cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LEUCINE AMINOPEPTIDASE IN HUMAN SERUM: AN ULTRAMICROMETHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE RATES OF HYDROLYSIS OF L-LEUCYLGLYCINE.

Abstract An ultramicromethod for the determination of leucine aminopeptidase activity in serum has been described. As substrate, l -leucylglycine is used, whose rate of hydrolysis is measured by means of a modified colorimetric ninhydrin procedure. The method allows the determination of peptidase activity in 15 μl of serum with considerable accuracy.
Thermodynamic Analysis on the Precipitation of Crystalline Phase from LF Slag during Cooling Process

The precipitation of crystalline phase from LF slag during cooling process was discussed according to the thermodynamic analysis by using CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 system. The results showed that when the slag basicity was low, 2CaO•SiO2 (C2S) was precipitated firstly during the cooling process, and then it was followed by 2CaO•Al2O3•SiO2 (C2AS) and 12CaO•7Al2O3 (C12A7), and the precipitated crystalline phases existed uniformly in the slag. In the case of high basicity slag, 3CaO•SiO2 (C3S) and 3CaO•Al2O3 (C3A) with incongruent melting point temperature could be produced, and which would result in a non-uniform distribution in the slag.
A site of action for tRNA mediated regulation of the ilvOEDA operon of Escherichia coli K12.

Transfer RNA (tRNA), rho factor, threonine deaminase and the ilvO locus are molecular participants in the regulation of isoleucine-valine (ilv) biosynthesis. Isogenic strains have been constructed with the hisT76 mutation in pairwise combination with ilvO mutations, the rho221 mutation and the ilvDAC115 deletion mutation. The role of the altered tRNA of the hisT76 mutation was found to be independent of the sites of action of the ilvO - mutation, rho factor, and threonine deaminase. The expression of the ilvOEDA operon is stimulated 2-fold when the hisT76 mutation is present in strains containing either ilvO - or rho221 mutations. The expression of the ilvOEDA operon remains nonrepressed in a hisT76 strain deleted for threonine deaminase. These results indicate that the hisT76 undermodified tRNAs are influencing the initiation of transcription of the ilvOEDA operon.
Covalent labeling of the cocaine-sensitive catecholamine transporter.

Xylamine is an alkylating agent that is a substrate for and specific irreversible inhibitor of the cocaine-sensitive catecholamine transporter that functions in catecholamine reuptake into neurons and PC12 cells. [3H]xylamine prominently labels nine PC12 proteins; the relative xylamine-alkylation of a Mr 54,000 protein was decreased by cocaine and increased in the case of a PC12 variant, B9, which is deficient in catecholamine transport. [3H]xylamine labels no such protein in another transport variant, MPT1. We propose that this Mr 54,000 protein (1) is a component of the catecholamine transporter, (2) is present in B9 cells but in a conformation that reduces transporter activity and makes alkylation by xylamine more likely, and (3) is absent in MPT1 cells. Nerve growth factor treatment restores transporter activity in B9 cells but not in other transporter-deficient variants.
Hybrid integrated optical devices utilizing thin films of lithium niobate

Abstract A variety of thin film LiNbO3 processes and devices are reviewed in this paper. Integrated optical, electronic, electro-optical, and ferroelectric devices based on LiNbO3 thin films have been built by different research groups and their properties have been characterized. The lowest propagation loss at 633 nm was 0.9dB/cm for LiNbO3 on Al2O3 and 1.9 dB/cm for LiNbO3 on SiO2/Si waveguides. The highest electro-optic coefficient, r 33, published so far is 10.7 × 10−12 m/V for a LiNbO3 thin film deposited on (110) Al2O3. The optical properties of an MFSFET with LiNbO3 as the gate insulator have also been investigated. It has been shown that it is possible to shift the parameters of this transistor with exposure to incident light.
Total Synthesis of Distamycin A and 2640 Analogues: A Solution-Phase Combinatorial Approach to the Discovery of New, Bioactive DNA Binding Agents and Development of a Rapid, High-Throughput Screen for Determining Relative DNA Binding Affinity or DNA Binding Sequence Selectivity

The development of a solution-phase synthesis of distamycin A and its extension to the preparation of 2640 analogues are described. Thus, solution-phase synthesis techniques with reaction workup an...
Increased EAG responses of tortricid moths after prolonged exposure to plant volatiles: evidence for octopamine-mediated sensitization.

As measured by electroantennograms (EAG), both male and female obliquebanded leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana(Harris), and redbanded leafrollers, Argyrotaenia velutinana(Walker), were similarly sensitive to host-related plant volatiles: trans-2-hexenal, benzaldehyde, 1-hexenol, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, geraniol, linalool, ( +)-limonene, hexenal and trans-2-hexenol. Females of both species were similarly sensitive to the shared major component of their sex-attractant pheromone ((Z)11-14:Ac). Continuous 60 min preexposure of male and female C. rosaceana and A. velutinana to successively higher concentrations of a mixture of the nine plant volatiles in Teflon chambers with continuous air exchange caused a dosage-dependent increase in subsequent responsiveness (sensitization) to green leaf volatiles, as measured by EAGs. In addition, 60 min of pre-exposure of male C. rosaceana to certain individual volatiles ((+)-limonene, geraniol, benzaldehyde) increased EAGs nearly as much as did the mixture of nine volatiles. Pre-exposures to the nine plant-volatile mixture at concentrations achieved by 100 µg and 1 mg loading dosages in 100 µ lo f mineral oil significantly increased EAG depolarization to pheromone (cross-sensitization) in males but not females of both moth species. Antennae of male C. rosaceana pre-injected with 100 µg of octopamine (OA) without volatile pre-exposure exhibited sensitization nearly identical to that induced by pre-exposing moths to sensitizing concentrations of the plant-volatile mixture. Moreover, injection of the OA antagonist chlorpromazine (CP) blocked sensitization by the plant-volatile pre-exposure. Collectively, these findings suggest that exposures of tortricid moths to certain host-plant related volatiles may modulate subsequent olfactory sensitivity to behaviorally relevant chemical cues and that plant-volatile induced sensitization may be octopamine mediated.  2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Realizing the Potential of International Conflict Work: Connections Between Practice and Theory

The author reviews the insights of four expert practitioners of international conflict resolution, pointing out a common theme that signals a major shift in the way we conduct and conceive of international conflict intervention. In addition to traditional “top-down” interventions, leading conflict resolution practitioners are advocating a “bottom-up” approach, a complementary effort that includes development of conflict resolution potential among the parties themselves, without external imposition. This increased emphasis on the kinds of structures, understanding, and relationships that help to transform international conflict situations reflects the impact the developing field of conflict studies has had on practice.
Surviving redesign: basic concepts of patient-focused care and their application to WOC nursing.

Abstract The concept of patient-focused care continues to gain popularity in health care delivery throughout the United States. In an effort to compete more effectively in today's market, health care institutions have adopted strategies from industry to control rising costs, WOC nurses in every practice setting are feeling the effects of one such strategy, patient-focused care. The purpose of this article is to describe basic concepts of patient-focused care, a redesign technique that was born out of continuous quality improvement, and to present strategies tailored to strengthen WOC nursing practice in this changing and challenging environment.
A 42-year-old man with hypertension.

Dr Delbanco: Mr J is a 42-year-old African-American man first diagnosed with hypertension when he was 28 years old. He is married, lives in an apartment in the inner city of Boston with his wife and child, and works in an accounting department. He has health insurance through a managed care plan. His family history for hypertension is striking. His father died at the age of 69 years of complications of hypertension, with multiple strokes and congestive heart failure. His mother died at age 55 years of complications of hypertension and congestive heart failure. His 6 siblings do not have hypertension, but 3 have asthma. After being found hypertensive, Mr J underwent an evaluation for secondary causes, including physical examination, urinalysis, electrolytes, serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum creatinine, and thyroid function tests; all findings were normal. He stopped smoking in 1991 after a 12 pack-year history and has not smoked
Short run spc based upon the second order dynamic linear model for trend detection

Recently, several new applications of control chart procedures for short production runs have been introduced. Bothe (1989) and Burr (1989) proposed the use of control chart statistics which are obtained by scaling the quality characteristic by target values or process estimates of a location and scale parameter. The performance of these control charts can be significantly affected by the use of incorrect scaling parameters, resulting in either an excessive "false alarm rate," or insensitivity to the detection of moderate shifts in the process. To correct for these deficiencies, Quesenberry (1990, 1991) has developed the Q-Chart which is formed from running process estimates of the sample mean and variance. For the case where both the process mean and variance are unknown, the Q-chaxt statistic is formed from the standard inverse Z-transformation of a t-statistic. Q-charts do not perform correctly, however, in the presence of special cause disturbances at process startup. This has recently been supported ...
The thermodynamics of biaxial elongation

If temperature variations of forces in both directions are observed simultaneously at constant simple dimensions, internal energy and entropy changes on elongation in those directions may be calculated at constant volume and in the more common experimental condition of constant pressure. Thermodynamic derivatives at constant volume are important for fundamental molecular interpretation being related to configuration change. Constant pressure quantities were therefore changed into constant volume ones by the use of an evaluated correction term, involving average Young Moduli and thermal expansion coefficient.
Space-charge-limited current in CuxS/CdS solar cells

A space-charge-limited current model has been used to consistently and quantitatively model the gross electrical properties of Cu in xS/CdS heterojunctions not explained by standard p-n junction theory. Quantitative fits were ob tained for the dark and light crossover of the I–V curves, the evolution of I–V from near Ohmic to rectifying during heat treatment, the high forward voltage drop in the dark, the non-exponential dependence of I on V, and the temperature independent slope of the I–V curves. These were found for CdS trap densities in the 1013} to 1015} cm−3 range, polycrystalline CdS mobilities in the 1 to 10 cm2} /V-seC8} range, and conduction electron concentrations in the 10 to 1010} cm−3 10 cm range in the thin Cu compensated region of CdS produced during cell fabrication heat treatments as monitored by zero bias capacitance. These results imply that entirely different physical mechanisms than those used to describe standard p-n junctions control the dark and light I–V characteristics and the conversion efficiency of these solar cells.
The role of silent ischemia, the arrhythmic substrate and the short-long sequence in the genesis of sudden cardiac death

To study the role of silent ischemia and the arrhythmic substrate in the genesis of sudden cardiac death, 67 patients were studied (mean age 62 +/- 12 years). Of these, 14 patients (Group 1) had an in-hospital episode of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation while wearing a 24 h Holter ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor, 33 (Group II) had a documented episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, or both, and 20 (Group III) had angina pectoris but no ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Eight Group I survivors underwent programmed electrical stimulation or ECG signal averaging, or both. All Group II patients underwent 24 h Holter monitoring and ECG signal averaging to detect late potentials before programmed electrical stimulation. Group III patients underwent both 24 h Holter recording and coronary angiography. The 24 h ECG tapes were analyzed for ST segment changes, prematurity index and characteristics of ventricular premature depolarizations. Any ST depression greater than or equal to 1 mm for greater than 30 s was considered to be a reflection of silent ischemia, and the induction of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation by programmed electrical stimulation or the presence of late potentials, or both, was considered to be a reflection of the arrhythmia substrate. Silent ischemia preceded ventricular tachycardia in only 2 (14%) of the 14 Group I patients. The prematurity index was less than 1 in only 18% of ventricular tachycardia episodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Kinematics of Biological Growth

The kinematic aspects of biological growth models are reviewed by paying attention to the handful of crucial ideas on which modern treatments rest. Both surface and volumetric growth are considered. A critical appraisal is presented of the geometric and physical features of the models. Links are made to the mathematical treatment of growth and evolving interface phenomena in other physical problems. Computational issues are pointed out wherever appropriate.
The Role of Sequestration in G Protein-coupled Receptor Resensitization REGULATION OF β2-ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR DEPHOSPHORYLATION BY VESICULAR ACIDIFICATION

G protein-coupled receptor kinases phosphorylate the agonist occupied conformation of G protein-coupled receptors in the plasma membrane, leading to their desensitization. Receptor resensitization requires receptor dephosphorylation, a process which is mediated by a plasma and vesicular membrane-associated form of PP-2A. We present evidence that, like receptor phosphorylation, receptor dephosphorylation is tightly regulated, requiring a specific receptor conformation induced by vesicular acidification. In vitro, spontaneous dephosphorylation of phosphorylated receptors is observed only at acidic pH. Furthermore, in intact cells upon agonist stimulation, phosphorylated receptors traffic from the plasma membrane to vesicles where they become physically associated with the phosphatase and dephosphorylated. Treatment of cells with NH4Cl, which disrupts the acidic pH found in endosomal vesicles, blocks association of the receptors with the phosphatase and blocks receptor dephosphorylation. These findings suggest that a conformational change in the receptor induced by acidification of the endosomal vesicles is the key determinant regulating receptor dephosphorylation and resensitization.
The characterization of order in nematic liquid crystals

It is pointed out that the usual one-parameter approximation for the order parameter tensor in nematic liquid crystals is not always adequate, and that a two-parameter description is indicated by experiments. From previously published data we find that for p-azoxyanisole at 120°C, the two parameters have the values; S ¯ = 0.52, D ¯ = 0.07, where S ¯ is the usual nematic order parameter and D ¯ describes the difference in the tendencies of the two transverse molecular axes to be oriented along the average nematic director.
Carbon nanotube strain sensors for wearable patient monitoring applications

Wearable health monitoring systems have recently attracted widespread interest for their application in long term patient monitoring. Wireless wearable technology enables continuous observation of patients while they perform their normal everyday activities. This involves the development of flexible and conformable sensors that could be easily integrated to the smart fabrics. Carbon nanotubes are found to be one of the ideal candidate materials for the design of multifunctional e-textiles because of their capability to change conductance based on any mechanical deformation as well as surface functionalization. This paper presents the development and characterization of a carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer nanocomposite flexible strain sensor for wearable health monitoring applications. These strain sensors can be used to measure the respiration rhythm which is a vital signal required in health monitoring. A number of strain sensor prototypes with different CNT compositions have been fabricated and their characteristics for both static as well as dynamic strain have been measured.
Diversity and origin of cultivated and citron type watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Cultivated (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) and citron type (var. citroides) watermelon collected from different areas on the African continent are remarkably diverse in fruit and seed morphology. Chloroplast DNA investigations using PCR-RFLP and sequencing analysis of several non-coding regions were conducted to infer their biogeographic and evolutionary relationships, origin and domestication history. Variability within C. lanatus was observed at regions of high A + T content, resulting in indels and transversions mainly. Distinct chlorotype lineages were identified separating the cultivated and egusi-type watermelon from var. citroides accessions. This suggests an ancient split from a common ancestor and haplotype fixation. Three haplotypes as a result of relatively recent indel events were detected within var. citroides. The geographical range of two of the main citroides haplotypes is relatively similar across southern Africa. Accessions with the most ancient citroides haplotype originated in Swaziland and South Africa resulting in colonization routes from this area all over the world. Chloroplast divergence is not associated with morphological divergence. The cultivated and wild watermelon appear to have diverged independently from a common ancestor, possibly C. ecirrhosus from Namibia.
Ocular Pharmacokinetics and Convectional Flow: Evidence from Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Mydriasis

ABSTRACT Pupil shape and placement were studied during pharmacologic dilation, using a photographic technique. Dilation onset was highly asymmetric; typically, the inferior or inferior-nasal side of the pupil moved maximally, while the opposite side barely moved. Pupil shape tended to elongate at a large angle to the direction of maximum shift. Late in dilation, pupils returned to more circular shape and pupil centers returned to near their original position. Results when a subject's head was inverted during and immediately after drug administration were essentially unchanged. However, results when a subject's head was rolled on one side (and kept there) after administration were markedly different; the dilation pattern shifted roughly in accord with head tilt. It is proposed that anterior chamber convectional flow is responsible for the asymmetry. Supportive evidence was obtained from experiments in which cooled or heated gel-packs were applied to the lids. Analysis indicates that convectional flow makes...
Expectancy violations and the search for meaning among breast cancer survivors.

A number of theoretical perspectives suggest that expectancy violations (EVs) threaten a person’s sense of meaning and prompt efforts to reinstate meaning. Yet, little to no research has explicitly examined whether EVs predict actual efforts to search for meaning. The current research redresses this gap in the literature among a sample of breast cancer survivors. The results revealed that EVs, but not life satisfaction, positively predicted the search for meaning. By comparison, the presence of meaning was predicted by both EVs and life satisfaction. Further, EVs predicted an increased search for meaning among participants who simultaneously believed that their life had high levels of meaning. Thus, personal EVs may offer a compelling framework for understanding what prompts searches for meaning.
Concerning the stimulation by injected cyclic AMP of the sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibres and its transient nature.

Abstract 1. 1. The efflux of 22 Na in ouabain-poisoned barnacle muscle fibres and its transitory response to injected cAMP has been studied by using a new xanthine derivative, 1-propyl-3-methyl-7-(5-hydroxy-hexyl)-xanthine (PMX). 2. 2. Injection of PMX prior to cAMP fails to significantly alter the behaviour of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux towards the nucleotide. By contrast, injection of PMX following peak stimulation by injected cAMP stops the rate constant for 22 Na efflux from falling. This effect of PMX is not mimicked by injected HEPES. 3. 3(a). Injection of Mg 2+ following PMX brings about almost complete reversal of the sustained stimulatory response, (b). Injection of trace metals, e.g. Fe and Zn, following PMX brings about complete reversal of the sustained stimulatory response, (c). Injection of R I or R II subunits following PMX brings about partial reversal of the sustained stimulatory response. 4. 4. Partial reversal is also seen with externally applied imipramine (50 μM). 5. 5. These results support the view that the transitory nature of the response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux to injected cAMP is due to high phosphodiesterase activity in these fibres and that the major portion of the response itself is due to activation by cAMP of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
Troponin and cardiomyopathy.

Abstract The troponin complex was discovered over thirty years ago and since then much insight has been gained into how this complex senses fluctuating levels of Ca 2+ and transmits this signal to the myofilament. Advances in genetics methods have allowed identification of mutations that lead to the phenotypically distinct cardiomyopathies: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This review serves to highlight key in vivo studies of mutation effects that have followed many years of functional studies and discusses how these mutations alter energetics and promote the characteristic remodeling associated with cardiomyopathic diseases. Studies have been performed that examine alterations in signaling and genomic methods have been employed to isolate upregulated proteins, however these processes are complex as there are multiple roads to hypertrophy or dilation associated with genetic cardiomyopathies. This review suggests future directions to explore in the troponin field that would heighten our understanding of the complex regulation of cardiac muscle contraction.
CSDUST3 - A radiation transport code for a dusty medium with 1-D planar, spherical or cylindrical geometry

The program solves the radiation transport problem in a dusty medium with one-dimensional planar, spherical or cylindrical geometry. It determines self-consistently the effects of multiple scattering, absorption, and re-emission of photons on the temperature of dust grains and the characteristics of the internal radiation field. The program can treat radiation field anisotropy, linear anisotropic scattering, and multi-grain components. The program output consists of the dust-temperature distribution, flux spectrum, surface brightness at each frequency and the observed intensities (involving a convolution with a telescope beam pattern).
Complete sequence of the gamma chain from the fetal hemoglobin of the baboon, Papio cynocephalus.

The amino acid sequence of the hemoglobin γ chain from a baboon, Papio cynocephalus, was determined by automated sequencing of the intact chain and six fragments generated by specific cleavage reactions. the existence of structural heterogeneity at position 75, where both valyl and isoleucyl residues were found, is suggestive of the presence of nonallelic Vγ and Iγ-chain genes in this species, and further emphasizes the extent to which the genetic basis of hemoglobin production among many higher primates is similar. Comparison of the sequences of those γ chains from Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, Macaca nemestrina and P. cynocephalus that have been well characterized attests to the conservative nature of γ-chain evolution among the Anthropoidea, the differences in sequence between any two of these chains ranging from none (between the Aγ and Gγ chains of P. troglodytes and H. sapiens) to no more than five (between the Vγ chains of p. cynocephalus and the Aγ chains of H. sapiens).
Glutamate regulates the spontaneous and evoked release of dopamine in the rat striatum.

Abstract Resting and evoked extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum of the anesthetized rat were measured by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in conjunction with carbon fiber microelectrodes. Identification of the substance detected in vivo was achieved by inspection of background-subtracted voltammograms. Intrastriatal microinfusion of kynurenate, a broad-spectrum antagonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors, caused a decrease in the resting extracellular level of dopamine. The kynurenate-induced decrease was unaffected by systemic pretreatment with pargyline, an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, but was significantly attenuated by systemic pretreatment with α-methyl- p -tyrosine, an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase. Although glutamate by itself did not affect resting extracellular dopamine levels, glutamate did attenuate the kynurenate-induced decrease. Kynurenate decreased dopamine release in response to electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle, an effect that was also attenuated by glutamate. These results suggest that both spontaneous and evoked dopamine release in the rat striatum are under the local tonic excitatory influence of glutamate. Interactions between central dopamine and glutamate systems that have been implicated in the etiologies of Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, stress, and substance abuse. The precise nature of those interactions, however, remains a matter of some controversy.
RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT: A LAND MANAGEMENT CASE STUDY

Network analysis of information systems management is the focus of this study. Its premise is that resource scarcity will force public sector organizations to integrate and coordinate systems development tasks with other agencies in ways that will give rise to networked interorganizational capabilities. Emphasis is placed on the effect that the joint adoption by public organizations of advanced information technologies is likely to have on existing approaches to managerial decision making, particularly in the federal bureaucracy. Information models of organization suggest that expanded information processing capacity can correspondingly increase institutional capability and responsiveness, although information technology (IT) also tends to generate increasingly complex internal and external demands on the information management capacities of organizations.[1] In interorganizational domains, a history of technical collaboration, along with shared missionx and common interests, conditions the process of ado...
Compact lasing system at 13.5-nm to ground state of LiIII at 2Hz

The recent results of the demonstration of the lasing action at 13.5 nm in transition to ground state of LiIII at 2 Hz repetition rate using two lasers is being presented in this paper. A gain length of GL approximately equals 5.5 was measured in the 5 mm long, 0.3 mm diameter, LiF microcapillary using a 50 mJ, 250 fsec UV laser beam. The initial plasma was created in the microcapillary by a low power, relatively long pulse Nd/YAG laser. In order to shed light on observed unusually high efficiency of the ionization of the atoms in microcapillaries, the subpicosecond UV laser beam transmissions through the plasma in microcapillaries were measured. Strong dependence of the beam transmission on the delay time between inial plasma formation with the Nd/YAG laser and the sub-picosecond UV laser was recorded. The final part of the paper discusses some necessary conditions for an extension of the present results towards the shorter wavelength lasers with an emphasis on the presently conducted experiments at Princeton University for the generation gain at 4.8 nm in BV.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Target mediated disposition of T84.66, a monoclonal anti-CEA antibody: application in the detection of colorectal cancer xenografts.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycosylated cell surface antigen known to be highly over-expressed in several adenocarcinomas, including colorectal cancer, while demonstrating limited expressi...
Analysis of Fully Reversed Sequences of Rotations of a Free Rigid Body

A fully reversed (FR) sequence of rotations is defined as a series of rotations of a free rigid body about its body-fixed axes such that the rotation about each axis is fully reversed at the end of the sequence. Due to the non-commutative property of finite rigid body rotations, an FR sequence can effect non-zero changes in orientation of the rigid body even though the net rotation about each axis is zero. The FR sequences are useful for attitude maneuvers of miniature spacecraft that use elastic deformation-based microactuators and for other airborne or neutrally buoyant underwater vehicles where actuations effecting orientation change are restricted. This paper considers the kinematics of six-rotation FR sequences and discusses if each of them is capable of producing any desired change in orientation. It is concluded that out of a total of 24 six-rotation sequences, 12 are capable of this but not the remaining 12. The results are proved using mathematical formalism and are also interpreted using numerical computations and graphical visualization.
Improvements in quantitative chiral determinations using the mass spectrometric kinetic method

Abstract A significant shortcoming of the kinetic method for determining chiral purity from the competitive dissociation of a metal complex chelated with a chiral analyte and chiral reference is that it does not give useful quantitative data for high purity chiral samples in comparison to the standard chiral chromatography techniques. To extend the range of applications of the kinetic method to high chiral purity samples, a “vernier” method is reported which gives more accurate quantitative data for samples covering a narrow range of chiral purity. This is demonstrated for the case of a model amino acid in which NiII is used as the metal cation, asparagine as the chiral reference, and the analyte is tryptophan. By selecting experimental conditions to give a measured peak abundance ratio near unity for the two competitive fragments (where abundance ratios are more accurately measured than at higher or lower values), samples of high (90–100%) chiral purity were more accurately assayed in the experiment using pure tryptophan. By switching the chirality of the reference compound, samples in the low (0–10%) chiral purity range could also be more precisely measured. The quantitative improvement in accuracy of the chiral measurement is shown by the average accuracy of 0.51% deviation (for the 90–100% chiral purity range of tryptophan using l -Asn as chiral reference) in comparison to the average deviation of 104.1% in the non-vernier region (the region that falls outside the high accuracy region of interest).
Stereotactic body radiotherapy for superior vena cava syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is characterized by a spectrum of clinical findings that result from the occlusion of the superior vena cava (SVC), usually caused by extracaval compression of the SVC by either a bronchogenic tumor or an enlarged mediastinal lymph node. Most efforts at treatment for SVCS are palliative, and long-term survival for malignancy-related SVCS is very low. Therefore, radiotherapy treatment is usually delivered with palliative intent utilizing hypofractionated regimens. The use of high dose per fraction may result in more rapid and more durable responses to treatment. Similarly, the high dose per fraction utilized in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been proven highly efficacious in treating early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we report the first reported case of a patient with SVCS from NSCLC successfully treated with SBRT to alleviate SVCS.
Solvent effects on the coexistence of localized and delocalized 4,4'-dinitrotolane radical anion by resonance Raman spectroscopy.

The resonance Raman spectrum of the simple alkyne bridge in 4,4′-dinitrotolane radical anion shows two distinct bands, providing proof of the solvent-dependent coexistence of charge-localized and -delocalized species. The Raman spectra of normal modes primarily involving the charge-bearing −PhNO2 units also support the coexistence of two solvent-dependent electronic species. The temperature dependence of the spectra of the bridging unit shows an inverse relationship between the solvent reorganization energy (λs) and the temperature.
Potential Economic Impacts of Environmental Flows Following a Possible Listing of Endangered Texas Freshwater Mussels

Texas water resources, already taxed by drought and population growth, could be further stressed by possible listings of endangered aquatic species. This study estimated potential economic impacts of environmental flows (EFs) for five freshwater unionid mussels in three Central Texas basins (Brazos, Colorado, and Guadalupe-San Antonio Rivers) that encompass 36% of Texas (~246,000 km2). A water availability model projected reductions in water supply to power, commercial and industrial, municipal, and agriculture sectors in response to possible EFs for mussels. Single-year economic impacts were calculated using publicly available data with and without water transfers. Benefits of EFs should also be assessed, should critical habitat be proposed. Potential economic losses were highest during droughts, but were nominal (<$1 M) in wetter years — even with high EFs. Reduced supplies to San Antonio area power plants caused worst-case impacts of a single-year shutdown up to $107 million (M) during drought with high EFs. For other sectors in the study area, water transfers reduced worst-case losses from $80 to $11 M per year. Implementing innovative water management strategies such as water markets, conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater, aquifer storage and recovery could mitigate economic impacts if mussels — or other widely distributed aquatic species — were listed. However, approaches for defining EFs and strategies for mitigating economic impacts of EFs are needed.
Serotonin syndrome caused by interaction between citalopram and fentanyl

Summary Objective: To report a case of serotonin syndrome associated with interaction between fentanyl and citalopram, as evidenced by medication history, clinical features and reversal following discontinuation of fentanyl. Case Summary: A 65-year-old patient chronically treated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram developed confusion, agitation, tachycardia, tremors, myoclonic jerks and unsteady gait, consistent with serotonin syndrome, following initiation of fentanyl, and all symptoms and signs resolved following discontinuation of fentanyl. Based on the Naranjo probability scale, serotonin syndrome was a probable adverse reaction associated with co-administration of citalopram and fentanyl. Discussion: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially lethal pharmacodynamic interaction between medications that increase serotonergic transmission at the synaptic junction. The development of new pharmacological agents with varied properties and actions has increased the risk of serotonin syndrome as a clinical diagnosis. SSRIs and fentanyl are commonly co-administered, especially in the setting of chronic or malignant pain, as underlying depression may contribute to the pathogenesis of pain. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should be aware of the possible development of serotonin syndrome as a complication of initiation of fentanyl and other phenylpiperidine opioids in patients treated with SSRIs.
Possible density segregation of subducted oceanic lithosphere along a weak serpentinite layer and implications for compositional stratification of the Earth's mantle

Abstract There is growing evidence that the top part of the oceanic mantle is pervasively serpentinized prior to subduction. Because the interior of a subducting slab heats up slowly, the serpentinized layer can be preserved for tens of Myr, thereby forming a weak zone that allows for mechanical decoupling between the oceanic crust and underlying lithospheric mantle. Once the crust is eclogitized, a shear stress would be induced by a compositionally-driven buoyancy difference between the crust and the lithospheric mantle. By simple force balance, we show that the downward slip velocity of the crust relative to the lithospheric mantle is similar to subduction velocities themselves; hence, conditions necessary for segregation of eclogitized crust from lithospheric mantle are generally met well before the slab approaches the lower mantle. The segregated components are predicted to journey to different resting grounds. Depleted lithospheric mantle, being slightly less dense than the ambient mantle, would eventually rise upward and congregate in the upper mantle while eclogitic crust would settle in a neutrally buoyant state near the bottom of the transition zone or at the base of the lower mantle. We speculate that this process gradually leads to the irreversible compositional stratification of the Earth's mantle.
How Grassroots Groups Lose Political Imagination

New activist groups brim with big ideas, but the decisions they make quickly constrain which actions and activities are seen as possible.
Cirrus cloud optical and microphysical properties determined from AIRS infrared spectra

[1] We developed an efficient thermal infrared radiative transfer model on the basis of the delta-four-stream approximation to facilitate high-spectral-resolution remote sensing applications under cirrus cloudy conditions in the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data. Numerical experiments demonstrated that sensitivity in the 800-1130 cm -1 thermal infrared window spectral region is sufficiently distinct for the inference of cirrus optical depth and ice crystal mean effective size and shape factor. We analyzed 312 nighttime cirrus pixels in two AIRS granules over ARM TWP sites and applied the radiative transfer model to these cases to determine cirrus optical depth and ice crystal mean effective size, based on a look-up table approach. The retrieval program has been evaluated through an error budget analysis and validation effort by comparing AIRS-retrieved results with those determined from ground-based millimeter-wave cloud radar data at ARM TWP sites, for five AIRS pixels that were collocated and coincident with ground-based measurements.
Excimer laser produced plasmas in copper wire targets and water droplets

Elastically scattered incident radiation (ESIR) from a copper wire target illuminated by a KrF laser pulse at lambda = 248 nm shows a dinstinct two-peak structure which is dependent on the incident energy. The time required to reach the critical electron density (n(sub c) approximately = 1.8 x 10(exp 22) electrons/cu cm) is estimated at 11 ns based on experimental results. Detailed ESIR characteristics for water have been reported previously by the authors. Initiation of the broadband emission for copper plasma begins at 6.5 +/- 1.45 ns after the arrival of the laser pulse. However, the broadband emission occurs at 11 +/- 0.36 ns for water. For a diatomic substance such as water, the electron energy rapidly dissipates due to dissociation of water molecules, which is absent in a monatomic species such as copper. When the energy falls below the excitation energy of the lowest electron state for water, it becomes a subexcitation electron. Lifetimes of the subexcited electrons to the vibrational states are estimated to be of the order of 10(exp -9) s. In addition, the ionization potential of copper (440-530 nm) is approximately 6 eV, which is about two times smaller than the 13 eV ionization potential reported for water. The higher ionization potential contributes to the longer observed delay time for plasma formation in water. After initiation, a longer time is required for copper plasma to reach its peak value. This time delay in reaching the maximum intensity is attributed to the energy loss during the interband transition in copper.
Carvedilol in children with cardiomyopathy: 3-year experience at a single institution

Abstract Background Carvedilol reduces mortality and hospitalization in adults with congestive heart failure. Limited information is available about its use in children. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 24 children with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤40%, who were treated with carvedilol as adjunct therapy to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, digoxin and diuretics. Results Carvedilol was initiated 14.3 ± 23.3 (mean ± SD) months after the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. Mean age at initiation of therapy was 7.2 ± 6.4 years. The mean initial and maximum doses were 0.15 ± 0.09 and 0.98 ± 0.26 mg/kg/day. Adverse effects occurred in 5 patients (21%). Two patients (8%) required discontinuation of the drug within 5 weeks of the initial dose. The remaining 22 patients tolerated carvedilol for a mean follow-up period of 26.6 ± 14.7 months. Among these 22 patients, mean left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 24.6 ± 7.6% to 42.2 ± 14.2% ( p p Conclusions Carvedilol, in addition to standard therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy in children improves cardiac function and symptoms; it is well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects, but close monitoring is necessary as it might worsen congestive heart failure and precipitate asthma. Control studies are necessary to assess the effect of carvedilol on mortality and hospitalization rates.
Buried relic seawall mitigates Hurricane Sandy's impacts

Abstract Field observations to quantify damage, overwash, sediment deposition, and breaching in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy revealed clear differences in patterns of the impact between two neighboring boroughs along the New Jersey shore: Bay Head and Mantoloking. Field data and observations gathered immediately after the storm indicate that a relic seawall in Bay Head appeared to lessen the wave-driven effects of Hurricane Sandy as compared to its southern neighbor Mantoloking. Complimentary detailed numerical simulations demonstrate that this relic seawall reduced the wave-induced forces on ocean front structures, indicated by wave-averaged momentum flux, by a factor of two. The difference in impact of Hurricane Sandy between Bay Head and Mantoloking underscores the urgent need for sustainable multi-level protection against natural hazards, in order to create resilient coastal communities.
A polarization-color effect in the K-corona.

An observation of the corona during the 7 March, 1970 eclipse through a Wollaston prism-red and blue filter combination was carried out for the purpose of confirming the prediction that the component of the K-corona with electric vector radial to the Sun is redder than the tangential component. An analysis of a portion of the resulting data seems to confirm this prediction, and also indicates that the method is useful for determining the three-dimensional configuration of the very inner corona. A three-dimensional configuration is suggested for a portion of the NE quadrant of the Sun, including the large NE streamer and an adjacent low-lying loop.
Effects of adult or neonatal treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on locomotor activity, monoamine levels, and response to caffeine

Abstract Rats were treated as neonates or adults with desmethylimipramine (DMI) followed by intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HDA) or 5,7 dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). Locomotor activity of treated rats was measured in photocell cages. Neonatal treatment with 5,7-DHT produced hypoactivity during development while neonatal 6-HDA led to hyperactivity. Treatment of adult rats with 5,7-DHT or 6-HDA, while resulting in equivalent monoamine depletions, was without effect on locomotor activity. The dose response function for caffeine was determined in these rats. Depletion of dopamine by either neonatal or adult treatment with 6-HDA decreased caffeine stimulation of locomotor activity. The adenosine receptor agonist 1-phenylisopropyladenosine (L-PIA) decreased locomotor activity in all rats in a dose-dependent fashion.
Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Growth, Body Composition and Metabolism in Pediatric HIV Patients

Highly active antiretroviral therapy improves survival and growth in children with HIV infection. However, its use can be associated with adverse changes in body composition and metabolism. Bone mineral density can be adversely affected in HIV-positive children due to nutritional compromise or certain anti-retrovirals. HIV-associated lipodystrophy, consisting of redistribution of adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, has also been described in children. Pediatric HIV patients may be at greater risk for these problems because of their longer potential lifetime exposure to these agents and because childhood is normally a period of rapid growth and tissue accretion. Healthcare providers for children with HIV infection must be aware of the potential complications associated with HIV antiretrovirals so that their antiviral efficacy can be balanced against their risk for side effects. In this review, we discuss the alterations in childhood growth and body composition that occur in HIV-infected children, and describe the impact of antiretroviral therapy on these outcomes. The problem of HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome in children is also discussed. Children with HIV should have their growth and body composition systematically monitored. Antiretroviral regimens should be tailored to optimize adherence and viral suppression while minimizing the potential for adverse side effects.
Two-step isolation of bacterial ribonucleic acid without using a chaotropic agent or cesium chloride centrifugation.

A simple RNA isolation method was developed to purify bacterial RNAs from a large number of samples simultaneously in an hour. The method is based on boiling the cells in the presence of Triton X-100 and lysozyme, and then preferential RNA precipitation with ammonium acetate. There is no CsCl centrifugation required. For the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, the depression condition can be maintained during the cell-harvesting process. The intact isolated RNAs appeared to be free of protein, with a yield of 100 micrograms RNA from a 4-ml cell culture of 100 Klett units (10(9) cells/ml). Any DNA present was in a form that did not react with a nifH probe following Northern blotting to nitrocellulose (i.e., was not single-stranded).