cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degradation and modification of metallaboranes. Part 4: Synthesis and characterization of a series of hybrid bimetallaborane clusters of the type [2,2,2-(PPh3)2(CO)-nido-2-OsB4H7-3-(BH2PPh2)CxHyPPh2RuCl2(p-cym)]

Reactions between a series bidentate phosphines, with the general formula PPh 2 (CH 2 ) n PPh 2 , and the air stable hexaborane(10) analogue [2,2,2-(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)- nido -2-OsB 5 H 9 ] ( 1 ), afford species of the type [{(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)OsB 4 H 7 }-3-{BH 2 PPh 2 (CH 2 ) n (PPh 2 )}] ( 2 ) which contain a pendent PPh 2 group. In solution 2 can undergo an intramolecular substitution reaction to form the species [{(PPh 3 )(CO)OsB 4 H 7 }-η 2 -3,2-{BH 2 PPh 2 (CH 2 ) n (PPh 2 )}] ( 4 ). In spite of this, chemistry at the pendent PPh 2 group may be studied and herein are reported the results of reactions of 2 with the organometallic reagent [( p -cym)RuX 2 ] 2 (X = Cl, I) to afford hybrid bimetallaborane clusters of the type [2,2,2-(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)- nido -2-OsB 4 H 7 -3-(BH 2 PPh 2 )C x H y PPh 2 RuCl 2 ( p -cym)] ( 5 ) The species obtained include [2,2,2-(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)- nido -2-OsB 4 H 7 · 3-(BH 2 · dppe · Ru( p -cym)Cl 2 )] ( 5a ), [2,2,2-(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)- nido -2-OsB 4 H 7 · 3-(BH 2 · dppp · Ru( p -cym)Cl 2 )] ( 5b ), [2,2,2-(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)-2- nido -OsB 4 H 7 · 3-(BH 2 · dpph · Ru( p -cym)Cl 2 )] ( 5c ), [2,2,2-(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)- nido -2-OsB 4 H 7 -3-(BH 2 · dppx · Ru( p -cym)Cl 2 )] ( 5d ) and [2,2,2-(PPh 3 ) 2 (CO)- nido -2-OsB 4 H 7 -3-(BH 2 · dppe · Ru( p - cym)I 2 )] ( 6 ). Species 5d was also prepared from the reaction between 1 and the known compound · [dppx · Ru( p -cym)Cl 2 . Species 5a – 5d and 6 were characterized by elemental analysis, high resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectrometry; the latter affording some novel features for this series of compounds. Structure determination by X-ray diffraction was not successful but a structure of the analogue [BH 3 · (PPh 2 )(CH 2 ) 6 (PPh 2 ) · Ru( p -cym)Cl 2 ] ( 7 ) is reported.
Composition of impact melt debris from the Eltanin impact strewn field, Bellingshausen Sea

The impact of the km-sized Eltanin asteroid into the Bellingshausen Sea produced mm- to cm-sized vesicular impact melt-rock particles found in sediment cores across a large area of the ocean floor. These particles are composed mainly of olivine and glass with minor chromite and traces of NiFe-sulfides. Some particles have inclusions of unmelted mineral and rock fragments from the precursor asteroid. Although all samples of melt rock examined have experienced significant alteration since their deposition in the late Pliocene, a significant portion of these particles have interiors that remain pristine and can be used to estimate the bulk composition of the impact melt. The bulk composition of the melt-rock particles is similar to the composition of basaltic meteorites such as howardites or mesosiderite silicates, with a contribution from seawater salts and a siderophile-rich component. There is no evidence that the Eltanin impact melt contains a significant terrestrial silicate component that might have been incorporated by mixing of the projectile with oceanic crust. If terrestrial silicates were incorporated into the melt, then their contribution must be much less than 10 wt%. Since excess K, Na, and CI are not present in seawater proportions, uptake of these elements into the melt must have been greatest for K and least for CI, producing a K/CI ratio about 4 times that in seawater. After correcting for the seawater component, the bulk composition of the Eltanin impact melt provides the best estimate of the bulk composition of the Eltanin asteroid. Excess Fe in the impact melt, relative to that in howardites, must be from a significant metal phase in the parent asteroid. Although the estimated Fe:Ni:Ir ratios (8:1:4 x 10(exp -5)) are similar to those in mesosiderite metal nodules (10:1:6 x 10(exp -5), excess Co and Au by factors of about 2 and 10 times, respectively, imply a metal component distinct from that in typical mesosiderites. An alternative interpretation, that siderophiles have been highly fractionated from a mesosiderite source, would require loss of about 90% of the original metal from the impact melt and the sediments, and is unsupported by any observational data. More likely, the excess Fe in the melt rocks is 'representative of the amount of metal in the impacting asteroid, which is estimated to be 4+/- 1 wt%.
A Default Inheritance Hierarchy for Computing Hebrew Verb Morphology

We apply default inheritance hierarchies to generating the morphology of Hebrew verbs. This approach represents inflectional exponents as markings associated with the application of rules by which complex word forms are deduced from simpler roots or stems. The high degree of similarity among verbs of different conjugation classes allows us to formulate general rules; these general rules are, however, sometimes overridden by conjugation-specific rules. Similarly, a verb's form within a particular conjugation is determined both by default rules and by overriding rules specific to lexical stem peculiarities. Our result is a concise set of rules defining the morphology of Hebrew verbs in all conjugations. We express these rules in KATR, both a formalism for default inheritance hierarchies and associated software for generating the forms specified by those rules. As we describe the rules, we point out general strategies for expressing morphology in KATR. We conclude by discussing KATR's advantages over ordinary DATR for the representation of morphological systems and our plans for KATR's successor, LATR.
Hypothermia after cesarean delivery and its reversal with lorazepam.

Background: Intrathecal morphine can produce hypothermia in animals. This side effect has been reported in humans, but has not been thoroughly studied in obstetrics. Methods: We report a series of 14 patients with presumed morphine-induced hypothermia. All patients had post-cesarean temperatures Results: In the case series, four of 14 patients were treated conservatively, and 10 were given lorazepam. Those treated conservatively had 6h of hypothermia and symptoms; women given lorazepam had a cessation of symptoms and a rapid increase in temperature. In the observational study, 6% (95% Confidence Interval: 1–10%) experienced symptomatic hypothermia lasting for several hours after the end of surgery (120–360 min). We found no statistical association with any demographic or obstetric characteristic. Conclusion: We conclude that symptomatic hypothermia is an occasional side effect of cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. We believe this syndrome is due to intrathecal morphine. While the duration is limited to 6h, lorazepam appears to treat both hypothermia and symptoms.
An institutional interpretation of unitization legislation: the case of Texas and Oklahoma

Abstract During the production of an oil and gas reservoir the common pool problem asserts itself as multiple users have the right to withdraw hydrocarbons from the same source of supply. Unitization offers a private contractual solution to this problem. Texas and Oklahoma have both adopted legislation enabling the formation of unit operating agreements that allow for a private contractual solution to the common pool resource problem. Intriguingly Oklahoma has adopted the most liberal unitization statute of any major oil producing state and Texas the most restrictive. The difference between Texas and Oklahoma has traditionally been explained by assessing the relative influence of majors and independents in the two states at the time the legislation was adopted. However, this explanation while no doubt partially valid does not tell the complete story. An examination of land tenure patterns in the two states and an analysis of field characteristics from a random sample taken from each state indicates that the Oklahoma may have been facing a far greater problem in regard to the fracturing of the mineral estate and thus a more drastic solution was required.
Bioavailability of vitamin D2 from enriched mushrooms in prediabetic adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Based on the growing evidence of risk reduction from fresh fruit and vegetable consumption and an inverse relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), we determined the benefits of regularly consuming vitamin D-enriched mushrooms in a prediabetic cohort. Exposing edible mushrooms to ultraviolet B (UVB) light increases vitamin D2 (D2) and raises serum 25OHD2 in healthy young adults; however, their benefit to deficient prediabetics and glucose metabolism remains untested. Forty-three prediabetic, D-deficient adults (25OHD≤20 ng/ml), BMI>25 were randomized to four groups consuming daily entrees containing 100 g fresh sliced cooked mushrooms prepared by a chef for 16 weeks. Two groups were fed UVB-treated mushrooms initially containing: 600 IU D2 or 4000 IU D2; each one also received one capsule of placebo daily. Two control groups were fed untreated mushrooms and D3 dietary supplements at two label doses: 600 IU D3 and 4000 IU D3. D2 and D3 content were analyzed in mushrooms, before and after cooking and in over-the-counter supplements. After 16 weeks, both D2-UVB-mushroom entree doses, which were significantly lower after cooking, produced modest or no increases in 25OHD2 or total 25OHD relative to the positive control subjects who actually consumed about 1242 and 7320 IU per day of D3 (higher than stated on the label). Unanticipated D2 cooking loss from fresh UVB mushrooms and probable low absorption and/or hydroxylation may explain the smaller increase in 25OHD2 in our prediabetic overweight/obese cohort compared with past findings in younger, healthy subjects. Moreover, no dose or vitamin D source was associated with modifying T2D risk factors.
Anesthesia-specific protection from endotoxic shock is not mediated through the vagus nerve

Background We have shown recently that volatile anesthetics significantly decrease inflammatory cytokine production and dramatically increase survival among rodents challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Because acetylcholine's interaction with nicotine receptors on tissue macrophages during vagus nerve stimulation has been implicated in the modulation of LPS-stimulated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production, we hypothesized that the mechanism of anesthetic immunoprotection is mediated through the vagus nerve. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent bilateral cervical vagotomy (n = 20) or sham operation (n = 6). Twenty-four hours postoperatively, vagotomized rats were randomized into 3 groups: LPS injection (V+LPS, n = 6), LPS injection followed by 60 minutes of isoflurane anesthesia (V+LPS+ISO, n = 7), or saline injection (V+S, n = 7). Sham animals were also given LPS (Sham+LPS). A sublethal dose of LPS (8 mg/kg) was used. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture 90 minutes after LPS or saline injection, and plasma was isolated for the measurement of cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical differences between groups were detected by 1-way analysis of variance. Results Serum TNF-α was reduced significantly and interleukin (IL)-6 was abrogated completely among V+LPS+ISO rats, compared with both V+LPS and Sham+LPS animals ( P ≤ .05 for all). In contrast, levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were similar among all LPS groups. Conclusions Isoflurane anesthesia administered simultaneously with the injection of LPS decreases serum production of TNF-α and IL-6 despite bilateral transection of the vagus nerve. Isoflurane-mediated attenuation of proinflammatory cytokine production occurs via a mechanism other than modulation of vagal output.
Design for a ground-based spectrometric facility for measuring the terrestrial dayglow from the near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared

In a companion paper (Swift and Torr), we demonstrate a capability to observe thermospheric dayglow emissions from the ground using a novel photometric approach. In this paper we incorporate the principles of the technique into the design of a spectrometric facility capable of measuring the dayglow spectrum over the wavelength range 300 to 880 m at < 0.5 nm resolution with photometric like sensitivity, namely 50 counts/R at 300 nm and approximately 200 counts/R at 600 nm. the design is an all refractive f/1.4 distortion correctable grating spectrograph capable of operating over a full diurnal cycle with high sensitivity. The field of view is 14 degree(s). The instrument has a dynamic range of 108, no moving parts except shutters, and a noise equivalent detection threshold of approximately 15R in the daytime and 0.01 to 0.1 R at night. The design comprises four spectrometric modules which provide simultaneous measurements of emissions in the 300 - 900 nm range. A 1024 X 1024 CCD is used for the detector. The facility should provide simultaneous measurements from the ground of the rich spectral content of the daytime mesosphere, thermosphere and ionosphere.
Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Causes Fewer Side Effects than Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy When Used in Combination With Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Purpose To measure the benefits of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) compared with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) when used in combination with brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Methods and Materials We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with localized prostate cancer who received external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in combination with brachytherapy with at least 1 year follow-up ( n = 812). Combination therapy consisted of 103 Pd or 125 I implant, followed by a course of EBRT. From 1993 to March 2003 521 patients were treated with 3D-CRT, and from April 2003 to March 2009 291 patients were treated with IMRT. Urinary symptoms were prospectively measured with the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire with a single quality of life (QOL) question; rectal bleeding was assessed per the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Schema. The Pearson χ 2 test was used to compare toxicities experienced by patients who were treated with either IMRT or 3D-CRT. Logistic regression analyses were also performed to rule out possible confounding factors. Results Within the first 3 months after treatment, patients treated with 3D-CRT scored their urinary symptoms as follows: 19% mild, 44% moderate, and 37% severe; patients treated with IMRT scored their urinary symptoms as follows: 36% mild, 47% moderate, and 17% severe ( p p p p = 0.046); logistic regression analysis also confirmed this observation ( p = 0.040). Conclusions When used in combination with brachytherapy, IMRT offers less Grade ≥2 rectal bleeding, less acute urinary toxicities, and is associated with a higher QOL compared with 3D-CRT.
Reduction of U(VI) by Fe(II) in the presence of hydrous ferric oxide and hematite: effects of solid transformation, surface coverage, and humic acid.

Fe(II) was added to U(VI)-spiked suspensions of hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) or hematite to compare the redox behaviors of uranium in the presence of two different Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. Experiments were conducted with low or high initial sorption density of U(VI) and in the presence or absence of humic acid (HA). About 80% of U(VI) was reduced within 3 days for low sorbed U(VI) conditions, with either hematite or HFO. The {Fe(3+)} in the low U(VI) experiments at 3 days, based on measured Fe(II) and U(VI) and the assumed presence of amorphous UO(2(s)), was consistent with control by HFO for either initial Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxide. After about 1 day, partial re-oxidation to U(VI) was observed in the low sorbed U(VI) experiments in the absence of HA, without equivalent increase of dissolved U(VI). No reduction of U(VI) was observed in the high sorbed U(VI) experiments; it was hypothesized that the reduction required sorption proximity of U(VI) and Fe(II). Addition of 5mg/L HA slowed the reduction with HFO and had less effect with hematite. Mossbauer spectroscopy (MBS) of (57)Fe(II)-enriched samples identified the formation of goethite, hematite, and non-stoichiometric magnetite from HFO, and the formation of HFO, hydrated hematite, and non-stoichiometric magnetite from hematite.
Race, ethnicity and income as factors for HPV vaccine acceptance and use

If distributed equitably, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have the potential to reduce racial disparities in HPV-related diseases and cervical cancers. However, current trends in the US indicate low uptake among all adolescents, with persistent disparities among minority and low-income adolescents despite largely positive views of vaccination among their parents. As Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations continue to grow in the US over the next 40 y, it is imperative that we not only improve HPV vaccination rates overall, but focus on high-risk populations to prevent an increase in cervical cancer disparities. This review discusses initiation and completion rates of the three-dose HPV vaccine series among adolescents in high-risk groups and describes cultural similarities and differences in motivation and barriers to vaccination. The goal of this review is to highlight factors leading to vaccination in different adolescent racial groups and to help guide the development of strategies to increase rates of vaccine initiation and completion among groups at the highest risk for developing cervical cancer.
Effects on microstructure of NiO–YSZ anode support fabricated by phase-inversion method

Abstract NiO–YSZ anode supports with different microstructures have been successfully prepared through a phase-inversion method. The effect of non-solvent, precipitation time and polyethersulfone (PESf) concentration on the microstructure development of NiO–YSZ anode support has been investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results of NiO–YSZ anode support show that four types of microstructures have been achieved using different non-solvent. The difference in solubility parameters between solvent and non-solvent can greatly influence the microstructure. Further, it is observed that the precipitation time will affect the formation of macro-voids in the anode support, and higher PESf concentration in the slurry will suppress the formation of macro-voids. In addition, planar NiO–YSZ anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with four types of anode microstructures have been fabricated and tested. The correlation between the electrochemical performance of all the prepared anode materials and microstructure of these cells has been discussed.
Epigenetic remodeling of the fungal secondary metabolome

Fungi treated with DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors exhibited natural product profiles with enhanced chemical diversity demonstrating that small-molecule epigenetic modifiers are effective tools for rationally controlling the native expression of fungal biosynthetic pathways and generating new biomolecules.
Gravitoelectric-electric coupling via superconductivity

Recently we demonstrated theoretically that the carriers of quantized angular momentum in superconductors are not the Cooper pairs but the lattice ions, which must execute coherent localized motion consistent with the phenomenon of superconductivity. We demonstrate here that in the presence of an external magnetic field, the free superelectron and bound ion currents largely cancel providing a self-consistent microscopic and macroscopic interpretation of near-zero magnetic permeability inside superconductors. The neutral mass currents, however, do not cancel, because of the monopolar gravitational charge. It is shown that the coherent alignment of lattice ion spins will generate a detectable gravitomagnetic field, and in the presence of a time-dependent applied magnetic vector potential field, a detectable gravitoelectric field.
Mapping QTLs for milling yield and grain characteristics in a tropical japonica long grain cross

Percent milling yield is an economically important trait of commercial rice because it largely determines the price that farmers receive for their crop. Analyzing 22 trait variables including milling yield, grain dimensions, chemistry and appearance, we identified 43 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in a long grain japonica by long grain japonica cross. We report one QTL explaining 20% of the variation in brown rice recovery; two QTLs explaining 14% and 13% of the variation in milled rice recovery; and one QTL explaining 14% of the variation in head rice (HR) recovery. QTLs for the proportion of pre-broken brown rice kernels, seed density, amylose content, and kernel whiteness and chalkiness were found in the same region as the HR QTL. QTLs explaining up to 54% of the variation in grain shape measurements were identified and mapped to areas independent from those identified for milling yield. Analyses of grain appearance traits identified two QTLs for chalk in brown rice and one in head rice, and a QTL explaining up to 33% of the variance in green kernel area. Our results confirm previous findings on the multigenically complex nature of milling yield.
Incidence of moderate to severe cognitive dysfunction in patients treated with carotid artery stenting.

Objective Approximately 25% of patients with carotid artery stenosis treated with carotid endarterectomy develop cognitive dysfunction (CD) between 1 day and 1 month after surgery compared with a control group. We hypothesized that patients with carotid artery stenosis treated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) performed under cerebral embolic protection also develop CD at similar time points compared with a control group. Methods Twenty-four patients scheduled for elective CAS were enrolled in a prospective institutional review board-approved study to evaluate cognitive function with a battery of 6 neuropsychometric tests before, and 1 day and 1 month after, CAS. Test performance was compared with 23 patients undergoing coronary artery procedures (control group). The mean and standard deviation of the difference scores in the control group were used to generate Z scores. We used a previously described point system to transform negative Z scores into injury points for each neuropsychometric test. Global performance is presented as average deficit score (sum of injury points divided by the number of completed tests). All patients underwent the procedures with mild sedation. Results were analyzed in 2 ways: group-rate and event-rate analysis. Outcome was dichotomized by defining moderate to severe CD as average deficit score at least 1.5 standard deviations worse than the control group. Fisher tests and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze group performance. Results Control patients tended to be younger and had a lower incidence of stroke or previous transient ischemic attack. One day after surgery, 41% of patients (10 of 24) treated with CAS developed moderate to severe CD (P = 0.0422). Average deficit score was also significantly higher in the CAS group at 1 day (P = 0.0265). These differences were independent of age and history of stroke/transient ischemic attack. Interestingly, we found that the absence of oral statin medication may increase the probability of CD. By 1 month, 9% of patients (1 of 11) treated with CAS presented with CD. Other patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion CAS is associated with a decline in cognitive performance that is at least moderate 1 day after surgery.
Plant cuticular complex in response to highway pollution

Abstract Cannabis indica (marihuana) populations were studied in the pristine environment of the northern Himalayas to determine the effects of vehicular pollution on the cuticular complex of this taxon growing along a major highway. Environmental pollution caused a reduction in vegetative growth. Stomatal frequency decreased with an increase in environmental pollution. Trichome length, trichome frequency, and trichome branching increased in polluted sites. Epidermal wall pattern exhibited a reduction in wall undulations in polluted sites. Subsidiary cell complex remained unaffected. Variations in the cuticular complex in response to environmental stress seem to suggest ecotypic and evolutionary relationships.
A place to care: the homebound elderly.

As America's elderly population continues to age, accessing adequate primary health care becomes more difficult. A survey of 22 homebound elderly people examined their acceptance of the expanded role functions of nurse practitioners to meet primary care needs in their homes. Chi-square analyses correlated participants' answers to demographic information. Only the variables of income and religion indicated statistical significance (P < .05) when correlated with expanded functions. Protestants, elders with no religious affiliation, and those with incomes below $20,000 indicated they would allow nurse practitioners to perform more expanded role functions than Catholics and those with higher incomes would. Generalizability is limited because of the small sample size, indicating a need for additional research with larger samples and more diverse populations.
Template-directed CVD of dielectric nanotubes

Fabrication of dielectric nanotubes from silicon dioxide and silicon nitride by a template-based electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma-enhanced (PE) CVD is described. The nanotubes synthesized from SiH 4 -O 2 and SiH 4 -N 2 binary source reagent systems are smooth, transparent and at least 10 μm long. A mathematical description of the template-directed nanometer-scale CVD is developed to elucidate the appropriate process parameters that enable growth of high-aspect-ratio nanotubes with uniform wall thickness. The analysis of the model, by establishing general trends between process operating conditions and geometrical characteristics of the nanotubes, clarifies the mechanism of nanoscale CVD. The dielectric nanotubes obtained provide many opportunities for fabricating composite nanostructures and nanodevices.
Analysis of an evacuated cylindrical solar collector

An analysis of the performance of an evacuated tube collector is presented. A calculation procedure is developed to determine the transmission of obliquely incident radiation through the cylindrical glass shell of such a collector. The method is applied to a collector which uses a thin flat plate across its diameter as its absorbing surface. (SPH)
Solid pseudo-papillary tumors of the pancreas: current update

Solid pseudo-papillary tumors are rare pancreatic tumors, which occur in females and are typically indolent neoplasms. However, atypical, aggressive variants can occur with locally advanced disease or metastases. They have characteristic imaging features, which vary according to size. This article provides a current update on the molecular biology, histopathology, clinico-radiological features, and management of these tumors.
“Nor Hell a Fury”: Malkina's Motivation in Cormac McCarthy's THE COUNSELOR

The fact that in 2013 Cormac McCarthy published his screenplay of the neo-noir narrative The Counselor, his first published work since the release of The Road in 2006, might encourage McCarthy scho...
Effective and apparent temperature calculations and performance analysis of mid-wave infrared light emitting diodes for use in infrared scene projection

Recent advancements in gallium antimonide light emitting diode (LED) arrays have opened the way for the development of LED-based infrared scene projectors. Infrared LED array technology offers the opportunity for high frame rates, broad dynamic range, and high apparent temperatures. Since LEDs are narrow-band devices, relative to blackbody emitters, performance of an LED-based infrared scene projector is highly dependent on how effective and apparent temperatures are calculated in a detector system being tested. Because of this dependence, methods used to compute effective and apparent temperatures are reviewed and applied to published radiometric data from a gallium antimonide LED array. These calculations are used to investigate the effects of detector spectral response, emitter array fill factor, emitter radiant flux distribution, and detector aperture size on the apparent temperature of the LED array. This investigation leads into an analysis of the potential performance advantages and technical challenges of an LED-based infrared scene projector system.
The Electrolyte Composition of Pharmacologically and Thermally Stimulated Sweat: A Comparative Study*

The sodium and potassium content of sweat induced by pilocarpine iontophoresis, and alter the intracutaneous injection of pilocarpine, acetylcholine or methylcholine, were compared with thermal sweat. In most subjects, sodium concentrations were higher in pharmacologic sweat than in thermal sweat. An increase in potassium content in pharmacologic sweat was seen in all subjects. Unphysiological exposure of the ductal portion, as well as the secretory portion of sweat gland to exogenous cholinergic drugs was assumed as a possible cause of the high sodium and potassium concentrations of pharmacologically-stimulated sweat.
The use of high-energy microwave irradiation to inactivate mitochondrial enzymes.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to assess the possibility that tissue might be fractionated into its subcellular organelles or compartments following high-energy microwave irradiation. Suspensions of isolated rat liver mitochondria were exposed to microwave irradiation and the activities of four mitochondrial enzymes were monitored following irradiation. The enzymes measured were cytochrome c oxidase and the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase, representative of enzymes associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane, malate dehydrogenase, representing the mitochondrial matrix, and adenylase kinase, located in the intramembrane space, which is known to be difficult to inactivate. These enzymes were inactivated by 95% at final temperatures of 57, 64, 65, and 65°C, respectively, following exposure to microwave irradiation. Microwave irradiation of rat liver mitochondria rendered them nearly completely permeable to their constituent nucleotides as there occurred an extensive leakage of ATP and NAD + into the suspending medium following irradiation. These results indicate that although high-energy microwave irradiation may be useful for rapidly inactivating enzymatic components, subsequent fractionation of microwave-irradiated tissues has major shortcomings.
Automated decision support for human tasks in a collaborative system: the case of deletion in Wikipedia

Wikipedia's low barriers to participation have the unintended effect of attracting a large number of articles whose topics do not meet Wikipedia's inclusion standards. Many are quickly deleted, often causing their creators to stop contributing to the site. We collect and make available several datasets of deleted articles, heretofore inaccessible, and use them to create a model that can predict with high precision whether or not an article will be deleted. We report precision of 98.6% and recall of 97.5% in the best case and high precision with lower, but still useful, recall, in the most difficult case. We propose to deploy a system utilizing this model on Wikipedia as a set of decision-support tools to help article creators evaluate and improve their articles before posting, and new article patrollers make more informed decisions about which articles to delete and which to improve.
ANOMALOUS INTERACTIONS AND EXACT Tc IN SUPERCONDUCTIVITY

This theoretical study of superconductivity examines repulsive forces that, surprisingly, favor the BCS paired state. The value of Tc and the pairing symmetry (s-, p-, d-wave) are obtained exactly as eigenvalues in a given sector of a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind.
The kindergarten today: six critical questions

The kindergarten, rapidly absorbed into the public school systems of the United States at the turn of the last century, is again the focus of controversy. This article examines the fundamental premise of the kindergarten, current social needs, and their interactions in affecting kindergarten programs in the United States. Six critical questions are raised and discussed: 1) what are the developmental characteristics of kindergarten children? 2) what are the needs of kindergarten children? 3) what environment best meets these needs? 4) what is the appropriate role of the kindergarten in meeting children's needs? 5) what is the responsibility of the public school system to meet their needs? 6) what is the responsibility of society as a whole to meet their needs?
Paleontological Events: Stratigraphic, Ecologic, and Evolutionary Implications

A most active area of modern paleontology concerns the causes and consequences of global mass extinction events. Fueled by wide public interest in extinction of the dinosaurs and debate among geologists over the causes of this event, paleontologists have scrutinized the geologic record of extinction events. Volume after volume has addressed these prominent extinction events. Far less study, and an order of magnitude less paper, have been devoted to the causes of local and regional paleontological events such as local extinctions and incursions even though they are far more common and can be equally dramatic. Many sedimentary geologists have observed horizons of marine sedimentary rocks unusually enriched in fossil remains. However, few of us stop to consider their significance.Paleontological Events: Stratigraphic, Ecologic, and Evolutionary Implications showcases 20 state-of-the-art papers that explore the causes of short-term and longer-term bioevents that have left behind remarkable paleontological records.
Covalent binding of genetically engineered microorganisms to porous glass beads

Abstract Several covalent immobilization methods, which have been routinely used with proteins and antibodies, were studied for their ability to immobilize genetically engineered Escherichia coli cells to glass beads. The cells used in this study expressed a metal binding peptide that binds cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). The initial work focused on a method employing 2.5% aminopropyltrimethoxy silane and 2.5% glutaraldehyde for covalent immobilization of cells onto porous glass beads. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated cell attachment (average of 3.0×108 cells per bead) to the irregular surface. Columns containing cells immobilized with the 2.5% aminosilane and 2.5% glutaraldehyde removed more than 90% of the Cd from solutions with 50 ppb and 1 ppm levels. Following removal of the bound Cd with HCl elution and regeneration to pH 6.0, the columns were shown to effectively bind additional cadmium. Various concentrations of aminosilane and glutaraldehyde were tested for improved cell density. Glutaraldehyde is a universal and convenient cross-linker, but there are some concerns with its effects on the cells and proteins, therefore, two additional covalent techniques were examined. One method employed the aminopropyltrimethoxy silane and carbodiimide, and the other used mercaptopropyltrimethoxy silane and the heterobifunctional cross-linker GMBS. Some comparisons of these two immobilization methods to the method employing glutaraldehyde are described.
A study of the rate of oxidation of carbon monoxide on three dispersed electrode systems

Abstract The carbon monoxide oxidation reaction has been investigated on three compound electrodes: (a) platinum, platinum; (b) platinum, tantalum carbide; (c) gold, tantalum carbide. In each system the first material of the two named was a solid electrode and the second a powder electrode, dispersed in the electrolyte. The two reactants in the oxidation, carbon monoxide and water, were adsorbed separately on either the solid or the dispersed electrode, in order to regulate their relative concentrations. The steady state rates of oxidation were thereby increased.
Welcoming a Child as a Metaphor for Welcoming God's Kingdom: A Close Reading of Mark 10.13-16

The purpose of this article is threefold: to analyze the structural markers in Mk 10.13-16 that signal that the reader should render the simile in 10.15 `welcoming the kingdom of God as one welcomes a child', to sketch the narrative and symbolic functions of this simile within its immediate literary context, and to highlight those aspects of 10.13-16 that indicate this passage is an expanded Markan relecture of 9.33-37.
Bacterial Meningitis and Other Nonviral Infections of the Nervous System

Bacteria and fungi, owing to their intrinsic properties and the host responses they produce, result in relatively specific clinical syndromes when they infect the central nervous system. The infecting organism may produce symptoms and signs by interfering with the function of the nervous system tissue being invaded or compressed. The definitive treatment of central nervous system infection depends on correct identification and antimicrobial treatment of the infecting organism, relief of excessive pressure or mass effect that it exerts, and modulation of the host's immune response to allow clearance of the organism while minimizing excessive inflammation.
Reduced cytosolic protein synthesis suppresses mitochondrial degeneration

Mitochondrial function degenerates with ageing and in ageing-related neuromuscular degenerative diseases, causing physiological decline of the cell. Factors that can delay the degenerative process are actively sought after. Here, we show that reduced cytosolic protein synthesis is a robust cellular strategy that suppresses ageing-related mitochondrial degeneration. We modelled autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia (adPEO), an adult- or later-onset degenerative disease, by introducing the A128P mutation into the adenine nucleotide translocase Aac2p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The aac2(A128P) allele dominantly induces ageing-dependent mitochondrial degeneration and phenotypically tractable degenerative cell death, independently of its ADP/ATP exchange activity. Mitochondrial degeneration was suppressed by lifespan-extending nutritional interventions and by eight longevity mutations, which are all known to reduce cytosolic protein synthesis. These longevity interventions also independently suppressed ageing-related mitochondrial degeneration in the pro-ageing prohibitin mutants. The aac2(A128P) mutant has reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(m)) and is synthetically lethal to low delta psi(m) conditions, including the loss of prohibitin. Mitochondrial degeneration was accelerated by defects in protein turnover on the inner membrane and was suppressed by cycloheximide, a specific inhibitor of cytosolic ribosomes. Reduced cytosolic protein synthesis suppressed membrane depolarization and defects in mitochondrial gene expression in aac(A128P) cells. Our finding thus establishes a link between protein homeostasis (proteostasis), cellular bioenergetics and mitochondrial maintenance during ageing.
Stochastic-time optimal-control systems

CONTROL SYSTEMS which are so designed that the control system outputs become identical with the control system inputs in the minimum amount of time are known as ?time optimal-control systems.? In other words, a time optimal-control system is one which, given the final desired state, moves from the initial state to the final state in the minimum time. The final state may be the origin of the phase space in which the state of a control system is represented by a point. In general, however, the desired final state will be a function of time. Since essential complications enter into the problem when the desired state of a control system is a function of time, only the problem with the origin as the desired state will be considered in this paper.
Actinomycin Biosynthesis by Protoplasts Derived from Streptomyces parvulus

Conditions are described for the formation of protoplasts from Streptomyces parvulus that are able to synthesize actinomycin D de novo. Antibiotic synthesis by protoplasts, in contrast to that by mycelium, was sensitive to inhibition by actinomycin D and to a decrease in sucrose concentration. On the other hand, synthesis by mycelium was much more sensitive to inhibition by amino acid analogs (d-valine, cis-3-methylproline, and α-methyl-dl-tryptophan). In addition, the uptake of amino acids (l-methionine, sarcosine, and l- and d-valine) by protoplasts was significantly lower than that by mycelium. The advantages and limitations of using protoplasts for studying in vivo actinomycin synthesis are discussed.
Fourier series and the special values of L-functions

Let k be a number field, with ring of integers A. Let x be an idele class character for k which is trivial at each infinite place. The L-series L(s, x) = C x(B) NB-” is defined by the sum over all non-trivial ideals B of A which are prime to the conductor F of x. This sum is absolutely convergent for Re(s) > 1; when x is non-trivial L(s, x) extends analytically to a neighborhood of s = 1 and JC( 1, x) is #O. Although this value is of great arithmetic interest, truly satisfactory formulas for L( 1, x) have only been obtained in the cases when k = Q and when k is imaginary quadratic, where they are due to Dirichlet and Kronecker, respectively. These number fields are precisely the one with a unique archimedean completion k,: in this case A is a discrete, co-compact subring of a locally compact field k,. An analogous situation exists for global function fields k over finite fields. Let oc, be a place of k and let A denote the ring of functions which are regular outside co. Then A is a discrete, co-compact subring of the completion k,, which is a locally compact field. If x is an idele class character for k which is trivial at CC and we define L(s, x) as above, then for x # 1 the series is regular and non-zero at s = 1. Formulas for L( 1, x) were obtained by Galovich and Rosen ‘in the case when A is isomorphic to the ring of polynomials over a finite field, and by Hayes in general. In this paper, we will reprove all the limit formulas for L( 1, x) in a uniform manner, using Fourier analysis on the locally compact field k,. We shall also obtain the functional equation of L(s, x), following the
Opening Moves In Informal Chinese Telephone Conversations

Abstract This article discusses linguistic forms and pragmatic functions of opening moves that occurred in informal Chinese telephone conversations between female participants. The study suggests that existing semantic categories of phatic talk based on English are inadequate in light of the Chinese data featuring both address and relation-oriented themes. Phatic expressions in Chinese telephone conversation openings take on a variety of forms; they may define relations, structure as well as ratify marked sequences of telephone conversation openings, and convey the purpose of calling in keep-in-touch calls. Indexing multiple contextual factors, such language use serves important discoursal and interpersonal functions. Other situation specific opening moves are also discussed.
Bovine Intestinal Bacteria Inactivate and Degrade Ceftiofur and Ceftriaxone with Multiple β-Lactamases▿

The veterinary cephalosporin drug ceftiofur is rapidly degraded in the bovine intestinal tract. A cylinder-plate assay was used to detect microbiologically active ceftiofur, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was used to quantify the amount of ceftiofur remaining after incubation with bovine intestinal anaerobic bacteria, which were isolated from colon contents or feces from 8 cattle. Ninety-six percent of the isolates were able to inactivate ceftiofur to some degree, and 54% actually degraded the drug. None of 9 fungal isolates inactivated or degraded ceftiofur. Facultative and obligate anaerobic bacterial species that inactivated or degraded ceftiofur were identified with Vitek and Biolog systems, respectively. A subset of ceftiofur degraders also degraded the chemically similar drug ceftriaxone. Most of the species of bacteria that degraded ceftiofur belonged to the genera Bacillus and Bacteroides. PCR analysis of bacterial DNA detected specific β-lactamase genes. Bacillus cereus and B. mycoides isolates produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases and metallo-β-lactamases. Seven isolates of Bacteroides spp. produced multiple β-lactamases, including possibly CepA, and metallo-β-lactamases. Isolates of Eubacterium biforme, Bifidobacterium breve, and several Clostridium spp. also produced ceftiofur-degrading β-lactamases. An agar gel overlay technique on isoelectric focusing separations of bacterial lysates showed that β-lactamase enzymes were sufficient to degrade ceftiofur. These results suggest that ceftiofur is inactivated nonenzymatically and degraded enzymatically by multiple β-lactamases from bacteria in the large intestines of cattle.
The Dependence of All-Atom Statistical Potentials on Structural Training Database

An accurate statistical energy function that is suitable for the prediction of protein structures of all classes should be independent of the structural database used for energy extraction. Here, two high-resolution, low-sequence-identity structural databases of 333 α-proteins and 271 β-proteins were built for examining the database dependence of three all-atom statistical energy functions. They are RAPDF (residue-specific all-atom conditional probability discriminatory function), atomic KBP (atomic knowledge-based potential), and DFIRE (statistical potential based on distance-scaled finite ideal-gas reference state). These energy functions differ in the reference states used for energy derivation. The energy functions extracted from the different structural databases are used to select native structures from multiple decoys of 64 α-proteins and 28 β-proteins. The performance in native structure selections indicates that the DFIRE-based energy function is mostly independent of the structural database whereas RAPDF and KBP have a significant dependence. The construction of two additional structural databases of α/β and α + β-proteins further confirmed the weak dependence of DFIRE on the structural databases of various structural classes. The possible source for the difference between the three all-atom statistical energy functions is that the physical reference state of ideal gas used in the DFIRE-based energy function is least dependent on the structural database.
The interaction of system structure, index, and numerical stability in classes of differential/algebraic systems

Examples of differential/algebraic equation (DAE) systems are presented which arise in power systems and nonlinear circuit analysis, and the analytical and numerical challenges that these systems pose are considered. The author discusses the change in the system index due to the inclusion of a parameter limiter, and a numerical instability which may arise when systems of DAEs are simulated at points near dynamic bifurcation. The inclusion of limiters is shown to increase the index of the system. It is shown that, if the system is solvable, there exists at least one stepsize such that the simultaneous Jacobian is invertible and thus no numerical instabilities exist. A stepsize-dependent instability is analyzed. It is shown how the dynamic behavior of the system greatly affects this instability, and a few suggestions to eliminate the instability are presented. >
Mini-fingerprints for virtual screening: design principles and generation of novel prototypes based on information theory.

Binary fingerprint representations of molecular structure and properties are convenient computational tools for similarity searching in compound databases and virtual screening (VS). We are investigating the design of relatively simple fingerprints for the identification of molecules having similar biological activity and recognition of remote similarity relationships. Since our designs are considerably shorter than other fingerprints used in VS, we have previously termed them "mini-fingerprints" (MFPs). A key aspect of the design strategy is the identification of suitable molecular descriptors. Whereas our initial fingerprint designs have relied on descriptor combinations that performed well in compound classification according to biological activity, second generation MFPs encode combinations of descriptors with high information content in large compound databases and high frequency of occurrence in drug-like molecules. Thus, the design of these new fingerprints does not depend on the analysis of specif...