cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chlorophyll and Light Energy Transduction in Photosynthesis

Publisher Summary Photosynthetic organisms use the energy of light quanta to convert the inorganic compounds carbon dioxide and water to the organic compounds required for survival by all other living organisms. Thus, the transformation of the energy of light quanta into oxidants and reductants useful for chemical synthesis assumes central importance in biology. In the sequence of events that begins with the absorption of light and culminates in the vast array of organic compounds characteristic of living organisms, chlorophyll plays a crucial role. The chlorophylls constitute a small family of closely related pigments long recognized as the primary photo-acceptors of photosynthetic organisms. Most of what is known or inferred about the function of chlorophyll in the plant is based on absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in the visible. Consequently, an appreciation of the nuances of chlorophyll electronic transition spectra both in vitro and in vivo is essential. In all photosynthetic organisms, the main long wavelength absorption band in the red is due to chlorophyll
Derivation of novel embryonic stem cell lines and targeting of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase genes

Publisher Summary Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) is the principal target of cAMP in most animal cells and, thus, mediates cellular responses to hormones that affect levels of cAMP. In mice, the cAPK family of isozymes includes four regulatory subunits, namely, RIα, RIβ, RIIα, and RIIβ, and two catalytic subunits called Cα and Cβ. The early passage embryonic stem (ES) cells contribute to the germ line more readily than late passage cells, because of the accumulation of chromosomal abnormalities that occurs in culture. This chapter describes the establishment of the cell lines and their frequency of contribution to the germ line of chimeric animals. In an experiment described in the chapter, four pluripotent ES cell lines were isolated and named REK1, REK2, REK3, and REK4. Each of the four ES cell lines contained some cells with non-ES morphology, ranging from approximately 5% to 40% of the total cells. While ES cells grew as indistinguishable members of a smooth colony, these contaminating non-ES cells were individually distinct, growing in a monolayer with a cobblestone-like appearance. The establishment of mouse strains carrying mutations in the cAPK genes allows the study of the function of the various subunits in multiple tissue and cell types. RIβ and RIIβ are both expressed at high levels in the nervous system and therefore, mutant mice have altered neuronal biochemistry.
Thermal Stability of Titanium-Molybdenum and Titanium-Copper Bilayer Thin Films on Alumina

The stability of titanium-copper and titanium-molybdenum bimetallic layers on A12O3 was studied over the temperature range 700–900 C using vacuum furnace annealing and rapid thermal annealing (RTA). The molybdenum-titanium bilayer was stable over the entire temperature range. These films exhibited only slight intermixing of the metallic layers and had no evidence of any interaction between the bilayer and substrate. High temperature processing of copper on alumina often results in clustering and spheroidization of the copper film. However, our results showed that titanium and copper layers reacted to form a planar, polycrystalline intermetallic layer. The reacted Ti-Cu product interacted with the alumina substrate to promote adhesion, thereby suppressing spheroidization of the thin film. These results were independent of annealing profile; RTA and furnace heat treatments produced films with similar thermal stability.
Microtribological behavior of Mo and W nanoparticle/graphene composites

Abstract This work examines the tribological behavior of two novel graphene composites (Mo and W nanoparticles grafted onto graphene platelets) under boundary lubrication. While similar composites have been studied in past literature, the grafted nanomaterials Mo and W have not been tested before. Such composites benefit both from the friction reduction properties of graphene and the increased load capacity provided by nanoparticles. Their application as a potential antiwear lubricant additive was investigated. Both composites were blended into a mineral base oil. Graphene and neat oil were also tested to serve as controls. By DLS characterization, these dispersions were found to be stable over the testing duration. Tribological behavior was studied using a custom microtribometer via ramped load and cyclic tests for friction and wear, respectively. Results demonstrated a similar reduction in friction with the addition of each additive while the composites provided superior antiwear properties in comparison to the base oil and graphene alone.
Computer versus paper insulin protocol for managing hyperglycemia in three ICUs.

The purpose of this study was to compare a computer protocol against a paper protocol in managing three domains of glucose control. Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients, and their risk of death is associated with hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glucose variability. A safe and effective insulin protocol must minimize hyperglycemia and glucose variability while also avoiding hypoglycemia. Computer-based insulin protocols promise better performance by adjusting to each individual's sensitivity to insulin.
Production Microscopy: A New Paradigm

During the past twelve months RJ Lee Group has manually collected and published over one hundred thousand composite SEM images consisting of three components: a low magnification image, a high magnification image, and an x-ray spectrum. In addition, about one and one-half million discrete features have been automatically located and compositionally/morphologically characterized, with about one-fourth of those features then having ancillary images collected automatically based upon characterization criteria. Finally between ten and twenty thousand images have been collected for the production of image montages. The output of this effort has been systematically entered into networked databases where it is accessed for post-processing, analysis, and report generation.
We don't all look the same; detailed examination of peripheral looking strategies after simulated central vision loss

Loss of central vision can be compensated for in part by increased use of peripheral vision. For example, patients with macular degeneration or those experiencing simulated central vision loss tend to develop eccentric viewing strategies for reading or other visual tasks. The factors driving this learning are still unclear and likely involve complex changes in oculomotor strategies that may differ among people and tasks. Although to date a number of studies have examined reliance on peripheral vision after simulated central vision loss, individual differences in developing peripheral viewing strategies and the extent to which they transfer to untrained tasks have received little attention. Here, we apply a recently published method of characterizing oculomotor strategies after central vision loss to understand the time course of changes in oculomotor strategies through training in 19 healthy individuals with a gaze-contingent display obstructing the central 10° of the visual field. After 10 days of training, we found mean improvements in saccadic re-referencing (the percentage of trials in which the first saccade placed the target outside the scotoma), latency of target acquisition (time interval between target presentation and a saccade putting the target outside the scotoma), and fixation stability. These results are consistent with participants developing compensatory oculomotor strategies as a result of training. However, we also observed substantial individual differences in the formation of eye movement strategies and the extent to which they transferred to an untrained task, likely reflecting both variations in learning rates and patterns of learning. This more complete characterization of peripheral looking strategies and how they change with training may help us understand individual differences in rehabilitation after central vision loss.
Changes in Family Medicine Clerkship Teaching Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background and objectives On March 17, 2020, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended temporary suspension of all medical student clinical activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which required a rapid development of alternatives to traditional teaching methods. This study examines education changes spurred by COVID-19. Methods Data were collected via a Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance survey of family medicine clerkship directors. Participants answered questions about didactic and clinical changes made to clerkship teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic, how positive the changes were, whether the changes would be made permanent, and how prepared clerkship directors were for the changes. Results The response rate was 64%. The most frequent change made to didactic teaching was increasing online resources. The most frequent change made to clinical teaching was adding clinical simulation. Greater changes were made to clinical teaching than to didactic teaching. Changes made to didactic teaching were perceived as more positive for student learning than the changes made to clinical teaching. Clerkship directors felt more prepared for changes to didactic teaching than for clinical teaching, and were more likely to make the didactic teaching changes permanent than the clinical teaching changes. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic caused nearly all clerkship directors to make changes to clerkship teaching, but few felt prepared to make these changes, particularly changes to clinical teaching. Clerkship directors made fewer changes to didactic teaching than clinical teaching, however, didactic changes were perceived as more positive than clinical changes and were more likely to be adopted long term.
Exploring CNN potential in discriminating benign and malignant calcifications in conventional and dual-energy FFDM: simulations and experimental observations

Purpose: Deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) have demonstrated impressive success in various image classification tasks. We investigated the use of CNNs to distinguish between benign and malignant microcalcifications, using either conventional or dual-energy mammography x-ray images. The two kinds of calcifications, known as type-I (calcium oxalate crystals) and type-II (calcium phosphate aggregations), have different attenuation properties in the mammographic energy range. However, variations in microcalcification shape, size, and density as well as compressed breast thickness and breast tissue background make this a challenging discrimination task for the human visual system. Approach: Simulations (conventional and dual-energy mammography) and phantom experiments (conventional mammography only) were conducted using the range of breast thicknesses and randomly shaped microcalcifications. The off-the-shelf Resnet-18 CNN was trained on the regions of interest with calcification clusters of the two kinds. Results: Both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental phantom data suggest that deep neural networks can be trained to separate the two classes of calcifications with high accuracy, using dual-energy mammograms. Conclusions: Our work shows the encouraging results of using the CNNs for non-invasive testing for type-I and type-II microcalcifications and may stimulate further research in this area with expanding presence of the novel breast imaging modalities like dual-energy mammography or systems using photon-counting detectors.
Spray cryotherapy prevents need for palliative stenting in patients with esophageal cancer-associated dysphagia.

BACKGROUND Dysphagia is the most common symptom in advanced esophageal cancer patients. Esophageal stent placement (SP) is a common palliation method but can be associated with significant morbidity. Limited data exist regarding the ability of spray cryotherapy (SC) prolong time to SP. METHODS A Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) patient database was reviewed for cases with a SC indication of esophageal cancer palliation from 2007-2019. Procedures were performed using a liquid nitrogen SC system to apply 2-5 separate 20 second freeze and 60 second thaw cycles based on tumor characteristics. Primary outcome was time to subsequent palliative SP. RESULTS Of 56 patients (71.4% male, mean age 77.8 ± 10.2 years) who underwent a total of 199 SC sessions (mean 3.6 ± 2.7, range 1-12 per patient), 41 had adenocarcinoma and 15 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Overall, 13 patients underwent subsequent SP within a mean duration of 15.7 ± 11.0 months over a mean follow-up duration of 25.6 ± 29.4 months. Treatment did produce stenosis in 16 patients, who required dilation within a mean period of 193.1 ± 294.1 days; notably, 10 patients had a history of preceding malignant strictures requiring dilation. Two patients experienced bleeding requiring transfusion, whereas 1 experienced perforation at the start of SC. Prior chemotherapy and/or radiation was not associated with developing an SC-related complication (risk ratio (RR) 1.5; 95% CI 0.6-3.7, P > 0.4). CONCLUSIONS SC appears to be an effective and safe modality to palliate esophageal cancer in appropriate candidates. Majority of patients who undergo SC avoid the need for future SP. If patients eventually require SP, they are able to, on average, defer stenting for >1 year from SC initiation.
Breeding phenology of the Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis)

The Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis) is listed as Threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act and as Endangered in 6 states along the Atlantic Coast. Black Rails are difficult to observe and documentation of definitive breeding evidence is limited. This, along with perceived overlaps between the breeding and migratory periods, has led to uncertainty about the breeding status of calling birds across a large portion of their range. To delineate breeding and migratory periods, I examined the phenology of breeding records (N = 170) and documented “presumed migrants” (N = 55) based on rails that hit radio towers, lighthouses, and buildings or were found in inner cities, on ships-at-sea, or on offshore islands. Nesting in Eastern Black Rails extends 3 months from mid-May to mid-August and peaks during the third week of June. Based on the available sample there is no evidence that egg dates vary with latitude along the Atlantic Coast. Presumed migrants were recorded from early March to early May and from early September to early November. Breeding observations and records of presumed spring migrants overlapped during the first 2 weeks of May. The overlap includes only 2.4% of breeding records. There was no overlap between records of presumed fall migrants and the breeding season.
Platelet rich plasma concentration improves biologic mesh incorporation and decreases multinucleated giant cells in a dose dependent fashion

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to improve incorporation and reduce inflammation in ventral hernia repair (VHR) with acellular dermal matrix (ADM). The concentration of platelets in PRP varies in clinical studies and an ideal concentration has yet to be defined. The effects of varied concentrations of PRP on ADM incorporation and inflammatory cell infiltration in a rat model of VHR. We hypothesized that increasing concentration of PRP would lead to improved incorporation, decreased CD8+ and multinucleated giant cell (MNGC) infiltrate. Lewis rats underwent ventral hernia creation and repair 30 days later with porcine non-crosslinked ADM. PRP was applied to the mesh prior to skin closure at concentrations of 1 × 104 plt/μL (PRP-LOW), 1 × 106 plt/μL (PRP-MID), or 1 × 107 plt/μL (PRP-HIGH) and tissue harvested at 2 and 4 weeks. Cellularization, tissue deposition, and mesh thickness using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome, and neovascularization was assessed with VVG staining, to establish the relationship of PRP concentration to metrics of incorporation. MNGC and CD8+ T-cell infiltration were quantified to establish the relationship of inflammatory cell infiltration in response to PRP concentration. Lymphocyte infiltration was assessed using immunohistochemical staining for CD8. PRP-HIGH treated had significantly greater tissue deposition at 4 weeks. PRP-MID showed increasing mesh thickness at 2 weeks. Cell infiltration was significantly higher with PRP-HIGH at both 2 and 4 weeks while PRP-LOW showed increased cell infiltration only at 4 weeks. At both time points there was a trend towards a dose dependent response in cell infiltration to PRP concentration. Neovascularization was highest with MID-plt at 2 weeks, yet no significant differences were noted compared to controls. CD8+ cell infiltrate was significantly decreased at 2 and 4 weeks in PRP-LOW and PRP-MID treated groups. PRP at all concentrations significantly decreased MNGC infiltration at 2 weeks while only PRP-HIGH and PRP-MID had significant reductions in MNGC at 4 weeks. Both MNGC and CD8+ cell infiltration demonstrated dose dependent reduction in relation to PRP concentration. Increasing platelet concentrations of PRP correlated with improved incorporation, tissue deposition, and decreased scaffold degradation. These findings were associated with a blunted foreign body response. These findings suggest PRP reduces inflammation which may be beneficial for ADM incorporation in VHR.
Predictors of Substance Use in Registered Nurses: The Role of Psychological Trauma.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) in nursing have individual well-being, patient safety, and licensure/regulatory implications. Literature is scarce related to predicting SUDs in registered nurses; th...
Experimental colitis enhances temporal variations in CX3CR1 cell colonization of the gut and brain following irradiation.

Peripheral monocyte-derived CX3CR1+ cells play important roles in tissue homeostasis and are capable of rapidly repopulating the gut. Increasing evidence also supports their role in immune repopulation of the brain parenchyma in response to systemic inflammation. Using adoptive bone marrow transfer from CX3CR1-EGFP+ reporter mice and high-resolution confocal microscopy, we assessed the time course of CX3CR1+ cell repopulation of steady-state and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-inflamed small intestine/colon and the brain over four weeks post-irradiation. CX3CR1-EGFP+ cell colonization and morphological polarization into fully ramified cells occurred more rapidly in the small intestine than the colon. For both organs, the crypt/mucosa was more densely populated than the serosa/muscularis layer, indicating preferential temporal and spatial occupancy. Repopulation of the brain was delayed compared to gut tissue, consistent with the immune privilege of this organ. However, it was accelerated in response to DSS-induced colon injury. Expression analyses confirmed elevated chemokine levels and macrophage colonization within the small intestine/colon and the brain by DSS-induced injury. Early increases of TMEM119 and Iba1 expression within the brain following DSS-induced colon injury suggest immune priming effect of the brain resident microglia in response to systemic inflammation. These findings identify temporal differences in immune repopulation of the gut and brain in response to inflammation and demonstrate that gut inflammation can impact immune responses within the brain.
Uncles’ Generation: Adult Male Fans and Alternative Masculinities in South Korean Popular Music (Translation into Russian)

This article discusses the recent emergence of adult male fans of Korean pop (K-pop) music who openly engage themselves in fan activities typically associated with teenagers (particularly teenage girls) and the significance of their adoration of young female celebrities. The recent appearance of the ‘samchon/uncle fans’ in the K-pop culture discourse marks the first instance since the early 1990s, when teenagers became the primary target audience of South Korea’s entertainment industry, in which male adults reclaimed a significant position as a demographic group of fans. The samchon fans differ from the traditional ajossi (middle-aged, patriarchal men) listeners of adult contemporary music in the kinds of singers and musical genres to which they listen, as well as in their self-identification as fans, participation in fan activities and mass media portrayals. I investigate the implications of the men’s consumption pattern and their representation in South Korean mass media within the contexts of the history of the construction of hegemonic masculinity in South Korea and of recent developments in East Asian popular culture. I also explore possible ways to apply, complicate and question existing theoretical and conceptual frameworks to explain the phenomenon and argue for the possibility of politically potent, alternative masculinities constructed and manifested through the men’s conspicuous consumption of cultural commodities.
Volumetric Analysis of the Left Ventricular Wall Motion from MRI-SPAMM

Estimating the volumetric shape, motion and deformations of the left ventricle (LV) accurately, and in a clinically useful way, is a very important yet open research problem. Conventional cardiac imaging methods (e.g., MRI) still have many limitations, such as no explicit data correspondence between frames, and insufficient resolution of the extracted data. In addition, most of the existing models for the analysis of the LV shape and motion are based on the use of parameters that are either too complex or too few to be used by a physician.
Multitemporal geospatial query grouping using correlation signatures

With recent advances in temporal and spatiotemporal databases, user demands are becoming more complex. As a result, simple queries are replaced by complex multitemporal query scenarios. In this paper we propose a novel image-based approach to temporally group together multidimensional geospatial queries. Correlation signatures act as a powerful raster mapping that visualizes multi-dimensional similarity of multiple queries and expresses it in a temporally referenced manner. Convolution of our raster representation with discrete weight masks can express arbitrary temporal preference (e.g. relative, cyclic queries). Furthermore, our multiquery grouping in the temporal domain can also support temporal relations between queries (e.g. alternative scenarios, AND/OR operators). By transforming the problem in the image domain, the expressiveness of our method allows an intuitive visual interaction to assist nonexpert database users.
Sodium-Potassium-activated Adenosine Triphosphatase VI. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PHOSPHOPROTEIN FORMED FROM ORTHOPHOSPHATE IN THE PRESENCE OF OUABAIN

Abstract Microsomes prepared from electric organ of Electrophorus electricus or cat brain and exposed to ouabain will react with orthophosphate to form a phosphorylated protein. The electrophoretic mobilities of the phosphopeptides cleaved by peptic and Pronase digestion of the microsomes after interaction with phosphate are indistinguishable from those previously known to be formed from microsomes and ATP. The chemical stability of the bound phosphate is also similar to that of the phosphate formed from ATP. N-Ethylmaleimide treatment does not prevent ouabain binding, but does prevent the subsequent incorporation of orthophosphate.
Determining quality in academic libraries

This article summarizes the attempts to define and measure quality and effectiveness in academic libraries, from traditional evaluative studies to Total Quality Management (TQM) and new research on user-defined criteria. Focusing on the organizational analysis of the library as a whole and the contribution it makes to the university or college, the article outlines a number of fundamental concepts and tools common to models of evaluation. Particular attention is then given to assessment in higher education as a whole and ways in which determinants of library quality must be linked to educational outcomes. The concluding sections suggest several areas for future research and for collaboration among library managers, educational administrators, scholars, and measurement theorists.
Boundary Shear Stress in Rivers and Estuaries

A Preston tube and an array of miniature current meters for use in rivers and estuaries are described. Procedures are presented for making a Preston tube determination of boundary shear stress on hydraulically smooth, transitional, and rough surfaces in such natural waterways. Limited field results available appear to substantiate the method.
Clean and sterile intermittent catheterization methods in hospitalized patients with spinal cord injury.

The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of urinary infection using clean intermittent catheterization with the incidence of infection using sterile intermittent catheterization in patients hospitalized with spinal cord injury who were not receiving prophylactic antibiotics. Forty-six patients were assigned randomly to a clean (n = 23) or sterile (n = 23) study group. Catheterizations were done at least every six hours. Infection was defined as bacteriuria greater than or equal to 100,000 organisms/mL or greater than or equal to 10,000 organisms per mL with fever of 100 degrees F or greater. Results of urinary dipslides were recorded daily. Twenty-eight subjects (60.9%) converted to greater than or equal to 100,000 organisms per mL. Method of catheterization was neither associated significantly with development of greater than or equal to 100,000 organisms per mL. (X2[1,46] = .36, p = .55) nor with symptomatic infections (X2[1,46] = .15, p = .70). Data support the use of clean intermittent catheterization under the conditions used in this study, including the use of a sterile catheter each day and careful monitoring of infection and technique. Before using this method with other diagnostic groups or in different clinical settings, further investigation is needed.
Ethical Wills: The Positives and the Perils for the Family

This article covers the relatively new topic of writing an ethical will as part of conveying the testator’s values, beliefs, and lessons learned in living to one’s relatives, particularly one’s beneficiaries. It addresses how the ethical will may become an addendum or codicil to one’s legal/financial will or be crafted as a separate document. The meaning of and reasons for ethical wills are highlighted as are its value to the progenitor and those who will be affected by the document. We consider how and when to broach this topic with clients, when one may be serving as a consultant, coach or therapist, as well as some of the reasons people who learn about the possibility of writing an ethical will may decide against it. When beneficiaries (and would-be beneficiaries) first learn the contents of a recently deceased person’s will when it is read at probate, surprise can lead to negative consequences such as turning them against one another. An ethical will can temper the surprise and remind the beneficiarie...
Benign breast lesions that mimic malignant tumors: analysis of five distinct lesions.

Abstract Interpretation of breast biopsies has assumed a large and important component of the surgical pathologist's practice. Currently, about 10% of women will develop breast carcinoma during their lifetime. This high incidence, coupled with increased public awareness of breast disease, greater use of screening mammography to detect early carcinomas, development of multiple therapeutic options (the latter often influenced by the pathology of the tumor), and a harsh medicolegal climate have placed greater demands on surgical pathologists for accurate Interpretation of breast tissues. The focus of this report is to define the clinicopathologic features of five benign breast lesions that mimic malignant breast disease, and thus pose important diagnostic considerations to surgical pathologists.
SIMD Matrix Multiplication

Suppose that two n×n matrices A [0:n-1, 0:n-1] and B[0:n-1, 0:n-1] are to be multiplied on an SIMD hypercube to get the product matrix C where $$ C[i,j] = \sum\limits_{k = 0}^{n - 1} {A[i,k]*B[k,j],0 \le i,j < n} $$
The Psychology of Taxes: Why They Drive Us Crazy and How We Can Make Them Sane

For most Americans, any tax is a bad tax, regardless of its actual economic or social consequences. This article argues that many negative reactions to taxes are the result not of economic or political defects in the tax laws, but of a combination of individual perceptual and cognitive distortions and a "dysfunctional" system of tax collection. It goes on to assert that correcting our distorted perceptions of tax law and restructuring of the tax enforcement system could balance the federal budget and simultaneously accomplish worthwhile social goals. The article sets forth several suggestions aimed at depolarizing the relationship between the Internal Revenue Service and taxpayers, improving communication surrounding taxes, and improving both tax compliance and taxpayers' attitudes toward tax. First, individuals who know about tax evasion that would otherwise go undetected or unprosecuted should be permitted to bring private actions to enforce the law. Next, the relevant administrative procedures should be revamped so that individuals are financially rewarded for helping enforce and improve tax laws rather than, as is currently the case, for helping people avoid their legal obligations. Additionally, the Service should engage in a concerted effort to change the way people perceive tax laws by making effective use of media and enacting a tax amnesty program in conjunction with private enforcement of the tax laws. Finally, we should make intentional rather than accidental decisions about the behavioral impacts we choose to make through our tax laws and about the redistributive impacts we choose to make through nontax laws.
A general approach to the synthesis and detailed characterization of magnetic ferrite nanocubes

A general approach to the synthesis and detailed characterization of magnetic ferrite nanocubes were reported, where the nanocubes were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of metal–oleate complexes following a step-heating method. The doping ions were introduced during the precursor preparation by forming M2+/Fe3+ oleate mixed complex (M2+ = Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+). The mechanistic studies showed that the presence of sodium oleate in combination with step-heating was critical for the formation of the cubic shapes for the doped magnetic ferrites. The nanocubes were extensively characterized, including morphology and crytsal structure by advanced transmission electron microscopy, doping level and distribution by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cation distribution within the spinel structures by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and magnetic properties by alternating gradient magnetometer at room temperature.
Hippocampal morphometry in depressed patients and control subjects: relations to anxiety symptoms

Abstract Background: Although it has been hypothesized that glucocorticoid hypersecretion in depressed patients leads to neuronal atrophy in the hippocampus, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) –based morphometry studies of the hippocampus to date have produced mixed results. Methods: In our MRI study, hippocampal volumes were measured in 25 depressed patients (13 with melancholia and 12 without melancholia) and 15 control subjects. Results: No significant differences in hippocampus volumes were found between any of the subject groups, although within subjects right hippocampal volumes were found to be significantly larger than left hippocampal volumes. Additionally, right and total (left + right) hippocampal volumes in control and depressed subjects were found to be positively correlated with trait anxiety as measured by the state/trait anxiety inventory. Conclusions: Because our subject group is younger than those in studies reporting hippocampal atrophy, we conclude that longitudinal studies will be necessary for investigation of the lifelong course of hippocampal volumetry.
Studies on the antiproliferative effects of tropolone derivatives in Jurkat T-lymphocyte cells

Thujaplicins are tropolone-derived natural products with antiproliferative properties. We recently reported that certain tropolones potently and selectively target histone deacetylases (HDAC) and inhibit the growth of hematological cell lines. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which these compounds exert their antiproliferative activity in comparison with the pan-selective HDAC inhibitor, vorinostat, using Jurkat T-cell leukemia cells. The tropolones appear to work through a mechanism distinct from vorinostat. These studies suggest that tropolone derivatives may serve as selective epigenetic modulators of hematological cells with potential applications as anti-leukemic or anti-inflammatory agents.
Aperture Plane Potential Control for Thermal Ion Measurements

The effects produced by the addition of an aperture plane to control the bias around an instrument for low-energy ion measurements on satellites collecting data in the plasmasphere and over the polar cap are analyzed. The analysis is based on the design and functions of the retarding ion mass spectrometer (RIMS) on the DE 1 satellite. The NASA Charging Analyzer Program, which treats the spacecraft as a cylinder, was used to generate one set of predictions. A second model involves solution of the Laplace equation with the spacecraft treated as a sphere. Both models were used to predict the barrier height expected at the aperture in response to the bias induced to offset the potential. Comparisons with plasma data show that in the thin sheath regime of the plasmasphere the detectors act as if the potential is shifted, thereby lowering the energy resolution of the instrument. Outside the plasmasphere the barrier height dominates the spin curve variations more than the potential. Partial potential control is available from induced bias apertures if control is active and guided by electron detectors with sensitivities in the 0.5-50.0 eV energy range.
An approach to dialog management for presentation and manipulation of composite models in decision support systems

Abstract This paper discusses an object-oriented approach to user interface design that facilitates the exploration of components of a composite-model based DSS. A semantic network of objects is used as the framework to organize the user interface representation. The network is graphically represented and can be directly manipulated by the user. It serves as a framework to assist the user in understanding the conceptual model underlying the DSS. As a result, the network representation should support both fast user learning of the system and easy user control of actions when using the DSS.
Entropy, materials, and posterity

Materials and energy are the interdependent feedstocks of economic systems, and thermodynamics is their moderator. It costs energy to transform the dispersed minerals of Earth's crust into ordered materials and structures. And it costs materials to collect and focus the energy to perform work — be it from solar, fossil fuel, nuclear, or other sources. The greater the dispersal of minerals sought, the more energy is required to collect them into ordered states. But available energy can be used once only. And the ordered materials of industrial economies become disordered with time. They may be partially reordered and recycled, but only at further costs in energy. Available energy everywhere degrades to bound states and order to disorder — for though entropy may be juggled it always increases. Yet industry is utterly dependent on low entropy states of matter and energy, while decreasing grades of ore require ever higher inputs of energy to convert them to metals, with ever increasing growth both of entropy and environmental hazard. Except as we may prize a thing for its intrinsic qualities — beauty, leisure, love, or gold — low-entropy is the only thing of real value. It is worth whatever the market will bear, and it becomes more valuable as entropy increases. It would be foolish of suppliers to sell it more cheaply or in larger amounts than their own enjoyment of life requires, whatever form it may take. For this reason, and because of physical constraints on the availability of all low-entropy states, the recent energy crises is only the first of a sequence of crises to be expected in energy and materials as long as current trends continue. The apportioning of low-entropy states in a modern industrial society is achieved more or less according to the theory of competitive markets. But the rational powers of this theory suffer as the world grows increasingly polarized into rich, over-industrialized nations with diminishing resource bases and poor, supplier nations with little industry. The theory also discounts posterity, the more so as population density and percapita rates of consumption continue to grow. A new social, economic, and ecologic norm that leads to population control, conservation, and an apportionment of low-entropy states across the generations is needed to assure to posterity the options that properly belong to it as an important but voiceless constituency of the collectivity we call mankind.
Direct Observation Demonstrates that Liprin-α Is Required for Trafficking of Synaptic Vesicles

Summary Axonal transport is required for the elaboration and maintenance of synaptic morphology and function [1, 2]. Liprin-αs are scaffolding proteins [3] important for synapse structure and electrophysiology [4]. A reported interaction with Kinesin-3 (Kif1a) suggested Liprin-α may also be involved in axonal transport [5]. Here, at the light and ultrastructural levels, we discover aberrant accumulations of synaptic vesicle markers (Synaptotagmin and Synaptobrevin-GFP) and clear-core vesicles along Drosophila Liprin-α mutant axons. Analysis of presynaptic markers reveals reduced levels at Liprin-α synapses. Direct visualization of Synaptobrevin-GFP transport in living animals demonstrates a decrease in anterograde processivity in Liprin-α mutants but also an increase in retrograde transport initiation. Pull-down assays reveal that Liprin-α interacts with Drosophila Kinesin-1 (Khc) but not dynein. Together, these findings suggest that Liprin-α promotes the delivery of synaptic material by a direct increase in kinesin processivity and an indirect suppression of dynein activation. This work is the first to use live observation in Drosophila mutants to demonstrate the role of a scaffolding protein in the regulation of bidirectional transport. It suggests the synaptic strength and morphology defects linked to Liprin-α [4, 6] may in part be due to a failure in the delivery of synaptic-vesicle precursors [7].
Effects of Targeting Moiety, Linker, Bifunctional Chelator, and Molecular Charge on Biological Properties of 64Cu-Labeled Triphenylphosphonium Cations

In this report, we present the synthesis and evaluation of six new 64Cu-labeled triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cations. Biodistribution studies were performed using the athymic nude mice bearing U87MG human glioma xenografts to explore the impact of TPP moieties, linkers, bifunctional chelators (BFCs), and molecular charge on biological properties of 64Cu radiotracers. On the basis of the results from this study, it is concluded that (1) mTPP (tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphonium) is a better mitochondrion-targeting molecule than TPP and 3mTPP (tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphonium); (2) DO3A (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-4,7,10-triacetic acid) and DO2A (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-4,7-diacetic acid) are suitable BFCs for the 64Cu-labeling of TPP cations; (3) NOTA-Bn (S-2-(4-thioureidobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid) has a significant adverse effect on the radiotracer tumor uptake and tumor-to-background ratios; and (4) monoanionic BFCs should be avoided to ensure that 64Cu chelate has...
Polymorphism in Cyclohexanol Reexamined

Abstract Dielectric, visual, and calorimetric observations are brought together to explicate the relations between the four solid forms of cyclohexanol. Rotational form I is stable from the freezing point of 25 °C down to the transition point with non-rotational form III at −8.3 °C; however, form II can be supercooled well below that temperature. Nonr-rotational form II has a transition point with form I at −28.8 °C and is metastable with respect to form III down to about −64° at which point a transition point occurs between forms II and III. Non-rotational form pre-II has a transition point with I at about −44°, below which it is metastable with respect to form II. The approximate temperatures for the maximum rates of nucleation are as follows: for I → pre-II, −87°, for I → III, − 105°, for pre-II → -II, −75°. The approximate temperatures for the maximum growth velocities are as follows: for I → II, − 43°, for I → pre-II, −60°, for I → III, −32°. Analysis of I → pre-II growth rates following the theory o...
What have we learned from the housing allowance experiment

One of the biggest social experiments ever undertaken, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s experimental housing allowance programme, began with great fanfare in 1973 and is ending quietly in 197940. It has involved more than 25,000 families in twelve metropolitan areas, at a cost that is expected to add up to US$170 million.’ Like most ambitious programmes, it owes its origin to the convergence of several different lines of thought about how government should cope with a problem. The problem in this case was how to improve housing conditions for low-income people. Two key ideas prompted the experiment. One was that the best way to help families who needed better housing was to give them money that they could use on their own, instead of building subsidised housing for them. The other was that the best way to learn how a new approach would work in practice was to conduct a large-scale social experiment, following a systematic design and using control groups to check the validity of the results.
The Wish Kite

Abstract The author's eight-year-old daughter, Sarah, already suffering from a debilitating genetic muscular-skeletal disease (Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva or FOP) is diagnosed with a noncancerous brain tumor (Craniopharyngioma). She is taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where a neurosurgeon who specializes in treating craniopharyngiomas works, and next door to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where leading research into FOP is conducted. Treatment protocols for the tumor are discussed, but the final decision to do surgery is made, indirectly, by Sarah herself, when she sings her school's theme song, “Accentuate the Positive,” in the doctor's office.
The yeast IMP1 gene is allelic to GAL2

We have found that many laboratory strains of yeast are defective in galactose metabolism owing to a recessive mutation in the previously characterized nuclear gene, IMP1. This defect leads to a requirement for mitochondrial function for growth on, and metabolism of, galactose. Genetic background affects the degree to which cells are defective. In particular, alleles of GAL3 affect the ability to score the Imp phenotype. We have found that in imp1 strains, transcriptional induction of the galactose inducible genes (GAL1, 2, 7 + 10, MEL1) is normal, but galactose transport is reduced in both rho+ and rho0 cells. This phenotype is normally associated with mutations in GAL2, the galactose permease. Although the growth phenotypes of gal2 and imp1 mutants are distinct, we found that the transformation of imp1 rho0 strains with a plasmid containing the GAL2 gene allows these strains to grow on galactose. Initial genetic analyses did not demonstrate linkage between the GAL2 and IMP1 genes owing to the effects of an unlinked gene on the Imp phenotype. By disrupting the GAL2 gene in an Imp+ background, we have shown that IMP1 and GAL2 segregate as tightly linked genes. Based on these data, we believe that imp1 is a partially defective allele of the GAL2 gene.
The first 36 years of Science of the Total Environment (STOTEN).

Abstract This report provides a brief history of Science of the Total Environment (STOTEN) during the last 36 years and pays tribute to the late Dr. Eric Hamilton who founded and edited the journal for 30 years.
A unified theory for systems and cellular memory consolidation

The time-limited role of the hippocampus for explicit memory storage has been referred to as systems consolidation where learning-related changes occur first in the hippocampus followed by the gradual development of a more distributed memory trace in the neocortex. Recent experiments are beginning to show that learning induces plasticity-related molecular changes in the neocortex as well as in the hippocampus and with a similar time course. Present memory consolidation theories do not account for these findings. In this report, we present a theory (the C theory) that incorporates these new findings, provides an explanation for the length of time for hippocampal dependency, and that can account for the apparent longer consolidation periods in species with larger brains. This theory proposes that a process of cellular consolidation occurs in the hippocampus and in areas of the neocortex during and shortly after learning resulting in long-term memory storage in both areas. For a limited time, the hippocampus is necessary for memory retrieval, a process involving the coordinated reactivation of these areas. This reactivation is later mediated by longer extrahippocampal connectivity between areas. The delay in hippocampal-independent memory retrieval is the time it takes for gene products in these longer extrahippocampal projections to be transported from the soma to tagged synapses by slow axonal transport. This cellular transport event defines the period of hippocampal dependency and, thus, the duration of memory consolidation. The theoretical description for memory consolidation presented in this review provides alternative explanations for several experimental observations and presents a unification of the concepts of systems and cellular memory consolidation.
A comparison of methods for the determination of diphosphopyridine nucleotide.

Abstract Diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPN) determinations have been made using three methods, with very good agreement among the methods. A description of the lactic dehydrogenase system used is outlined along with a procedure for its adaptation for the measurement of DPN in tissues.
Package routing in transportation networks with fixed vehicle schedules

We consider a special case of the general problem involving the routing of packages among vehicles in transportation networks. In this special case, the schedules of the vehicles are fixed and packages are routed by transferring them between vehicles as these vehicles make stops according to their fixed schedules. Since this problem is NP-complete, we explore approximation algorithms for its solution. In particular, we cast this problem as a multicommodity flow problem with a mixed integer/linear program formulation. We then apply combinatorial optimization techniques based on solving the relaxed linear programming formulation of the problem to obtain a solution with provable constraint violation bounds and expected performance guarantees, where performance is measured in terms of the sum of the time in transit over all packages. We investigate the sensitivity of the performance guarantees to certain scaling factors and other limitations of this technique.