cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Media Multiplexing Behavior: Implications for Targeting and Media Planning

There is a growing trend among consumers to serially consume small, incomplete “chunks” of multiple media types---television, radio, Internet, and print---within a short time period. We refer to this behavior as media multiplexing and note that key challenges for integrated marketing communications media planners are 1 predicting which media or combination of media their target audience is likely to consume at any given time and 2 understanding potential substitutions and complementarities in their joint consumption. We propose a forecasting model that incorporates media-multiplexing behavior of both traditional and new media, their interdependencies, and consumer heterogeneity, and we calibrate the model using a rich database of individual-specific media activity diaries. The results suggest that accounting for media synergies within a single utility specification significantly improves model forecasts. We also introduce a utility function that directly models cross-channel media complementarities via interactive effects of the satiation parameters of own and joint consumption of various media types. Finally, our individual-level analyses generate unique insights on consumer-level media switching, multiplexing, and individual heterogeneity often ignored in aggregate data.
Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face Successfully Treated with Ingenol Mebutate 0.05% Gel: Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

A 64 year-old Caucasian male patient with a long history of ultraviolet light exposure and multiple actinic keratoses presented with a large, erythematous, and scaly plaque on his forehead. Biopsies revealed superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). Because the patient wanted the shortest possible topical regimen, his sBCC was treated with two overnight ingenol mebutate (IM) 0.05% gel applications. He tolerated the local skin reaction (LSR) well, and at approximately six weeks post-treatment, biopsies showed no evidence of sBCC. The patient was happy with the cosmetic outcome and has remained free of clinical recurrence for 18 months. Although IM gel is only FDA approved for the treatment of actinic keratosis, it has also been used off-label to treat other epithelial lesions, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), anogenital warts, and Bowen’s disease. One clinical trial, multiple case series and case reports, and now this report, have demonstrated IM’s utility in treating BCC. IM treatment is therefore a promising alternative to surgery for select BCC, with major advantages, including a short treatment duration and generally favorable cosmetic outcome.
In vitro reconstitution of protein transport into chloroplasts.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various steps required for the in vitro reconstitution of protein transport into chloroplasts, the first being the production of precursor proteins. This is normally accomplished with an in vitro translation system, but other methods are also possible. The second step is isolation and purification of intact chloroplasts. Then, the precursor proteins and chloroplasts are incubated together under conditions that will allow transport to occur. The transport reaction is terminated by separating the chloroplasts, containing imported proteins, from the reaction mixture that contains residual precursors. It is possible to fractionate the recovered chloroplasts to determine which chloroplastic compartment contains the imported protein. Finally, the extent of transport is determined by measuring the amount of mature protein accumulated inside the chloroplasts. Transport has been reconstituted with many different precursors and with chloroplasts from several different species. The procedures that are used to study the transport of precursors into pea chloroplasts are discussed in the chapter. The products are then analyzed by electrophoretic separation of products and quantitative analysis of import products.
Changes in specific domains of sexual function and sexual bother after radical prostatectomy

Study Type – Therapy (outcomes research) Level of Evidence 2c OBJECTIVE To quantitatively assess the effect of radical prostatectomy (RP) on the specific domains that comprise overall sexual function (SF), focusing on the relationships among these domains and overall SF, and to identify predictors for recovery of SF over time, as a decline in SF and sexual bother (SB) are known potential complications of treatment for prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Within the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor database, we identified men diagnosed between 1995 and 2001 with localized prostate cancer treated with RP. SF and SB outcomes, measured using the University of California Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index, were assessed at 6-month intervals for 4 years after RP. RESULTS In all, 620 men met the study criteria; at 6 months after RP, overall and all the specific domains of SF declined, with improvement in most specific domains by 2 years after RP. The greatest declines were in the ability to achieve erections, high-quality erections, and frequent erections; these domains were also most strongly correlated with overall SF. Sexual desire was relatively preserved, and there was a weak correlation between overall SF and sexual desire after RP, when there was the greatest discrepancy between sexual desire and other domains of function. SB showed continued improvement over time to 4 years but was not well correlated with any measurements of SF assessed. Younger age, college education, sexual aid and medication use, the absence of comorbid conditions, and nerve-sparing surgery were predictive of significant recovery of function in several specific domains of SF. CONCLUSIONS RP affects specific domains of SF to differing degrees. Compromised erectile function is most commonly reported among these specific domains and seems to play a more dominant role in determining overall SF, but notably none of the domains of function were closely linked to SB. Because education is protective in the perception of bother, appropriate counselling and the setting of expectations for outcomes in overall and specific domains of SF might lead to improved quality of life after treatment for prostate cancer.
Promoter activation of 15-Lipoxygenase-2 by radiation in prostate cancer cells

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4396 Purpose: Radiation treatment is one of the main therapeutic modalities for prostate cancer. 15-Lipoxygenase-2 (15-Lox-2) is found to be a negative cell-cycle regulator in normal prostate epithelial cells and a functional prostate tumor suppressor. In this study, we investigate if therapeutic doses of radiation are able to activate 15-LOX-2 promoter. Methods: We first cloned upstream promoter structure fragments of 715 bp and 340 bp using fetal skin genomic DNA as a template. The PCR products were gel purified and cloned respectively into the T/A vector pCRII, which were transformed into OneShot cells. Target DNAs were then cloned into pGAW expression vector, which were called pLox2/715 and pLox2/314. These two 15-Lox-2 expression vectors were then transfected into prostate cancer cells LNCAP, which is a known hormone sensitive cells. Twenty four hours later, these transfected cells then received external beam radiation treatment with a dose of 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy in triplicates, respectively. Cells were harvested into lysis buffer 48 hours after radiation. Lysates containing equal amounts of protein were assayed for luciferase activity using luciferase assay kit. After subtracting the baseline values, the relative luciferase unit (RLU) activity was determined as the ratio of luciferase/ - gal activities. The relative promoter activities were expressed as either RLU or relative values (i.e. % or fold increase). DNA binding factors PPARγ and CEBP-α were also measured in the transfected cells when compared with control cells using Western blotting analysis. Results: Luciferase activities of 15-Lox-2 promoter fragments significantly increased up to approximately 150% by therapeutic doses of radiation. 715bp-fragment was maximally induced by radiation of 4 Gy. PPARγ significantly increased while CEBP-α significantly decreased in the transfected cells treated by radiation of 4 Gy. Conclusion: Results from this study suggested that therapeutic doses of radiation activated the promoter of 15-LOX-2. This suggested a potential role of radiation induced gene therapy involving 15-Lox-2. In addition, DNA binding factors PPARγ and CEBP-α may play an important role in mechanisms of the promoter activation of 15-Lox-2 by radiation.
Aspects of variation in a neotropical seed dispersal system

This paper explores the causes and consequences of seed and seedling mortality of the tree Virola nobilis (Myristicaceae) Central Panama in order to understand the advantage to local seed dispersal by birds and monkeys. Post-dispersal mortality due to insects (primarily Conotrachelus spp., Curculionidae) accounts for 30–35% of seed and seedling death during the first 12 weeks after seed fall. Because more seeds and seedlings are killed under and near fruiting trees than 15–45 m away, seed dispersal confers a 20–40 fold advantage on seeds carried 45 m from fruiting adults. In contrast, >60% of seed and seedling death during the first year is due to seed predation by mammals, with >90% due to mammals among the <2% seeds that survive until maternal endosperm is exhausted ±12 weeks after seed fall. Mortaliy due to mammals is independent of distance from parent trees, confering no advantage to seed dispersal. Insects account for variation in mortality attributable to distance effects, mammals to between site effects.
Riemann-Roch for Non-singular Varieties

The Grothendieck-Riemann-Roch theorem (GRR) states that for a proper morphism f: X → Y of non-singular varieties, $$ ch\left( {{f_*}\alpha } \right) \times td\left( {{T_Y}} \right) = {f_*}\left( {ch\left( \alpha \right) \times td\left( {{T_X}} \right)} \right) $$ for all α in the Grothendieck group of vector bundles, or of coherent sheaves, on X. When Y is a point, one recovers Hirzebruch’s formula (HRR) for the Euler characteristic of a vector bundle E on X: $$ {\sum {\left( { - 1} \right)} ^i}\dim {H^i}\left( {X,E} \right) = \int\limits_X {ch} \left( E \right) \cdot td\left( {{T_X}} \right) $$ The aim of this chapter is to show how the geometry of the deformation to the normal cone leads to a simple proof of GRR when f is a closed imbedding. The same proof gives the corresponding theorem without denominators, which in turn yields a simple proof of the formula for blowing up Chern classes.
A CMOS-compatible high-speed silicon lateral trench photodetector

Silicon-based photodetectors have difficulty in achieving both high bandwidth and high responsivity due to the long absorption depth of silicon (15 μm) at 850 nm. Metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) detectors have been demonstrated on SOI with very high bandwidth gained at the expense of low responsivity. Using a trench MSM structure, higher responsivity has been reported. Lateral p-i-n photodiodes on SOI substrates have demonstrated 1-2 GHz bandwidths and 18-25% peak external quantum efficiencies at 3 V. In the present work, we have fabricated fully CMOS-compatible silicon lateral p-i-n photodiodes with deep trenches to enhance the collection of deep photocarriers. The devices exhibit a bandwidth of 2.5 GHz at 670 nm and a 3 V bias. Successful operation at 2.5 Gb/s and 845 nm has been achieved at 3.3 V. The responsivity is 0.45 A/W at 845 nm, corresponding to an external quantum efficiency of 66%. To the authors knowledge, these devices have the best overall function (highest speed-responsivity at low bias) among silicon-based photodetectors.
Dual divalent cation requirement of the MutT dGTPase. Kinetic and magnetic resonance studies of the metal and substrate complexes.

Kinetic analyses of both the Mn(2+)- and Mg(2+)-activated hydrolysis of dGTP by MutT show the requirement for two divalent cations. Whereas Mn2+ supports a 20-fold lower kcat (0.19 s-1) than Mg2+ (4.0 s-1), the Km of Mn2+.dGTP (6.3 microM) is 45-fold lower than that of Mg2+.dGTP (284 microM). Adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta-methylenetriphosphate) (AMPCPP) is a linear competitive inhibitor with respect to dGTP with a Ki for Mg2+.AMPCPP (42 microM) which is 57-fold lower than the Ki of Mg2+.AMPCPP (2.4 mM). Such tightening suggests that a metal-bridge E.M2+.NTP.M2+ complex is the catalytically active species. The 12 dissociation constants describing the quaternary MutT.M2+.AMPCPP.M2+ complex were evaluated for both Mn2+ and Mg2+, using EPR and NMR methods. MutT binds a single Mn2+ with a Kd of 130 +/- 40 microM in reasonable agreement with the kinetically determined activator constant of Mn2+ of 230 +/- 72 microM. The MutT.AMPCPP complex binds two Mn2+ ions, the weaker of which has a Kd of 16 +/- 2 microM in agreement with the kinetically determined KmMn2+ of 26 +/- 10 microM. MutT.Mn2+ binds Mn2+.AMPCPP with Kd of 16 +/- 4 microM, whereas MutT alone binds Mn2+.AMPCPP with a Kd of 135 +/- 30 microM. The 17-fold enhanced paramagnetic effect of Mn2+ on the longitudinal relaxation rate of water protons found with the binary MutT.Mn2+ complex decreases to 4.7-fold upon binding of AMPCPP and to 8.7-fold upon binding of Mn2+.AMPCPP, further supporting a metal-bridge MutT.M2+.NTP.M2+ complex. By competition with Mn2+ MutT binds Mg2+ at one site with a Kd of 7.5 mM, and MutT.AMPCPP binds Mg2+ at two sites, the weaker of which has a Kd of 0.9 mM. These values are comparable to the kinetically determined KaMg of 15 +/- 7 mM and KmMg of 1.7 +/- 0.7 mM, respectively. Studies with the racemic, substitution-inert beta, gamma-bidentate tetraamminecobalt (III)-beta,gamma-phosphate-ATP (Co3+(NH3)4ATP) complex show that MutT slowly hydrolyzes only the lambda stereoisomer but requires Mg2+ or Mn2+ to do so, confirming a dual metal ion requirement.
A Method for the Duplication of Complete Dentures

A quick and easy technique for the duplication of a complete denture has been presented. This technique can be performed in the dentists' office without special equipment.
Niels Bohr on His 60th Birthday

The present volume to which scientists of many nations from three continents have contributed, notwithstanding the adverse times, gives proof indeed that Professor Niels Bohr’s 60th birthday, on October 7, 1945, is not only his private, personal day of celebration, but a day of observance throughout the scientific community of physicists.1
A NOTE ON OPTIMUM GROUPING AND THE RELATIVE DISCRIMINATING POWER OF QUALITATIVE TO CONTINUOUS NORMAL VARIATES

Ogawa (1951) considered the efficiency of estimation of the population mean from suitably chosen order statistics in large samples. Cox (1957) has considered the relative amount of information retained by grouping the normal curve. Cochran and Hopkins (1961) determined the discriminating power retained after partitioning normally distributed variates into qualitative ones in multivariate classification problems. And Connor (1972) discussed the asymptotic efficiencies of the test for the trend using m groups formed from a continuous variable. The same expression appears in all these investigations. This note throws some more light on the occurrence of the same expression in these seemingly unrelated problems.
The influence of proton irradiation on the corrosion of HT-9 during immersion in lead bismuth eutectic

Abstract The impedance properties of the oxide on the martensitic–ferritic steel HT-9 were characterized during proton irradiation at the LANSCE WNR facility. Prior to the irradiation experiment, samples were pre-oxidized in moist air resulting in an oxide scale that was on the order of 3 μm thick. Samples were then irradiated during immersion in 473 K lead–bismuth eutectic at a proton current of approximately 63 nA. To assess corrosion rate in real-time, a sinusoidal voltage perturbation was applied across the oxide surface as a function of frequency and the corresponding current response was measured. This method yielded values of oxide impedance which were used in conjunction with Wagner’s oxidation theory to calculate corrosion rate. In general, proton irradiation was associated with an increase in corrosion rate.
Bispectral analysis of two-dimensional random processes

The extension of bispectral analysis from one-dimensional random processes (e.g. time series) to two-dimensional random processes is presented. Use of the symmetry properties of the bispectrum reduces the number of computations considerably. Numerical simulations demonstrate the ability of two-dimensional bispectral estimation to detect quadratic phase coupling between waves traveling in different directions. By windowing the data, bicoherence leakage can be reduced. >
Rapid Detection of Salmonellae in Mechanically Deboned Poultry Meat

Abstract Samples of frozen mechanically deboned poultry (chicken and turkey) meat were examined for the presence of salmonellae by the conventional cultural method and by a modified membrane filter - disc immunoimmobilization (MFDI) procedure. The modified MFDI procedure consisted of the following steps: pre-enrichment for 18 hr at 35 C; selective enrichment for 6 hr at 35 C; filtration of 1 ml of selective enrichment culture through a .45 μm membrane filter; and incubation for 18 to 24 hr at 35 C of the membrane filter on a semi-solid selective medium in the presence of a disc impregnated with Salmonella polyvalent flagellar antiserum. Presence of Salmonella in a sample was indicated by the immobilization of Salmonella on contact with the antiserum in the semi-solid medium. The modified MFDI procedure was found to be more sensitive than the conventional cultural method for the isolation of salmonellae from mechanically deboned poultry meat. Of 100 samples analyzed, only 22 were positive for Salmonella by the conventional cultural procedure while 61 were positive by the modified MFDI procedure. The modified MFDI procedure yielded 1 false negative while the conventional procedure yielded 38 false negatives.
The effect of adsorbed CO on azimuthally resolved optical second harmonic generation from Ni(111)

Abstract The variation in second harmonic (SH) intensity generated at a Ni(111) surface has been measured as a function of surface CO coverage and azimuthal orientation. The threefold intensity pattern of the clean C 3v symmetric surface is maintained over a wide range of CO coverage even though CO adsorption reduces the symmetry. We suggest that the dominant contribution to the second-order non-linear susceptibility derives from resonance of the photon energy with transitions between surface electronic states at unf'illed adsorption sites. The activation energy for desorption is extracted from the SH intensity as a function of temperature during thermal desorption.
Capabilities of remote sensors to classify coral, algae, and sand as pure and mixed spectra

Abstract We investigate the abilities of seven remote sensors to classify coral, algae, and carbonate sand based on 10,632 reflectance spectra measured in situ on reefs around the world. Discriminant and classification analyses demonstrate that full-resolution (1 nm) spectra provide very good spectral separation of the bottom-types. We assess the spectral capabilities of the sensors by applying to the in situ spectra the spectral responses of two airborne hyperspectral sensors (AAHIS and AVIRIS), three satellite broadband multispectral sensors (Ikonos, Landsat-ETM+ and SPOT-HRV), and two hypothetical satellite narrowband multispectral sensors (Proto and CRESPO). Classification analyses of the simulated sensor-specific spectra produce overall classification accuracy rates of 98%, 98%, 93%, 91%, 64%, 58%, and 50% for AAHIS, AVIRIS, Proto, CRESPO, Ikonos, Landsat-ETM+, and SPOT-HRV, respectively. Analyses of linearly mixed sensor-specific spectra reveal that the hyperspectral and narrowband multispectral sensors have the ability to discriminate between coral and algae across many levels of mixing, while the broadband multispectral sensors do not. Applying the results of the general mixing analyses to a specific spatial organization of coral, algae, and sand indicates that the hyperspectral sensors accurately estimate areal cover of the bottom-types regardless of pixel resolution. The narrowband multispectral sensors overestimate coral cover by 11–15%, while the broadband sensors underestimate algae cover by 7–29% and overestimate coral cover by 24–103%. We conclude that currently available satellite sensors are inadequate for assessment of global coral reef status, but that it is both necessary and possible to design a sensor system suited to the task.
Pancreatic polypeptide responses to protein meal challenges in obese but otherwise normal children and obese children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Children with hyperphagia and obesity of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have previously been shown to have blunted pancreatic polypeptide (PP) response to low protein meal stimulation. To evaluate the effects of various protein challenges on PP release in children with PWS, we administered both a low protein (0.2 g/kg) and a high protein (2.0 g/kg) meal stimulation test to 12 children previously diagnosed as having PWS and to an age- and weight-matched group of 19 obese but otherwise normal children. Serum samples were collected just before and for 3 h after meal ingestion. The mean (±sd) age was 11.7 ± 4.2 yr for the PWS group and 10.3 ± 3.8 yr for the obese group (P = 0.323). The percent ideal body weight for height for the PWS group (mean ± sd 186 ± 48%) was not significantly different from the percent ideal body weight for height for the obese group (174 ± 35%; P = 0.421). Peak PP responses were significantly less for the PWS group than for the obese group for both the low and high protein meal stimulati...
Premelting polymerization of crustal and mantle fluids, as indicated by the solubility of albite + paragonite + quartz in H2O at 1 GPa and 350–620 °C

Abstract The composition and structure of dissolved silicates in model crustal and upper-mantle fluids was assessed by measuring the solubility of the assemblage albite + paragonite + quartz in H 2 O from 350 to 620 °C, at 1 GPa. Natural, low albite and quartz were equilibrated with H 2 O; paragonite grew in all experiments due to incongruent dissolution of albite + quartz. Melting occurred at 635 ± 5 °C. Solute concentrations at subsolidus conditions were determined by analysis of quenched fluids or mineral weight-loss and mass balance. Bulk solubility of the mineral assemblage increased from ∼ 1 to ∼ 8 oxide wt.% with rising temperature. Si, Al, and Na all increase in concert. The solutions were slightly peralkaline, and possess Si/(Na + Al) ≫ 1.5 (molar) at all conditions studied. Extrapolated thermodynamic data were used to predict solubility at the conditions investigated experimentally. Calculated solubility agreed with that measured from 350 to ∼ 500 °C; however, above 500 °C, the calculations underpredict solubility to an increasing degree as the hydrothermal melting point is approached. The excess measured solubility points to increasing abundance of aqueous Si, Al–Si, and Na–Al–Si polymers. Polymerized solutes predominate in all near-solidus solutions, rising to > 80% of total dissolved solids at the melting point. The observations support a conceptual model in which, as the temperature of the system rises isobarically at 1 GPa, the silicate components dissolved in the aqueous phase begin to polymerize significantly within ∼ 100 °C of the melting point. The polymerized solutes may facilitate condensation of more polymerized hydrous silicate liquid at the hydrothermal melting point. From the perspective of isobaric cooling, the fluid crossing the solidus retains Na–Al–Si–O clusters or fragments that are less polymerized than those which comprised the melt, but more polymerized than has previously been inferred for the aqueous phase. The high concentrations of Na, Al, and Si in the form of polymeric clusters will yield substantial mass transfer by near-solidus metamorphic and magmatic fluids in the crust and mantle, and likely promote dissolution, transport and precipitation of nominally insoluble, refractory rock components.
Stability and Activity of Mesophilic Subtilisin E and Its Thermophilic Homolog: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Herein we examine the origin of the high-temperature (350 K) behavior of a thermophilic mutant enzyme (labeled as 5-3H5; see Zhao and Arnold Prot. Eng. 1999, 12, 47−53) derived from subtilisin E by eight amino acid substitutions. Through the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we have provided molecular-level insights into how point mutations can affect protein structure and dynamics. From our simulations we observed a reduced rmsd in several key regions, an increased overall flexibility, an increase in the number of hydrogen bonds, and an increase in the number of stabilizing interactions in the thermophilic system. We also show that it is not a necessary requirement that thermophilic enzymes be less flexible than their mesophilic counterparts at low temperatures. However, thermophilic enzymes must retain their three-dimensional structures and flexibility at high temperatures in order to retain activity. Furthermore, we have been able to point out the effects of some of the single substitutions. ...
Observation of backward - stimulated Raman scattering generated by picosecond laser pulses in liquids

Stimulated Raman scattering in the backward direction is observed in organic liquids under 5300-\AA{} picosecond excitation. The spectrum and intensity of the backward-directed light is measured and compared with the emission in the forward direction. The Stokes spectrum of the light emitted in backward direction consists of stimulated Raman light, while in the forward direction both stimulated Raman and self-phase-modulated light is detected. No stimulated Brillouin or Rayleigh light is detected in the backward direction. The experimental results are in qualitative agreement with transient Raman theory.
Two-bit gates are universal for quantum computation

A proof is given, which relies on the commutator algebra of the unitary Lie groups, that quantum gates operating on just two bits at a time are sufficient to construct a general quantum circuit. The best previous result had shown the universality of three-bit gates, by analogy to the universality of the Toffoli three-bit gate of classical reversible computing. Two-bit quantum gates may be implemented by magnetic resonance operations applied to a pair of electronic or nuclear spins. A ``gearbox quantum computer'' proposed here, based on the principles of atomic-force microscopy, would permit the operation of such two-bit gates in a physical system with very long phase-breaking (i.e., quantum-phase-coherence) times. Simpler versions of the gearbox computer could be used to do experiments on Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen states and related entangled quantum states.
Active Flow Control of Turbulent Refractive Interfaces in Separated Shear Layers for Laser Beam Propagation

The behavior of turbulent refractive interfaces, and means for the optimization of these interfaces, is essential in various basic and applied studies concerning the propagation of optical wavefronts such as laser beam wavefronts through turbulence or optical imaging through turbulence. In this study, the structure of turbulent refractive interfaces and aero-optical interactions along laser beam propagation paths, in unforced and forced separated compressible shear layers, are examined through use of direct imaging and pulsed plasma actuators. Dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) pulsed plasma actuators are used to excite the flow prior to separation. Our interest is in searching for the frequencies and amplitudes of the forcing that produce direct suppression of the large scale turbulent interfaces and, thereby, direct reduction of the laser wavefront aberrations. Whole-field shadowgraph imaging of pure-air separated shear layers is conducted for control off vs. control on cases at various forcing frequencies, in order to explore the effects of plasma forcing on the large-scale flow behavior. Direct profiling of forced vs. unforced turbulence-aberrated laser wavefronts propagated transversely through shear layers is conducted using high-resolution Shack-Hartmann microlens arrays. Evidence is presented showing significant reduction of the turbulence-induced laser aberrations, for forced vs. unforced shear layers, indicating the presence of a mechanism of suppression, i.e. disorganization, of large-scale organized structures by high-frequency pulsed plasma forcing.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Conformational Dependence of σ-Electron Delocalization in Linear Chains: Permethylated Oligosilanes

The effects of sigma-electron delocalization on optical properties of saturated linear chains of permethylated oligosilanes are strongly conformation dependent. We analyze the origin of the conformational dependence of the energies of molecular orbitals and of electronic excitations in simple intuitively understandable terms by using a first-order approximation to the Huckel version of the "Ladder C" model. The analysis is supported by comparison with results of numerical calculations from time-dependent density functional theory, which agree well with experiment. To facilitate the comparison, a simple procedure has been developed that defines the overall and local fractional sigma and pi characters of a backbone molecular orbital and a fractional overall and local sigma sigma* and sigma pi* characters of an excited state for any conformation of a linear chain.
Cholecystokinin inhibits tail pinch-induced eating in rats

Peripheral administration of the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin in doses from 1 to 100 micrograms per kilogram of body weight (0.25 to 25.0 micrograms per rat) significantly antagonized tail pinch-induced eating in rats, an animal model for stress-induced human hyperphagia. Centrally administered cholecystokinin was effective only in high doses (3 micrograms into the cerebral ventricle). The finding that the minimal effective dose of cholecystokinin in suppressing stress-induced appetitive behavior is smaller after peripheral than central administration suggests that the peptide is acting on peripheral, as opposed to central nervous system, substrates.
Reaction of Photoluminescent Porous Silicon Surfaces with Lithium Reagents To Form Silicon−Carbon Bound Surface Species

Exposure of photoluminescent porous Si to alkyllithium reagents results in grafting of the alkyl group to the silicon surface by formation of a Si−C bond. The reaction is proposed to proceed by addition of the alkyllithium reagent across a surface Si−Si bond, forming Si−alkyl and Si−Li surface species. The highly reactive Si−Li surface group is readily hydrolyzed by water, resulting in significant surface oxidation. The surface-bound Li can also be replaced with acyl or methyl groups by addition of acetyl chloride, heptanoyl chloride, 4-butylbenzoyl chloride, 3-(chloromethyl)benzoyl chloride, 3-chloropropionyl chloride, or methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. The acylation or alkylation steps preclude surface oxidation. In all cases, the intensity of photoluminescence from the porous Si samples is reduced after functionalization.
Spondylodiscitis in a patient on chronic hemodialysis.

This article reports the case of a 73-year-old man who developed spondylodiscitis as a result of methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureusbacteremia. The patient's catheter was identified as the source of bacteremia, which had spread to the vertebral discs as confirmed by microbiological tests and MRI. The authors also discuss the characteristics of 12 other patients with spondylodiscitis and describe the risk factors for developing this condition and its most appropriate management. Background. A 73-year-old man on hemodialysis with a tunneled central venous catheter presented to the emergency room with a fever and severe back pain. Investigations. Physical examination, laboratory investigations, chest radiography, lumbar spine radiography, renal ultrasound, lumbosacral spine MRI and transthoracic echocardiography. Diagnosis. Spondylodiscitis as a result of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Management. Antibiotic therapy with intravenous cefazolin for 6 weeks and oral minocycline for 2 weeks.
Survey statisticians celebrate golden jubilee year 2003 of the linear regression estimator

In the present investigation, a general set-up for inference from survey data that covers the estimation of variance of estimators of totals and distribution functions has been considered, using known first and second order moments of auxiliary information at the estimation stage. The traditional linear regression estimator of population total owed to Hansen et al. Sample survey methods and theory. vol. 1 & 2, New York, Wiley (1953) is shown to be unique in its class of estimators, and celebrates Golden Jubilee Year-2003 for its outstanding performance in the literature by following Singh Advanced sampling theory with applications: How Michael selected Amy, vols 1 & 2, Kluwer, The Netherlands, pp 1–1247 2003. This particular paper has been designed to repair the methodology of Rao J. Off Stat 10(2):153–165 (1994) and hence that of Singh Ann Ins Stat Math 53(2):404–417 (2001). Although there is no need of simulation study to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed technique, because the theoretical results are crystal clear, but a small scale level simulation study have been designed to show the performance of the proposed estimators over the existing estimators in the literature.
Polar lipids ofMacrophomina phaseolina

Macrophomina phaseolina was grown on a defined medium at three different carbon/nitrogen ratios. The lipids of the mycelia and the sclerotia were extracted; fractionated into polarity groups; and separated by thin layer, column, and gas liquid chromatographies. Sclerotia contained higher levels of neutral lipids and lower amounts of polar lipids than mycelia. The neutral lipid content of sclerotia increased, up to 77% of total lipids, and phospholipids decreased as carbon/nitrogen ratio increased from 10 to 320. The glycolipid content was not altered significantly by changes in carbon/nitrogen ratios. Although cardiolipin could not be detected in sclerotial polar lipids, both sclerotia and mycelia contained similar phospholipid profiles with major quantitative differences. Phosphatidic acid and phosphatidyl glycerol were major components of sclerotia, whereas phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl inositol were the major phosphatides of mycelia. Phosphatidyl choline was present in both mycelia and sclerotia. The fatty acid distribution did not show any particular pattern of saturation or unsaturation due to differences in carbon/nitrogen ratio. However, mycelial lipids tended to contain C24∶1, C18∶3, and C22∶1 as major fatty acids, whereas the major fatty acids in sclerotial lipids were C18∶2, C18∶1, C22∶1, C20∶0, and C16∶1. Saturated fatty acids were present in lesser concentrations.
58,000 Dalton Intermediate Filament Proteins of Neuronal and Nonneuronal Origin in the Goldfish Visual Pathway

: A group of proteins in the goldfish optic nerve with a molecular weight of 58K daltons was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Results show that the proteins are differentially phosphorylated and found exclusively in a cytoskeletal-enriched fraction. The proteins from this fraction can be reconstituted into typical intermediate filament structures, as shown by electron microscopy. Two components which are of neuronal origin are transported within the slow phase of transport. The 58K proteins are the most abundant proteins in the optic nerve, and they are distinct from actin and tubulin. It was concluded that they are intermediate filament proteins. Cytoskeletal preparations of rat spinal cord, rat optic nerve, and goldfish optic nerve were compared by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The rat spinal cord contains glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the rat optic nerve contains vimentin and GFAP, in addition to the neurofilament triplet. A typical mammalian neurofilament triplet is not detected in the goldfish optic nerve, while the major cytoskeletal constituent is a 58K band which coelectrophoreses with vimentin in the rat optic nerve by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
Opportunistic high energy physics computing in user space with Parrot

The computing needs of high energy physics experiments like the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment at the Large Hadron Collider currently exceed the available dedicated computational resources, hence motivating a push to leverage opportunistic resources. However, access to opportunistic resources faces many obstacles, not the least of which is making available the complex software stack typically associated with such computations. This paper describes a framework constructed using existing software packages to distribute the needed software to opportunistic resources without the need for the job to have root-level privileges. Preliminary tests with this framework have demonstrated the feasibility of the approach and identified bottlenecks as well as reliability issues which must be resolved in order to make this approach viable for broad use.
Financial Resources and Product Market Development: Strategic Choice and Institutional Processes During China's Transition

During an economic transition from socialism, market exchange replaces redistribution. We study firm decisions to enter product markets to understand the factors that influence this process. Managers in Chinese State Owned Enterprises operated within institutional constraints to make strategic decisions, and state intervention shaped which factors were salient. Firms financed through central government and bond issues relied less on markets. Firms funded through local government moved into markets faster; firms funded by banks were initially faster to markets but slower to markets after bank reform shifted lending policies. Thus, the accessibility, flexibility, and stability of financing shaped decisions about market entrance.
Baz, Par-6 and aPKC are not required for axon or dendrite specification in Drosophila

Par-3/Baz, Par-6, and aPKC are evolutionarily conserved regulators of cell polarity, and overexpression experiments implicate them as axon determinants in vertebrate hippocampal neurons. Here we examined their mutant and overexpression phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that mutants neurons had normal axon and dendrite morphology and remodeled axons correctly in metamorphosis, and that overexpression did not affect axon or dendrite specification. Baz/Par-6/aPKC are therefore not essential for axon specification in Drosophila.
The relationship between dose of vitamin E and suppression of oxidative stress in humans

Abstract The oxidation hypothesis of atherogenesis has been the focus of much research over the past 2 decades. However, randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of vitamin E in preventing cardiovascular events in aggregate have failed to show a beneficial effect. Implicit in these trials is that the dose of vitamin E tested effectively suppressed oxidative stress status but this was never determined. We defined the dose-dependent effects of vitamin E (RRR-α-tocopherol) to suppress plasma concentrations of F2-isoprostanes, a biomarker of free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation, in participants with polygenic hypercholesterolemia and enhanced oxidative stress, a population at risk for cardiovascular events. A time-course study was first performed in participants supplemented with 3200 IU/day of vitamin E for 20 weeks. A dose-ranging study was then performed in participants supplemented with 0, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, or 3200 IU/day of vitamin E for 16 weeks. In the time-course study, maximum suppression of plasma F2-isoprostane concentrations did not occur until 16 weeks of supplementation. In the dose-ranging study there was a linear trend between the dosage of vitamin E and percentage reduction in plasma F2-isoprostane concentrations which reached significance at doses of 1600 IU (35 ± 2%, p
Complications of catheters: tunneled and nontunneled.

Central venous catheters for hemodialysis remain an indispensable modality of vascular access in the United States. Despite strong recommendations by the NKF-KDOQI guidelines to reduce the dependence on catheters, >80% of all patients initiate hemodialysis using a central venous catheter. Although the tunneled dialysis catheters have some advantages, their disadvantages are many and often dwarf the miniscule advantages. This review is intended to discuss the complications—both acute and chronic—related to the use of tunneled dialysis catheters for hemodialysis access.
Emphasizing the area of interest using real-time shaders

This poster presents a new technique for visualizing area of interest in a collaborative virtual environment for molecular modeling. The environment allows multiple participants to interact with molecular models while receiving real-time energy feedback from a molecular mechanics simulator. Interaction within the environment occurs primarily via a data glove and is visualized through an HMD (Head-Mounted Display). To interact with the molecule, users define an area of interest by pinching (index to thumb) and then dragging in 3D space. Scientists can then grab within the box to manipulate the molecule. When working with complex molecular models, however, where either the atom count is high, or atoms are clustered together, the area of interest may be occluded by atoms or bonds that fall within the line of site, making it difficult, if not impossible to view the area (Figure 1). While several physically-correct depth-of-focus algorithms have been created [Haeberli and Akeley 1990], we were interested in an efficient approximation specifically designed for this environment.
Energy-Gap Law and Room-Temperature Phosphorescence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Adsorbed on Cyclodextrin/Sodium Chloride Solid Matrices

The energy-gap law was shown to be applicable to the room-temperature solid-matrix phosphorescence of polycyclic aromatic compounds adsorbed on cyclodextrin/salt matrices. No heavy atom was used to enhance the phosphorescence signals. As the energy gap between the lowest excited triplet state and ground state increased, the phosphorescence lifetime of the phosphor increased. The changes in the phosphorescence lifetimes were correlated with the magnitude of the nonradiative rate constants which, in turn, were related to the energy gap between the excited triplet state and ground state. With the correlations developed, it is possible to predict which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons will give strong solid-matrix phosphorescence.
Mycotic Aneurysm of the Thoracic Aorta Caused by Clostridium septicum

We describe a case of a 78-year-old man who presented with a mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta caused by Clostridium septicum and underwent successful resection. There are only 3 cases of mycotic aneurysms caused by Clostridium septicum reported in the literature. Clostridium septicum infections have been shown to have a high association with gastrointestinal and hematologic malignancies. All patients with Clostridium septicum infections, therefore, require a search for gastrointestinal lesions, as they may represent a source of persistent bacteremia. This patient had no malignant lesions but did have multiple benign sigmoid polyps.
Evaluation of palatability of lamb, mutton, and chevon by sensory panels of various cultural backgrounds

Abstract Palatability of loin chops and leg steaks from thirty young intact males and thirty aged females of three sheep breeds (Rambouillet, Karakul, Barbados) and two goat breeds (Angora, Spanish) was evaluated by two untrained sensory panels (foreign and domestic) comprised of ten members each. Panelists evaluated flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and overall palatability. Sensory panel ratings assigned by foreign panelists generally were higher than were those by domestic panelists. Samples from Rambouillet, Karakul and Barbados sheep were generally assigned higher palatability ratings than were those from Angora or Spanish goats.
Radiogenic free radicals in apatite: the influence of fluoride and hydroxide.

Fluor-hydroxyapatites of varying fluoride and hydroxide contents were irradiated by soft x-rays at −188°C and examined by means of electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Variation in fluoride-hydroxide contents affected radical yield and resulted in the observation of two kinds of oxygen anion resonances: a doublet due to hydrogen hyperfine splitting and a singlet. At higher temperatures a spin transfer process became operative which enhanced the oxygen anion radical population. Increasing fluoride content was paralleled by decreasingg-values for the oxygen anion resonances, possibly attributable to increased delocalization of the unpaired spin.
Reversible Reduction of Oxygen to Peroxide Facilitated by Molecular Recognition

Generation of soluble sources of peroxide dianion (O(2)(2-)) is a challenge in dioxygen chemistry. The oxidizing nature of this anion renders its stabilization in organic media difficult. This Report describes the chemically reversible reduction of oxygen (O(2)) to cryptand-encapsulated O(2)(2-). The dianion is stabilized by strong hydrogen bonds to N-H groups from the hexacarboxamide cryptand. Analogous stabilization of peroxide by hydrogen bonding has been invoked recently in crystalline saccharide and protein systems. The present peroxide adducts are stable at room temperature in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF). These adducts can be obtained in gram quantities from the cryptand-driven disproportionation reaction of potassium superoxide (KO(2)) at room temperature.
Intravitreal delivery of ganciclovir in rabbits by transscleral iontophoresis.

ABSTRACT To avoid the side effects of systemic administration of ganciclovir (GCV) for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, we studied transscleral iontophoresis of GCV into rabbit eyes. After a single application with 20% (w/w) aqueous solution of GCV at 1.0 mA for 15 min gave a vitreal/retinal level of GCV at 74±17 ug/ml at 2 hours as determined by HPLC. At 24 hours after iontophoresis the vitreal/retinal level was above therapeutic level at 4.2±0.6 ug/ml. At 72 hours, there was still detectable level in the vitreous/retina. Hence, transscleral iontophoresis is able to deliver effective dose of GCV into the vitreous. Multiple applications of iontophoresis should be examined as a possible means of CMV treatment.
Combined 63, 65Cu NQR and NMR study of Y1−xCaxBa2Cu3Oy

Abstract Zero-field 63, 65 Cu nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained at 1.3 K for powdered samples of Y 1−x Ca x Ba 2 Cu 3 O y with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20. The results for the deoxygenated samples (y = 6.05) demonstrate the existence of an internal magnetic field at the Cu(2) planar sites for Ca content x ≤ 0.20 and provide insight into the coexistence of superconductivity and antiferromagnetic correlations as a function of hole doping in the CuO 2 planes due to Ca substitution.
Zaposlenost, socijalna pravda i društveno blagostanje

Svrha ekonomske aktivnosti jest povecanje blagostanja pojedinaca, a zaposlenost je kljucna za to blagostanje. Cini se da su obje tvrdnje ocite. Ipak, ekonomske politike cesto su protiv interesa radnika. Stiglitz tvrdi da objasnjenje tome leži u komodifikaciji rada u neoklasicnoj ekonomiji, sto pogorsavaju stalni tržisni propusti, preslaba politicka zastupljenost radnika i rasireno zagovaranje politika “sklonih tržistu”, koje pretpostavljaju da se pitanja ucinkovitosti mogu rjesavati izolirano od pitanja pravicnosti i distribucije. Vlade – a u sirem smislu i međunarodna zajednica – imaju kljucnu ulogu u afirmiranju stajalista da razvitak znaci vise od samoga gomilanja kapitala.