cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast Inversion of Spectral Lines Using Principal Components Analysis. II. Inversion of Real Stokes Data

The principal components analysis (PCA) technique is used to develop an extremely fast and stable Stokes inversion code, suitable for application to large data sets from instruments that operate under standard conditions. This paper provides some tips on reducing the dimensionality of the problem, which are then used to develop a practical implementation of PCA for the automatic analysis of Stokes profiles. The resulting code is tested using real spectropolarimetric observations of the pair of Fe I lines at 6302 A at a sunspot.
A case study of online information: Second generation systems design

The authors present a typical online information system and discuss the problems inherent in its use. The problems are addressed by a revised system which provides easier access to the database for both novice and experienced users. The system is illustrated by a scenario of a typical interaction with the revised system. The system used as an example is an online library catalog based on the SPIRES database management system.
Cognitive radio antennas that learn and adapt using Neural Networks

Cognition added to RF/antenna systems has extended software defined radio (SDR) communication systems into cognitive radio systems. Software defined radio has been established as a key enabling technology to realize cognitive radio. Thus a cognitive radio is an SDR that is aware of its environment, and autonomously adjusts its operations to achieve the designated objectives. A cognitive radio system is able to sense, reason, learn and be aware of its environment. A dynamic communication application such as cognitive radio requires antenna researchers to design software controlled reconfigurable antennas. The tuning ability of such antennas and the switching time are important to satisfy the requirements of continuously changing communication channels. Neural Networks (NNs) arose as a perfect candidate to control these antennas through Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). NNs represent a perfect solution to add learning and reasoning to the cognitive radio antenna systems. In this work, a NN is applied on a reconfigurable antenna where switches are used to connect and disconnect the different parts of its structure. Reconfigurable antennas are potential candidate for cognitive radio since they are able to change their operating characteristics based on the channel activity. Applying NNs to such antennas result in the association of different antenna configurations with the various frequency responses. This association allows training the NN to be able to configure the antenna and regenerate switch combinations/frequency responses on demand. The NN is built and trained in Matlab Simulink and a Xilinx system generator creates the NN VHDL code to be transferred to the FPGA. The FPGA now controls the switches that are incorporated within the reconfigurable antenna structure. The application of NN on cognitive radio antenna systems allows such systems to react swiftly to any change in their environment. The cognitive radio antennas will regenerate the appropriate switch combinations using NN previous training. This will allow communicating over the unoccupied parts of the spectrum which are called white spaces. The dynamic changes that occur in the spectrum require a robust and fast antenna software control. Thus NN prove to be a valid and necessary technique to employ on CR antennas.
Three-body decay of the d * dibaryon

Under certain circumstances, a three-body decay width can be approximated by an integral involving a product of two off-shell two-body decay widths. This ``angle-average'' approximation is used to calculate the $\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN}$ decay width of the ${d}^{*}{(J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}{=3}^{+},T=0)$ dibaryon in a simple ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{2}$ model for the most important Feynman diagrams describing pion emissions with baryon-baryon recoil and meson retardation. The decay width is found to be about 0.006 (0.07, 0.5) MeV at the ${d}^{*}$ mass of 2065 (2100, 2150) MeV for input dynamics derived from the full Bonn potential. The smallness of this width is qualitatively understood as the result of the three-body decay being ``third forbidden.'' The concept of l forbiddenness and the threshold behavior of a three-body decay are further studied in connection with the $\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN}$ decay of the dibaryon ${d}^{\ensuremath{'}}{(J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}{=0}^{\ensuremath{-}},T=0or2)$ where the idea of ``unfavoredness'' has to be introduced. The implications of these results are briefly discussed.
Lawsone Derivatives III: Cyclizations Involving Side Chains

In continuing efforts to prepare a stable 3- ω -bis- β -chloroethyl aminoalkyl-2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone the preparation and reactions of several ω -substituted alkyllawsones have been examined. The ultimate objective of the research was not achieved as a consequence of unexpectedly facile cyclizations, either of the 3-side chain to the lawsone nucleus or by macrocyclic dimerization. The nature of these cyclizations is discussed, and the structures of the cyclic products are delineated.
C-H Activation Mechanisms and Regioselectivity in the Cyclometalation Reactions of Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)thorium Dialkyl Complexes

This contribution reports on the syntheses, structures and cyclometalation reactions of a series of bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)thorium dialkyl complexes of the type Cp'/sub 2/ThR/sub 2/ (Cp' = eta/sup 5/-C/sub 5/Me/sub 5/). It focuses upon the pathway of C-H ..-->.. C'-H hydrogen atom transfer, hydrogen atom positions in the ground states of Cp'/sub 2/Th(CH/sub 2/CMe/sub 3/)/sub 2/ by single-crystal neutron diffraction, and those structural/electronic factors influencing reaction rate and regioselectivity in both neopentyl and modified neopentyl complexes. While on the surface the present d/sup 0/,f/sup 0/ reaction patterns may appear to exhibit similarities to those of the d/sup 8/ and related systems, it will be seen that there are actually profound mechanistic differences. It will also be seen that Th-C bond enthalpy data are useful in understanding certain of the reaction patterns. 63 references, 7 figures, 7 tables.
Evaluation of coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates from serial nasopharyngeal cultures of premature infants

Abstract The present study was undertaken to determine whether very low birth weight infants in a neonatal intensive care unit became colonized with virulent strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci (C–S) over time (i.e., those characterized as Staphylococcus epidermidis , slime positive, and/or multiply antibiotic resistant), and if so, whether the initial colonizing strains developed these characteristics or whether the strains themselves changed. Nasopharyngeal (NP) cultures were obtained weekly on 28 very low birth weight ( g ) infants hospitalized for a mean of 8 wk (range 4–15 wk). There were 105 isolates of C–S recovered from 96 cultures that were characterized by species, biotype, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and slime production (screening parameters). Isolates from the same infant with highly similar screening parameters then underwent phage typing and plasmid analysis to increase the likelihood of establishing strain identity. C–S colonization rose from 12% on admission to 75% by wk 2, then gradually declined to 30% by wk 6 and remained stable through wk 10. There were no significant differences among C–S isolates from wk 1 compared with wk 10 of hospital stay with respect to distribution of species, slime positive, or multiply antibiotic resistant strains. One biotype of S. epidermidis was recovered from 46% of study infants, but only one infant was colonized with a predominant biotype of S. epidermidis throughout hospitalization. Thirteen pairs of isolates recovered from 12 of the infants on two or more wk were found to be identical by phage typing and plasmid analysis. Only seven of these 13 pairs of isolates had concordant results for all the screening parameters. There were six instances of minor changes in the biotype of strains, two instances of strains becoming resistant to an additional antibiotic, and no instances of identical strains changing slime production from 1 wk to another. In summary, although one biotype of S. epidermidis was recovered from 46% of study infants, there was marked variability among C–S isolates from individual infants from wk to wk. There was no trend towards individual strains acquiring virulence characteristics nor did these characteristics seem to convey a selective advantage to C–S bacteria colonizing infants in this study. Rather, many different strains of multiply antibiotic resistant C–S were prevalent in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with approximately 50% producing slime throughout the study period.
Modeling of Oxygen-Inhibited Free Radical Photopolymerization in a PDMS Microfluidic Device

Free-radical photopolymerization performed within PDMS microfluidic devices is now used for a variety of applications. We propose, through model and experiment, that atmospheric oxygen diffusing in through the porous PDMS is responsible for the presence, under UV light, of a thin, un-cross-linked film of oligomer abutting the walls of an all-PDMS device. After the advent of light exposure, an induction time τi is required before the oxygen present in the oligomer is depleted, and cross-linking reactions can begin. A polymerized structure then grows from the center of the device outward, increasing sharply in height with time and leaving only a thin un-cross-linked film of thickness, δi,c, close to the walls where oxygen can penetrate. Under suitable simplification of the reaction−diffusion model developed, scaling relationships were obtained for τi (∼Da−1) and δi,c (∼Da−1/2) as a function of a Damkohler number, Da. The relationships were successfully verified by comparison with both the full solution and ...
Anti-estrogen activity in the yeast transcription system: Estrogen receptor mediated agonist response

The mouse estrogen receptor was expressed in yeast cells to study the mechanism of action of anti-estrogens. Tamoxifen and hydroxytamoxifen, estrogen antagonists in mammalian tissues, failed to antagonize estradiol-induced expression of a VitA2-ERE-CTC1-lacZ reporter gene construct and exhibited full agonist activity, while nafoxidine exhibited partial antagonism as well as partial agonism. ICI 164,384 is a potent anti-estrogen in both mouse and human estrogen receptor systems. Our previous studies in the mouse uterus indicated that rapid degradation of the estrogen receptor accounted for the loss of estrogen responsiveness. In yeast however, ICI 164,384 or an isomer ICI 182,780 were unable to antagonize estradiol at concentration of 200 microM. On the contrary, both ICI compounds exhibited partial agonist activity by stimulating beta-galactosidase activity to 50% that of estradiol. We examined the level of estrogen receptor in the yeast after treatment with estradiol, ICI 164,384 or vehicle by Western blot and found no ICI-induced reduction of estrogen receptor levels, but observed an increase in estrogen receptor following estradiol treatment. This indicates that the proteolytic activity responsible for degrading estrogen receptor in ICI 164,384-treated uteri or eukaryotic cells is not present in yeast. The agonist activity seen with ICI indicated that ICI-bound estrogen receptor is able to induce expression of an estrogen-responsive reporter gene. In support of this, estrogen receptor from ICI 164,384-treated yeast was able to bind an estrogen-responsive element in a gel-shift assay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Onshore scour characteristics around submerged vertical and semicircular breakwaters

Abstract A laboratory study is presented herein investigating the two-dimensional onshore scour along the base of submerged vertical and semicircular breakwaters. Experiments were conducted with normally incident monochromatic waves breaking at the breakwater on both sloping and horizontal sandy bottoms. A principle conclusion of this investigation is that the characteristics of onshore breakwater scour are independent of submerged breakwater shape/type. It is also concluded that the onshore scour patterns can be divided into two distinct regimes that solely rely on the Keulegan–Carpenter number ( KC = H i π W bw ; Wbw — breakwater crest width, Hi — incident wave height). For KC values larger than π, the scour forms “detached” from the breakwater while for KC values smaller than or equal to π, the scour occurs “attached” to the onshore breakwater face. Three important scour characteristics are investigated: maximum scour depth (Smax), scour length (Ls), and the distance of Smax location from the onshore breakwater face (Ds). Smax value is observed to be regime independent and rely on both KC and the mobility number ( ψ = ( H i π T sinh ( k h ) ) 2 g ∗ d ; g⁎ — reduced gravitational acceleration, d — median diameter of the sediment, k — wave number, h — still water depth, T — wave period) while Ls and Ds are observed to be regime dependent and rely only on KC. Semi-empirical parameterizations to predict Smax, Ls, and Ds values for onshore breakwater scour are proposed.
Anoxia induces an increase in intracellular sodium in rat central neurons in vitro.

Abstract Following our previous observations that anoxia induces a drop in extracellular Na+ in the brain slice and that removal of extracellular Na+ prevents the anoxia-induced morphological changes in dissociated hippocampal neurons, we hypothesized that intracellular Na+ increases during anoxia in isolated neurons. Using the fluorophore Sodium Green in freshly dissociated rat CA1 neurons, and SBFI in cultured cortical neurons, we found that 10 min of anoxia caused an increase in Nai+ in both types of cells, with a latency of about 2 min. In CA1 neurons, fluorescence increased by an average of 20.34% (n = 8). The mean baseline Nai+ level (determined using SBFI) was 25 ± 2.5 mM, whichincreased to about an average of 52 ± 3 mM after 3–4 min. These and our previous results strongly suggest that Na+-mediated events are involved in anoxia-induced nerve injury.
Minimum Power Broadcast: Fast Variants of Greedy Approximations

We study the problem of assigning transmission power to the nodes of ad hoc wireless networks to minimize power consumption while ensuring that the given source reaches all the nodes in the network (unidirectional links allowed for broadcast). In the most general cost model, the best published approximation ratio is achieved by the "greedy spider" algorithm (Calinescu et al., ESA 2003). We present a variant of this algorithm with running time big-Oh of n to power 3 (n is the number of nodes), and the same approximation ratio. In the restricted "Euclidean" two-dimensional cost model, where the power requirement to transmit from node u to node v is the Euclidean distance between the location of u and the location v, raised to a fixed power that dependends on the wireless environment, the best known approximation ratio is achieved by the "relative greedy" algorithm (Caragiannis et al., ICALP 2007). We present a variant of this algorithm with running time big-Oh of n times m (m is the number of edges in the input graph), and the same approximation ratio. The new variants make use of advanced data structures and/or simple amortized analysis, improving naive variants by a factor of n. This improvement allows us to apply these algorithms to large instances (1000-2000 nodes). Our experimental results show that the best output achievable within 100 seconds improves the solution based on minimum spanning tree by an average of up to 15%, and comes within 25% of optimum, in average, on the instances where we can compute the optimum (based on an integer program). The improvement is circa 50% larger compared to what one would get applying existing fast heuristics.
Experimental Determination of Vibrational Potential Energy Surfaces and Molecular Structures in Electronic Excited States

For more than three decades far-infrared and Raman spectroscopies, along with appropriate quantum mechanical computations, have been effectively used to determine the potential energy functions which govern the conformationally important large-amplitude vibrations of nonrigid molecules. More recently, we have utilized laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation spectroscopy and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy to analyze the vibronic energy levels of electronic excited states in order to determine the potential energy surfaces and molecular conformations in these states. Transitions from the ground vibrational state in an S0 electronic state can typically be observed only to several excited vibronic levels. Hence, the LIF of the jet-cooled molecules generally provides data on only a few excited state levels. Ultraviolet absorption spectra recorded at ambient temperatures, however, often provide data on many additional excited vibronic levels. However, these can only be correctly interpreted if the elec...
Shock-tube measurements of the f-number for the (0, 0)-band of the OH 2∑ → 2Π transitions☆

Abstract The f-number for the (0, 0)-band of the 2∑a2Π transitions of OH has been found to be (0·9±0·5) × 10-3. A shock tube was used to produce hot gas samples at temperatures from 3300 to 3900°K with equilibrium partial pressures of OH of 0·004 to 0·02 atm. The emission intensities were measured photoelectrically as a function of time behind the reflected shock in a selected spectral interval. These results were then related to the f-number by means of an absolute intensity calibration.
Is the recorded increase in short-duration North Atlantic tropical storms spurious?

[1] The number of North Atlantic tropical storms lasting 2 days or less exhibits a large increase starting from the middle of the 20th century, driving the increase in recorded number of tropical storms over the past century. Here we present a set of quantitative analyses to assess whether this behavior is more likely associated with climate variability/change or with changes in observing systems. By using statistical methods combined with the current understanding of the physical processes, we are unable to find support for the hypothesis that the century-scale record of short-lived tropical cyclones in the Atlantic contains a detectable real climate signal. Therefore, we interpret the long-term secular increase in short-duration North Atlantic tropical storms as likely to be substantially inflated by observing system changes over time. These results strongly suggest that studies examining the frequency of North Atlantic tropical storms over the historical era (between the 19th century and present) should focus on storms of duration greater than about 2 days.
The Relation Between Pain-Related Fear and Disability: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Within a biopsychosocial framework, psychological factors are thought to play an important role in the onset and progression of chronic pain. The cognitive-behavioral fear-avoidance model of chronic pain suggests that pain-related fear contributes to the development and maintenance of pain-related disability. However, investigations of the relation between pain-related fear and disability have demonstrated considerable between-study variation. The main goal of the current meta-analysis was to synthesize findings of studies investigating cross-sectional associations between pain-related fear and disability in order to estimate the magnitude of this relation. We also tested potential moderators, including type of measure used, demographic characteristics, and relevant pain characteristics. Searches in PubMed and PsycINFO yielded a total of 46 independent samples (N = 9,579) that reported correlations between pain-related fear and disability among persons experiencing acute or chronic pain. Effect size estimates were generated using a random-effects model and artifact distribution method. The positive relation between pain-related fear and disability was observed to be moderate to large in magnitude, and stable across demographic and pain characteristics. Although some variability was observed across pain-related fear measures, results were largely consistent with the fear-avoidance model of chronic pain. Perspective Results of this meta-analysis indicate a robust, positive association between pain-related fear and disability, which can be classified as moderate to large in magnitude. Consistent with the fear-avoidance model of chronic pain, these findings suggest that pain-related fear may be an important target for treatments intended to reduce pain-related disability.
Coupling antibody with DTPA--an alternative to the cyclic anhydride.

Abstract We have previously shown that the bicyclic anhydride of DPTA may be used to attach this chelator to several proteins, including IgG antibody, rapidly and efficiently and that the coupled proteins may be labeled with 111 In. As an alternative to the cyclic anhydride, we have now investigated the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of DPTA for this purpose. The ester was prepared by reacting the imide with the cyclic anhydride and, like the cyclic anhydride, the ester is stable to storage at room temperature in moisture-free environments. The conditions under which IgG may be coupled with the ester were compared to that of the anhydride. Whereas maximum coupling with the anhydride is achieved in 20 s, about 10 min is required at room temperature with the ester, although the rate of coupling is increased at 37°C. The effect on coupling efficiency of pH, protein concentration, and molar ratios is quantitatively different than that observed earlier with the anhydride although the trends are similar. Antibody coupled with the ester showed a greater degree of dimer and polymer formation under identical coupling conditions and significantly greater instability during serum incubations.
Characterization of crystals of L-glutaminase-asparaginase from Acinetobacter glutaminasificans and Pseudomonas 7A.

Single crystals of glutaminase-asparaginase from two sources have been grown. A new crystal form (III) of Acinetobacter enzyme belongs to the space group I222, a = 96·7 , b = 112·4and c = 70·9 , with one subunit in the asymmetric unit. Crystals of Pseudomonas 7A enzyme belong to the space group P212121, a = 118·0 , b = 131·2and c = 85·1 , with a tetrameric molecule in the asymmetric unit. Both types of crystals are suitable for high resolution structure determination.
Growth of contact nuclei of potassium nitrate

Les donnees experimentales montrent que la taille des cristaux obtenus ne depend pas de la presence de germes dans le systeme eau-nitrate de potassium. Cinetique
Jointness and Duality in Algebraic Approaches to Dichotomous Data

A number of algebraic approaches to dichotomous data have attracted interest in the social sciences. Despite their underlying connections, these different approaches have different assumptions and realms of applicability. In particular, some approaches (which may be termed explanatory) assume a certain a process that generates the data, while others (which may be termed interpretive) give a parsimonious representation of data patterns irrespective of a generative process. The former may also be termed one-sided in that they privilege one dimension of a conventional data matrix, while the latter are dual, in that they do not do this. In certain cases, one-sided analyses can be combined to produce “joint” analyses, which differ from dual analyses. A consideration of these differences casts light on the information retrieved by the various methods.
Testing the light-at-night (LAN) theory for breast cancer causation.

The “light-at-night” (LAN) theory began with a focus on the mystery of breast cancer: why is risk so high in the modern world and why does risk increase dramatically as societies industrialize (Ste...
Comparison of fetal growth estimates based on birth weight and ultrasound references.

Objective: To compare three different methods for modeling fetal weight gain during the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Ultrasound and live birth weight data were used to construct three models for defining fetal growth during the third trimester: longitudinal ultrasound estimates of fetal weight obtained serially at 3-4 week intervals in 50 uncomplicated, well-dated pregnancies between 19 and 40 weeks' gestation; cross-sectional ultrasound estimates of fetal weight obtained from 2018 ultrasound examinations of singleton, non-anomalous fetuses between 24 and 39 weeks' gestation; and cross-sectional birth weight data obtained from 9553 live singleton, non-anomalous neonates between 24 and 43 completed weeks. Analysis was performed by pairwise partial f test to compare regression curves and z test for comparison of mean weekly weight gain. A value of p < 0.05 was accepted for significance. Results: Derived regression lines depicting fetal size across gestation were significantly different from each o...
Unusual neoplasms of the vulva

Abstract Unusual vulvar neoplasms comprise a small minority of general surgical pathology cases. We have limited our discussion to the following four vulvar tumours that were diagnosed at our institution during the past year: extramammary Paget disease; melanoma; granular cell tumour; and epithelioid sarcoma, proximal-type. We hope that the review will be of practical interest to the general surgical pathologist. Pathogenesis, clinical presentation, morphology, differential diagnosis, ancillary studies, prognosis, and treatment will be discussed.
Supersonic interface instabilities of accelerated surfaces and jets

The compressible Rayleigh–Taylor instability of a supersonic accelerated contact discontinuity between two gases is studied by numerically solving the two‐dimensional Euler equations. The computed solutions exhibit a complicated set of nonlinear waves comprised of spike and bubble bow shocks, terminal shocks within the spike and bubble, Kelvin–Helmholtz rollup of the spike tip, and contact surface waves. The spike appears to attain a finite growth of aspect ratio approximately equal to 2. The propagation of a supersonic slab jet is also studied numerically, in order to compare and contrast the jet wave structure with that of the supersonic accelerated surface.
Visible Polarization Data of Mars

Discrepancy in photometric and visible polarimetric determinations of Mars surface pressure attributed to aerosol particles in Martian atmosphere
Labial agglutination secondary to a herpes simplex II infection

A case is described of a young woman with labial agglutination secondary to a herpes simplex II infection that was successfully treated with laser vaporization.
Some unusual reactions of molecular oxygen with bicyclic diazenes which typically serve as precursors to alkylidenecyclopenane-1,3-diyls; peroxide formation

Abstract The reaction of a series of substituted bicyclic diazenes with oxygen was investigated. Three types of products result, namely ketoalcohols 2b-f , ketoaldehydes 4e-g and dioxolanes 3e-g . The potential intermediacy of an endoperoxide 5f is considered.
Purification and Characterization of HP1 Cox and Definition of Its Role in Controlling the Direction of Site-specific Recombination

Abstract The protein that activates site-specific excision of the HP1 genome from the Hemophilus influenzae chromosome, HP1 Cox, was purified. Native Cox consists of four 8.9-kDa protomers. Tetrameric Cox self-associates to octamers; the apparent dissociation constant was 8 μM protomer, suggesting that under reaction conditions Cox is largely tetrameric. Cox binding sites consist of two direct repeats of the consensus motif 5′-GGTMAWWWWA; one Cox tetramer binds to each motif. Cox binding interfered with the interaction of HP1 integrase with one of its binding sites, IBS5. This competition is central to directional control, as shown by studies on mutated sites. Both Cox binding sites were necessary for Cox to fully inhibit integration and activate excision, although Cox continued to affect recombination when the single binding site proximal to IBS5 remained intact. Eliminating the IBS5 site completely prevented integration but greatly enhanced excision. Excisive recombination continued to require Cox even when IBS5 was inactivated. Cox must therefore play a positive role in assembling the nucleoprotein complexes producing excisive recombination, by inducing the formation of a critical conformation in those complexes.
Chronic beta-adrenoceptor blockade prevents the development of beta-adrenergic subsensitivity in experimental right-sided congestive heart failure in dogs.

BACKGROUND The reductions of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor density and responsiveness to catecholamines in congestive heart failure are associated with excessive sympathetic stimulation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the myocardial changes could be prevented by beta-receptor blockade. METHODS AND RESULTS We administered the oral beta-receptor blocking agent nadolol (40 mg/day) to dogs during an early stage of experimental right heart failure and to sham-operated dogs for 5 weeks. Animals receiving no nadolol were studied concurrently. Nadolol treatment did not prevent right ventricular hypertrophy or elevated concentrations of plasma norepinephrine that occurred in right heart failure, nor did it affect the decrease in myocardial norepinephrine content and norepinephrine uptake activity, suggesting that the hemodynamic stress imposed on the right ventricle of dogs with right heart failure was similar regardless of the presence or absence of beta-receptor blockade. Resting heart rate, right atrial pressure, aortic pressure, cardiac output, right ventricular dP/dt, and left ventricular dP/dt and dP/dt/P measured 5 days after discontinuation of nadolol did not differ significantly from those without nadolol treatment in either right heart failure or sham-operated animals. Sham-operated dogs also showed no changes in myocardial beta-receptor or adenylate cyclase activity after nadolol treatment. However, nadolol treatment prevented the reduction of myocardial beta-receptor density and attenuated the decrease in the cardiac beta-adrenergic sensitivity that occurred in right heart failure. CONCLUSIONS Excessive sympathetic stimulation may play an important role in the development of beta-receptor downregulation and beta-adrenergic subsensitivity in right heart failure.
Activation of cyclic amp/protein kinase: A signaling pathway enhances osteoblast cell adhesion on biomaterials for regenerative engineering

Osteoblast cell adhesion on biomaterials is an important goal for implants to be useful in bone regeneration technologies. The adhesion of osteoblastic cells to biomaterials has been investigated in the field of bone regenerative engineering. Previous work from our group demonstrated that osteoblastic cells adhering to biodegradable biomaterials require the expression of integrins on the cell surface. However, the underlying molecular signaling mechanism is still not fully clear. We report here that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a small signaling molecule, regulates osteoblast cell adhesion to biomaterial surfaces. We used an in vitro cell adhesion assay to demonstrate that at 0.1 mM, 8-Br-cAMP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog, significantly enhances osteoblast-like cells' (MC3T3-E1) adherence to biomaterials. Moreover, we demonstrate that a commonly used cAMP-elevating agent, forskolin, promotes cell adhesion similar to that of the cell permeable cAMP analog. By using different target-specific cAMP analogs: 8-CPT-2Me-cAMP which specifically activates exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), and 6-Bnz-cAMP which specifically activates protein kinase A (PKA), we observed that the PKA signaling pathway plays a dominant role in this process. Thus, this report suggests a new method to enhance osteoblast cell adhesion on biodegradable biomaterials for bone regenerative engineering applications. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:602–608, 2011
Optical control of retrogradely infected neurons using drug-regulated "TLoop" lentiviral vectors.

Many approaches that use viral vectors to deliver transgenes have limited transduction efficiency yet require high levels of transgene expression. In particular, infection via axon terminals is relatively inefficient but is a powerful means of achieving infection of specific neuron types. Combining this with optogenetic approaches requires high gene expression levels that are not typically achieved with nontoxic retrogradely infecting vectors. We generated rabies glycoprotein-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors that use a positive feedback loop composed of a Tet promoter driving both its own tetracycline-dependent transcription activator (tTA) (“TLoop”) and channelrhodopsin-2-YFP (ChR2YFP). We show that TLoop vectors strongly express proteins in a drug-controllable manner in neurons that project to injection sites within the mouse brain. After initial infection, the virus travels retrogradely, stably integrates into the host genome, and expresses gene products. The expression is robust and allows optogenetic studies of neurons projecting to the location of virus injection, as demonstrated by fluorescence-targeted intracellular recordings. ChR2YFP expression did not cause observable signs of toxicity and continued for up to 6 mo after infection. Expression can be reversibly blocked by administration of doxycycline, if necessary, for expression of gene products that might be more toxic. Overall, we present a system that will allow researchers to achieve high levels of gene expression even in the face of inefficient viral transduction. The particular vectors that we demonstrate may enhance efforts to gain a precise understanding of the contributions of specific types of projection neurons to brain function.
REACTION OF 2-METHOXY-1,3-DIOXANE WITH GRIGNARD REAGENTS: REAGENT-SUBSTRATE COMPLEXATION AND STEREOELECTRONIC CONTROL

Abstract The stereoelectronically controlled reaction of 2-methoxy-1,3-dioxane ( 1 ) with Grignard reagents does not follow the course suggested by the behavior of anancomeric models for the conformational isomers of 1 . Treatment of 1 with RMgX leads to the predominant formation of acid labile 3-(1′-methoxyalkoxy)-1-propanols, derived from endocyclic cleavage of the ring CO bond, and only minor amounts of the expected 2-R-1,3-dioxanes.
The nucleolus: an organelle formed by the act of building a ribosome

Recent evidence corroborates the idea that the structure of the nucleolus need not be strictly maintained for proper function, suggesting that the organelle is composed of supramolecular assemblies formed during rRNA synthesis. More controversial is whether the nucleolus exists in the absence of rRNA synthesis and whether it interacts with the nuclear scaffold. The simultaneous and highly integrative nature of building a ribosome is reflected in the numerous observations showing that proteins involved in all aspects of ribosomal biogenesis affect pre-rRNA processing. The identification of several new nucleolar proteins without an obvious role in pre-rRNA metabolism may provide the field with long sought after assembly factors that might be key players in eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis.
A Very Unrigid Cosmopolitanism: Shame, Laughter, and Flexibility in Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything Is Illuminated

Family are the people who must make you feel ashamed when you are deserving of shame. —Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything Is Illuminated [T]he last secret of the tree of codes is that nothing can eve...
Monoamine oxidase from beef liver mitochondria: Simplified isolation procedure, properties, and determination of its cysteinyl flavin content☆

Abstract A novel procedure is described for the isolation of monoamine oxidase from beef liver mitochondria. The procedure involves extraction of inert protein after simultaneous digestion with phospholipases A and C, followed by extraction of the enzyme by a low concentration of Triton X-100 and polymer partition. The specific activity equals the best value in the literature, but the yield is several times higher than in published procedures. On the basis of the flavin content the molecular weight is 146,000. Gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and mercaptoethanol yields a single band of 62,000 molecular weight. Thus, it appears that the native enzyme contains two subunits not separable on polyacrylamide gels, only one of which possesses covalently linked flavin. A procedure is also described for the determination of the cysteinyl flavin content of purified preparations of the enzyme.
Gapminder: Using a World of Human Ecology Data to Teach Students Critical Thinking Skills

Employers, politicians, and society at large are calling for university graduates to be able to think critically, solve problems and communicate effectively. The public emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving has increased recently with calls for greater accountability and student learning outcomes that are relevant to real world contexts (e.g. Arum and Roksa 2011). Development of student critical thinking skills has long been an objective of university science courses as these skills are essential to the practice of science. Some examples of student behaviors associated with critical thinking as applied in this context might include: (1) Identifying and accessing relevant information, (2) Analyzing and evaluating data as evidence to develop well-justified conclusions, and (3) Integrating multiple sources of information, including relevant literature and data analyses to formulate and defend recommendations for policy or action.
Photolithographic Patterning of Particulate Films

Mise au point d'une methode de production de configurations graphiques arbitraires avec des details fins d'au moins 5 μm dans une couche mince sur un substrat. Par cette methode, on projette par centrifugation une couche de photo-resist sur une couche uniforme et continue de ceramique exposee ensuite aux ultraviolets sous un masque ayant la forme du dessin a reporter. Apres developpement du photoresist les regions mises a nues sont eliminees par immersion dans un bac a ultrasons. Les vides de cette premiere couche peuvent alors etre remplis par un autre materiau et on peut meme construire des couches multiples en apportant de legeres modifications a la methode
Studies toward the synthesis of spirastrellolide A. Preparation of a C31-C47 model

Abstract The synthesis of a C31–C47 model of spirastrellolide A is reported. Key steps include an iron catalyzed cross coupling reaction to incorporate the linear side chain as a single unit, and the carbonyl ene reaction of an exocyclic enol ether to prepare the 5,6-spiroketal. A trans-ketalization from 5,6- to 6,6-spiroketal frameworks is used to facilitate stereochemical assignment.
Television Shopping for Apparel in the United States: Effects of Perceived Amount of Information on Perceived Risks and Purchase Intentions

In a two-part study, the amount and types of information available in television-shopping segments selling apparel were examined. In Phase 1, a content analysis of 60 segments selling apparel was conducted. In Phase 2, using an experimental format, a convenience sample of 128 middle-aged women (M = 46 years) viewed a 6-minute television-shopping segment selling apparel and assessed perceived risk, perceived amount of information available in the segment, and purchase intentions, and they answered some open-ended questions about their information-searching activities. Taken together, results of Phases 1 and 2 revealed that when making apparel purchases, participants needed product and customer service information; however, in some segments, that information was never available or was available in less than half the segments coded. Results also revealed that the amount of information perceived from a television-shopping segment selling apparel was negatively related to perceived risk and positively related to purchase intent.
Feather Meal as a Nonspecific Nitrogen Source for Abdominal Fat Reduction in Broilers During the Finishing Period

Abstract Earlier studies have shown that excessive abdominal fat deposition in broilers can be overcome by feeding feather meal (FM) during the finishing period (7 or 14 days prior to slaughter). Studies were conducted to determine if the observed fat reduction in FM-fed birds was due to factors other than supplying excess protein. The FM was added at levels of 4, 6, and 8% and glycine at levels of .125, .25, and .5%, similar to amounts contributed by corresponding levels of FM. Corn-soybean diets were also formulated at protein levels corresponding to those of FM diets. All experimental diets were fed from 35 to 49 or from 42 to 49 days of age. There were no significant differences in weight gain and feed efficiency of treatment and control groups during the study. The addition of glycine resulted in a significant (P
Relative Uniformity of Locomotor Activity of Mice Treated with β-β′-Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN)

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the relative efficiency of IDPN as a possible tool in standardizing locomotor activity in mice. A comparison of the uniformity of activity of IDPN mice was made with the activity of mice receiving saline. Frequency distribution studies showed that with IDPN mice the S.D. of activity measurements was 10 per cent or less of the mean in 90 per cent of the runs, whereas with the normal control mice the S.D. ranged between 15 and 35 per cent of the mean in 81 per cent of the runs. In the groups tested, activity counts over a 30-min. period dropped off between 1.0 and 8.3 per cent with the IDPN mice and between 22.8 and 30.7 per cent with the normal mice.
Abdominal computed tomography during pregnancy: a review of indications and fetal radiation exposure issues

This article reviews the radiation risks to the developing fetus when exposed in utero to diagnostic radiological procedures. The discussion focuses primarily on abdominal computed tomography as this is the examination that delivers the highest radiation dose to the fetus among the diagnostic radiological procedures performed during pregnancy. The review describes the common indications for abdominal computed tomography, the biological risks to the developing fetus, radiation dose, and dose modulation techniques as well as the need for establishing a pregnancy policy to guide performance of radiological investigations in pregnancy.
Reduction of body fat stores by inhibition of prolactin secretion.

Reductions of prolactin secretion by bromocriptine treatment for 24 days reduced fat stores (abdominal and epididymal fat depots) in hamsters by 25–49% compared with control animals. However, body weights and food consumption were not affected. These results further substantiate an important role for prolactin in regulation of fat metabolism and indicate that bromocriptine might be used to decrease fat stores.
Neuronal chemotaxis: chick dorsal-root axons turn toward high concentrations of nerve growth factor

Micropipettes containing 2 to 50 biological units of beta growth factor (NGF) were placed near growing axons of chick dorsal-root ganglion neurons in tissue culture. The axons turned and grew toward the NGF source within 21 minutes. This turning response to elevated concentrations of NGF appears to represent chemotactic guidance rather than a general enhancement of growth rate.
Multiplicity features of porous catalytic pellets. II: Influence of reaction order and pellet geometry

Abstract The steady state multiplicity features of porous catalytic pellets, the temperature of which is uniform but different from that of the surrounding, are determined for reactions of positive order. A method is presented for dividing the global parameter space into regions with different number of solutions as well as different bifurcation diagrams of surface temperature vs ambient Thiele modulus. Up to five steady state solutions exist in a catalytic slab for some parameters if the reaction order is less than 1.053. For all higher order reactions at most three solutions exist. The multiplicity pattern depends on the shape of the pellet. For example, for a first-order reaction five solutions exist for some parameters in a catalytic slab, but at most three solutions exist for either a cylindrical or a spherical pellet. The surprising dependence of the multiplicity features on the reaction order and pellet geometry could not have been predicted by a lumped model of the system.
Peritoneal inclusion cysts in adolescent females: a clinicopathological characterization of four cases.

Abstract Study Objective To identify adolescent females with peritoneal inclusion cysts and characterize the clinicopathologic features. Design Observational and chart review along with immunohistochemical studies. Setting University pediatric and adolescent clinic. Results Medical records of all subjects, ages 10–18 years, diagnosed with peritoneal inclusion cysts over a 4-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Four patients, ages 11–16 years (mean, 13.8 yrs) were identified. Pelvic pain was the most common presenting symptom. No palpable abdominal or pelvic masses were detected. However, pelvic lesions were identified by radiographic studies in three of the four patients. Half experienced tenderness on examination. With one exception, all had a prior history of abdominal surgery. Twelve peritoneal inclusion cysts were identified, ranging from 1 cm to 7 cm in greatest diameter. Most were uninvolved in coexisting adhesions and non-adherent to pelvic or abdominal structures. Each had a well-defined pedicle connection to the peritoneum. No associated complications were identified. Their appearance conformed to established morphologic and immunohistochemical criteria, although accompanying mesothelial-associated changes occasionally reported in other populations were not detected. No recurrences were recorded. Conclusion Young female adolescents with peritoneal inclusion cysts share presenting symptoms and histories of previous abdominal surgery similar to those reported in older female adolescents and adults. A palpable mass may not be detected on examination, but can often be identified using radiographic studies. Our cases differ from previous reports by smaller cyst size, presence of a pedicle, and uncomplicated gross and microscopic appearances. Additionally, local recurrences and associated complications occurred less than reported in adults.
ELIMINATING LEARNED HELPLESSNESS IN OLDER REHABILITATION PATIENTS

Physical and occupational therapists often encounter lack of motivation and non-compliant behaviors in their elderly patients. The theory of learned helplessness provides a theoretical framework for understanding why such motivational and other behavioral deficits occur and offers guidelines for rehabilitation staff interested in reversing their negative effects. In this article, helplessness is described as occurring when patients feel they have no control over their environment. Elderly patients may be particularly susceptible to helplessness, as they are likely to have experienced multiple losses and stresses. Helplessness leads to deficits in motivation, as well as in cognition, affect and, sometimes, self-esteem. Interventions to be used by the therapist in reversing patients' helplessness are discussed, including providing choices, providing success experiences, increasing environmental predictability, eliminating ageist stereotypes and modifying unrealistic treatment expectations.