsin with the multilocus RG57 sequence and EcoRI produced the DNA pattern indicative of US-22 (2). The P. infestans clonal lineage US-22 was predominant in U.S. epidemics on tomato in 2009. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. infestans clonal lineage US-22 causing late blight on tomato and potato in Wisconsin, USA. References: (1) K. Deahl. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 100(suppl.):S161, 2010. (2) S. B. Goodwin et al. Curr. Genet. 22:107, 1992. (3) C. H. Hu et al. Plant Dis. 96:1323, 2012. (4) A. C. Seidl et al. Phytopathology 101(suppl.):S246, 2011.
Native LDL Increases Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness by Inducing Intercellular Adhesion Molecule–1

Native LDL (n-LDL) increased human umbilical vein endothelial cell (EC) adherence of mononuclear cells. Such phenotypic changes suggest that n-LDL alters the usual expression of cell adhesion molecules to enhance the adhesive properties of the endothelium. To investigate n-LDL mechanisms governing adherence, ECs were exposed to n-LDL in concentrations up to 240 mg/dL for 2 and 4 days. n-LDL-treated ECs bound nearly threefold more phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated U937 cells than control ECs but did not bind unstimulated U937 cells. Anti-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) antibodies blocked PMA-stimulated U937 cell binding to control and n-LDL-treated ECs by more than 80%, suggesting that increases in ICAM-1 may be involved in this increased adherence. Although increases in PMA-stimulated U937 cell binding developed with respect to time and concentration, statistically significant increases were achieved only when n-LDL concentrations exceeded 180 mg cholesterol/dL at day 4. n-LDL increased endothelial adherence of freshly isolated human monocytes more than twofold and neutrophils by almost twofold. Fluorescent-linked immunoassays revealed that n-LDL increased ICAM-1 protein expression by twofold, which corresponded with increased ICAM-1 message levels. n-LDL also appeared to increase E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 message levels, but these changes did not translate into statistically significant differences in protein levels. Taken together, these data indicate that n-LDL increases ICAM-1 expression to enhance the adhesive properties of the endothelium. Such perturbations in EC function likely represent a proinflammatory response to protracted n-LDL exposure and one of the early steps in atherogenesis.
Role of Allostatic Load in Sociodemographic Patterns of Pain Prevalence in the U.S. Population

Abstract Persistent stressors associated with sociodemographic disadvantage exert a physiologic toll, labeled “allostatic load,” that contributes to disparities in some health conditions. We investigated the contribution of allostatic load to pain prevalence in U.S. adults. Interviews with 14,184 adults in the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey asked about severe headache, pain that lasted >24 hours, and widespread pain. Ten biomarkers of allostatic load were quantified from blood (glycated hemoglobin), serum (C-reactive protein, homocysteine, cholesterol, triglycerides), urine (creatinine, albumin), and physical measurements (body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Log-binomial regression models estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Prevalence ranged from 3.4% for widespread pain to 26.9% for pain >24 hours. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, low income was associated with greater prevalence of pain >24 hours (PR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.49, 1.83), severe headache (PR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.68, 2.50), and widespread pain (PR = 3.67, 95% CI = 2.56, 5.27). Racial/ethnic minorities had lower prevalence of all 3 pain conditions than non-Hispanic whites. While greater allostatic load was associated with elevated prevalence of pain, allostatic load did not meaningfully attenuate PRs associated with income or race/ethnicity. We conclude that greater pain prevalence among low-income groups is not explained by greater allostatic load. Perspective In U.S. adults, pain occurs more frequently in lower-income groups, although the relationship is not attributable to their experience of greater allostatic load. While allostatic load contributes to population variation in pain, other etiologic mechanisms contributing to pain are needed to account for income disparities in pain.
Addiction Treatment Staff Perceptions of Training as a Facilitator or Barrier to Implementing Evidence-Based Practices: A National Qualitative Research Study

ABSTRACTBackground: This qualitative effort examines training-related facilitators and barriers to implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) in 285 community-based addiction treatment organizations (CBOs) nationwide that were funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) to implement EBPs. Methods: Using qualitative interviews, the authors explored staff (N = 514) descriptions of training as a facilitator or barrier to implementation. Training-related factors were described 663 times as facilitators (by 440 staff) and 233 times as barriers (by 170 staff). Responses were coded using content analysis. Results: Specific characteristics of the training received, such as access to expert knowledge and quality, as well as ongoing training were described as central facilitating factors to EBP implementation. Key reasons training was perceived as a barrier included the amount of training; the training did not fit current staff and/or ...
Modeling co-implanted silicon and beryllium in gallium arsenide

Abstract The implantation and diffusion of Si and Be are modeled using SUPREM 3.5, a GaAs process simulator. According to the new model used for Be diffusion with a hole-dependent effective diffusivity, the presence of the Si should decrease the Be diffusion in the overlap region due to a Fermi-level effect, and the experimental results confirm this. The damage created by the Si implantation is also seen to affect the Be diffusion, as confirmed by Ar co-implantation, but the relatively simple diffusion models in SUPREM 3.5 do not currently model this effect. The Be segregation coefficient is seen to be a function of implant energy. The diffusion of Si, which is negligible to begin with, is not affected by the presence of Be. The implantation profiles of both Be and Si are not appreciably affected by the implantation damage caused by the other dopant and are well modeled by Pearson IV parameters.
Effects of sympathetic denervation or chronic reserpine on potassium (42K) and chloride (36Cl) efflux from guinea-pig vas deferens.

Abstract Potassium ( 42 K) or chloride ( 36 Cl) efflux curves were determined in guinea-pig vas deferens from control, reserpine-treated animals (1 mg/kg/day i.p. for 5 days), and from animals whose vas deferens had been sympathetically denervated 1 week before. Steady-state 42 K turnover in control tissues was 0.0052 ± 0.0002 min −1 ; neither reserpine treatment nor sympathetic denervation changed this parameter significantly. Control 36 Cl turnover was 0.058 ± 0.002 min −1 and it was unaffected by either procedure. Methoxamine (3 × 10 −6 to 10 −4 M) induced dose-related increases in the fractional exchange of 42 K and 36 Cl. These were of greater magnitude after sympathetic denervation or reserpine treatment. Furtrethonium also produced dose-dependent increases in 42 K efflux; its dose-response curve was shifted 2.6-fold to the left of the control curve by reserpine treatment. These results indicate that interruption of adrenergic transmission to the guinea-pig vas deferens is associated with increased changes in membrane permeability to Cl and possibly K in response to drug activation of α-adrenergic and cholinegic receptors. It is suggested that the supersensitivity phenomenon observed in the guinea-pig vas deferens after reserpine or sympathetic denervation is, in part, related to improved transduction of drug-receptor interaction into ionic permeability changes.
Raman measurement of carotenoid composition in human skin

The carotenoids lycopene and beta-carotene are powerful antioxidants in skin and are thought to act as scavengers for free radicals and singlet oxygen. The role of carotenoid species in skin health is of strong current interest. We demonstrate the possibility to use Resonance Raman spectroscopy for fast, non-invasive, highly specific, and quantitative detection of beta-carotene and lycopene in human skin. Analyzing Raman signals originating from the carbon-carbon double bond stretch vibrations of the carotenoid molecules under blue and green laser excitation, we were able to characterize quantitatively the relative concentrations of each carotenoid species in-vivo. In the selective detection, we take advantage of different Raman cross-section spectral profiles for beta-carotene and lycopene molecules, and obtain a quantitative assessment of individual long-chain carotenoid species in the skin rather than their cumulative levels. Preliminary dual-wavelength Raman measurements reveal significant differences in the carotenoid composition of different subjects. The technique holds promise for rapid screening of carotenoid compositions in human skin in large populations and may be suitable in clinical studies for assessing the risk for cutaneous diseases.
Mortality Risk due to Congenital Anomalies (CAs) in VLBW Infants: A Simple Scoring System. † 1254

Mortality Risk due to Congenital Anomalies (CAs) in VLBW Infants: A Simple Scoring System. † 1254
A winner-take-all mechanism based on presynaptic inhibition feedback

A winner-take-all mechanism is a device that determines the identity and amplitude of its largest input (Feldman and Ballard 1982). Such mechanisms have been proposed for various brain functions. For example, a theory for visual velocity estimate (Grzywacz and Yuille 1989) postulates that a winner-take-all selects the strongest responding cell in the cortex's middle temporal area (MT). This theory proposes a circuitry that links the directionally selective cells in the primary visual cortex to MT cells, making them velocity selective. Generally, several velocity cells would respond, but only the winner would determine the perception. In another theory, a winner-take-all guides the spotlight of attention to the most salient image part (Koch and Ullman 1985). Also, such mechanisms improve the signal-to-noise ratios of VLSI emulations of brain functions (Lazzaro and Mead 1989). Although computer algorithms for winner-take-all mechanisms exist (Feldman and Ballard 1982; Koch and Ullman 1985), good biologically motivated models do not. A candidate for a biological mechanism is lateral (mutual) inhibition (Hartline and Ratliff 1957). In some theoretical mutual-inhibition networks, the inhibition sums linearly to the excitatory inputs and the result is passed through a threshold non linearity (Hadeler 1974). However, these networks work only if the difference between winner and losers is large (Koch and Ullman 1985). We propose an alternative network, in which the output of each element feeds back to inhibit the inputs to other elements. The action of this presynaptic inhibition is nonlinear with a possible biophysical substrate. This paper shows that the new network converges stably to a solution that both relays the winner's identity and amplitude and suppresses information on the losers with arbitrary precision. We prove these results mathematically and illustrate the effectiveness of the network and some of its variants by computer simulations.
Periodic solutions of arbitrarily long periods in Hamiltonian systems

In 1912, PoincarC announced [I] his celebrated conjecture concerning the existence of fixed points of an area preserving transformation of a ring. After some effort he had succeeded in treating only a variety of special cases but because of the significance of this result-in particular, as it pertained to the restricted three-body problem-he released it for the consideration of other mathematicians. A proof of this so-called last geometric theorem of PoincarC was published [2] the following year by Birkhoff. In 1926, Birkhoff also published [3] certain extensions of this result and then, in 1927, gave [4] the following modification of Poincare’s theorem:
Statistical and conceptual problems in the study of disasters

The area of disaster studies is plagued by dubious statistical data and widespread conceptual disagreements. This is the major focus of discussion in the paper. We detail the limitations in much of the numerical data that are both specifically and generally used in discussions of disasters. Factors that are responsible for this, including inadequate conceptualizations about disasters are discussed. We also show that there is not much consensus by researchers and others about many of the most central concepts used such as “disaster”, “hazards,” “risk,” etc. In our call for more reliable statistics and more relevant concepts, we provide examples and suggestions of how this could be done.
Synthesis of 2– and 4-amino-1,5-naphthyridines

The structure of the product obtained from the reaction of potassium amide in liquid ammonia on 1,5-naphthyridine has been identified as 4-amino-1,5-naphthyridine by comparison with a known sample. The 2-amino isomer was not detected in the mixture. The NMR spectra for 2-and 4-amino-1,5-naphthyridine along with the corresponding chloroisomers are described.
Powerless Language Markers and the Correspondence Bias: Attitude Confidence Mediates the Effects of Tag Questions on Attitude Attributions

The present research examines the effect of tag questions and hedges on attributions of a target's attitude and the confidence related to the target's behavior (i.e., writing a message). In Study 1, a message containing tag questions and hedges attenuated the correspondence bias when the target was constrained in his or her behavior. This attenuation was mediated by participants' perceptions of the target's confidence in his or her attitude toward the message topic. Study 2 replicated the attenuation effect and found attitudinal confidence rather than general confidence mediated the attenuation. It was further found that tag questions (rather than hedges) were responsible for the bias attenuation (Study 3), which was again mediated by participants' perceptions of the target's confidence.
The Increase of Complexity and its Reduction Emergent Interfaces between the Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences

Taking the lead from complexity theory and complex systems methodology, the article argues that we are engaged in a contradictory process when encountering, analysing and dealing with complexity. We face opposite tendencies that indicate an in-built dynamic between the increase of complexity and its reduction. The increase partly comes through evolution, defined as the transmission of information and partly from the desire for a human-built world that functions more efficiently. The reduction of complexity is due partly to the necessity of minimizing unwanted and unintended consequences of its increase, and partly due to the continued re-alignment between social systems and their environments. The article examines the public debate about human stem cell research, the debates in the 18th century about the free circulation of commodities and opinions, and the attempts to provide answers to the question debated between Einstein and Freud: why war? The article concludes by arguing that the plea for a re-align...
Eddy-current testing at microwave frequencies

Abstract This paper describes a microwave eddy-current apparatus, working at 25, 000MHz, for investigating surface defects and thin metallic coatings. On suitable materials the instrument could detect a 2% change in the resistivity of surface layers and coatings about 1 micron thick. It has been applied to life tests on aluminized Nimonic 105.
Nucleotide Sequences and Modifications That Determine RIG-I/RNA Binding and Signaling Activities

Cytoplasmic viral RNAs with 5' triphosphates (5'ppp) are detected by the RNA helicase RIG-I, initiating downstream signaling and alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) expression that establish an antiviral state. We demonstrate here that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) 3' untranslated region (UTR) RNA has greater activity as an immune stimulator than several flavivirus UTR RNAs. We confirmed that the HCV 3'-UTR poly(U/UC) region is the determinant for robust activation of RIG-I-mediated innate immune signaling and that its antisense sequence, poly(AG/A), is an equivalent RIG-I activator. The poly(U/UC) region of the fulminant HCV JFH-1 strain was a relatively weak activator, while the antisense JFH-1 strain poly(AG/A) RNA was very potent. Poly(U/UC) activity does not require primary nucleotide sequence adjacency to the 5'ppp, suggesting that RIG-I recognizes two independent RNA domains. Whereas poly(U) 50-nt or poly(A) 50-nt sequences were minimally active, inserting a single C or G nucleotide, respectively, into these RNAs increased IFN-beta expression. Poly(U/UC) RNAs transcribed in vitro using modified uridine 2' fluoro or pseudouridine ribonucleotides lacked signaling activity while functioning as competitive inhibitors of RIG-I binding and IFN-beta expression. Nucleotide base and ribose modifications that convert activator RNAs into competitive inhibitors of RIG-I signaling may be useful as modulators of RIG-I-mediated innate immune responses and as tools to dissect the RNA binding and conformational events associated with signaling.
Buckling response of laminates with spatially varying fiber orientations

The buckling response of a symmetrically laminated composite panel with a spatially varying fiber orientation has been analyzed. Variation of the fiber orientation angle as a function of the position in the panel results in a composite laminate with stiffness properties that are functions of the panel coordinates. The laminates are therefore termed variable stiffness panels. The fiber orientation is assumed to vary only in one spatial direction, although the analysis can be extended to fiber orientations that vary in two spatial directions. The Ritz Method has been used to find the buckling loads and buckling modes for the variable stiffness panels for two different cases. In one of the cases the fiber orientation is assumed to change in the direction of the applied load. The other case is the one in which the fiber orientation varies in a direction perpendicular to the loading direction. Improvements in the buckling load of up to 80 percent over straight fiber configurations were found. Results for three different panel aspect ratios are presented.
Nonlinear dynamic simulation of single- and multispool core engines, part 1: Computational method

A new computational method for accurate simulation of the nonlinear, dynamic behavior of single- and multispool core engines, turbofan engines, and power-generation gas turbine engines is presented in Part I of this article. In order to perform the simulation, a modularly structured computer code has been developed that includes individual mathematical modules representing various engine components. The generic structure of the code enables the simulation of arbitrary engine configurations ranging from single-spool thrust generation to multispool thrust/power generation engines under adverse dynamic operating conditions. For precise simulation of turbine and compressor components, row-by-row calculation procedures were implemented that account for the specific turbine and compressor cascade and blade geometry and characteristics.
Weak convergence of sequences of first passage processes and applications

Abstract Suppose {Xn}n⩾1 are stochastic processes all of whose paths are nonnegative and lie in the space of right continuous functions with finite left limits. Moreover, assume that Xn (properly normalized) converges weakly to a process X, i.e., for some deterministic function μ and θn → 0, θ n −1 (X n − μ) → d X . This paper considers the description of the weak limiting behavior of the sequence of first passage processes X −1 n (t) = inf {x : X n (x) ⩾ t} where X n (x) = ϱ(nx)X n (x) and ϱ(·) is such that X n (x) has nondecreasing paths. We present a number of important motivating examples including empirical processes associated with U-statistics, empirical excursions above a given barrier, stopping rules in renewal theory and weak convergence in extreme value theory and point out the wide applicability of our result. Weak functional limit theorems for general quantile-type processes are derived. In addition, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of integrated kernel quantiles and establish: (i) an invariance principle; (ii) a strong law of large numbers; and (iii) a Bahadur-type representation which has many consequences, among which is a law of the iterated logarithm.
An evaluation of a zinc oxide and eugenol cement containing o-ethoxybenzoic acid on the human deciduous dental pulp

Abstract A vital pulpotomy technique in human deciduous teeth was studied using a zinc oxide and eugenol cement containing o-ethoxybenzoic acid, and calcium hydroxide. The two groups were evaluated clinically, radiographically, and histologically. It would appear that the o-ethoxybenzoic acid cement offers no advantages over conventional zinc oxide and eugenol cement in pulp therapy. If dentinal bridging is desired, EBA cement is not as useful as calcium hydroxide.
Optical nanogap matrices for plasmonic enhancement applications

Plasmonic structures can be used to enhance electromagnetic radiation, and nanoscale (<5 nm) gaps can increase this enhancement even further. Fabrication of these desired structures involves using a relatively new, previously developed self-aligned process to overcome typical electron beam lithography resolution limits. The resulting nanogap structures have been shown to exhibit enhanced optical emission. This technique enables the fabrication of a large-area two-dimensional matrix of such nanostructures which could prove useful for photovoltaics, plasmonically enhanced Raman spectroscopy, biosensing, and other optoelectronic applications. Computational electromagnetic simulations of the structures will prove useful for predicting behavior upon interaction with light and for experimental comparison.
DOMINANT-SIDE INTRACAROTID AMOBARBITAL SPARES COMPREHENSION OF WORD MEANING

• Abolition of speech production after intracarotid amobarbital injection is generally considered evidence for language laterality. However, complex auditory comprehension may be preserved after injection of the dominant (left) side. The possibility that this sparing may be due to the intracarotid amobarbital injection not adequately deactivating some of the areas responsible for speech comprehension in the posterior part of the hemisphere was tested with a task known to be critically dependent on the left posterotemporal-in-feroparietal region, one assessing visuoverbal semantic relatedness. Even when the intracarotid injection of the left side produced marked deficits of speech production, comprehension of semantic relations was still intact in eight of 15 patients. Ten of these 15 patients also received right carotid injections, none of which affected comprehension of semantic relatedness. These data indicate that the intracarotid amobarbital injection cannot always specify the laterality of all language functions, an important concern when considering surgical procedures in the dominant posterotemporal-inferoparietal region.
A Generalization of Biot-Savart's Law

Magnetic field due to an element of current.---Any generalization of the Biot-Savart law differs from it by the addition of a "null"-field, that is, a field that vanishes when evaluated for a closed circuit. It is demonstrated in two ways that all null-fields are fields due to doublets coinciding with the elements of current, whose poles act with an arbitrary law of force. Since at each point the null-field is perpendicular to the Biot-Savart field, adding a null-field to the Biot-Savart law will only complicate it. This idea of null-fields may be extended to closed surfaces and generalized to higher dimensions. No experiment could detect such null-fields if they exist.
Structures of the phage Sf6 large terminase provide new insights into DNA translocation and cleavage.

Many DNA viruses use powerful molecular motors to cleave concatemeric viral DNA into genome-length units and package them into preformed procapsid powered by ATP hydrolysis. Here we report the structures of the DNA-packaging motor gp2 of bacteriophage Sf6, which reveal a unique clade of RecA-like ATPase domain and an RNase H-like nuclease domain tethered by a regulatory linker domain, exhibiting a strikingly distinct domain arrangement. The gp2 structures complexed with nucleotides reveal, at the atomic detail, the catalytic center embraced by the ATPase domain and the linker domain. The gp2 nuclease activity is modulated by the ATPase domain and is stimulated by ATP. An extended DNA-binding surface is formed by the linker domain and the nuclease domain. These results suggest a unique mechanism for translation of chemical reaction into physical motion of DNA and provide insights into coordination of DNA translocation and cleavage in a viral DNA-packaging motor, which may be achieved via linker-domain–mediated interdomain communication driven by ATP hydrolysis.
Competitive quenching fluorescence immunoassay for chlorophenols based on laser-induced fluorescence detection in microdroplets.

An improved biomonitoring system for the analysis of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) in urine samples has been developed. The principle of the biosensor device is the detection of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in single microdroplets by a homogeneous quenching fluorescence immunoassay (QFIA). The competitive immunoassay occurs in microdroplets (d = 58,4 microm) produced by a piezoelectric generator system with 10-microm-diameter orifice. A continuous Ar ion laser (488 nm) excites the fluorescent tracer; its fluorescence is detected by a spectrometer attached to a 512 x 512 cooled, charge-coupled device camera. Fluorescence is quenched by specific binding of TCP polyclonal antibodies to the fluorescent tracer (hapten A-fluorescein); the quenching effect is diminished by the presence of the analyte. Thus, an increase in the signal is produced in a positive dose-dependent manner when TCP is present in the sample. In 10 mM PBS buffer, the IC50 of the LIF-microdroplet QFIA is 0.45 microg L(-1) reaching a LOD of 0.04 microg L(-1). The QFIA with the same reagents performed in microtiter plate format achieved a LOD of 0.36 microg L(-1) in buffer solution. Performance in human urine was similar to that observed in the buffer. A LOD of 1.6 ,g L(-1), with a dynamic range between 4 and 149.5 microg L(-1) in urine, was obtained without any sample treatment other than dilution with the assay buffer. The detectability achieved is sufficient for occupational exposure risk assessment.
Coupled model isolates effect of lower atmosphere on ionosphere

Day-to-day variability in the properties and behavior of the ionosphere, a region of the upper atmosphere, is driven by three main forces: shifts in the solar wind, changes in the Earth's geomagnetic field, and the downstream effects of variability in lower atmospheric layers. According to previous research, ionospheric variability driven by atmospheric process and by geomagnetic fluctuations are roughly equivalent in scale. Attempts to accurately model the effect of lower atmospheric dynamics on the ionosphere, however, have generally been limited by the low temporal resolution of the data used to represent the interactions.
Pions in Large N Quantum Chromodynamics

An effective field theory of quarks, gluons, and pions, with the number N of colors treated as large, is proposed as a basis for calculations of hadronic phenomena at moderate energies. The qualitative consequences of the large N limit are similar though not identical to those in pure quantum chromodynamics, but because constituent quark masses appear in the effective Lagrangian, the 't Hooft coupling in the effective theory need not be strong at moderate energies. To leading order in 1/N the effective theory is renormalizable, with only a finite number of terms in the Lagrangian.
Reexamining the uncertain information hypothesis on the S&P 500 Index and SPDRs

This paper examines the uncertain information hypothesis on one major index and its corresponding exchange-traded fund: the S&P 500 Index and SPDRs in the pre-SPDRs (01/63–12/93) and post-SPDRs (01/94–12/03) periods. Two strategies are used to measure the economic significance of the uncertain information hypothesis. Overall, we present evidence confirming the uncertain information hypothesis in the post-SPDRs period. However, we fail to convert the statistically significant gains observed into economic gains under a conservative approach. In addition, the degree of difference in the volatilities of the 5-day post-event returns (in both the S&P 500 and the SPDR) among the three subgroups diminishes in the post-SPDR period. Hence, we conclude that the market is in fact short-term efficient in a more realistic setting.
Inorganic Nanocrystals with Dendrimer Templates: Mesoscopic Model System and Route to New Nanocomposites

We investigate nanostructures that are formed when dendrimers act as hosts. Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers can be used as templates for inorganic nanocrystals, both in aqueous solution1-3 and in a polymeric matrix4. SANS, SAXS and TEM are used to characterize the resulting hybrid structures. Different inorganic colloids like noble metal and cadmium sulfide colloids are studied1,2. With increasing dendrimer generation, we observe a transition from low molecular colloid stabilizing to an effective polymer templating in terms of a “host-guest nanoscale synthesis”. For these higher generation dendrimers, inorganic colloids are formed inside single dendrimer molecules and the size of the nanocrystal can precisely be controlled by the dendrimer generation (“fixed loading law”). Hydrophobically modified dendrimers in organic solvent represent a further, different kind of host system that we have investigated using scattering methods5.
Putting people in their place: an anonymous and privacy-sensitive approach to collecting sensed data in location-based applications

The emergence of location-based computing promises new and compelling applications, but raises very real privacy risks. Existing approaches to privacy generally treat people as the entity of interest, often using a fidelity tradeoff to manage the costs and benefits of revealing a person's location. However, these approaches cannot be applied in some applications, as a reduction in precision can render location information useless. This is true of a category of applications that use location data collected from multiple people to infer such information as whether there is a traffic jam on a bridge, whether there are seats available in a nearby coffee shop, when the next bus will arrive, or if a particular conference room is currently empty. We present hitchhiking, a new approach that treats locations as the primary entity of interest. Hitchhiking removes the fidelity tradeoff by preserving the anonymity of reports without reducing the precision of location disclosures. We can therefore support the full functionality of an interesting class of location-based applications without introducing the privacy concerns that would otherwise arise.
High-Efficiency Oxide-Confined Ridge Waveguide Laser with Nearly Symmetric Output Beam

High-index-contrast InAlGaAs/AlGaAs ridge waveguide lasers exhibiting low threshold current and high efficiency are fabricated by a deep etch plus modified wet thermal oxidation process. A nearly-symmetric output beam is achieved for a 1.4 ?m wide aperture device.