cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A developmentally regulated and cAMP-repressible gene of Dictyostelium discoideum: cloning and expression of the gene encoding cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor.

Abstract A 1.6-kb genomic fragment containing the coding region for the inhibitor (PDI) of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PD) was isolated and sequenced. The genomic sequence includes 510 nucleotides (nt) of 5′-noncoding sequence and the full coding sequence, which contains two small introns. From the deduced amino acid (aa) sequence we predict a 26-kDa protein that, in agreement with previous data, contains approximately 15% Cys residues. The PDI possesses a hydrophobic leader sequence, five potential glycosylation sites, and three internal repeats. Northern-blot analysis showed a single transcript of 0.95 kb. The gene encoding PDI ( pdi ) was expressed early in development with little transcript remaining following aggregation. The appearance of pdi transcript was inhibited by cAMP, but when cAMP was removed the transcript appeared within 30 min. When cAMP was applied to cells containing pdi mRNA, the transcript disappeared with a half-life of less than 30 min.
Prior ankle fractures in postmenopausal women are associated with low areal bone mineral density and bone microstructure alterations

In a cross-sectional analysis in postmenopausal women, prior ankle fractures were associated with lower areal bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone alterations compared to no fracture history. Compared to women with forearm fractures, microstructure alterations were of lower magnitude. These data suggest that ankle fractures are another manifestation of bone fragility. Whether ankle fractures represent fragility fractures associated with low areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and/or bone microstructure alterations remains unclear, in contrast to the well-recognised association between forearm fractures and osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to investigate aBMD, vBMD and bone microstructure in postmenopausal women with prior ankle fracture in adulthood, compared with women without prior fracture or with women with prior forearm fractures, considered as typically of osteoporotic origin. In a cross-sectional analysis in the Geneva Retirees Cohort study, 63 women with ankle fracture and 59 with forearm fracture were compared to 433 women without fracture (mean age, 65 ± 1 years). aBMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; distal radius and tibia vBMD and bone microstructure were measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Compared with women without fracture, those with ankle fractures had lower aBMD, radius vBMD (−7.9 %), trabecular density (−10.7 %), number (−7.3 %) and thickness (−4.6 %) and higher trabecular spacing (+14.5 %) (P < 0.05 for all). Tibia trabecular variables were also altered. For 1 standard deviation decrease in total hip aBMD or radius trabecular density, odds ratios for ankle fractures were 2.2 and 1.6, respectively, vs 2.2 and 2.7 for forearm fracture, respectively (P ≤ 0.001 for all). Compared to women with forearm fractures, those with ankle fractures had similar spine and hip aBMD, but microstructure alterations of lower magnitude. Women with ankle fractures have lower aBMD and vBMD and trabecular bone alterations, suggesting that ankle fractures are another manifestation of bone fragility.
Brefeldin A, but not monensin, enables flow cytometric detection of interleukin-4 within peripheral T cells responding to ex vivo stimulation with Chlamydia trachomatis

Intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assay optimization should include selection of suitable cytokine secretion inhibitors. Here, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from women with proven history of C. trachomatis genital tract infection were used to compare the ability of brefeldin A (BFA) and monensin (MN) to concurrently trap interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-17 within T cells responding to ex vivo stimulation with chlamydial antigen. While flow cytometric analyses showed similar intracellular levels of TNF, IFN-γ, and IL-17 among T cells treated with BFA or both BFA and MN, markedly more IL-4 was found inside T cells treated with BFA compared to those that received MN or BFA and MN. The latter findings oppose current ICS recommendations informing that ICS results are unaffected by concomitant use of BFA and MN, and also suggests that MN may be an unsuitable cytokine secretion inhibitor for ICS assays designed to measure intracellular IL-4 accumulation.
Using Quality Assurance Strategies for Online Programs

Quality assurance strategies in university distance education programs are fundamental if those initiatives are to succeed. This article organizes a quality assessment design around five components: administrative leadership and support, ongoing program concerns, course development, faculty support, and evaluation results. Each component has the potential for benchmarking progress toward an effective distance education program. Internet technology enables universities to offer courses in an anywhere, anytime environment opening new possibilities for both students and faculty. In this new teaching modality, universities are more responsive to students’ lifestyle needs, and students become more actively involved in their learning. Online technology empowers students to assume the role of lifelong learners. Faculty gain organizational skills and more flexibility in course deliverance and administration. Instructors find themselves cast into an altered teaching environment that requires them to be facilitators who individually support their students. They report that their students in web-based courses think more critically, become involved in more indepth discussions, and interact with other students more intensely.
Finite element analysis of highway bridges subjected to moving loads

Abstract A proper estimate of the dynamic effect of traffic load on the response of highway bridges is becoming increasingly important. Reduction in the ratio of dead load to total load which makes the effect of the live load more pronounced, and the adoption of ultimate-strength design method by many design codes are among those factors that make an accurate evaluation of the live load very important. This paper illustrates how a general purpose finite element package can be used to consider the dynamic effect of a moving load traversing a highway bridge. This objective is achieved by employing the load arrival time option in ADINA. It is shown that, if the problem is modelled properly, the results are as good as the exact solution. Note that the exact solution is practically possible only for a simply supported bridge considering only the effect of the fundamental mode. Thus, using finite element a practical research study can be performed to develop graphical design aides for more accurate evaluation of the impact factor. The versatility and power of finite element technique will also make it possible to easily investigate the spatial nature of response to traffic load.
Improved accelerated breath-hold radial cine image reconstruction by acquiring additional free-breathing data between breath-holds

Background Evaluation of cardiac function is clinically performed using multi-slice breath-hold (BH) acquisition, in which patient breathes for a period of 40-60 seconds between a BH of 10-12 seconds. This results in suboptimal data acquisition efficiency. In this study, we propose to take advantage of the time between multiple BHs to acquire additional free-breathing (FB) data that can be used in the reconstruction of undersampled BH acquisition without increasing the total scan time.
Alternative Logics in Action: Water Management in the Andes

Water and Power in Highland Peru: The Cultural Politics of Irrigation and Development. Paul H. Gelles. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2000. Water Rights and Empowerment. Rutgerd Boelens and Paul Hoogendam. eds. The Netherlands: Van Gorcum, 2002.
Albumin adsorption on alkyl chain derivatized polyurethanes: I. The effect of C‐18 alkylation

The initial adsorption rate of delipidized Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is increased by addition of C-18 alkyl chains to a poly-urethane. The presence of alkyl chains does not appear to influence the total amount of HSA adsorbed after one hour exposure to a 5.0 mg/mL HSA solution. Neither does the desorption following one hour of adsorption appear to be influenced by the presence of alkyl chains. A study of the effects of solution concentration and temperature showed that the initial adsorption rates on both polymers are proportional to the protein concentration raised to the 0.36 power, and that alkylation of the polymer increases the activation energy of the initial adsorption rate above the 14 kJ/mol observed for the underivatized polyurethane. A new technique is presented to quantify the mass of adsorbed protein using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection optics. This technique uses the absorbance of bulk protein as an internal calibration reference, and appears to be as accurate and perhaps more precise than radiolabeling techniques.
Flexible pointing systems with smart structures and MEMS

Pointing systems are flexible and inherently difficult to stabilize and control. Performance and assessment analysis must be performed through high fidelity modeling, simulations and experiments to determine the steady-state and dynamic characteristics as well as to devise paradigms to improve overall performance. This can be solved by multidisciplinary research and optimizing the interactions among the beam, mechanical structures, actuators, sensors, and power electronics. Advanced actuators, sensors, ICs, and DSPs are used to achieve objectives and desired specifications. In particular, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) can be used as actuators and sensors to guarantee high-accuracy positioning and sensing. Design of pointing system configurations and their control laws are considered. This paper documents the innovative results in high-fidelity modeling, analysis, and control of high-performance direct-drive pointing systems.
Zone-based shortest positioning time first scheduling for MEMS-based storage devices

Access latency to secondary storage devices is frequently a limiting factor in computer system performance. New storage technologies promise to provide greater storage densities at lower latencies than is currently obtainable with hard disk drives. MEMS-based storage devices use orthogonal magnetic or physical recording techniques and thousands of simultaneously active MEMS-based read-write tips to provide high-density low-latency nonvolatile storage. These devices promise seek times 10-20 times faster than hard drives, storage densities 10 times greater, and power consumption an order of magnitude lower. Previous research has examined data layout and request ordering algorithms that are analogs of those developed for hard drives. We present an analytical model of MEMS device performance that motivates a computationally simple MEMS-based request scheduling algorithm called ZSPTF, which has average response times comparable to shortest positioning time first (SPTF) but with response time variability comparable to circular scan (C-SCAN).
Photoinduced toxicity of fluoranthene to northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens)

Rana pipiens larvae were exposed for 48 h in a flow-through system to clean water or five concentrations of the phototoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fluoranthene. Following this uptake period, the larvae were divided into four groups: one for immediate tissue residue analysis, a second for residue analysis following 48 h of depuration in clean water, and two for a 48-h exposure in clean water to ultraviolet (UV) light at two different levels. At the highest treatment, mean intensity was 8.12 {+-} 0.19 {times} 10{sup 2} {micro}W/cm{sup 2}, whereas at a lower treatment the UVA intensity was 4.45 {+-} 0.05 {times} 10{sup 2} {micro}W/cm{sup 2}. Larval frogs bioaccumulated fluoranthene in direct proportion to the water exposure concentrations, with initial whole-body PAH concentrations of 1.48, 3.53, 4.85, 11.3, and 18.7 {micro}g/g at the five treatment levels. No mortality of the animals occurred during the 48-h uptake phase. When the frogs were placed in clean water, the fluoranthene was rapidly depurated, with up to 80% lost in 48 h. Exposure to UV light following fluoranthene exposure significantly enhanced toxicity of the PAH. Median time to death decreased as the product of UVA light intensity and fluoranthene body residue increased. For larval R.more » Pipiens, sufficient tissue residues of fluoranthene were bioaccumulated within 48 h, at water exposure concentrations in the range of 2 to 10 {micro}g/L, to be lethal when combined with a UVA exposure simulating a fraction of summertime, midday sunlight in northern latitudes.« less
Avian Models of Autoimmune Disease: Lessons from the Birds

Abstract Many important lessons have been learned from studies of autoimmune diseases in chicken models. It is now quite clear that both cellular and humoral immune responses are important in developing the final picture of autoimmune disease. In the case of the amelanosis of Smyth line (SL) chickens, antibody appears to play the primary role, whereas the sclerosis of University of California/Davis line-200 (UCD-200) birds is mainly mediated by T cells. Chronic thyroiditis of the OS chicken is due to both humoral and cellular effector mechanisms. The Obese strain (OS) chicken is particularly valuable for studies of genetics. Multiple genetic factors converge in producing maximal susceptibility to the development of autoimmune thyroiditis. They include MHC genes responsible for immune recognition; genes affecting thymus development, critical for regulation of the immune response; and genes that control thyroid function, influencing the vulnerability of the target organ to autoimmune attack. The importance of environmental factors, such as dietary iodine, is also strongly supported by studies in the OS chicken. Thus, the birds have provided valuable clues to our understanding of human autoimmune disorders in the past and are expected to do so in the future.
Molecular Diagnosis of Hydatidiform Moles is Ready for Primetime

Copyright: © 2012 Hui P. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. In recent months, two specialty pathology journals chose article images of molecular diagnosis of hydatidiform mole as the journal front covers: the March issue of The International Journal of Gynecological Pathology [1] and the July issue of the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics released [2]. Such emerging interests in the molecular diagnosis of hydatidiform moles may be explained by one simple reason that is our inability to accurately diagnose these common conditions by traditional histology and ancillary studies.
Radiation pattern synthesis for arrays of conformal antennas mounted on arbitrarily-shaped three-dimensional platforms using genetic algorithms

A domain-decomposition/reciprocity procedure is presented which allows the radiation patterns of microstrip patch antennas mounted on arbitrarily-shaped three-dimensional perfectly electric conducting (PEC) platforms to be computed accurately as well as efficiently. The utility of this technique is demonstrated by considering an example consisting of a nine-element conformal array of microstrip patch antennas mounted axially along a finite-length PEC circular cylinder. It is shown that the elements close to the ends of the cylinder have significantly different patterns than those close to the center of the cylinder. The results from this example suggest that the common practice where all the individual element patterns are assumed identical is not always valid and, in fact, can lead to significant performance degradation in the design of conformal phased arrays. This observation is supported by the fact that an attempt to steer the main beam of the nine-element conformal array to an angle /spl theta//sub 0/=60/spl deg/ using a standard uniform progressive phase shifting technique proves unsuccessful. Next a genetic algorithm (GA) synthesis procedure is introduced that is capable of determining the optimal set of element excitation phases required to yield a desired or specified far-field radiation pattern. The results of this GA phase-only optimization are shown to yield the desired main beam steered to the correct angle for this nine-element linear array mounted on a circularly cylindrical platform. The GA radiation pattern synthesis procedure introduced appears to be a highly effective means of correcting for platform effects on the individual element patterns of a conformal phased array.
Emerging Issues in Retailing Research

Retailing practice and the research resulting have experienced significant changes in recent years. This article reflects on Journal of Retailing articles published during our editorial tenure (2002–2007). Although Journal of Retailing publishes articles on many retailing topics, they have chosen four categories that they believe has had the largest impact on retailing research during that time, and the potential for the greatest contribution in the future: Growth of the Internet and e-commerce; branding and customer loyalty; service success strategies; and behavioral issues in pricing and patronage. Several illustrative studies are highlighted in each category, and directions for future research are provided.
Selected Nonmusic Predictors of Urban Students’ Decisions to Enroll and Persist in Middle School Band Programs

The purpose of this study was to fit theoretical models of prediction to students’ decisions to enroll and persist in urban middle school band programs using independent variables of academic achie...
Mitochondrial Angiotensin Receptors and Aging

### Identification and Characterization of a Functional Mitochondrial Angiotensin System Abadir et al PNAS . 2011. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1101507108. A recent study shows that angiotensin II receptor type 2 is expressed and localized with angiotensin II to mitochondrial inner membrane in various cell types and regulates NO generation and mitochondrial functions. The findings might have important implications in various inflammatory conditions and cell senescence. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a dominant regulator of the cardiovascular and renal function. Ang II is the key effector molecule of this system. Most studies have focused on the effect of extracellular Ang II on its receptors on the plasma membrane. However, Ang II and renin are also co-localized intracellularly in many types of cells including juxtaglomerular cells,3 cultured neuroblastoma,4,5 and various endocrine cells. Intracellular Ang II is generated within the cells and secreted for local paracrine function. It is also transported from the extracellular space via an intracrine mechanism. Induction of Ang II expression in stretched cardiac myocyte and consequent myocyte hypertrophy may represent an intracrine mechanism.6 Likewise, microinjection of Ang II in vascular smooth muscle cells results in an increase in [Ca2+] i via intracellular AT1.7 Neonatal cardiac myocytes transfected with an adenoviral Ang II expression vector shows elevated rate of cellular hypertrophy independent of cell surface AT1.8 Adult mice injected with an Ang II expression plasmid vector develop significant cardiac hypertrophy without an increase in blood pressure or plasma Ang II levels.7 These effects were not suppressed by losartan administration indicating an intracellular mechanism of the intracrine Ang II.9 These observations suggest possible functions of intracellular Ang II via intracellular AT1 if Ang II gains access to the intracellular …
A Generalized Heuristic for Can't Stop

Can’t Stop is a jeopardy stochastic game played on an octagonal game board with four six-sided dice. Optimal strategies have been computed for some simplified versions of Can’t Stop by employing retrograde analysis and value iteration combined with Newton’s method. These computations result in databases that map game positions to optimal moves. Solving the original game, however, is infeasible with current techniques and technology. This paper describes the creation of heuristic strategies for solitaire Can’t Stop by generalizing an existing heuristic and using genetic algorithms to optimize the generalized parameters. The resulting heuristics are easy to use and outperform the original heuristic by 19%. Results of the genetic algorithm are compared to the known optimal results for smaller versions of Can’t Stop, and data is presented showing the relative insensitivity of the particular genetic algorithm used to the balance between reduced noise and increased population diversity.
THE INFLUENCE OF DIET UPON THE REGENERATION OF SERUM PROTEIN : II. THE POTENCY RATIOS OF SERUM PROTEIN, LACTALBUMIN AND CASEIN, AND THE EFFECT OF TISSUE PROTEIN CATABOLISM ON THE FORMATION OF SERUM PROTEIN.

1. By the technique of quantitative plasmapheresis the effects of single proteins in artificial synthetic diets were studied with respect to their value in promoting the regeneration of serum protein. 2. The ratio of (a) the amount of serum protein per week removed by bleeding above that regenerated by the dog when eating the protein-free diet, to (b) the dietary protein increment (i.e., above that required for nitrogen equilibrium) was termed the potency ratio. The results indicated that serum protein was slightly superior to casein and lactalbumin in promoting the regeneration of serum protein. However, the respective potency ratios, varying from approximately 0.51 to 0.36, were comparable and not widely divergent as those reported by others. It was concluded that, whereas in some individuals dietary proteins may be able to produce a significant increase in the serum protein concentration, the potency ratios are not sufficiently different to warrant the administration of any one protein in preference to another. 3. The inhibitory effect of the basal protein-free diet with respect to serum protein regeneration in the dog was also demonstrated by the inability of the protein concentration to attain the normal level in spite of discontinued plasmapheresis. However, a subsequent fasting period resulted in a progressive rise in the serum protein concentration until the normal value was approximated. These observations are interpreted as indicating that the products of tissue protein catabolism can be utilized in the formation of new serum protein. 4. The experimental production of what seems to be an inhibition of the serum protein regenerating mechanism was described. This observation together with the hypothetical evidence presented by Bloomfield (17) and Weech and his associates (9) suggests that the most profitable line of approach to solution of the problem of hypoproteinemia lies not so much in the evaluation of dietary factors but in finding a way for stimulating internally the serum protein regenerating mechanism, which seems to involve in some manner the capacity of the tissue to furnish protein for the needs of the plasma. 5. A hypothesis explaining the mechanisms responsible for serum protein formation was presented and the experimental support for it discussed. The role of tissue protein catabolism in this function was emphasized.
School-Based Prevention of Adolescent Suicide Issues, Obstacles, and Recommendations for Practice

Adolescent suicide continues to be a major concern among parents and school-based professionals. Because of the increased rate of adolescent suicide in recent years and the controversy surrounding ...
The Association of Chiari Type I Malformation and Neurofibromatosis Type 1

The association of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) with Chiari malformations of the cerebellum and brain stem has been reported on only two previous occasions. The pathogenesis of both conditions has remained unclear, although the Chiari type I malformation is most likely due to hypoplasia of the posterior fossa with subsequent extension of the cerebellum through the foramen magnum. NF1 is also associated with a variety of cerebral dysplasias. We present a patient with both of these dysplastic lesions whose Chiari malformation was asymptomatic.
Decision Cases in Western Democracies: A Data Bank

There is a large body of research about decision cases in Western democracies. Unfortunately, the individual case studies are widely scattered so that the research has little cumulative effect. We present an effort to construct a data bank for which existing case studies are coded according to a uniform scheme. This presentation is done at a relatively early stage so that changes can still be made in response to unanticipated problems or different theoretical perspectives. The article gives the rationale for the data bank, addresses the problem of the units of analysis, enumerates the variables contained in the data bank, and illustrates for what theoretical questions the data can be used.
Race, race-based discrimination, and health outcomes among African Americans.

Persistent and vexing health disadvantages accrue to African Americans despite decades of work to erase the effects of race discrimination in this country. Participating in these efforts, psychologists and other social scientists have hypothesized that African Americans’ continuing experiences with racism and discrimination may lie at the root of the many well-documented race-based physical health disparities that affect this population. With newly emerging methodologies in both measurement of contextual factors and functional neuroscience, an opportunity now exists to cleave together a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which discrimination has harmful effects on health. In this article, we review emerging work that locates the cause of race-based health disparities in the external effects of the contextual social space on the internal world of brain functioning and physiologic response. These approaches reflect the growing interdisciplinary nature of psychology in general, and the field of race relations in particular.
Constraints on the metamorphic evolution of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis from geochronologic and petrologic studies of Namche Barwa

The eastern Himalayan syntaxis is host to the actively deforming metamorphic massif, Namche Barwa. This massif has experienced a complex history of uplift and deformation, infl uenced by intense fl uvial erosion associated with the Yarlung Tsangpo. Here we present new thermobarometric and geochronologic information on metamorphic rocks from the Namche Barwa‐Gyala Peri region. Pressure-temperature data are combined with U-Th-Pb ages of monazite and titanite in an effort to trace the metamorphic evolution of the eastern Himalaya. Metapelitic rocks containing garnet-biotite-plagioclase assemblages yield peak metamorphic pressures and temperatures of 10‐14 kbar and 700‐900 °C in the structural core of the massif. There is a distinct metamorphic break across the Namula thrust, separating high-grade rocks to the north from lower grade rocks to the south. Ion microprobe monazite and titanite ages of 3‐10 Ma indicate that timing of metamorphism is roughly coincident with the age of granitic melt production (<10 Ma) as well as the onset of rapid denudation. In-situ ages determined from monazites included in garnet show that they grew over a period of several million years (6.4 ± 0.3 Ma to 11.3 ± 0.2 Ma) and during a pressure decrease of ~5 kbar. These data suggest that high-grade metamorphism and anatexis is a phenomenon that has been operative at Namche Barwa since at least the mid-Miocene. Geodynamic models for the evolution of Namche Barwa must therefore account for these features. We conclude that our data most closely fi t the tectonic aneurysm model, based on distinct spatial correlations between pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions, age of metamorphism, and erosion by the Tsangpo.
Simplified robust control for nonlinear uncertain systems: a method of projection and online estimation

Robust control based on an online estimation of uncertainty is presented for a class of nonlinear uncertainty systems. The estimation is done via a robust observer after system uncertainties are mapped into an one-dimensional subspace. The proposed combination of dynamics projection and online estimation is to relax the knowledge about the size of uncertainty and required in the robust control design, to make robust control less conservative while being effective, and to ensure robust stability without undue complexity.
Scanning electron microscopy of epidermal cell migration in wound healing during limb regeneration in the adult newt, Notophthalmus viridescens

The epidermal cells which migrate over the wound surface of the amputated limb of the adult newt were examined using the scanning electron microscope. Specimens were prepared routinely for scanning electron microscopy or were embedded in Epon 812 for light microscopic observations. A cuff of epidermal cells was seen at the edge of the wound, from which cells appeared to migrate over the wound surface. As early as five hours after transection of the limb, the basal layers of this cuff appeared to send out pseudopodial projections. These seemed to establish a physical contact with a fibrin-like substratum, which apparently served as a means of support for the migrating cells. Subsequently, the epidermal cells became elongate and had the appearance of streaming toward the center of the wound. Between 10 and 13 hours post-amputation, the cells in the central region of the stump were rounded up and some possessed microappendages resembling microplicae and microvilli. Throughout the entire period of wound coverage, the cells seemed to maintain contact with the fibrin network, which appeared to be the first structural element of wound architecture. As a result of these observations, the mechanism by which the epidermal cells migrate has been clarified.
Neural network communication receiver based on the nonlinear filtering

A neural-based network is applied to the data communication receiver to investigate the feasibility of the network over inter-symbol interference (ISI) and additive white Gaussian noise channel environments. With a three-layered perceptron with either backward error propagation or extended Kalman filter training algorithms, it can be shown that it closely approximates the theoretical optimum receiver as the number of network trainings increases. The simulations are made on the network operations, and error rate performance for several important parameters is given. The proposed data receiver is an alternative to the optimum Viterbi channel decoder once the problem on the network training is solved. >
Synthesis, reactivity and structural study of diastereomeric titanium complexes with amino acid derived N- and O-π donor ligands

Abstract Two diastereomeric Ti(IV) complexes of the type [Ti(Cl)(NMe2)(OCH2CH(CH2Ph)N(R))]2 (where R=iPr or cyclo-C6H11) have been synthesized by protonolysis of TiCl(NMe2)3 with the corresponding N-substituted amino alcohols. The chiral ligands were synthesized in a two-step procedure from l -phenylalanine ethyl ester. The complexes bridge through the amino alcohol oxygen atoms, and contain terminal chlorides. The remaining dimethylamide group can be replaced by a protonolysis reaction with 2,6-diisopropylphenol. The bulky disubstituted phenoxide ligand does not inhibit dimerization, and the amino alcohol oxygen bridged complex [Ti(Cl)(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)(OCH2CH(CH2Ph)NR)]2 is obtained. The dimeric nature of the complexes was established by X-ray crystallography.
Effects of sediment type on macrobenthic infaunal colonization of laboratory microcosms

We tested the effects of four different sediment types collected from northern Gulf of Mexico estuarine systems on macroinfaunal colonization and community development in our laboratory flow-through microcosm system. Four sediments, types included , a beach sand, two fine-grained muds, but from different locations, and a 50:50 mixture of one of the mud sediments and beach sand. Our hypothesis was that the pattern of colonization would differ among sediment types based on empirical field data and theory but the differences would be expressed most strongly at sediment type extremes (e.g., mud versus sand). A total of 49 taxa colonized the four sediments. Unidentified Actiniaria (sea anemones) numerically dominated densities among all four sediments with densities ranging between 46.5 to 60.5 per microcosm (20 cm side−1). Average taxa richness per microcosm (N: 10 replicates per sediment treatment) ranged from 10.4 in one of the mud treatments to 14.9 taxa in the sand. These were the only significant differences among sediment types (P≤0.05) in taxa richness and we detected no significant effects of sediment type on animal densities. Differences in community metrics, although statistically significant, were generally of a relatively small magnitude. Five of 10 microcosms per treatment were randomly selected to test for effects of sediment depth (e.g., top, mid, and bottom). In vertically sectioned microcosms, average taxa richness in sand treatments was significantly greater than those of the other three sediments. A non-parametric multivariate analysis (Primer) revealed that community structure in the vertically sectioned microcosms differed significantly between sand and one of the mud treatments. Mean taxa richness of top sections differed significantly from mid and bottom sections. We detected significantly higher animal densities and taxa richness (p≤0.05) in vertically sectioned versus non-sectioned microcosms. However, these differences were unexplained based on experimental protocols.
Vertical Distribution of European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Egg Masses on Sweet Corn

Abstract Within-plant height (leaf position) of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) egg masses were analyzed in four sweet corn hybrids planted across four planting dates from 1994 to 1996. From the five-leaf to 15-leaf vegetative stages, the mean leaf position of an egg mass was typically at the midpoint of available (nonsenescent) leaves. The mean leaf position of egg masses gradually increased from early to late leaf stages as new leaves were added, and continued to increase during the first reproductive stage (green tassel). The increase in vertical position during vegetative stages was modeled as y = −0.766 + 0.653(x), where y = nodal leaf position, and x = total leaves expanded (r2 = 0.94). However, when the mean egg mass position was expressed as the mean position within available (expanded and nonsenescent) leaves, no relationship was found. These data indicate that during vegetative stages the mean egg mass position increases relative to ground level, but remains near the midpoint of...
Stent patency in patients with advanced chronic venous disease and nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions

Abstract Objective Midterm patency results of iliac vein stents placed for nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVLs) are not widely known. Previously published studies involving large series of patients with iliac vein stent placement have failed to clearly demonstrate the outcomes for patients with NIVLs and advanced disease. To further study this issue, we reviewed our series of 268 iliac vein stents placed for NIVLs. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed of 210 patients who underwent common or external iliac vein angioplasty and stent placement procedures between January 2013 and December 2014. Only patients with Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology classification scores of C3, C4, or C5 were included. Patients were excluded if they had either active ulcer disease or signs of post-thrombotic lesions at initial venography or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Ultrasound-guided puncture was performed of the femoral or common femoral vein at the discretion of the surgeon. This was followed by ascending venography. IVUS was used in cases in which a definite stenosis was not appreciated on initial ascending venography. Balloon angioplasty and stents were applied across lesions. After the procedure, patients were instructed to use clopidogrel 75 mg daily. Patency of the stents was assessed during a follow-up visit with abdominal venous duplex ultrasound scans. The length of the patients' follow-up and stent patency rates were based on the last previous duplex ultrasound scan available. Results A total of 268 procedures were performed in 210 patients. Bilateral lower extremity stent placements were required in 58 patients; 173 (64.6%) procedures were performed in women. The average age of our patients was 72 ± 15 (standard deviation) years. Of the 268 procedures, 144 (53.7%) were performed in the left lower extremity. The Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology classification of lower extremity venous disease was 58%, 30%, and 12% for C3, C4, and C5, respectively. Our average follow-up period was 437 days (median, 499 days; range, 1-1060 days). Patients were observed for >6 months, 1 year, and 2 years in 71.3%, 57.1%, and 28.7% of cases, respectively. During this period, 4 of the 268 (1.5%) limbs experienced in-stent thrombosis. Primary stent patency of 98.7%, 98.3%, and 97.9% was noted at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years of follow-up, respectively. Conclusions Our midterm patency rates for iliac vein stents placed in patients with advanced chronic venous disease demonstrated excellent (98.5%) results. Furthermore, with IVUS assistance, we have clearly documented the average area of iliac venous segments as well as the most common locations of the stenoses.
LONG-RANGE BEAM-BEAM EFFECTS IN THE TEVATRON*

Long-range beam–beam effects occurred in the Tevatron at all stages (injection, ramp, squeeze, and collisions) and affected both proton and antiproton beams. They resulted in beam losses and emittance blow-ups, which occurred in remarkable bunch-to-bunch dependent patterns. On the way to record-high luminosities of the collider, many issues related to the long-range beam– beam interactions have been addressed. Below we present a short overview of the long-range beam–beam effects in the Tevatron. (For a detailed discussion on the beam– beam effects in the Tevatron please see reviews in Refs. [1–3] and references therein). HELICAL ORBITS IN TEVATRON Beam–beam interactions in the Tevatron differ between the injection and collision stages. The helical orbits were introduced to provide sufficient separation between the proton and antiproton beams in order to reduce detrimental beam–beam effects, e.g. tune shifts, coupling, and high-order resonance driving terms. In 36 × 36 bunch operation, each bunch experienced 72 long-range interactions per revolution at injection, but at collision there were 70 long-range interactions and two head-on collisions per bunch at the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) and D0 detectors (see Fig. 1). At a bunch spacing of 396 s −9 , the distance between the neighbour interaction points (IPs) was 59 m. In total, there were 138 locations around the ring where beam–beam interactions occurred. The sequence of 72 interactions out of the 138 possible ones differed for each bunch, hence the effects varied from bunch to bunch. The locations of these interactions and the beam separations change from injection to collision because of the antiproton cogging (relative timing between antiprotons and protons). Figure 1: Schematic of proton (blue) and antiproton (red) bunches in the Tevatron and the two head-on collision locations B0 and D0. Figure 2: The pattern of the Tevatron helical orbits at the collision stage. Initially, there were six separator groups (three horizontal and three vertical) in the arcs between the two main interaction points, B0 (CDF) and D0. During collisions, these separators form closed 3-bumps in each plane (see Fig. 2). However, the condition of orbit closure prevented running the separators at maximum voltages with the exception of horizontal separators in the short arc from B0 to D0. This limited separation at the nearest parasitic crossings 59 m away from the main IPs, aggravating the long-range beam–beam interaction. To increase separation at these parasitic crossings, three additional separators were installed to create closed 4bumps both in the horizontal and vertical planes in the long arc (from D0 to B0) and in the vertical plane in the short arc. Each 3 m long HV separator (of which there were 24) was rated to operate with up to 300 kV over a 50 mm gap (horizontal/vertical) (see Fig. 3).
Disparities in care of patients with end-stage renal disease: review of literature and action plan.

Disparities in access to care for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and particularly to kidney transplantation, as well as discrepancies in follow-up and outcomes have been extensively documented as they relate to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic factors, urban/rural residence, and geographic region. Furthermore, these inequalities seem to be increasing in various parts of the world and it is imperative to develop policies to address them among various population groups, identifying factors that might provide improved care for all patients with kidney disease. Numerous studies from various parts of the world have demonstrated racial, ethnic, and geographic differences regarding the delivery of healthcare to patients with ESRD. To the author’s knowledge, although this issue has been studied at transplant centers in Iran on an individual basis, it has not been extensively studied on a national scale. In this paper, the current world literature will be reviewed, with the goal of emphasizing the need to initiate and expand full-scale studies to detect and remedy any existing inequalities in Iran, a vast country with an ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse population. The author proposes the designation, at the national level, of a task force to study disparities and to provide insight into the means of correcting them. As Iran continues to attain a position of regional leadership in the realm of organ transplantation, it seems prudent to invest in research aimed at detecting and remedying any inequalities in the provision of equivalent and just care for patients with ESRD.
A Q-DLTS investigation of aluminum nitride surface termination

A single crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) wafer surface was investigated via the use of a novel software-based, Charge-based Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (Q-DLTS) apparatus, both before and after surface bond termination with hydrogen plasma. The sample was cleaned and metalized with a thermoresistive evaporator to create electrical contacts and then annealed in a helium atmosphere at 825 °C. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements were performed to investigate the nature of the metal/substrate contacts. The effect of hydrogen termination was investigated and Arrhenius plots were produced from Q-DLTS spectra at temperatures ranging from −15.9 °C to 136.0 °C. Activation energies and capture cross-section values were calculated from the Q-DLTS spectra for traps existing in the AlN substrate surface. Prior to hydrogen termination, four charge traps were observed with activation energies of 0.31 eV, 0.61 eV, 0.56 eV, and 0.18 eV and capture cross sections 5.6 × 10−21 cm2, 1.1 × 10−16 cm2, 3.5 × 10−19 cm2, and 1.3 × 10−21 cm2, respectively After hydrogen termination, five charge traps were observed with activation energies of 0.31 eV, 0.61 eV, 0.52 eV, 0.19 eV, and 0.40 eV, and capture cross sections 4.9 × 10−21 cm2, 1.3 × 10−16 cm2, 2.9 × 10−19 cm2, 3.1 × 10−19 cm2, and 4.7 × 10−19 cm2, respectively. Four of these peaks after termination are matched with the peaks prior to termination and the fifth peak appears to be the result of the hydrogen termination.
The Potential Contribution of the Cognitive-Behavioral Model for the Classification of Emotional Disorders:

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) has been criticized for using arbitrary criteria to define mental disorders based on subjective data. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative offers an alternative system that also considers biological and behavioral data, but shares the DSM-5's reliance on the latent disease model. Moreover, neither the DSM-5 nor RDoC provides any concrete treatment guidelines. In contrast, the cognitive behavioral model offers an empirically-based framework for a treatment-relevant classification system by focusing on maintaining rather than initiating factors. In contrast to the latent disease model of the DSM-5 and RDoC, the cognitive-behavioral framework is consistent with a complex causal network system network approach, which assumes that maladaptive cognitions and behaviors settle into a pathological state causing emotional distress. This framework offers concrete treatment implications while avoiding many shortcomings of a latent disease model.
Sustainable Urban Agriculture: A Growing Solution to Urban Food Deserts

Urban Agriculture is here to stay and is defined as the growing, processing, and distribution of food and other products through intensive plant cultivation and animal husbandry in and around cities. Growing food and non-food crops in and near cities contributes to healthy communities by engaging residents in work and recreation that improves individual and public well-being. Urban agriculture integrates multiple functions in densely populated areas offering an alternative land use. In addition to food production, urban agriculture also offers a wide range of other functions such as energy conservation, waste management, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, microclimate control, urban greening, economic revitalization, community socialization, human health, preservation of cultural heritage, and education.
Lasers in Otology

The author describes the use of lasers in over 2500 tympanomastoid surgical procedures. The advantages of using laser energy in microsurgery, which include fewer complications and the possibility of outpatient treatment, are presented.
Theory of Atomic Excitation by Multiple Laser Pulses

The problem of preparing multilevel atoms or molecules in high-lying levels using one or more laser pulses is of considerable importance in many problems. Few if any systematic methods designed specifically for multilevel excitation have been proposed. In this note we report new exact results in the theory of atomic excitation by multiple laser pulses.