cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying the true origins of selectivity in chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed N-acyl-azetidine desymmetrizations

The first catalytic intermolecular desymmetrization of azetidines was reported by Sun and coworkers in 2015 using a BINOL-derived phosphoric acid catalyst (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 5895-5898). To uncover the mechanism of the reaction and the origins of the high enantioselectivity, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed at the B97D3 / 6-311+G(2d,2p) / SMD(toluene) // B97D3 / 6-31G(d,p) / CPCM(toluene) level of theory. Comparison of four possible activation modes confirms that this reaction proceeds through the bifunctional activation of the azetidine nitrogen and the thione tautomer of the 2-mercaptobenzothiazole nucleophile. Upon thorough conformational sampling of the enantiodetermining transition structures (TSs), a free energy difference of 2.0 kcal mol-1 is obtained, accurately reproducing the experimentally measured 88% e.e. at 80 °C. This energy difference is due to both decreased distortion and increased non-covalent interactions in the pro-(S) TS. To uncover the true origins of selectivity, the TSs optimized with the full catalyst were compared to those optimized with a model catalyst through steric maps. It is found that the arrangements displayed by the substrates are controlled by strict primary orbital interaction requirements at the transition complex, and their ability to fit into the catalyst pocket drives the selectivity. A general model of selectivity for phosphoric acid-catalyzed azetidine desymmetrizations is proposed, which is based on the preference of the nucleophile and benzoyl group to occupy empty quadrants of the chiral catalyst pocket.
Penis, Testis, Urethra, and Other Genitourinary Malignancies

There are other urologic malignancies that can be seen in the geriatric population. Of those discussed in this chapter, penile cancers are likely the most common that will be encountered in this age group, and early diagnosis and treatment are essential in order to optimize outcomes. Testicular neoplasms, also discussed herein, are not as common but do occur and are usually associated with a good prognosis, although secondary malignancies at this site require different treatment algorithms compared to germ cell tumors. Urethral cancers of both the male and female are exceedingly rare and associated with a poor prognosis unless diagnosed at an early stage. Evaluation and management for these cancers is not different in other age groups; however, comorbid diseases may complicate treatment and outcomes. Lastly, within this group long-term complications of radiation therapy are increasingly seen affecting other organ systems as well as health-related quality of life.
A review of solid-state lighting and its impact on the marketing and production of decorative coatings

Solid-state lighting in the form of light emitting diode lamps is quickly taking over the world as replacements for existing lower efficiency lamps. The lighting standards, which phased in from 2012 to 2014, do not ban incandescent or any specific lamp type, but they do require that lamps need to use about 25% less energy. The bipartisan Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) established these efficiency standards. Many commercial lamps meet these new standards, including halogen incandescent filament, CFLs, and LEDs. The new bulbs provide a wide range of choices in color and brightness, and many of them last much longer than traditional lamps. However, the spectral distribution of flux from some of these new lamps do not match or even correspond to the spectral power distribution of traditional office and home lighting. In this review, the impact of the new lamp lights on the design, marketing, and production of modern decorative coatings is assessed. The decorative coatings industry has followed recommended guidelines for many decades, producing color-matches that are acceptable under a series of standard illuminants (D65, CWF, A) which are representative of the lamp lights in most common facilities. The new solid-state lamps do not render object colors in ways similar to the currently adopted standardized illuminants. The primary obstacle to the coatings manufacturer is the lack of standards on how to test color-matches for quality conformance under the new lamp lights. As the energy efficient lighting industry is currently still in a technologically developing phase, it appears that it will be some time before any agreements on the characteristics of modern lamp light will be reached. Therefore, guidance is provided on creating and/or using illuminant data representative of these lamps until official reference illuminants are published.
The Thermal Synthesis of Amino Acids from a Hypothetically Primitive Terrestrial Atmosphere.

Thermal synthesis of amino acids from methane- ammonia-water mixture passing through Earth-crust materials
Comparison of Motor Ability, New Motor Skill Learning, and Adjustment to a Rearranged Visual Field

Abstract The ability of 48 college women to adjust hand-eye coordination in a rearranged visual field was compared with ability to learn a new motor skill and with present level of motor ability. The measuring instruments utilized included the Scott motor ability test, Moody's new motor skill learning test, and a variation of the mirror-box test of Held and Gottlieb. Subjects were exposed for one minute to each of four experimental treatments—moving chessmen and throwing a ball performed both while wearing prism-glasses and without wearing these glasses. Subjects received one treatment per day, two days per week; the treatments were repeated in the same order and sequence, making a total of eight experimental sessions. The findings did not justify the conclusion that a relationship exists between motor ability or new motor skill learning and ability to adjust to a rearranged visual field. Wearing prism-glasses did not result in a consistent amount of visual rearrangement with each subject.
Evaluation High Level Parallel Programming Support for Irregular Applications in ICC

Object-oriented techniques have been proffered as aids for managing complexity, enhancing reuse, and improving readability of parallel applications, and numerous variants have been explored. These techniques appear especially promising for irregular applications, where modularity and encapsulation help manage complex data and parallelism structures. In this paper, we evaluate a high level concurrent object system's programmability for achieving high performance on irregular applications. Our study is done in the context of a high-performance compiler and run-time system for parallel computers, which has been the vehicle for research on compiler optimization and run-time techniques over the past five years. We evaluate programming effort for a varied suite of irregular parallel applications.
Neural networks in off-line text recognition: a review

This paper provides a brief review of the state-of-the-art of neural networks in off-line text recognition. We discuss the role that neural networks have played in text recognition. We also assess the state of the art of neural networks in character and word recognition. Despite the success of neural networks in character and word recognition, there are still many challenging problems.
The Evolution of Mammalian Olfactory Receptor Genes

We performed a comparative study of four subfamilies of olfactory receptor genes first identified in the dog to assess changes in the gene family during mammalian evolution, and to begin linking the dog genetic map to that of humans. The human subfamilies were localized to chromosomes 7, 11, and 19. The two subfamilies that were tightly linked in the dog genome were also tightly linked in the human genome. The four subfamilies were compared in human (primate), horse (perissodactyl), and a variety of artiodactyls and carnivores. Some changes in gene number were detected, but overall subfamily size appeared to have been established before the divergence of these mammals 60–100 million years ago.
Retention and thermal release of deuterium implanted in beryllium

Abstract Beryllium was implanted at room temperature with deuterium at 500 and 1500 eV while the amount of D retained was measured as a function of incident fluence using nuclear reaction analysis. At low fluences almost all of the incident D is retained but at high fluences the retention saturates. The retention is well described by a saturation model using a saturation concentration of 0.31 ± 0.05 D/Be and D depth profiles calculated by the TRIM code. Isochronal annealing of implanted samples shows that the D is thermally released in two stages, a broad stage at 400 ± 100°C and a stage at 125°C. For samples implanted to saturation most of the D is released in the 125°C stage but no release occurs at this temperature for low dose implants.
Estrone sulfate: A potential source of estradiol in human breast cancer tissues

Local formation of estradiol in human breast tumors could provide a more important source of estrogen than is delivered from plasma. Prior studies have suggested that estrone is primarily synthesized from estrone sulfate. The enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) would be required to convert estrone to estradiol.
Structure and mechanism of the RNA triphosphatase component of mammalian mRNA capping enzyme

The 5′ capping of mammalian pre-mRNAs is initiated by RNA triphosphatase, a member of the cysteine phosphatase superfamily. Here we report the 1.65 Å crystal structure of mouse RNA triphosphatase, which reveals a deep, positively charged active site pocket that can fit a 5′ triphosphate end. Structural, biochemical and mutational results show that despite sharing an HCxxxxxR(S/T) motif, a phosphoenzyme intermediate and a core α/β-fold with other cysteine phosphatases, the mechanism of phosphoanhydride cleavage by mammalian capping enzyme differs from that used by protein phosphatases to hydrolyze phosphomonoesters. The most significant difference is the absence of a carboxylate general acid catalyst in RNA triphosphatase. Residues conserved uniquely among the RNA phosphatase subfamily are important for function in cap formation and are likely to play a role in substrate recognition.
Fabrication and Finite Element Simulation of Micro-Laser Shock Peening for Micro Dents

An innovative surface treatment process micro laser shock peening (μ -LSP) has been developed in this study to fabricate micro dents on Ti-6Al-4V surfaces for improving tribology performance. A 3D finite element simulation model was also developed to investigate transient laser/material interactions at nano timescale during peening. The dynamic mechanical behavior was modeled using a user material subroutine of the internal state variable plasticity model. The temporal and spatial peening pressure was modeled using a user load subroutine. The simulated dent geometry agrees with the measured ones in terms of profile and depth. The results suggested that there is an optimal peening time for the deepest dent. The maximum transient stress in peening direction occurred at a certain pulse time.
Are barrier creams actually effective

This article reviews the current information surrounding the efficacy of barrier creams as a protective measure against contact dermatitis. The principles of the proposed effects of barrier creams on the skin and the experimental and clinical data regarding their efficacy in the prevention of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis are discussed.
Palaeontology: Fossils come in to land.

Fossils found in rocks of the Ediacaran period in Australia have been previously characterized as early marine organisms. But a report suggests that these rocks are fossilized soils. So did some of these Ediacaran organisms in fact live on land, like lichens? A palaeontologist and a geologist weigh up the evidence. See Letter p.89 The smaller the bat, the higher the frequency of its echolocation calls. Until now this scaling has been attributed either to the bat's size or to the supposition that smaller bats seeking finer prey will need to use higher frequencies to pick out smaller objects. But that doesn't explain why small bats emit such high-pitched squeaks—up to 55 kHz, when 20 kHz would do the job, carry farther and take less effort to produce. Annemarie Surlykke and colleagues compare echolocation signals from six species of vespertilionid bat over a fivefold mass range. They show that the size–frequency relationship is governed by the need to maintain a focused, highly directional beam. As sound beams narrow with increasing emitter size and signal frequency, smaller mouths impose a constraint that forces smaller bats to use higher frequencies to achieve a sufficiently narrow beam. Exceptions prove the rule: phyllostomid bats show a much weaker correlation between size and frequency, but they emit sounds through specialized nasal structures, not through the mouth, and noseleaf dimensions do not scale with body size.
Service level management with agent technology

Abstract This paper outlines a generic evaluation methodology for multimedia and real time applications. It concentrates on the application layer and the service aspect. Principles of software evaluation for quality assessment and measurement for networked services and distributed applications are used to present a specific method for measuring important characteristics. The method and the measurement procedure allow comparison of the actual characteristics of service quality with the required characteristics and thresholds. The proof of concepts will be made by the implementation of quality measurement agents following the approach outlined in this paper. Our approach of performing service level management (SLM) with agent technology is distributed, slim, minimizable to the maximum, independent in its methodology and offers comparable, objective results.
A Case for Coastal Theory with Lessons from Planning Theory

Coastal management has been emerging as a distinct profession drawing from numerous fields within the natural and social sciences. We argue for an expanded discourse and a body of coastal theory that both examines coastal management as a distinct professional endeavor and, in turn, guides best practices. Urban and regional planning and coastal management are in many respects overlapping professions, each of which is itself informed by multiple disciplines and each dealing with coupled natural and human systems. This article presents ideas existing within planning theory, which has a robust history, and explores the applicability of major themes in the discourse to the growing field of coastal management. We explore five clusters of ideas within planning theory including: the nature of problems and solutions, landscape meaning, the ecological landscape planning framework, the epistemologies of knowledge communities, and communicative planning. Following a review and discussion of key concepts and literatur...
Proposal for soft-x-ray and XUV lasers in capillary discharges.

Capillary plasmas with large length-to-diameter ratios (1/d > 100) are proposed as amplification media for soft-x-ray and XUV radiation by direct discharge excitation. The capillary geometry provides a small volume and an adequate resistance for ohmic heating. Heat conduction to the capillary walls provides rapid cooling of the plasma during the decay of the excitation pulse, resulting in a large recombination rate and a population inversion. A time-dependent collisional–radiative model of the capillary plasma predicts gains of the order of 5 cm−1 in the 18.2-nm line of C vi.
Carbapenems and SHV-1 β-Lactamase Form Different Acyl-Enzyme Populations in Crystals and Solution

The reactions between single crystals of the SHV-1 beta-lactamase enzyme and the carbapenems, meropenem, imipenem, and ertapenem, have been studied by Raman microscopy. Aided by quantum mechanical calculations, major populations of two acyl-enzyme species, a labile Delta (2)-pyrroline and a more tightly bound Delta (1)-pyrroline, have been identified for all three compounds. These isomers differ only in the position of the double bond about the carbapenem nucleus. This discovery is consonant with X-ray crystallographic findings that also identified two populations for meropenem bound in SHV-1: one with the acyl CO group in the oxyanion hole and the second with the acyl group rotated 180 degrees compared to its expected position [Nukaga, M., Bethel, C. R., Thomson, J. M., Hujer, A. M., Distler, A. M., Anderson, V. E., Knox, J. R., and Bonomo, R. A. (2008) J. Am. Chem. Soc. (in press)]. When crystals of the Delta (1)- and Delta (2)-containing acyl-enzymes were exposed to solutions with no carbapenem, rapid deacylation of the Delta (2) species was observed by kinetic Raman experiments. However, no change in the Delta (1) population was observed over 1 h, the effective lifetime of the crystal. These observations lead to the hypothesis that the stable Delta (1) species is due to the form seen by X-ray with the acyl carbonyl outside the oxyanion hole, while the Delta (2) species corresponds to the form with the carbonyl inside the oxyanion hole. Soak-in and soak-out Raman experiments also demonstrated that tautomeric exchange between the Delta (1) and Delta (2) forms does not occur on the crystalline enzyme. When meropenem or ertapenem was reacted with SHV-1 in solution, the Raman difference spectra demonstrated that only a major population corresponding to the Delta (1) acyl-enzyme could be detected. The 1003 cm (-1) mode of the phenyl ring positioned on the C3 side chain of ertapenem acts as an effective internal Raman intensity standard, and the ratio of its intensity to that of the 1600 cm (-1) feature of Delta (1) provides an estimate of the relative populations of Delta (1). In solution, I 1600/ I 1003 equals 2, and in the crystal, I 1600 /I 1003 equals 1. This is strong evidence that the Delta (1) and Delta (2) acyl-enzymes in the crystal are present in approximately equal amounts, in agreement with the X-ray data. However, in solution there are twice as many Delta (1) species per Phe group, and this represents approximately 100% of the active sites, which is consistent with the observed inhibition of the enzyme's activity.
Nondestructive imaging of grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials using evanescent microwave probes

Abstract Nondestructively imaging electrical properties of materials with very high spatial resolution is of great importance in analyzing electronic, semiconductor, superconductor, biological, and other materials. In this work, we introduce and discuss a new family of probes that use evanescent microwave fields to image microwave properties of materials. We discuss and explain new equipment and programming methods that have been incorporated into our setup to improve its resolution and imaging capabilities. In addition, new scanning techniques are discussed that allow for the affluence region of microwave probe to be characterized. Finally, images that were obtained from ceramics, diamond, and other types of materials are discussed to demonstrate the improved imaging capability of the evanescent microwave probe in detecting grain boundaries and film uniformities among other parameters.
An initial value problem in rectilinear flow of a thermo-viscoelastic material with memory

Die Grundgleichungen fur eine Theorie der Thermo-Viskoelastizitat von Stoffen mit Gedachtnis werden auf das Problem der gradlingen Schichtstromung zwischen zwei Warmespeichern angewandt. Es werden die Geschwindigkeit, die Spannungen und die Warmestromung bestimmt.
Bench-scale testing of surfactant-modified reverse osmosis/nanofiltration membranes

Abstract An homologous series of polyethylene-oxide surfactants, with either octylphenol or polypropylene oxide “head” groups, were applied to commercial cellulose acetate blend (CA) and polyamide (PA) reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes. The pressure-normalized permeate flow (NPF) and salt rejection were evaluated before and after fouling with a vegetable protein broth. Surface changes were characterized using atomic force microscopy and electro-kinetic analysis. The transport results from both the swatch and element testing were used in a simple economic model to assess operating costs. Results indicate that cost savings are possible based on the changes in NPF and salt rejection.
A STABLE ISOTOPE SIMULATOR THAT CAN BE COUPLED TO EXISTING MASS BALANCE MODELS

To facilitate the simulation of isotope dynamics in ecosystems, we developed software to model changes in the isotopic signatures of the stocks of an element using the output from any parent model that specifies the stocks and flux rates of that element based on a mass balance approach. The software alleviates the need to recode the parent model to incorporate isotopes. This parent model can be a simple mass balance spreadsheet of the system. The isotopic simulations use a linear, donor-controlled approximation of the fluxes in the parent model, which are updated for each time step. These approximations are based on the output of the parent model, so no modifications to the parent model are required. However, all fluxes provided to the simulator must be gross fluxes, and the user must provide the initial isotopic signature for all stocks, the fractionation associated with each flux, and the isotopic signature of any flux originating from outside the system. We illustrate the use of the simulator with two examples. The first is based on a model of the carbon and nitrogen mass balance in an eight-species food web. We examine the consequences of using the steady-state assumption implicit in multi-source mixing models often used to map food webs based on 13C and 15N. We also use the simulator to analyze a pulse chase 15N-labeling experiment based on a spreadsheet model of the nitrogen cycle at the Harvard Forest Long Term Ecological Research site. We examine the constraints on net vs. gross N mineralization that are necessary to match the observed changes in the isotopic signatures of the forest N stocks.
Synthesis and spectral properties of 1,4- and 1,3-pentadiynes

Abstract “Skipped” (1,4-) diynes have been prepared by coupling alkynyl Grignard reagents with propargyl bromides. Treatment with base isomerizes the 1,4- to conjugated 1,3-diynes. Two alleged routes to 1,5-diphenyl-1,4-pentadiyne have now been shown to give 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne. Spectral properties, NMR, IR, UV, are given for both series. Shoolery's rule is found useful in predicting the chemical shift, τ(CH2),for these and other kinds of acetylenic compounds. On the basis of their UV spectra, one can say that in the 1,4-diynes there is little, if any, conjugation “through” the internal methylene group, and what conjugation there is, is less than that in 1,3-diynes.
Instability of Convection and Heat Transfer of High Prandtl Number Fluids in a Vertical Slot

The stability of convective motion of high-Prandtl-number fluids, generated by a lateral temperature difference across a vertical slot with aspect ratio 15, is studied numerically. The Prandtl number range studied is from 50 to 2000. The nonlinear governing equations are solved by a finite difference method.
Coated vesicles of mouse liver are surrounded by a zone of exclusion

Spiny-(clathrin-)coated vesicles of rodent liver, both at the mature or trans face of the Golgi apparatus and at the cell surface, as well as coated pits, are surrounded by a “halo” or zone of exclusion that extends 55–75 nm beyond the membrane of the coated vesicle. The existence of a zone of exclusion surrounding vesicles close to the sinusoidal membrane and within the region of the Golgi apparatus coincides with the appearance of a spiny network on the cytoplasmic surface of these vesicles. This property is not exhibited by transition vesicles at the immature or cis face of the Golgi apparatus and serves to further distinguish these transition vesicles from the 60–80 nm diameter spiny-coated microvesicles found primarily at the mature Golgi apparatus face.
Where do poor women in developing countries give birth? A multi-country analysis of demographic and health survey data.

BACKGROUND: In 2008 over 300000 women died during pregnancy or childbirth mostly in poor countries. While there are proven interventions to make childbirth safer there is uncertainty about the best way to deliver these at large scale. In particular there is currently a debate about whether maternal deaths are more likely to be prevented by delivering effective interventions through scaled up facilities or via community-based services. To inform this debate we examined delivery location and attendance and the reasons women report for giving birth at home. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a secondary analysis of maternal delivery data from Demographic and Health Surveys in 48 developing countries from 2003 to the present. We stratified reported delivery locations by wealth quintile for each country and created weighted regional summaries. For sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where death rates are highest we conducted a subsample analysis of motivations for giving birth at home. In SSA South Asia and Southeast Asia more than 70% of all births in the lowest two wealth quintiles occurred at home. In SSA 54.1% of the richest women reported using public facilities compared with only 17.7% of the poorest women. Among home births in SSA 56% in the poorest quintile were unattended while 41% were attended by a traditional birth attendant (TBA); 40% in the wealthiest quintile were unattended while 33% were attended by a TBA. Seven per cent of the poorest women reported cost as a reason for not delivering in a facility while 27% reported lack of access as a reason. The most common reason given by both the poorest and richest women for not delivering in a facility was that it was deemed "not necessary" by a household decision maker. Among the poorest women "not necessary" was given as a reason by 68% of women whose births were unattended and by 66% of women whose births were attended. CONCLUSIONS: In developing countries most poor women deliver at home. This suggests that at least in the near term efforts to reduce maternal deaths should prioritize community-based interventions aimed at making home births safer.
Optimal Foraging and Hominid Evolution: Labor and Reciprocity

We argue that cooperative foraging incorporating information exchange may have preceded tool use during the course of hominid evolution. In moving to the savanna, early hominids must have faced increasingly dispersed but sometimes more profitable food sources. The problem is finding such foods. Search costs can be reduced for each individual if a number of foragers cooperate by ranging over different parts of the habitat and by exchanging information about encountered food items. Given the probability of encountering a given food item and the return per individual for that item, it is possible to specify the optimal group size. Thus, in the patchy savanna environment, selection would have favored increased gregariousness and cooperation on the part of early hominids, setting the stage for the emergence of reciprocal exchanges of information and resources. However, such a system of reciprocity is open to manipulation. Outside the foraging context, the tension between reciprocity and manipulation would shape other social interactions. Communication and information exchange may have been more critical than labor and technology in evolving hominids from hominoids. Human sociality may find its origins in a shift in primate foraging tactics.
Oxidation of organic solvent vapours on Pt-catalysts contaminated with paint components

Abstract Oxidation of solvent vapours on the several poisoned platinum-catalysts was studied with the differential thermal analyser and the catalytic combustion apparatus on the laboratory scale. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) revealed that two patterns existed among the DTA curves for the combustion on the contaminated catalysts. The one pattern showed a shift of exothermic peak to higher temperature than on the fresh catalyst, on which most of the solvents gave DTA curves with simple exothermic peaks. The other pattern showed rather complicated DTA curves on some other catalysts, which were contaminated mainly with heavy metals. The oxidation of commonly used solvents on contaminated catalysts in the combustion apparatus often yielded a considerable amount of partial oxidation products, i.e. carbonyl compounds, which are sometimes more toxic than the original solvent compounds.
Cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio in whole sperm and seminal plasma from fertile stallions and stallions with unexplained subfertility

Abstract Semen samples were collected from six fertile stallions and seven stallions with unexplained infertility. Percentages of motile sperm (77.5±11.3 versus 67.5±12.2, P =0.2), and progressively motile sperm (70.8±13.6 versus 60.7±14.0, P =0.2) were similar between fertile and subfertile stallions, respectively. Morphologic characteristics in ejaculates of control and affected stallions (% normal: 60.2±18.2 versus 52.9±11.3, P =0.4; % abnormal heads 7.3±4.8 versus 12.1±5.0, P =0.11; and % abnormal acrosomes 1.6±2.1 versus 3.0±3.4, P =0.4) did not differ. After incubation with the calcium ionophore A23187, acrosome reaction rate of sperm from fertile stallions was 96±2.8% whereas only 2.9±2.5% of sperm from stallions with unexplained subfertility had acrosome reacted ( P P >0.1) between fertile and subfertile stallions. However, the molar ratio of cholesterol-to-phospholipid was 2.5 times greater in the seminal plasma ( P =0.09) and 1.9 times greater ( P =0.009) in whole sperm of subfertile stallions compared to fertile stallions.
133 EVALUATION OF OOCYTE DONOR SOURCE AND CULTURE MEDIUM ON DOMESTIC CAT EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT RATES

The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryo culture, is well established in several species, including canine and feline culture systems. Embryo production conditions tend to be specific for each species and prepared in unique formulations by laboratory. However, the increasing numbers of commercially available media allows for new comparisons in companion animal systems. Therefore, a goal of this study was to compare the development rates of feline parthenotes cultured in a commercially available bovine embryo culture medium with those cultured in a published 3-step domestic cat-specific system. In addition, the source of ovaries utilised for oocyte retrieval was evaluated as a factor in development rates. Ovaries from 2 locations (L1 and L2) were collected on the same day, and harvested oocytes were held in meiotic arrest medium containing 25 μM roscovitine for 14 to 18 h. Oocytes were incubated in maturation medium for 24 h before cumulus cell removal with vigorous pipetting in 0.4% hyaluronidase, and a subset of each group was fixed and stained to determine meiotic maturation rates (n = 76 and 55 for L1 and L2, respectively). Following activation (day 0) by a single course of three 50-μs electric pulses at 1.2 kV cm–1 in 0.3 M mannitol, 0.1 mM CaCl2, and 0.1 mM MgSO4, parthenotes from each source were randomly divided to culture medium treatment of Bovine Evolve medium (Zenith Biotech, Guilford, CT, USA) with 4 mg mL–1 BSA (n = 209) or IVC-1 medium n = 269; (Pope et al. 2009 Theriogenology 71, 864–871), each containing 10 μg mL–1 cycloheximide and 7.5 μg mL–1 cytochalasin B. After a 4-h activation treatment, parthenotes were moved to culture media without cycloheximide and cytochalasin B for embryo development. All parthenotes in IVC-1 medium were moved to IVC-1a medium on day 2. On day 5, both sets of parthenotes were moved to culture media containing 10% heat-inactivated FBS instead of BSA. On day 7, all parthenotes were fixed and stained with Hoechst to determine cell number. No differences were seen in maturation rates between L1 and L2 (56.3 ± 9.5 v. 54.7 ± 9.5, respectively). However, cleavage rates tended to differ, and proportion of embryos greater than 64 cells was different (60.7 ± 5.8 v. 78.3 ± 5.8, P = 0.056 and 3.0 ± 3.1 v. 19.7 ± 3.1, P 0.05). These results indicate that commercially available culture medium can support in vitro development, even if the commercial medium is developed for a different species, but that source of cat ovaries should be considered in feline ART.
A new UWB tightly coupled antenna array

A new UWB tightly coupled antenna array is presented. In traditional antenna design, the distance between array elements is considered carefully to reduce mutual coupling effect, however coupling is not only desired but also enhanced and adjusted to increase array bandwidth in this new array. The equivalent circuit model of dipole array above a ground plane is discussed and its input impedance is also analyzed. The design feature of UWB tightly coupled array is discussed with the interweaved spiral array presented. FSS are designed in the tightly coupled antenna array to compose antenna-filter module, which can improve the array performance with a larger bandwidth.
Baclofen, raclopride, and naltrexone differentially reduce solid fat emulsion intake under limited access conditions.

Abstract Previous work in rats has demonstrated that an Intermittent (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) schedule of access promotes binge-type consumption of 100% vegetable shortening during a 1-h period of availability. The present study used novel shortening-derived stable solid emulsions of various fat concentrations. These emulsions were the consistency of pudding and did not demonstrate oil and water phase separation previously reported with oil-based liquid emulsions. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were grouped according to schedule of access (Daily or Intermittent) to one of three concentrations (18%, 32%, 56%) of solid fat emulsion. There were no significant Intermittent vs. Daily differences in amount consumed, due to high intakes in all groups. This indicated the acceptability of the emulsions. Baclofen (GABA B agonist) and raclopride (D2-like antagonist) both significantly reduced emulsion intake in all Daily groups, but only in the 56% fat Intermittent group. Naltrexone (opioid antagonist), in contrast, significantly reduced 32% and 56% fat emulsion intake in the Intermittent, as well as the Daily groups. These results indicate that the fat intake-reducing effects of GABA B activation and D 2 blockade depend upon fat concentration and schedule of fat access, while the fat intake-reducing effects of opioid blockade depend upon fat concentration but not schedule of access.
Nanoparticle dispersion in polymer nanocomposites by spin-diffusion-averaged paramagnetic enhanced NMR relaxometry: scaling relations and applications.

Scaling relationships are identified between NMR longitudinal relaxation times and clay dispersion quality in polymer–paramagnetic clay nanocomposites. Derived from a previously published analytical relationship developed from a lamella-based model, the scaling relationships are based on the enhancement of NMR relaxation rates with increasing exfoliation and dispersion homogeneity. The paramagnetic contribution to the NMR relaxation rate is inversely proportional to the square of the clay interparticle spacing, and directly proportional to the square of the clay weight fraction. These scaling relationships allow the prediction of relative exfoliation of clay particles for a given series of polymer–clay nanocomposites. With independent knowledge of clay exfoliation in a single sample (e.g., from transmission electron microscopy), NMR relaxometry data may be converted into absolute measures of exfoliation. These scaling relations are confirmed with samples of fully exfoliated poly(vinyl alcohol)–montmorillonite nanocomposites, and then used to reveal exfoliation and dispersion quality in a series of nylon-6–montmorillonite nanocomposites. This characterization route is advantageous because NMR relaxometry can more rapidly provide clay dispersion information that is averaged over larger sample volumes than transmission electron microscopy.
Psychiatric Genetics: Methods, Findings and Ethical Issues

This talk has 4 major sections. First, I review the basic definition of a complex trait, especially as it applies to psychiatric disorders. Second, I outline the 4 basic paradigms of psychiatric genetics: simple genetic epidemiology, advanced genetic epidemiology, gene-finding methods and molecular genetics. Third, I review a few basic facts about psychiatric genetics - the level of heritabilities found for most common disorders and the difficulties the field has had in obtaining replicated evidence for single gene effects. Finally, I briefly review three conceptual/philosophical issues that relate to psychiatric genetics: i) why do people become much more concerned in learning about possible genetic influences on personality or risk for depression than genes that influence risk for cancer, atherosclerosis or asthma? ii) how have the results of research in behavioral/Psychiatric Genetics impacted on the sense of Parental Responsibility for psychiatric illness in their offspring.To watch Dr. Kendler’s presentation, please see the "Google Video posting.":http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3261606556062804269&hl=en
Fluorescent dendritic polymers and nanostructured coatings for the detection of chemical warfare agents and other analytes

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers of generations zero (GO) to four (G4), and a hyperbranched polyurea (HB-PU), were functionalized with 1,5-dansyl (1,5-D), 2,5-dansyl (2,5-D), 2,6-dansyl (2,6-D) and nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) fluorophores that change their fluorescence emission wavelength in response to chemical environment, and the resulting dendritic polymers were characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Fluorophore-functionalized dendritic polymers were then reacted further with 3-acryloxypropyldimethoxymethylsilane (AOP-DMOMS) at various fluorophore to DMOMS substitution ratios. The resulting materials were cast onto glass slides, and cured into robust nanostructured coatings. Coatings with 50% fluorophore-50% DMOMS substitution showed the strongest fluorescence and the best physical properties. Coated coupons were tested against a wide range of analytes including the chemical warfare agent simulants dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and chloroethylethylsulfide (CEES), and the water-methanol-ethanol series. It was found that the ability of the coatings to distinguish between analytes decreased with increasing cross-link density for both dendrimer and hyperbranched polymer-based coatings. It was also found that the percent fluorophore substitution and the type of dendritic polymer carrying the fluorophore had no significant effect upon fluorescence emission wavelength, but fluorescence emission wavelength became less dependent upon solvent with increasing dendrimer generation and molecular mass.
Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography (RIP) for Assessment of Lung Volume Changes (|[Delta]|VL) During High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV)|[dagger]| 1183

A clinically applicable and reliable method to assess ΔVL in infants on HFOV could be of value to neonatologists when attempting to optimize gas exchange. We hypothesized that lung volume recruitment, ΔVL, could be accurately measured in both normal and saline-lavage induced RDS, using DC-coupled RIP. In five anesthetized, paralyzed and tracheostomized piglets(wt: 2-4 kg, age: 5-10 days), we compared estimates of ΔVL measured simultaneously by RIP and body plethysmography (PL) before and after saline lung lavage. HFOV (SensorMedics 3100) settings were 8 Hz and pressure amplitudes of 50 pre- and 60 cmH2O post-lavage. Mean airway pressures (Paw) were varied between 6-14 and 10-26 cmH2O pre- and post-lavage respectively. Estimates of ΔVL from RIP and PL were in close agreement pre-and post-lavage, both: 1) during active recruitment (R=0.83-0.97; slope=0.76-1.16); and 2) at steady state (see example ΔVL @ Plateau, Figure). We conclude that RIP may have clinical application for determining optimal ΔVL during HFOV, thereby avoiding lung under- and over-distension.
ISOMORPHIC CHARACTER TABLES OF NESTED GVZ-GROUPS

In this paper we introduce the notion of nested GVZ-groups. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for two non-isomorphic nested GVZ-groups to have isomorphic character tables.
Validity and Usefulness of the Wisconsin Manual for Assessing Psychotic-like Experiences

Reviews the development, validity, and potential uses of the Wisconsin Manual for Assessing Psychotic-like Experiences (WMAPE; L. J. Chapman and J. P. Chapman, 1980), and provides an interview schedule for collecting information required to make the ratings. The WMAPE is an interview-based assessment system for rating psychotic and psychotic-like symptoms on a continuum of deviancy from normal to grossly psychotic. The original manual contained 6 scales, assessing thought transmission, passivity experiences, thought withdrawal, auditory experiences, personally relevant aberrant beliefs, and visual experiences; a 7th scale assessing deviant olfactory experiences was subsequently added. The scales have good interrater reliability when used by trained raters. Cross-sectional studies have shown that the frequency and deviancy of psychotic-like experiences are elevated among college students who were identified, hypothetically, as psychosis prone by other criteria. Psychotic-like experiences of moderate deviancy in college students successfully predicted the development of psychotic illness and poorer overall adjustment 10 yrs later. The WMAPE is useful for identifying psychosis-prone individuals and is recommended for use in linkage and treatment outcome studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
State Experience In Regulating A Changing Health Care System

PROLOGUE: The recent wave of conversions of nonprofit health plans to for-profit status has brought new challenges to state officials whose job it is to keep an eye on such transactions. States tra...
Multigenerational exposure of the estuarine sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) to 17β-estradiol. II. Population-level effects through two life cycles.

The evaluation of multigeneration, population-level impacts is particularly important in the risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting compounds, because adverse effects may not be evident during the first generation of exposure. Population models were developed for the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) exposed to 17β-estradiol (E2) for two complete generations (F1 and F2) to determine population-level effects of multigenerational exposure to a model estrogen. Stage-structured matrix models were used to determine interactions between treatment and the number of generations exposed. Reproduction was significantly reduced in both the 0.08 and 0.2 μg E2/L treatments in both generations, and embryo and larval stages experienced reduced survival at 0.2 μg/L in the second generation only. However, increased female to male sex ratio in these treatments compensated for the loss in reproductive output, and significant population-level effects only occurred in the 0.2 μg E2/L treatment of the F2 population. The F2 population in the 0.2 μg E2/L treatment also had an altered, stable stage distribution relative to the control population of both generations and the F1 population in the 0.2 μg E2/L treatment, resulting in additional population-level effects. These results demonstrate that continued exposure to E2 had compounding effects on sheepshead minnow populations and that long-term exposures may be necessary to understand the risk that exposures to environmental estrogens pose to native populations. Although population-level effects did not occur in the F1 generation, a risk decision based on F1 organism-level effects would be protective of the population exposed for two generations.
Blackhead in Chicks

Abstract Blackhead, or Entero-hepatitis has up to within the last year been considered a rare disease among chicks or chickens. Ward & Gallhager state that “young chickens are only slightly susceptible but may serve as carriers of the organisms.” Kaupp observed, in 1922, the death of 42 out of 43 Silver Spangled Hamburg chicks about five weeks of age. Ameba meleagridis was present in liver and cecal lesions. Tyzzer reports a case of blackhead in a chick not more than four weeks old, in May 1908. This case was complicated with bacillary infection. Hadley, in 1910, records the transmission of blackhead from chicks to poults and from poults to chicks by feeding diseased organs. A coccidium is described as the common cause of blackhead in turkeys and other fowls. During the past two years a number of inquiries have been received in regard to blackhead in chicks. A study of this . . .
Membrane lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes of the newborn

Fresh, untreated neonatal erythrocytes contained nearly two times the adult level of thiobarbituric acid-reactivity, an index of lipid peroxidation. In addition, both fluorescence and the phospholipid:MDA adduct were significantly increased in neonatal erythrocytes. This study suggests that neonatal erythrocytes undergo significant peroxidative membrane lipid damage in vivo.
Computer aided design education—The the more the education, the less the use

Abstract The use of computers does not at present fit comfortably into the world of the design engineer. To improve this situation, it is not the engineer but the computer that needs educating. The use of CAD requires a database combined with an engineering editor to allow evolutionary design. In the field of finite element analysis, CAD promises to save money while restoring the engineer to his proper position.
Spatial sorting of African Immigrants in the French Public Housing Market

This paper documents the existence of sorting patterns based on region of origin in the French public housing market (HLM). We provide evidence that first-generation African immigrants who benefit from the program tend to live in poorer neighborhoods than their French-born counterparts, once controlled for the broader geographical area of residence. This differential is comparable in magnitude to the one observed in the private rental market, even though the pricing of a public rental is almost uncorrelated with its location characteristics. Whereas we cannot rule out the possibility that this sorting partly reflects the specificity of African immigrants’ housing demand, we mitigate this concern by using information on the HLM offers that were previously rejected by the households and on the households’ declared level of satisfaction regarding their current neighborhood. Given that about half of African immigrants live in HLM (against one sixth of the non-immigrant population), this finding has possibly strong consequences on African immigrants’ segregation and welfare in France.
Spurious DNA blot hybridization resulting from bacterial contamination of primary tissue preparations

We have observed, by Southern blot hybridization, numerous episomes in DNA prepared from tumors grown as athymic mouse xenografts. These extrachromosomal DNAs were present in multiple copies and existed as relaxed and supercoiled conformational isomers. The episomes were readily detected with pBR322 plasmid probes, but not with purified plasmid inserts. Subsequently, four species of bacteria were isolated from tumor xenografts, suggesting that the pBR322 related episomes which we observed were bacterial DNAs, copurified during the isolation of xenograft DNA. This finding illustrates a potential problem which may be encountered in blot hybridizations utilizing nucleic acids from primary tissue preparations.
Techniques for making a telephone appointment

Establishing an appointment with a potential industrial or commercial client is typically an unnerving experience. In fact, this author believes it is the most important and the most difficult step in the entire sales process. One reason why it is so important is because it is the first sale in a series of negotiations leading to a contract. Speaking candidly, if one cannot sell an appointment, one cannot sell. Often, this is the acid test for hiring an industrial salesperson. Suggests certain rules and attitudes as well as illustrates practical techniques to overcome objections enhancing the probability of getting face to face with a prospect.