cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasensitive detection of nitric oxide at 5.33 μm by using external cavity quantum cascade laser-based Faraday rotation spectroscopy

A transportable prototype Faraday rotation spectroscopic system based on a tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser has been developed for ultrasensitive detection of nitric oxide (NO). A broadly tunable laser source allows targeting the optimum Q3/2(3/2) molecular transition at 1875.81 cm−1 of the NO fundamental band. For an active optical path of 44 cm and 1-s lock-in time constant minimum NO detection limits (1σ) of 4.3 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) and 0.38 ppbv are obtained by using a thermoelectrically cooled mercury–cadmium–telluride photodetector and liquid nitrogen-cooled indium–antimonide photodetector, respectively. Laboratory performance evaluation and results of continuous, unattended monitoring of atmospheric NO concentration levels are reported.
Nutrient enrichment reduces complementarity and increases priority effects in prairies managed for bioenergy.

Abstract Prairies are a potential bioenergy feedstock that could benefit the environment while providing biomass for bioenergy. Increased diversity and nitrogen fertilization are two methods of increasing prairie productivity. Diversity may enhance complementarity of resource use within prairies, whereas the application of nitrogen fertilizer may cause priority effects whereby species with early phenologies or high responsiveness to fertilization are stimulated. We tested the effects of functional-group identity and nitrogen fertilization on resource capture and growth of prairie plants. To determine whether functionally-diverse mixtures of prairie plants exhibited complementarity and/or priority effects, we measured light interception, canopy duration, and aboveground biomass production of C3 grasses, C4 grasses, legumes, and multi-functional group mixtures grown without fertilization and with 150 kg ha−1 spring-applied nitrogen fertilizer. Under the conditions of our experiment, nitrogen consistently stimulated C3 grasses, whereas it stimulated C4 grasses only in the middle and late parts of the growing season and had no effect on legumes. In functionally-diverse mixtures, priority effects of C3 grasses in fertilized mixtures reduced overall resource capture and growth by suppressing growth of the more productive C4 grasses in the middle and late parts of the growing season. Complementarity occurred in unfertilized mixtures in which C3 and C4 grasses were dominant at different parts of the growing season. Prairies receiving more modest nutrient inputs than those used in this study or nutrient inputs later in the growing season may maximize the production of multiple ecosystem services by producing large amount of biomass while still capturing resources throughout the whole growing season.
Knight shift of207Pb in p-type lead telluride

PbTe, a p-type semiconductor of the PbS family having NaCl-type structure, is found to display a Knight shift as a result of hyperfine interactions between holes and Pb/sup 207/ nuclei. The Knight shift DELTA /H is found to be equal to CT/sup -1/4/ exp (-E/sub A//2kT), where C = 3.36 x 10/sup -2/ and is independent of T, and E/.sub A/ = 0.064 ev is the acceptor ionization potential. The implications of the results regarding the symmetries in the PbTe lattice are noted. (T.F.H.)
Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the gene encoding virion protein 16 of herpes simplex virus type 2

A virion protein (VP16) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) activates transcription of viral immediate-early genes. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the virion activator gene from HSV-2, which we term VP16-2. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the HSV-1 and HSV-2 homologs shows that the VP16-2 gene product retains features determined to be important for transcriptional activation by VP16.
Public awareness of testis cancer and the prevalence of testicular self-examination-changing patterns over 20 years.

OBJECTIVES Delay in treatment of testis cancer (TC) has a proven negative impact on disease stage, treatment outcome, and mortality. Poor public awareness of the disease and lack of testis self-examination (TSE) may account for late presentation. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge of TC and performance of TSE in a group of men over 2 time periods 20 years apart. METHODS In the current study, 677 men from a banking institution were surveyed on their knowledge of TC and their performance of TSE. Comparisons were made from the current data and those from the original study in 1986. RESULTS This study demonstrates an increase in public awareness and modest concomitant increase in TSE since first studied in this country in 1986. There was no difference in knowledge across age groups in this study. Furthermore, men who demonstrate a superior degree of knowledge were more likely to perform TSE. Limitations included possible selection bias in the 2 studies conducted in a banking institution. CONCLUSIONS Increased testicular cancer knowledge combined with TSE may have a role in improving detection of significant testicular pathology.
The Role of the NH2- and COOH-terminal Domains of the Inhibitory Region of Troponin I in the Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Contraction

The role of the inhibitory region of troponin (Tn) I in the regulation of skeletal muscle contraction was studied with three deletion mutants of its inhibitory region: 1) complete (TnI-(Δ96–116)), 2) the COOH-terminal domain (TnI-(Δ105–115)), and 3) the NH2-terminal domain (TnI-(Δ95–106)). Measurements of Ca2+-regulated force and relaxation were performed in skinned skeletal muscle fibers whose endogenous TnI (along with TnT and TnC) was displaced with high concentrations of added troponin T. Reconstitution of the Tn-displaced fibers with a TnI·TnC complex restored the Ca2+ sensitivity of force; however, the levels of relaxation and force development varied. Relaxation of the fibers (pCa 8) was drastically impaired with two of the inhibitory region deletion mutants, TnI-(Δ96–116)·TnC and TnI-(Δ105–115)·TnC. The TnI-(Δ95–106)·TnC mutant retained ∼55% relaxation when reconstituted in the Tn-displaced fibers. Activation in skinned skeletal muscle fibers was enhanced with all TnI mutants compared with wild-type TnI. Interestingly, all three mutants of TnI increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of contraction. None of the TnI deletion mutants, when reconstituted into Tn, could inhibit actin-tropomyosin-activated myosin ATPase in the absence of Ca2+, and two of them (TnI-(Δ96–116) and TnI-(Δ105–115)) gave significant activation in the absence of Ca2+. These results suggest that the COOH terminus of the inhibitory region of TnI (residues 105–115) is much more critical for the biological activity of TnI than the NH2-terminal region, consisting of residues 95–106. Presumably, the COOH-terminal domain of the inhibitory region of TnI is a part of the Ca2+-sensitive molecular switch during muscle contraction.
Three-dimensional Echocardiographic Reconstruction of Right Ventricular Volume: In Vitro Comparison With Two-Dimensional Methods

Two-dimensional echocardiographic measures of right ventricular volume are limited by the asymmetric and crescentic shape of that ventricle and the difficulty in obtaining standardized views. We have developed a three-dimensional echocardiographic system that automatically integrates images and positional data and calculates right ventricular volume without the need for geometric assumptions or standardized views and a surfacing algorithm that takes advantage of the full three-dimensional data set. The accuracy of this system was studied and compared with two-dimensional methods in 12 gel-filled excised human right ventricles (18 to 74 ml). Volumes calculated by three-dimensional echocardiography correlated well with actual values ( r = 0.99) and agreed more closely with them than did those obtained by two-dimensional methods ( p
Science education and teachers: A Karplus lecture

This speech is devoted to science education reform and the pivotal role of the science teacher in the process.
Teacher Educators as Belief-and-Attitude Therapists: Exploring psychodynamic implications of an emerging role

Over the past several decades student-teachers have increasingly become the objects of psychological study, especially through cognitive, constructivist and psychoana lytic lenses. This research has been used, in turn, to focus teacher education on changing the beliefs and attitudes of student-teachers in order to foster new teaching practices. In this way, teacher educators are becoming 'belief-and-attitude therapists', a role that few have trained for or thoroughly understand. In this paper I examine the psychodynamic relationships between teacher educators and student-teachers, using Vaillant's taxonomy of ego defences. I illustrate selected examples of these ego defences from my work with teacher educators before exploring the social contexts of teacher education that foster these dynamics. Central to this examination is a double-bind between teacher educators' desire to reform schooling through pre-service teacher education, and the need to develop the professional competence of student-teachers. Fin...
Software development tools for microcontrollers

Two software tools are described that are designed to facilitate software development for microcontrollers. One is a mid-level programming language called Pascal/48 and the other is a circuit simulation system. Pascal/48 is designed to give the programmer many of the advantages of a high-level language, but also provide access to all of the hardware of the Intel MCS-48 series of microcontrollers. The circuit simulation system combines many of the advantages of simulation and emulation. It provides a software testing environment in which many more software functions can be tested than with conventional simulators. The system integrates an instruction-set simulator with simulators for other devices. They operate in parallel and are synchronized by a clock that records simulated time. I/O lines of the microcontroller can be linked to other components so that complete circuits can be simulated. Displays are provided of the internal and external state of the simulated circuit, and of the Pascal/48 program being executed. They are updated as simulated execution proceeds using the screen updating facilities of ASCII terminals. Simulation can be continuous, single step, or execution can be reversed (i.e. instructions are ‘unexecuted’).
Molecular Trees: A New Branch of Chemistry

Two hot areas in chemistry are dendrimers—highly branched polymers that are synthesized in stages from a core, in a manner resembling a snowflake—and self-assembly, the synthesis of molecules through molecular recognition. These ideas have been combined by Zimmerman et al. (p. 1095) in a report in this week9s issue of Science . Bell discusses how these authors have produced dendrimers from smaller subunits in one step to create nanometer-scale particles.
Microbial biofilms: a potential source for alloplastic device failure.

A bioﬁlm is deﬁned as an assemblage of surface-asso-ciated (not easily removed) microbial cells that are en-closedinaprotectiveextracellularprimarilypolysaccha-ride matrix. Bioﬁlms may form on a wide variety ofsurfaces, including living tissues, natural aquatic sys-tems, industrial or potable water system piping, or im-planted medical devices.
Infant antibiotic exposures and early-life body mass

To examine the associations of antibiotic exposures during the first 2 years of life and the development of body mass over the first 7 years of life. Longitudinal birth cohort study. A total of 11 532 children born at ⩾2500 g in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a population-based study of children born in Avon, UK in 1991–1992. Exposures to antibiotics during three different early-life time windows (<6 months, 6–14 months, 15–23 months), and indices of body mass at five time points (6 weeks, 10 months, 20 months, 38 months and 7 years). Antibiotic exposure during the earliest time window (<6 months) was consistently associated with increased body mass (+0.105 and +0.083 s.d. unit, increase in weight-for-length Z-scores at 10 and 20 months, P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively; body mass index (BMI) Z-score at 38 months +0.067 s.d. units, P=0.009; overweight OR 1.22 at 38 months, P=0.029) in multivariable, mixed-effect models controlling for known social and behavioral obesity risk factors. Exposure from 6 to 14 months showed no association with body mass, while exposure from 15 to 23 months was significantly associated with increased BMI Z-score at 7 years (+0.049 s.d. units, P=0.050). Exposures to non-antibiotic medications were not associated with body mass. Exposure to antibiotics during the first 6 months of life is associated with consistent increases in body mass from 10 to 38 months. Exposures later in infancy (6–14 months, 15–23 months) are not consistently associated with increased body mass. Although effects of early exposures are modest at the individual level, they could have substantial consequences for population health. Given the prevalence of antibiotic exposures in infants, and in light of the growing concerns about childhood obesity, further studies are needed to isolate effects and define life-course implications for body mass and cardiovascular risks.
Sustainable Tax Strategies and Earnings Persistence

This study examines whether the sustainability of a firm’s tax strategy provides information about the persistence of a firm’s pre-tax earnings and earnings components. We also investigate whether investors are able to determine the sustainability of a firm’s tax strategy and use it as a signal to correctly price the persistence of a firm’s pre-tax earnings and earnings components. Sustainability is an additional dimension of a firm’s tax strategy that focuses on maintaining consistent tax avoidance outcomes over time. Consistent with the sustainability of a firm’s tax strategy providing unique information about earnings persistence and reflecting managers’ expectations of future earnings, we find that firms with more sustainable tax strategies exhibit more persistent pre-tax earnings and earnings components. We also find that investors are able to infer the sustainability of a firm’s tax strategy and use it as a signal to assess the persistence of pre-tax earnings and earnings components.
Axo-Dendritic Overlap and Laminar Projection Can Explain Interneuron Connectivity to Pyramidal Cells

Neocortical GABAergic interneurons have important roles in the normal and pathological states of the circuit. Recent work has revealed that somatostatin-positive (SOM) and parvalbumin-positive (PV) interneurons connect promiscuously to pyramidal cells (PCs). We investigated whether Peters' rule, that is, the spatial overlap of axons and dendrites, could explain this unspecific connectivity. We reconstructed the morphologies of P11–17 mouse SOM and PV interneurons and their PC targets, and performed Monte Carlo simulations to build maps of predicted connectivity based on Peters' rule. We then compared the predicted with the real connectivity maps, measured with 2-photon uncaging experiments, and found no statistical differences between them in the probability of connection as a function of distance and in the spatial structure of the maps. Finally, using reconstructions of connected SOM-PCs and PV-PCs, we investigated the subcellular targeting specificity, by analyzing the postsynaptic position of the contacts, and found that their spatial distributions match the distribution of postsynaptic PC surface area, in agreement with Peters' rule. Thus, the spatial profile of the connectivity maps and even the postsynaptic position of interneuron contacts could result from the mere overlap of axonal and dendritic arborizations and their laminar projections patterns.
Laws of optics at high irradiance. II. Experiments with SF 6 at normal incidence

The dependence upon irradiance of the steady-state reflectance, absorptance, and transmittance of pure SF6 gas and of SF6-He mixtures has been studied at normal incidence, and compared with the predictions of the previous theoretical paper. The radiator was a CO2 laser operating at the center of the P20 line (wavelength 10.591035 μm) providing irradiances of 0.9, 1.6, 3.3, 6.2, 17, 26, 53, and 103 kWm−2. The SF6 pressures employed were 33, 45, 57, and 81 Pa (pure) and 40 and 74 Pa mixed with 156 and 64 Pa of He, respectively. The experimental results, averaged over several cell lengths to eliminate interference effects from the surfaces of the KCl cell windows, agreed with the theoretical predictions to within 0.0058 for reflectance and within 0.028 for transmittance (68% confidence levels) over the entire range of pressures and irradiances employed. The experimental error in the measurements was estimated to be less than 0.005 for the reflectance and 0.01 for the transmittance. These results constitute excellent confirmation of the theory, considering that all data used as input to the computational algorithm were taken from the literature (or measured or calculated independently) with no adjustable parameters.
Breast-feeding and diarrheal morbidity.

This study used a unique longitudinal survey of more than 3000 mother-infant pairs observed from pregnancy through infancy. The sample is representative of infants from the Cebu region of the Philippines. The sequence of breastfeeding and diarrheal morbidity events was carefully examined in a longitudinal analysis which allowed for the examination of age-specific effects of feeding patterns. Because the work controlled for a wide range of environmental causes of diarrhea the results can be generalized to other populations with some confidence. The addition to the breastmilk diet to even water teas and other nonnutritive liquids doubled or tripled the likelihood of diarrhea. Supplementation of breastfeeding with additional nutritive foods or liquids further increased significantly the risk of diarrhea; most benefits of breastfeeding alone or in combination with nutritive foods/liquids became small during the 2nd 1/2 of infancy. Benefits of breastfeeding were slightly greater in urban environments. (authors)
Residential Segregation and Birth Weight among Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States

Racial and ethnic minorities are often residentially segregated from whites in urban settings, a fact which has important health consequences. Research on the relationship between residential segregation and health outcomes lacks national-level investigation of racial and ethnic minority groups other than African Americans. I use multilevel analyses to examine the associations of residential isolation and clustering with birth weight among Asian, black, and Latino Americans using data from the National Center for Health Statistics’ Natality Files and the U.S. Census. Findings indicate that segregation has a negative effect on the likelihood of having a low birth weight baby among Asian Americans, suggesting a possible concentration of social and structural resources in highly-segregated communities. On the contrary, segregation marginally increases the odds of low birth weight among African Americans, but only in the presence of higher poverty rates. Segregation does not affect birth weight among Latino Americans.
The posterior approach for repair of popliteal artery aneurysms

Objectives Ligation and bypass is the most commonly performed surgical treatment for popliteal artery aneurysm. This approach can be complicated by persistent collateral flow to the excluded aneurysm sac, which may lead to aneurysm growth, the development of compressive symptoms, and in some cases, rupture. Repair of popliteal aneurysms by posterior endoaneurysmorrhaphy and reconstruction with a short prosthetic interposition graft avoids these complications because patent collaterals communicating with the aneurysm sac are oversewn at the time of surgery. We report the early and mid-term outcomes of popliteal artery aneurysm repair using this posterior approach. Methods The records of all patients operated on for popliteal artery aneurysm from December 1981 to June 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent popliteal artery aneurysm repair with a posterior approach were included in the study. Results From 1981 to 2003, 30 popliteal aneurysms (mean diameter, 3.2 cm; range, 1.9 to 6.2 cm) were repaired in 24 patients using a posterior approach with interposition prosthetic grafting. The median follow up was 21.5 months. Primary patency, primary assisted patency, and secondary patency were 92.2%, 95.8%, and 95.8%, respectively, at 1 and 2 years. The limb salvage rate was 100%. Conclusions Popliteal endoaneurysmorrhaphy using a posterior approach with interposition prosthetic grafting is simple, safe, and effective. The patency and limb salvage rates are equivalent to those obtained with ligation and vein bypass. In addition, the posterior approach eliminates the postoperative complications associated with persistent collateral flow into the aneurysm sac.
Deriving Sea Surface Salinity and Density Variations From Satellite and Aircraft Microwave Radiometer Measurements: Application to Coastal Plumes Using STARRS

Using brightness temperature Tb measurements from L-band airborne microwave radiometers, with independent sea surface temperature (SST) observations, sea surface salinity (SSS) can be remotely determined with errors of about 1 psu in temperate regions. Nonlinearities in the relationship between Tb, SSS, and SST produce variations in the sensitivity of salinity S to variations in Tb and SST. Despite significant efforts devoted to SSS remote sensing retrieval algorithms, little consideration has been given to deriving density D from remotely sensed SSS and SST. Density is related to S and T through the equation of state. It affects the ocean's static stability and its dynamical response to forcings. By chaining together two empirical relationships (flat-sea emissivity and equation of state) to form an inversion algorithm for sea surface density (SSD) in terms of Tb and SST, we develop a simple L-band SSD retrieval algorithm. We use this to investigate the sensitivity of SSD retrievals to observed Tb and SST and infer errors in D for typical sampling configurations of the airborne Salinity, Temperature, And Roughness Remote Scanner (STARRS) and satellite-borne Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and Aquarius radiometers. We then derive D from observations of river plumes obtained using STARRS and demonstrate several oceanographic applications: the observations are used to study variations in T and S effects on D in the Mississippi plume, and the across-shelf density gradient is used to infer surface geostrophic shear and subsurface geostrophic current in the Plata plume. Future basin-scale applications of SSD retrievals from satellite-borne microwave radiometers such as SMOS and Aquarius are anticipated.
Commensurate Characterization of Persons, Groups, and Organizations: Development of the Trait Ascription Questionnaire (TAQ)

This report summarizes a series of studies pertaining to the description of individuals, groups, organizations, and larger social entities in common, mutually relevant, commensurate terms. Exploration of the ascriptive uses of over 20,000 trait-descriptive terms in contemporary American English led to the construction of a 120-item instrument suitable for investigations of individual-environment 'fit," studies of attribution processes, or for the measurement of self, group, organizational, or national images.
A Highly Available Software Defined Fabric

Existing SDNs rely on a collection of intricate, mutually-dependent mechanisms to implement a logically centralized control plane. These cyclical dependencies and lack of clean separation of concerns can impact the availability of SDNs, such that a handful of link failures could render entire portions of an SDN non-functional. This paper shows why and when this could happen, and makes the case for taking a fresh look at architecting SDNs for robustness to faults from the ground up. Our approach carefully synthesizes various key distributed systems ideas -- in particular, reliable flooding, global snapshots, and replicated controllers. We argue informally that it can offer high availability in the face of a variety of network failures, but much work needs to be done to make our approach scalable and general. Thus, our paper represents a starting point for a broader discussion on approaches for building highly available SDNs.
A wide-band differential and single-ended microwave amplitude detector

This paper presents a wide-band amplitude detector that can perform differential and single-ended signal detection on sinusoidal microwave/millimeter-wave signals. The detector contains only one active component, a diode-connected NPN bipolar transistor. The detector's two major advantages, simple circuit structure and variable measuring configurations, make it a good candidate for on-chip applications, and specifically convenient for Six-Port Reflectometer (SPR). To demonstrate its powerful functionality over a wide band, one of its several different measuring configurations is fabricated as a stand-alone circuit in the 0.13-µm IBM BiCMOS-8HP technology. The simulation results show that the detector can work up to 80 GHz, and the measurement results verify its functionality up to 67 GHz due to test equipment limitations. The closed-form formulas of the developed detector are also given.
A Monolithic Color Processing Circuit

The application of linear medium scale integration principles to the color TV receiver has led to an economical monolithic integrated circuit which performs the functions of 3.58 MHz color signal reference generation and chroma demodulation. Operation of the circuit in either an APC reference loop, burst injection locked oscillator mode or as a crystal ringing amplifier allows the receiver designer the necessary flexibility to meet his goals. Furthermore, a wide latitude in colorimetry can be achieved by proper choice of relatively few external components. The monolithic circuit, which measures 44 × 58 mils, contains reactance control element, reference amplifier/oscillator, buffering stages to provide signals for phase detector and color kill functions, and two demodulators. Utilization of this IC in the various color TV receiver systems is discussed.
ACAT: A Web-Based Software Tool to Facilitate Course Assessment for ABET Accreditation

There are several institutions that accredit educational programs and require documentation to ensure that an educational program regularly meets certain criteria. This paper focuses on ABET program. They require that programs show student achievement and certain course outcomes. Documentation of this requirement is particularly burdensome. There is no standard method of generating these reports, so each institution handles it differently. This might involve manual collection of the data which is time very consuming. A software tool that facilitates this collection of the data and automatically generates the required reports would save institutions time and money. This paper presents such a tool, named ACAT (ABET Course Assessment Tool), it is a web-based application designed to assist in the collecting of data and generation of standardized assessment reports. This paper focuses on design and usability aspects of the proposed ACAT tool and provides implementation and operation details.
Does river regulation increase the dominance of invasive woody species in riparian landscapes

Aim A regional analysis was used to explore the influence of river regulation on the dominance of non-native, invasive shrubs and trees. We addressed the following questions: (1) How do large dams affect hydrological parameters that influence riparian vegetation? (2) How do flow regimes affect the dominance of non-native woody species? (3) How do changes in flow regimes affect the dominance of non-native woody species? Location South-western USA. Methods We sampled the canopy cover of woody species on 179 point bars along seven non-dammed and thirteen dammed river segments. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to determine differences between flow parameters in dammed and non-dammed rivers. We used correlation analyses and generalized linear model comparisons to examine associations of flow parameters and canopy cover of native (Populus and Salix) and non-native (Tamarix and Elaeagnus) taxa. An index of flow alteration that was created using principal components analysis was regressed with vegetation cover. Results Tamarix cover was positively related to drainage area, flow constancy, August and May median flow and flow recession rate, but Elaeagnus cover was unrelated to flow variables. River segments with peak flows in late summer or high constancy had the highest Tamarix cover. Populus cover was positively influenced by low maximum temperatures and frequent high pulses. Flow alteration was negatively related to Populus cover and positively related to Tamarix cover. Total non-native, Elaeagnus and Salix covers were not correlated with flow alteration. Main conclusions Rivers with a large drainage area and low flow variability are inherently more vulnerable to invasions. River regulation does not necessarily increase the cover of non-native, invasive species. Instead, changes in flow allow proliferation of species that have life-history traits suited to modified flow regimes. River restoration projects that aim to reinstate natural flow regimes should be designed with knowledge of native and non-native species' life history strategies.
Measurement of internal forces in superconducting accelerator magnets with strain gauge transducers

An improved method has been developed for the measurement of internal forces in superconducting accelerator magnets, in particular the comprehensive stresses in coils and the end restraint forces on the coils. The transducers have been designed to provide improved sensitivity to purely mechanical strain by using bending mode deflections for sensing the applied loads. Strain gauge resistance measurements are made with a new system that eliminates sources of errors due to spurious resistance changes in interconnecting wiring and solder joints. The design of the transducers and their measurement system is presented along with a discussion of the method of compensation for thermal and magnetic effects, methods of calibration with typical calibration data, and measured effects in actual magnets of the thermal stress changes from cool-down and the Lorentz forces during magnet excitation. >
Brønsted Acid-Promoted Olefin Aziridination and Formal anti-Aminohydroxylation

A straightforward synthesis of aziridines is reported from an electron-rich azide (alkyl or aryl azide), electron-deficient olefin, and triflic acid in cold acetonitrile. The only coproduct of the reaction is dinitrogen (N2). Active ester substrates bearing a nucleophilic carbonyl engage the putative protonated aziridine intermediate to produce the product of olefin aminohydroxylation in which the nitrogen is benzyl protected and the oxygen is acylated. The possibility that a triazoline need not be an intermediate in aziridine production is advanced.
Identification of the R1 oncogene and its protein product from the rhadinovirus of rhesus monkeys.

Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) is a gamma-2 herpesvirus that is most closely related to the human Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We have identified a distinct open reading frame at the left end of RRV and designated it R1. The position of the R1 gene is equivalent to that of the saimiri transforming protein (STP) of herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) and of K1 of KSHV, other members of the gamma-2 or rhadinovirus subgroup of herpesviruses. The R1 sequence revealed an open reading frame encoding a product of 423 amino acids that was predicted to contain an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a C-terminal cytoplasmic tail reflective of a type I membrane-bound protein. The predicted structural motifs of R1, including the presence of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs, resembled those in K1 of KSHV but were distinct from those of STP. R1 sequences from four independent isolates from three different macaque species revealed 0.95 to 7.3% divergence over the 423 amino acids. Variation was located predominantly within the predicted extracellular domain. The R1 protein migrated at 70 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was extensively glycosylated. Tagged R1 protein was localized to the cytoplasmic and plasma membranes of transfected cells. Expression of the R1 gene in Rat-1 fibroblasts induced morphologic changes and focus formation, and injection of R1-expressing cells into nude mice induced the formation of multifocal tumors. A recombinant herpesvirus in which the STP oncogene of HVS was replaced by R1 immortalized T lymphocytes to interleukin-2-independent growth. These results indicate that R1 is an oncogene of RRV.
Neural networks for the identification of linear dynamical model of a five story building

Presents the results of utilizing neural networks to provide an efficient computational model for a dynamical system. Neural networks are used for parameter identification of multistorey buildings. The networks were trained and tested using experimental data measured on building models. The measurements consist of acceleration time-histories taken at the base of the buildings and at the various floor levels. It is demonstrated that, once the initial learning phase is completed, the network can provide instantaneous identification of system parameters when presented with different acceleration records. >
Zinc Deficiency in the Premature Infant

Although zinc was recognized to be essential for the growth of microorganisms during the 19th century, and for the growth of mammals 50 years ago, interest in the role of zinc in human nutrition has developed only in the last 20 years. Hence, in contrast to iron and iodine, zinc can be regarded as one of the "newer" trace elements in this context. Human deficiencies of several of these newer trace elements are now recognized, but human zinc deficiency syndromes are of special interest to the clinician. The clinical importance of this trace element stems from the frequency of zinc deficiency states relative to those of the other newer trace elements, the wide variety of circumstances in which zinc deficiency may occur, the number of organ systems and major metabolic pathways that may be affected, and the extent of the clinical consequences. The cardinal importance of zinc for normal growth and development, both prenatally and postnatally make this micronutrient of special interest to the obstetrician and pediatrician. This article will focus primarily on the premature infant. Despite the paucity of information, zinc nutrition is of particular concern in this nutritionally challenging population group for several reasons. First, the relatively rapid growth of the healthy premature infant, after initial stabilization, suggests the need for relatively large quantities of zinc to meet the demands of new tissue, especially lean body mass.
Absolute Radiometric In-Flight Validation of Mid Infrared and Thermal Infrared Data From ASTER and MODIS on the Terra Spacecraft Using the Lake Tahoe, CA/NV, USA, Automated Validation Site

In December 1999, the first Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument and an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument were launched into polar orbit on the Terra spacecraft. Both instruments measure surface radiance, which requires that they are calibrated and validated in flight. In-flight validation is essential to independently verify that instrument calibration correctly compensates for any changes in instrument response over time. In order to meet this requirement, an automated validation site was established at Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border in 1999 to validate the ASTER and MODIS thermal infrared (TIR, 7-13 mum) and MODIS mid infrared (MIR, 3-5 mum) land-monitoring channels. Daytime and nighttime data were used to validate the TIR channels, and only nighttime data were used to validate the MIR channels to avoid any reflected solar contribution. Sixty-nine ASTER scenes and 155 MODIS-Terra scenes acquired between years 2000 and 2005 with near-nadir views were validated. The percent differences between the predicted and instrument at-sensor radiances for ASTER channels 10-14 were 0.165plusmn0.776, 0.103plusmn0.613, -0.305plusmn0.613, -0.252plusmn0.464, and -0.118plusmn0.489, respectively. The percent differences for MODIS-Terra channels 20, 22, 23, 29, 31, and 32 were -1.375plusmn0.973, -1.743plusmn1.027, -0.898plusmn0.970, 0.082plusmn0.631, 0.044plusmn0.541, and 0.151plusmn0.563, respectively. The results indicate that the TIR at-sensor radiances from ASTER and MODIS-Terra have met the preflight radiometric calibration accuracy specification and provide well-calibrated data sets that are suitable for measuring absolute change. The results also show that the at-sensor radiances from the MODIS-Terra MIR channels have greater bias than expected based on the preflight radiometric calibration accuracy specification
1H MRS of basal ganglia and thalamus in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Previous studies have evaluated motor and extramotor cerebral cortical regions in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using 1H MRS, but none have evaluated the thalamus or basal ganglia. The objective of this exploratory study was to evaluate the subclinical involvement of the basal ganglia and thalamus in patients with ALS using 1H MRS. Fourteen patients (52 ± 7 years) with sporadic definite ALS and 17 age-matched controls were studied using volumetric MRSI on a 3-T scanner. The concentration of the metabolites N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) and their ratio (NAA/Cho) were obtained bilaterally from the basal ganglia (lentiform nucleus, caudate) and thalamus. The maximum rates of finger and foot tap and lip and tongue movements were obtained to assess extrapyramidal and pyramidal tract function. In patients with ALS, relative to controls, the NAA concentration was significantly lower (p < 0.02) in the basal ganglia and thalamus, and the Cho concentration was higher (p < 0.01) in these structures, except in the caudate (p = 0.04). Correspondingly, the NAA/Cho ratio was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in these structures, except in the caudate (p = 0.03), in patients than in controls. There were mild to strong correlations (r = 0.4–0.7) between the metabolites of the basal ganglia and finger tap, foot tap and lip and tongue movement rates. In conclusion, decreased NAA in the basal ganglia and thalamus and increased Cho and decreased NAA/Cho in the lentiform nucleus and thalamus are indicative of neuronal loss or dysfunction and alterations in choline-containing membranes in these structures. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectrophotometric Analysis of Coronal Tooth Discoloration Induced by Various Bioceramic Cements and Other Endodontic Materials.

Abstract Introduction Coronal tooth discoloration induced by various endodontic materials was evaluated in vitro. Methods Eighty extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were accessed, instrumented, and sectioned to standardized root lengths of 10 mm below the cementoenamel junction. Pulp chambers were cleaned chemomechanically to ensure complete tissue removal. Specimens were filled with experimental materials in 8 random groups: RRM, EndoSequence RRM putty (Brasseler, Savannah, GA); RRMF, EndoSequence RRM fast set paste (Brasseler); BD, Biodentine (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, France); WMTA, white MTA (Dentsply, York, PA), GMTA, gray MTA (Dentsply); AH+, AH Plus sealer (Dentsply); TAP, triple antibiotic paste (metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and minocycline); and NF, no filling (negative control group). After incubation in 100% humidity at 37°C, color changes were evaluated with a spectrophotometer (Ocean Optics, Dunedin, FL) on days 0, 7, 30, 60, and 180 after material placement (T0–T180). Data were transformed into Commission International de I'Eclairage's L*a*b color values, and corresponding ΔE values were calculated. Two-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni method were performed. Results Visual discoloration was observed in all specimens in the GMTA, WMTA, and TAP groups at T7, increasing with time. The ΔE value between the initial color at T0 and at T7, T30, T60, and T180 was significantly different for GMTA, WMTA, and TAP (P Conclusions Significant coronal tooth discoloration was caused by TAP, GMTA, and WMTA but not by BD, RRM, and RRMF.
Effects of Zoonotic Disease Attributes on Public Attitudes Towards Wildlife Management

Abstract Society faces a growing challenge in the management of zoonotic wildlife diseases. Unique attributes of zoonotic diseases and the shifting sociocultural contexts within which diseases are experienced create serious challenges for managers. We address 2 critical questions: how do uncertainty and severity associated with a zoonotic disease relate to public management attitudes and preferences, and do immigrant attitudes and preferences differ from those of long-term residents in rural areas of the Intermountain West? We addressed these questions using a personally administered questionnaire in Teton County, Idaho, USA. Based on 2 hypothetical zoonotic wildlife diseases, one less severe and more known (type A) and one more severe and less known (type B), we asked respondents to indicate their agreement with 13 statements regarding their perception of the disease and management preferences. We also asked respondents to indicate their support for different groups controlling management. Our compliance...
Thalamic mechanisms underlying alpha-delta sleep with implications for fibromyalgia

Alpha-delta sleep is the abnormal intrusion of alpha activity (8- to 13-Hz oscillations) into the delta activity (1- to 4-Hz oscillations) that defines slow-wave sleep. Alpha-delta sleep is especially prevalent in fibromyalgia patients, and there is evidence suggesting that the irregularities in the sleep of these patients may cause the muscle and tissue pain that characterizes the disorder. We constructed a biophysically realistic mathematical model of alpha-delta sleep. Imaging studies in fibromyalgia patients suggesting altered levels of activity in the thalamus motivated a thalamic model as the source of alpha activity. Since sodium oxybate helps to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia and reduces the amount of alpha-delta sleep in fibromyalgia patients, we examined how changes in the molecular targets of sodium oxybate affected alpha-delta activity in our circuit. Our model shows how alterations in GABAB currents and two thalamic currents, Ih (a hyperpolarization-activated current) and a potassium leak current, transform a circuit that normally produces delta oscillations into one that produces alpha-delta activity. Our findings suggest that drugs that reduce Ih conductances and/or increase potassium conductances, without necessarily increasing GABAB conductances, might be sufficient to restore delta sleep. Furthermore, they suggest that delta sleep might be restored by drugs that preferentially target these currents in the thalamus; such drugs might have fewer side effects than drugs that act systemically.
Development and validation of a three dimensional dynamic biomechanical lifting model for lower back evaluation for careful box placement

Abstract One of the major causes to low back injury is the box lifting activity, thus for many years biomechanics has been utilized by designers for ergonomic evaluations of the box lifting activity which includes the placement of the box. More recently these ergonomic investigations have focused on the careful placement of the box. The AnyBody (AB) biomechanical models and optimization within the AB software system in conjunction with motion capture has been shown to obtain adequate estimates of joint reaction forces of the body. To date there has not been a dynamic 3D box lifting model developed and validated for carefully placing a box using the AB modeling system and motion capture. Thus the focus of this paper is on the development, verification and validation of a box lifting full body model for lower back evaluations for a dynamic lifting activity for carefully placing a box on a shelf.
Anesthetic Management of the Burn Patient

Burn victims are among the most challenging patients to care for. Major burn patients require immediate attention for airway management, evaluation of inhalation injury, and fluid resuscitation. Patients with extensive burns usually require multiple procedures and extended hospital stays. In these patients, the evaluation of vascular access, availability of blood products, and determining where to place standard and advanced monitors are important in planning. Lastly, postoperative pain management and complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation are challenging issues that constantly need to be addressed.
Giant Desiccation Cracks and Differential Surface Subsidence, Red Lake Playa, Mohave County, Arizona

Earth fissures in the vicinity of Red Lake playa were mapped in detail using large scale aerial photography, on-the-ground field inspection and exploratory backhoe trenching. A system of healed ring fissures identified on the southern half of the playa reflects a zone of local subsidence which may have resulted from flowage within an underlying salt deposit. A wide-spread system of giant polygonal cracks records the massive desiccation that began at the close of the latest pluvial period. Approximately 2 linear miles (3.2 km) of new fissuring which formed in the latter part of 1981 might have been caused by an aquifer test, though a secular decline in ground-water level cannot be ruled out. At least three of the four recently fissured areas formed over a buried ridge on top of the salt body, and the gross pattern of fissuring might be structurally controlled by rheological displacements within the salt. The principal adverse effects of the earth fissuring are the potential damage and disruption to engineered structures such as pavements, pipelines, canals, and foundations. Fissures encountered in underground excavations might act as zones of incompetent material or seepage routes. The engineering problems associated with fissuring in the Red Lake area will be exacerbated if major industrial development with attendant ground-water mining takes place in the area.
Analysis on Physical Examination Results of Practitioner in Food Trade and Public Places in Fuzhou during 2006—2007

[Objective]To analyze the data of preventive physical examination among practitioner in food trade and public places,to provide evidence for management of relational trades.[Methods]The physical examination results of practitioners in food trade and public places examined in FuZhou center for disease prevention and control were analyzed retrospectively.[Results] Among 110 879 person-time practitioners,the occupational contraindications were detected in 7650 workers.7452 workers were positive in HBsA,account for 97.41% in all occupational contraindications.94 workers had intestinal Salmonella or Shigellae,ALT level of 91 workers increased and 104 workers were found phthisic.There was significant difference in positive rate of HBsAg among different age groups(χ2=166.372,P0.01).The difference in positive rate of HBsAg between male and female was significant(χ2=405.045,P0.01).[Conclusion]The management on groups of low age groups and fluid occupation should be improved,every examination item should be carried out and standardized seriously.
Neonatal Pain Associated with Caregiving Procedures

This article presents evidence that newborns react to aversive caregiving procedures--heelsticks, circumcision, and surgery--with distinct physiological, behavioral, and metabolic responses. These responses are similar to those associated with pain in adults. Suggestions are made on methods of ameliorating the infant's responses to aversive caregiving procedures.